Life with the ‘ugliest’ dog currently starring in Deadpool & Wolverine
The transformation of Britain’s “ugliest” dog into a Hollywood star is unexpected and “surreal”, his owner has said.
Peggy will appear alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in Marvel’s latest superhero film, Deadpool & Wolverine.
The five-year-old pug – a pug and Chinese crested terrier mix – was cast as ‘Dogpool’ after rising to fame last year when she crowned ugliest dog in a national competition last year.
Looking back on the past 18 months, Peggy’s owner Holly Middleton, from East Yorkshire, said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen.”
“When we sent her picture [to the ugly dog competition]I didn’t think it would reach this height,” she added.
“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
Peggy will appear at a welcome ceremony at a cinema in Hull later. She is will meet fans at Cineworld, Kingswoodat 10:30 BST.
However, despite her “huge fan base”, Ms Middleton said Peggy did not display “celebrity behaviour” at home.
On the contrary, this usually “reticent and lazy” pugese has “gained a little more confidence” thanks to the trainer assigned to care for him during the production of Deadpool & Wolverine.
“She’s still just old Peg,” said Mrs. Middleton.
The 37-year-old makeup artist said her family missed Peggy a lot while she was away filming.
“It’s really, really strange not having her here,” her owner said. “I have two boys and they miss her terribly.
“We didn’t tell them where she was. Everything had to be kept quiet.
“I’m glad she’s back. We missed her.”
See Peggy make her debut at the New York premiere and hosted on the red carpet by Hollywood celebrities “It’s surreal,” said Ms Middleton.
“I loved it. Peggy looked really comfortable the whole time, which is probably how most people would feel being held by Ryan Reynolds.
“They seemed really, really loving towards her and very gentle with her, and you could see… them kissing her and patting her on the head.
“I really loved every second of that scene. I loved watching her do her thing on it.
“She looks very comfortable and happy.”
Mrs Middleton said there were currently no plans for future film roles and Peggy was content to rest at home.
“First and foremost, she is the family pet,” she added. “There is nothing she loves more than cuddling with us on the couch, or snuggling in her bed.”
Despite Peggy’s international fame, Ms Middleton said she was “just like any other dog that is walked around the village” – although she “absolutely loves” the attention and is used to turning heads.
“When I read the comments online, they were all very positive and supportive of Peggy, saying she was beautiful.
“Before all this happened, just looking at her appearance would have been enough to get people’s attention, but usually people would just nudge each other and whisper, ‘Oh, what’s wrong with that dog?
“So since everything happened, the public’s perception of Peggy, whether she’s beautiful, ugly or whatever, has definitely changed for the better.”
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