Maggie
Manhattan Rose
March 17, 1994-January 7, 2010


Her heart and spirit were "multum in parvo". She brought joy throughout her travels.
We were blessed that she chose us to care for her.

Maggie celebrated life and now her life is being celebrated. We speak of loss when we should speak of gain. Maggie brought joy on her terms. She felt entitled. But she deserved all that she received and even more.

Being her companion had its benefits. Places never before visited and invitations for her meant you could attend also. She helped forge new and lasting friendships. There was the gift of a renewed sense of joy and silliness. A profound sense of what is truly important in life.

Maggie's stare could get someone wearing "colors" to stop and shout, "Yo, cute dog man!" A stern Brooks Brother wearer could stop and utter, "She looks like a rump roast." But they always smiled. And those who could see beauty in a pushed in nose and wrinkled face knew Maggie was incomparable in hers.

Maggie knew she was a star. Thousands of photographs reveal one figure always posing for the camera-Maggie. Celebrities walked over to meet her. Maggie was never a diva and always a professional. She chose her friends and play things thoughtfully.

It has been no surprise as to the universal reaction-sadness. But it was coupled by the recognition of what a wonderful life she had. She slept in chateaus and campgrounds. She ate kibbles and filet mignon. She drank milk and lapped up champagne. She slept on down or sawdust. But she preferred to be carried.

It is expected that pug owners know that her spirit is ever present. The Tibetan monks understood this. Those who knew her but didn't quite understand her allure seemed genuinely saddened by the news.

Thank you for sharing your full life with us our "little, little, little one" because you made our lives that much fuller too. You are with us always.



Click on image to expand

Pug Hill The story:

People think Pug Hill has always been. But it was created by deliberate design.

 

When I created Pug Hill in 1994 it was my idea that Pug Hill activities would bring people together with one sole love-the love of pugs. Over the years I have personally invited over 1,000 pugs to join Pug Hill and thousands more people to visit. As described in one book I was the “pug ambassador.” I am known worldwide for these activities (in various media interviews, book and articles).

 

Pug Hill was not just about “a place in the park but a place in the heart.” It was about introducing people from various backgrounds to each other. Their common love was their pug(s). We participated in pug shows, charity events, auctions and traveled to far off places.

 

Pug Hill was also about the “pug lore” I created. It was fact injected with preposterous fiction. It was meant to self deprecate. It was meant to educate. But most of all it was about fun.

There are those who never secured my permission for use of the Pug Hill name for commercial or creative endeavors. I wanted to make sure that the pug world understands that, the book “Pug Hill” was done without my permission.

There are reasons for withholding that permission. For example, the reason I did not cooperate with the author of some articles is because I did not want to see Pug Hill (or their owners) exploited. If money was to be made it would be donated to the pug rescues etc of my choice not someone else's. But in this case I was never asked for my permission.

 

Pug Hill was not “Dog Hill” and that is why it was pugs only. There also can not be an “official” pug because no pug is singularly important not even my pug Maggie who was the first pug of Pug Hill. It would detract from all the pugs and their owners, some of whom are no longer with us.

 

How many times had people heard me say “Pug Hill has no dues because pugs have no money” and “Pug Hill has no rules because pugs have no rules”? But in a sense they did have rules.

 

Pugs are pure of heart. So let us learn from them. Love unconditionally and play fair.

With pug hugs,

 

John

© 2006 Manhattan Rose Press
Pug Hill (SM)1994 All rights reserved.