Monday Mischief-Concerning Hobbits and Pugs

Forget the olympics, the US presidential election, the supposed doom predicted by  the Mayan calendar, the biggest event of 2012 for fantasy nerds comes on Friday December, 14.  The premier of part 1 of The Hobbit: An Unexpected journey.

Now finally the void left since The Return of the King can be filled, because there is nothing like a Hobbit, and of course sadly in the real world they do not exist (according to the books they were driven away by the big folk).  Take heart though, there seem to be some interesting parallels between Hobbits and Pugs.

  

If you don't believe me take a look at this dialogue taken from the extended addition of The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring (I have highlighted the pug pertinent parts and supplied pictorial evidence)

BILBO VOICEOVER:

Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years.

Exhibit A: Pugs are one of the oldest breeds around.  Writing describing pugs date back as far as 534 BCE, when they were described by Confucious. Quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Big Folk. Middle Earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. Hobbits must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors, nor counted amongst the very wise.

Exhibit B- This picture documents a day that the Urban Hounds dad played a mean trick on the pugs.  Tubby, Ping, and Weasley wandered into Weasley's play pen in search of srtray bit of kibble, Dad then closed the door and they became a bit confused.  A few seconds later when he re-opened the door they could not figure out how to get out and had to be picked up out of the pen.

(Of course a pugs natural cleverness comes out when manipulating a human who loves them, much like the wisdom of a Hobbit under duress. Also not great warriors, they definitely prefer a snuggle to a tussle) Exhibit C-A Pug Besotted Human

BILBO:

In fact, it has been remarked by some that Hobbits’ only real passion is for food. Exhibit D: Three hungry pugs sharing a pupsickle

A rather unfair observation. As we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipeweed.  But where our hearts truly lie  is in peace and quiet

Exhibit E: Pugs appreciating peace and quiet

and good tilled earth.  For all Hobbits share a love of all things that grow. Exhibit F: A pug demonstrating a love of things that grow

And yes, no doubt to others, our ways seem quaint.  But today of all days, it is brought home to me it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.

Exhibit G: Pugs appreciating the simple life

We hope you enjoy the movie if you do go and see it, or even better read the book.   Happy Hobbiting!