Pugs and their Pals Bond

Jennifer Sorgman smiles as she watches pugs of varying colors and sizes charm their way onto laps and coax treats out of pockets.

 “They’re a lot of dog in a small package,'' she said.

Her friends at the Grafton Pug Meetup, which meets the last Saturday of the month at Gibson’s Kennels in Grafton, would agree. The group allows the dogs to socialize with each other.

The humans do the same, sharing stories and cell phone photos of their dogs' latest antics.

 At the most recent meeting, more than a dozen pugs scampered around the room, stopping regularly to make a new dog or human friend.

 “We sit around and let the dogs play,’’ said Michelle Girouard, who organized the group with Kelly Reed.  “They have a blast.’'

 For these pug lovers, their animals carry a special place in their hearts.

 “They’re gentle and easy to care for,’’ Girouard said. “They’re very much like cats. My pug sleeps 18 hours a day in the sun.’’

 Pugs are also intelligent and stubborn, two traits that sometimes clash.

 “They can learn any trick. Whether they will do it or not is another story,’’ she said, laughing.

 Pugs can be prone to breathing problems, because the same pushed-in nose that makes them so charming can also create health issues. They can also suffer from allergies, Girouard said.

 But they are more than worth the extra health attention, these pug lovers agree.

 Amy Levine of Upton lives with a “very affectionate’’ Otis, one of the calmer dogs at the meetup. Otis  lived in a pet store for a year, so he wasn’t fully socialized.

 While other pugs sought each other out, Otis calmly walked around, checking out the other people in the room.

 “I love him,’’ she said. “I love pugs. They are so affectionate and so sweet, and I think they’re probably one of the cutest dogs. He’s a good companion.’’

 Sorgman and her husband, Jay Sorgman, travel from Taunton to spend time with fellow pug enthusiasts.

Their two pugs fit their lifestyle, the couple said.

“They’re happy doing whatever you do,’’ Jennifer Sorgman said.

Want to see more adorable pug pics? Visit http://patch.com/A-gjNq