On Saturday, the day had finally arrived: our first Mastiff and Pug meetup took place in Rascheid. Looking back on the day now, what I feel above all is gratitude – and genuine delight at how many wonderful people came with their dogs.
We already knew every one of our guests personally. Some have been part of our lives for many years; others not quite as long. That is why the day never felt like an official event. It was much more like a large reunion with friends, their families and, of course, their dogs.
So Many Familiar Faces in One Place
From the moment people began to arrive, there was a wonderfully warm atmosphere. Greetings, laughter and stories were everywhere. Conversations arose naturally while the dogs were right in the middle of it all and everyone gradually found their place.
I was especially touched by how many people accepted our invitation. The fact that so many had taken the time to spend this day with us was anything but something we could take for granted. The gathering grew with every new arrival, yet the atmosphere remained personal, familiar and relaxed throughout.
We laughed about our dogs’ individual quirks, revisited shared memories and, of course, much of the conversation revolved around the passion that connects us all: life with these truly remarkable dogs.
Completely at Ease Together
What I will remember most clearly from yesterday is how calm the dogs were together. Many of the Mastiffs had never met before. Each brought their own personality – yet they greeted one another in a completely relaxed way.
They sniffed one another, walked across the meadow together or quietly watched everything from the side. Some quickly sought the company of other dogs, while others preferred to stay close to their people. Each was allowed to settle in at their own pace.
Naturally, you watch the first encounters carefully, particularly when so many large and powerful dogs come together. That made it all the more wonderful to see how calmly they interacted. After a short while, it felt as though not only the people but also the dogs were simply enjoying the day together.
And, of course, our considerably smaller Pugs were right in the middle of all those Mastiffs. Seeing the very large and the very small together so naturally brought a smile to our faces again and again.
More Than a Dog Meetup
What made this day so special cannot be reduced to a single moment. It was the entire atmosphere: familiar people, laughter, countless conversations and the consideration everyone showed one another.
Our Mastiffs are members of our family. Over the years, however, many friendships and personal connections have also grown around them. Yesterday, all those connections could be felt in one place. That is precisely why our first meetup was so much more to us than simply a day spent with dogs.
It felt like a gathering of our Celtic Mountain family and friends – warm, uncomplicated and exactly as we had hoped it would be.
You can learn more about us and our bond with the English Mastiff on our About Us page.
Thank You for This Wonderful Day
As the gathering slowly began to thin out that evening, none of us really wanted the day to be over. The dogs were tired, our minds were filled with wonderful impressions and, above all, we shared the feeling that we had experienced something truly special together.
We would therefore like to offer our heartfelt thanks. Thank you to everyone who came, helped, laughed with us and contributed to this wonderful atmosphere with their open and friendly manner. You made our first Mastiff and Pug meetup a day we will remember very fondly.
We do not yet know whether it will one day become a regular tradition. After this day, however, I very much hope that it was not our last gathering together.
Your Celtic Mountain family
Mastiff and Pug Meetup 2023 – Impressions from Rascheid
More from Our Celtic Mountain Family
This first day together marked the beginning of a special tradition around our dogs and the people connected to them. You can find more impressions of our Mastiffs, our life together and the story behind From the Celtic Mountain throughout our website.
- See More Photos in Our Gallery
- Meet Our English Mastiffs
- Learn More About Us and Our Breeding Programme