So, Phoebe was able to use her pug weather "mojo" to chase any Mililani showers away. But, she had a long weekend partying with her nonpug peeps and didn't have enough weather mojo to chase away the stifling humidity!! But, pugs and parents alike shared a great afternoon (albeit a sweaty one) celebrating All Hallow's Eve in grand fashion!

Thank you, thank you to Teri and Nolan who worked really hard to set up this meetup--putting up signs throughout Mililani early in the morning, (Can you imagine people looking for garage sales seeing those signs--are they selling pugs??? What's the deal? LOL), putting up their tent in the back yard and setting up the grill. Not to mention the incredibly fantastic photo area that Teri set up for everyone to take photos of their puggies! The red wheelbarrow filled with pumpkins and hay was truly a HIT!! And, thanks to brothers Mickey and Maru. They put on their Halloween ties and gently greeted all their guests with pug kisses and snorts!! A huge mahalo to Teri, Nolan, and M & M for their awesome hospitality.

A special shout out to Jess who is still awaiting the arrival of Madame Mim and Bella Trix from MN. She was the first meetuper to arrive and brought with her those yummy peanut butter gooey treats. She also kindly helped the set up crew get last-minute details in order. Thanks, Jess!

Bugzee was the first pug to arrive, filled with unbridled energy! Mom, Gail, and dad, Lewis, had a lot to handle with him, but he did well on leash. He was joined later by another pug puppy, the extremely friendly, Max (yes, Max 2!). He's getting bigger and is such a joy to his human parents Dan and Dana. Agreeable and joyous, he had no problem putting on his "Trick or Treat" shirt for the costume contest--what a lil trooper! All the pugs were troopers, but for some, the heat and excitement were too much...

Elvis (the lil devil) had to leave before the costume contest with mom, Suz (a darlin' angel). But, they definitely would have won the prize for best human/pug costume combo--check out the photos for a peek of their great get ups. And big boy Roofus brought the "force" with him when he walked in with his Darth Vader outfit. But, after strutting his stuff for a while, he wanted to go home to his AC! Mom, Lindsey, and Dad, Micah, always the responsible pug parents, relented to his request for some cool-down time! It was nice to see both of them (it's been a while!).

Speaking about black pugs, lil Sophee was able to make the meetup with mom, Kathy. Unfortunately, big sis Katy, an "honorary" pug member who has come to several meetups crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" last week. Sophee was a little out of sorts but the pugs helped to give her an active afternoon that will hopefully help to heal her sad, lil heart. The group expresses condolences to Kathy, Sophee, and dad. We hope you'll find comfort in this difficult time. We will miss Katy at the meetups but she will always have a place in our hearts.

Along with the black pugs came the "orange" ones. Mike and Marcy (sans Mason, who was with grandma) brought Peek and Max with an appropriate new hairdo for the "season." With a little unsweetened cool-aid they were transformed from fawn to "apricot" pugs. A green collar and they could have been matching pumpkins! They didn't join the costume contest, though, deciding instead to sniff for any food that was dropped from the amazing pot luck pug parents indulged in. There were some great grindz...my personal favorite was Andra and Tracy's shrimp (mmmmm), and Teri's beef stew was so rich and yummy. And, there was so much more but I'm getting hungry thinking about it so let's move on to the costume contest. After the pot luck, Teri literally "rolled out the red carpet" for pugs to strut their stuff!!

Funny moment: Diva Phoebe sees the red carpet and jumps right on it with a look like, "Aaaaahhhh, the red carpet, that's where I belong." She didn't want to get off even with mom's urging! We finally pull her from the spotlight and start the show....Teri's nieces Abby and Angela served as our "unbiased" judges. They did a fantastic job with a hard task (everyone's costume was so cute). Chase started the show by escorting pug big brother, Bula. They donned Fire Chief attire. Bruiser was next, escorted by mom, Marilyn. He came as a giant pumpkin. Pug brother, Bruiser came as a cowboy (BTW--Bruiser had a costume change and showed off a mail carrier outfit too!). Dad Neil has a matching set but was home with the flu--get well soon, Neil! And, Marilyn said she wasn't going to wear Neil's uniform...and, pug aunty Diana said, "I'll just take the pictures!

Bear came down the red carpet next as a Chippendale dancer (sort of matched Gin's unforgettable "stripper" costume from year's ago). Mom, Andra, helped him to "shed" his costume (and it shedded as easily as a pug sheds its fur!). One and Two, escorted by sis, Jazz, also sported tuxes. They came as the Blues Brother with dark glasses and all!! Best moment, watching One do "number 2" with his tux and tails--such a civilized gentelman!! Host Mickey and Maru came as cowboys. Mickey started rolling as soon as Teri got the costume on him, and I swear he was trying to hide before the contest! Finally, Frankie, strutted with mom, Tiff, as dad, Matt cheered. Frankie came as a "local dog." (TOOOOOO FUNNNNNYYY!!--but, you really had to "be there.")

In the end, Fujii won cutest costume, Frankie won most original, One and Two won "cutest," and Fujii was the overall judges winner with Frankie being the audience fave! But, everyone went home with a prize anyway!! And, we would be remiss if we don't mention, Nick and Abby, who came without costume because Pat and Bill couldn't find their costume stash, oh my! Hey, they all had a great time anyway as did Gin, who came with dad, Dwayne....(We were all hoping for another one of his creative costume creations--maybe she can come as a salsa dancer next year, wink!!)

And, my friends, who make homemade treats, donated trick-or-treat guava-flavored goodies for all the puggies. Let us know if you need more. Phoebe is addicted to the goodies from "Dog House Hawaii." A final thanks to Teri for donating two of the grand prizes, even if she already did way too much!

So, all in all, it was a hot but fun event...don't put those costumes away! There are more contests at different pet stores across the island next week on 10/31. Check out hawaiipetnetwork.com for listings on events in your area. If we don't see you at the Bark Avenue event, we'll see you in November (more info to come). Til then, stay safe and have a wonderful Halloween!!

With much pug love, Phoebe and her family!!

How were the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies? It was a new recipe for me, so don't be afraid to hurt my feelings!

It was so hot, I broke my own rule and didn't make Elvis ride home in his crate. I let him ride on the floorboard of the passenger side. I split the A/C and he mashed his little face up in there. He was snoring before I even got on H2. LOL We had a super fun hour and a half!

Thanks so much for having us!!!

Thanks Teri & Nolan, we had an awesome time!

Suz - I liked the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It suprised me on the first bite cause I didn't know it was pumpkin but I love pumpkin flavored anything and adding chocolate is just a bonus.