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Community Corner

PugFest 2012 Visits Gwinnett

PugFest is the annual fundraiser held by Southeastern Pug Rescue & Adoption (SEPRA).

Each year, on the last weekend in October, the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds exhibit hall is filled with the sounds of snorts, the sights of waging curly tails, and Pugs in costumes. Crowds (yes crowds !) travel from far and wide to join in the fun and games.

But it's not just fun and games. The hall is filled with precious Pugs looking for a forever home.

Southeastern Pug Rescue & Adoption (SEPRA) takes in Pugs & Pug mixes from all over the country. Some have critical medical needs. Diabetes, arthritis and eye problems are just a few issue that plague the breed. With love and compassion, foster parents open their hearts and their homes to care for these precious dogs' needs.

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Once healthy and rehabbed enough they go on the website for adoption. Over the weekend SEPRA had some of these Pugs at the event, although none were allowed to be adopted. The weekend was a fund raiser and a meet-and-greet for the dogs and prospective owners.

PugFest is, like the name implies, a festival. There are vendors with dog supples, arts and crafts (a true Pug owner's home is covered in Pug art of many sorts), homemade dog treats and more.

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There's also the contests. These are the most popular part of the event. The contests are for: who traveled the farthest, talent (lots of rollovers), the oldest, the best kisser, the longest tongue (some Pugs suffer from a condition that causes their tongues to hang out), and of course, the ever popular costume contest. Two categories for costumes, store bought and homemade.

All in all, it was a great turnout. Last count showed over 400 Pugs, Pug mixes and other small breed dogs attended. For those of you who attended, THANKS for your support. For those that didn't make it, you missed a real party.

David Binder is a photographer from Loganville and an enthusiastic Pug Daddy!

Are you a Norcross Pug lover? Did you attend the event? If so, please share your photos with your Norcross neighbors. It's easy, just click on the link below the main photo in this story that's marked "Upload photos and videos.

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