When Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were accompanied on the red carpet in New York last night by a nearly hairless dog with a long tongue hanging out of its mouth, some may have been surprised.
But for four-year-old Peggy, it marked the final chapter of an extraordinary life so far.
This is a dog that has been widely described as Britain’s ugliest, even taking the unfortunate crown in an official poll last year.
She began life as the runt of an accidental litter, before being adopted by Holly Middleton, from Leven, East Yorkshire, when she was six months old.
But the pug-Chinese crested crossbreed – or pugese – is now one of the stars of the upcoming Marvel movie Deadpool and Wolverine, and even sports his own costume.
Peggy, a pug and Chinese crested (or pugese) cross, was officially voted the ugliest dog in the country last year.
The unusual dog looked right at home on the red carpet as he posed for the cameras with co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, who beamed proudly with Peggy.
Peggy the dog attends the premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine and poses for the cameras
Ryan Reynolds loves Peggy, the “ugliest dog in the UK”
Cast members Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds hold Britain’s ugliest dog, Peggy
Peggy the dog attends the premiere of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ in New York
Peggy was hired to join the cast of the upcoming Marvel film when Reynolds spotted the dog. She is seen in a scene from the upcoming film.
Instead of feeling self-conscious about her peculiar appearance, Peggy, encouraged by her loving owner, struts around proudly.
The unusual dog looked right at home on the red carpet as he posed for the cameras.
In honour of Peggy, HMV on Oxford Street has even replaced its dog and gramophone logo with one featuring the dog.
Peggy was adopted by Ms Middleton, 36, when she was just six months old, due to her “peculiar” appearance.
His owner admitted to the BBC that his pup is like ‘Marmite’ and that people either love him or hate him.
She entered Peggy into a competition to find Britain’s Ugliest Dog and won a grooming session and photo shoot.
The pup is no stranger to being the center of attention and has earned strange looks, gasps and comments when the couple goes out for a walk.
Ms Middleton even admitted that her own children were initially uncomfortable with Peggy’s appearance, with her eldest son feeling embarrassed by the way the unique pooch compared herself to his friends’ furry pets.
In honour of Peggy, HMV on Oxford Street has even replaced its dog and gramophone logo with one featuring the dog.
Peggy, who plays ‘Dogpool’ in Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine at the world premiere in New York
The pup is no stranger to being the center of attention and has earned strange looks, gasps and comments when walked around the neighborhood.
Peggy is seen in her superhero costume being adored by Reynolds and Jackman.
Reynolds appears to be protective of little Peggy, who is seen jokingly shielding her from the cameras.
The children eventually changed their minds about the dog, who has become an important part of the family.
Although Peggy is not very pretty, Mrs. Middleton says her unusual appearance does not stop her from living life to the fullest.
“It’s always been like that, but that doesn’t stop him from doing anything. He can eat, he can drink, he puts it in his mouth, but it doesn’t stay there,” he said.
She was drawn to Peggy when she found her on a shelter’s website when the pup was just six months old.
“I love anything that’s a little neglected and unusual, so when I saw her on the adoption website, I knew I wanted to foster her.”
Meanwhile, she explained that while naming her had been a challenge, as no name suited the pet, she and her grandmother eventually settled on ‘Peggy’.
They chose the name in homage to their great-grandmother.
Peggy the little dog appears in the photo next to the poster for her next film.
Hugh Jackman pets Peggy, aka Dogpool, at the UK press event for the Marvel film
Matthew Macfadyen, Rob Delaney, Marvel Studios Co-President Louis D’Esposito, Ryan Reynolds, Peggy the Dog, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, Emma Corrin, Leslie Uggams and Wendy Jacobson
Reynolds appears to be protective of the dog, who is seen kissing its head during an event.
Despite Peggy’s crown, Ms Middleton told the BBC she thinks the dog is “beautiful inside and out”.
When people call her beloved pet ugly, she says she doesn’t take offense, and neither does Peggy, because she always does it “in a humorous way.”
Peggy was recruited to join the cast of the upcoming Marvel film when Reynolds saw the dog.
Despite being a fan of huge, furry canines (as evidenced by his pets Baxter, Billie and Boots), he knew he wanted to act with this dog.
Speaking to Empire magazine, he said he felt “like the animal manifestation” of Deadpool’s alter ego, Wade Wilson.
It started out as a “little afterthought” but soon became a “staple” of the film.
Cast members Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Delaney and Britain’s ugliest dog, Peggy, pose for a photo in London
It started out as a “little afterthought” but soon became a “staple” of the film.
Reynolds said he felt “like the animal manifestation” of Deadpool’s alter ego, Wade Wilson.
Despite being a fan of huge, furry canines, as evidenced by the multitude of dogs he and Blake Lively have owned, he knew he wanted to act with Peggy, the ugliest dog (not pictured).
Reynolds appears to be protective of the dog, who is seen kissing his head during an event for the film.
He was heard saying: “She’s won Britain’s ugliest dog but we’re not going to tell her that because in our hearts she’s a 10. She really is amazing and we love her so much.”
Blake Lively, to whom Reynolds has been married since 2012, also expressed her enthusiasm for the dog.
After the event, she jokingly posted on Instagram: “SOS. He’s trying to get me pregnant again.”
“Put aside the dog you find adorable despite societal expectations and take off that damn teal suit! How rude!”
Lively is also a dog lover and has a teacup Maltipoo named Penny, whom she takes with her everywhere.