In 2006 Lisa and Gary Doyle were dismayed by the number of historic homes being torn down in Lake Bluff. At the same time, they were enamored with their dog Bob, a pub. So they recruited Bob and other pugs to march in the 4th of July Parade under the theme “Pugs for Preservation.” They’ve been marching ever since …
In 2006 Lisa and Gary Doyle were dismayed by the number of historic homes being torn down in Lake Bluff. At the same time, they were enamored with their dog Bob. And who wouldn’t be? The pug charmed everyone with his big eyes, curly tail and layers of fur that resembled a scrunched-up blanket.
“Bob was a laid-back pug who let our son Tucker nap on him like a pillow,” says Lisa. “We first discovered there were so many pugs in town when we attended a pug birthday party. Pugs are just funny — but they’re even funnier in mass quantities, which the pugs in the parade represent.”
Lisa decided to harness the popularity of pugs in a “Pugs for Preservation!” 4th of July Parade float, and a tradition was born. Since then the pug float has taken on issues from the funny to the serious: “Pugs Against Global Warming,” “Pugs for the Lake Bluff Pug-Lick Library,” “Pugs for Cubs,” “Pugs for the Lake Bluff Pool,” and “Pugs for Ugly”, to name a few.
Gary, who refers to himself as the town curmudgeon, remains critical of the village’s historic preservation regulations, which he says are too relaxed and haven’t slowed the demo tide. “We could just keep recycling the ‘Pugs for Preservation!’ theme every year,” he laments.
Sadly, Bob passed away a few years ago. But the pug float continued this summer with Lou, the Doyles’ newest pug, and the theme was something Gary felt everyone could support: “Pugs (for) Unity (in) Government! Snort!”