Sid’s been the center of attention since his b-day earlier this month, and amid all the craziness of 1000 Pugs weekend, he also had two special non-pug (i.e. human) visitors.

It was Payton‘s ‘rents, Tim and Christy! They were in NYC for the last leg of their multi-city Remembering Payton tour and the NY/NJ 1000 Pugs photo shoot.

As soon as T & C set foot into PugSlope HQ, Sid knew he was in for a treat. Especially when he noticed the bright-colored gift bag Christy was toting. Like most of his flat-faced bretheren, Sid assumes that any bag or box that enters his domain (our apartment) is undeniably his. This time, he was actually right.

If I get close enough, I think I can see through the wrapping paper.

The first gift was a plush IntelliBone which is one of those puzzle-type toys that Sid goes ga-ga over. Plus every little component has a sqeaker inside so his mind was definitely blown.

It didn’t take Sid very long to pull all the plush donuts off the center bone, at which point he decided to show off by coyly using the bone as a head-rest. Yes, we are now justified when referring to him as a bonehead. Wah-wah.

This is how we store our bones on Planet Cool Sid.

Of course, we couldn’t just let him sit there all smug with his little peanut head resting on that bone. So we put the donuts back on. And he took them off again and proceeded to perch his head, victorious, on the bone again. After repeating this process a few more times, Sid was losing steam. By the end of night he just laid there like this:

Every five seconds or so, he’d gently squeeze the bone, just to confirm it was still there in his mouth and that he wasn’t dreaming.

But the excitement wasn’t over just yet. Another package was pulled from the bag. Inside was a framed photo of the fabulous Miss P herself along with a very special confidence shirt.

This shirt is actually the one that Payton is wearing in the photo. We were all moved by this very thoughtful gift (even Sid blushed – though he’ll never admit it) and were so glad we got to spend some time with such a great couple.

Okay, everybody, listen up.  This is New York City.  And in New York City, you gotta know how to be COOL around people who are famous for doing all sorts of awesome things.  These famous people are called CELEBRITIES, and when you see a celebrity, you’re gonna want to take a photo with them because it’s sooooo exciting to see a celebrity, but it’s soooo NOT COOL to ask a celebrity to take a photo with you.  Here’s how taking photos with celebrities works on PLANET COOL SID.

1.  Stumble upon a celebrity.  OMG OMG OMG LOOK MOM IT’S PUGLET FROM THE DAILY PUGLET!!!!!

 2.  Tell your parents to get the camera ready, and then nonchalantly sit as close to the celebrity as possible without actually making eye contact with the celebrity.  Can you sit under the celebrity?  Even better!

 3.   Smile for the camera!!

Ta-da!!!  Now you have a SUPER COOL photo of your and your new best friend [INSERT CELEBRITY’S NAME HERE]!  Pass it around at cocktail parties for a great conversation starter!! Post on your Facebook page to make Mr. Pickles jealous!!  Stare at intensely when your self-esteem is feeling low and daydream that you’re in an awesome buddy cop movie together!!!  IT’S SO COOL TO BE COOL!!!

In addition to the excitement of 1000 Pugs last Sunday, and Sid’s Birthday Week, we’ve also had a special guest spending a week-long holiday here at Camp Pug Slope.

It’s none other than Stella Boo McMuffin – the pint-sized sister of Eddie the Pug from San Francisco.

I think Sid may have met his match when it comes to “food motivation”. Stella takes food VERY seriously. And coincidentally, her favorite treats are baby carrots – which you know we already have ample supply of here at PugSlope H.Q.

Aside from Sid being a little particular about which toys Stella can play with, and claiming her little bed as his own, they’ve been getting along like old fur-riends.

It’s still technically Birthday Week here at Pug Slope as Sid’s 7th Birthday was just last Thursday.

About a week before the BIG DAY, he gave us a list of potential gifts he would like (and I quote):

1. Giftcard from MrChewy.com

2. Baby Carrots (like 10 bags min.)

3. Another batch of Plush Potatoes (yellow is my favorite color)

4. Jar of Peanut Butter (left on floor with lid removed)

5. Framed black-and-white portrait of T-Buttz and I looking all romantic and stuff

(NOTE: Puhleeez do not get me any more CONFIDENCE SHIRTS. I have like 2000 already and also I’ve already got enough confidence without  them – remember how I scaled Mount Couch sans shirt?!)

Much to his surprise, we actually appealed to requests #2 and #4 (though not is the requested quantities) via his Birthday cake,  which consisted of a cored & peeled apple topped with peanut butter, a crunchy venison treat, and 7 baby carrot “candles”.

Sid was even more shocked when something large and billowy was pulled out from its hiding spot and placed on the floor in front of him.

Being a gentle-pug of leisure, he knew exactly what this item was and what he was supposed to do.

This is mine.

While he was occupied with fluffing-up his new bed, we were able to covertly slip in and purloin his old, crusty, stinky bed (complete with peanut butter remains mashed into the fabric). We’re hoping he doesn’t notice.

Well there weren’t quite 1000 pugs at Washington Square Park on Sunday, but there were at least two dozen. Despite the chilly temps and drizzle, we made it to the NYC 1000 Pugs photo shoot.

This was Sid’s second subway adventure, so of course he knew this meant he’d be hanging out in his travel bag for the duration of the subterranean journey. Stella Boo McMuffin (from Greenpoint, Brooklyn) was also in tow as she was spending the week on holiday with us at Camp Pug Slope.

Don’t worry, these aren’t “suspicious packages” – they’re just a coupla’ pugs.

When we got to the the park, Sid and Stella were greeted by none other than Puglet, from The Daily Puglet.

Mr. Puglet, himself!

He’s got amazing eyes!

Puglet’s human, Amanda, is the sole creator, organizer, scheduler, and photographer for the 1000 Pugs project. She is awesome and, by the end of the shoot, Sid wanted to go home with her (I mean she was wearing a POUCH FILLED WITH BABY CARROTS, how could Sid resist?).

You had me at ‘baby carrot’.

Amanda’s mom was there keeping an eye and Puglet and his cousin, Sophie who was as sweet as could be. While the other pugs were running around, panting, sniffing, and getting their leashes twisted into a cat’s cradle, Sophie just chilled out in Amanda’s mom’s arms.

Pretty soon it seemed like everyone we’ve ever met via the blog showed up! It was insane!

Weasley from Urban Hounds, sporting his ever-so-dapper tweed jacket.

I need a cool jacket like that, Dad!

Ping, also from Urban Hounds, was also there in a little sweatshirt, as was Tubby (who I didn’t get a good photo of – Sorry Tubby!)

Scarlet from The Scarlet Sutras kept dry up on her mom’s lap. She sure is a wise pug!

We also finally got to meet the M3 gang, who I painted portraits of a while back.

Mochi,

Macho,

and Marshmallow – he’s a self-admitted “momma’s boy”.

Mochi explained to Sid the pros/cons of having to live with two other pugs. Sid didn’t understand the concept of having to ‘share treats’.

And that’s NOT ALL! Of course Sid’s LADY-FRIEND ESPECIAL, Miss Timothy Buttons, was there with her ‘rents.

Like Sid, T-Buttz was a little pooped after her photo shoot, too. Amanda made them WORK for those treats!

Tim and Christy (from Pugnacious P) were there, on the last stop of their “Remembering Payton” tour. We still miss Payton a lot and it was really nice to hang out with them (more on that in another post, too!).

The rain started coming down pretty hard, and there was a lot of pug shivering goin’ on, especially among the M3 posse, but soon spirits were lifted when the whole Southern Fried Pugs crew rolled on up. Yes, they literally rolled up.

Um, I think the pug count just doubled.

Aside from all the pugs and people we know from blogging, there were also some adorable local NYC pugs, including one named Pixel.

Unfortunately, even with all the PUG LOVE in the air, the crummy weather was getting to pug and human alike – even Stella was dropping hints that it was time to get home.

So, like, am I supposed to get in this bag all by myself?!

Before we headed for the subway, Sid insisted we get a photo with him and Puglet.

The “Jimmy” masters.

Love,
Mom and Dad

So tomorrow, October 4th, is Sid’s 7th Birthday.

Since he reads the blog, I can’t comment exactly on what we have planned, but rest assured his mind will be blown.

“I’m getting SEVEN Birthday cakes, right?” 

This upcoming weekend is actually extremely exciting for all of us! Not only will we still be celebrating Sid’s Birthday (he insists we celebrate for at least 1 week), his 1000 Pugs photo shoot is on Sunday. We’re super excited to meet a whole bunch of you pugs, pug people, and pug bloggers “in the fur” as Sid would put it. Not only that, but we’ve got a SPECIAL GUEST (of the pug variety) staying with us next week.

To prepare for all the excitement, we’ve been encouraging Sid to get lots of rest.