From 'Ugliest' Dog to Hollywood Star: The Unbelievable Journey of Peggy
The astonishing transformation of Peggy, once deemed Britain’s “ugliest” dog, into a Hollywood sensation has been nothing short of “surreal,” according to her owner.
Peggy, a five-year-old pugese – a crossbreed between a pug and a Chinese crested dog – has captured the spotlight alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in the latest Marvel blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine. Her journey to stardom began when she won the title of the ugliest dog in a national contest last year, leading to her casting as “Dogpool.”
Reflecting on the past year and a half, Holly Middleton from East Yorkshire, Peggy’s owner, expressed her disbelief: “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine something like this happening.”
In a promotional event for Deadpool & Wolverine, Holly, dressed in a black outfit and gold necklace, proudly held Peggy, who was decked out in a red and black superhero costume. Her husband, Luke, in a burgundy dinner jacket, stood by her side.
“When we entered her picture in the ugly dog contest, I had no idea it would turn into such a big deal,” Holly admitted. “I never expected it to reach these heights.”
Peggy is set to make a special appearance at Cineworld in Hull, where fans can meet her at 10:30 BST. Despite her newfound fame and “massive fan base,” Holly reassured that Peggy remains the same at home, displaying no “diva behavior.” Instead, the typically “reserved and lazy” pugese has gained a boost in confidence from her training during the film’s production.
“She’s still just plain old Peg,” Holly remarked.
As a 37-year-old makeup artist, Holly shared how much the family missed Peggy during her time away filming. “It was really strange not having her around,” she said. “My two boys missed her terribly. We had to keep everything a secret.”
Holly expressed her relief and happiness at Peggy’s return: “I’m so glad she’s back. We missed her.”
Watching Peggy’s premiere debut in New York, where she was lovingly held by Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet, was a “surreal” experience for Holly. “I loved it. Peggy looked so comfortable, especially when being cuddled by Ryan Reynolds. They were all so gentle and affectionate with her.”
Currently, there are no future film roles planned for Peggy. She is enjoying her time at home, snuggling on the couch or in her bed as a beloved family pet.
Despite her global fame, Peggy remains down-to-earth. “She’s like any other dog in the village,” Holly said, though she noted that Peggy “absolutely loves” the attention and has become a head-turner.
“Comments online are overwhelmingly positive. People now see Peggy as beautiful. Before all this, she used to get stares and whispers about her looks. But now, the public perception has changed for the better,” Holly concluded.
From the title of “ugliest” dog to a Hollywood star, Peggy’s story is one of unexpected and heartwarming transformation.
