Hobbits and Pugs

In honor of the cinematic event of the year, at least in my opinion, the screening of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Here is a post comparing hobbits and pugs that turned out to be the most popular one on my old blog, Urban Hounds.

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.  Writings describing pug like dogs date back as far as 551 BCE, when they were described by Confucius as a "short mouthed dog." 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 above documents a day that the Retro Rover pug's dad played a mean trick on them.  Tubby, Ping, and Weasley wandered into Weasley's play pen in search of stray 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 IQ points climb a bit 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 books.   Happy Hobbiting!