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.

Hey everybody!  Part Two of Sid’s Manhattan adventure starts NOW:

So, Sid survived the subway, and after meeting up with Grammy Grace, Uncle Jay and Auntie Chiho in Washington Square Park, we made our way over to the West Village.

We were looking for a place to brunch, but stumbled onto a street fair / farmer’s market – dangerous territory for a food-crazy pug.

Luckily, we were able to get a table at a great wood-fired pizza place with outdoor seating before Sid noticed any of discarded churros or abandoned squash blossoms that lined the pavement around the farmer’s market.  We were seated right near the sidewalk so all the passersby could see that this was the place where the cool pugs eat.

Sid’s Five-star Yelp review: “OMG, I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE, BUT THEIR PEANUT-BUTTER-FILLED KONG BONES TASTED JUST LIKE THE PEANUT-BUTTER-FILLED KONG BONES MY MOM AND DAD MAKE FOR ME AT HOME.”

After the meal, Sid was ready for a nap, but there was still more fun to be had!  Back to Washington Square!

Manhattan can be exhausting.  Some tired tourists make their way through central park in a horse-drawn carriage.  Others rest their aching feet in the back of a pedicab en route to a Broadway show.

Sid gets carried around Greenwich Village by his mother.

Yup.

It’s okay, though, because he needed the rest.  See, he met a new friend out on the street, and his friend told him about this “spot at the bottom of the square where all the small dogs get their ya-yas out, and it’s real hush-hush, ya’see, but if you’re cool and speak their lingo, you might just find yourself havin’ a real good time – a real good time, if you catch my drift.  ‘Cause these small dogs aren’t like you Brooklyn small dogs.  These small dogs live in Manhattan, the island of opportunity, the island of down is up and up is down and who’s walkin’ who?  That’s right, Mom and Dad, I’m walkin’ you.  These small dogs eat treats for breakfast, and treats for lunch, and treats for snacks in between breakfast and lunch – and for dinner?  MORE TREATS.  So if you play your cards right and do what I do, you might just get a taste of what we’re cookin’ out here, but just a taste, my flat-faced friend, ’cause IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND.”

So, we’ve finally wittled down the ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY PHOTOS we took of Sid’s Manhattan adventure into a slightly-more-managable three-part photo essay entitled “Pug in the City.”

Today we present part one – Sid’s Subway Spectacular!

One last Brooklyn smile for the camera before Sid hops into his Sherpa bag and heads downstairs into the 7th Ave station!

Sid gets carried deeper into the abyss.

OMG THE TRAIN’S A’COMIN’!!!!!

Sittin’ in a bag on Daddy’s lap, playin’ it cool on the F train.

We made it to Manhattan!

“Hey!  I’m walkin’ here!”

We met up with Grammy Grace, Uncle Jay, and Auntie Chiho in Washington Square Park.

Sid just wanted to keep hangin’ out inside of on top of his bag, as if there was someplace else he wanted to go.

“Forget Carnegie Hall. How do I get to Carnegie Deli?”