Ever hear of www.meetup.com? It’s for people who want to join groups that share their interests or passions.

You’ll find Meetup pet owner groups that are devoted, well organized and creative. But the Northern New Jersey Pug owners group (www.pug.meetup.com/571/) takes the cake. They literally take the cake to a doggie playground where they gather to celebrate pooch birthdays, holidays, and any reason for pugs to party!

We crashed last Saturday’s Pugs and Kisses Valentine’s Day gathering at Best Friends Pet Resort in Spring Valley (www.bestfriendspetcare.com). Dozens of pugs, some in costume, romped in a chaotic indoor pet playground. Owners bragged, and snapped photos. Pug pride was pervasive.

There were pugs in a blanket, pugs in pink, pugs in leather, pugs in sequins. Coco, magnificent in her pink sweater, nipped at any who dared come near her beloved owner. Atticus, eight months old, was timid but occasionally dipped a paw in the action.

We learned pugs all look alike only to the uninitiated. They actually have different coats: silvery fawn, apricot fawn --subtle but significant distinctions to the pug community.

The Meetup members sang Happy Birthday to two pugs, and voted for their favorite costumes. Cake was consumed (by the dogs) and goodies distributed.

“You see, what people are looking for is just a connection, any way they can find it,” said one proud pug parent.

On this Saturday morning, the pugs were the drawing card, but the people -- animal lovers all -- bonded too, drawn together by their funny little dogs, and the camaraderie they create.

Drink Up?
Valentines Day is for (wine) lovers when you have dinner in the vineyard. Reserve your space to wine, dine, and dance, Saturday night, at the Tomasello Winery (www.tomasellowinery.com) in Hammonton.

Pony Up?
And buy a copy of Kiss and Tell from Macy’s (www.macys.com). Your favorite celebrities pucker up, and tell all about their most memorable lip locks. Ten percent of the proceeds from this little book, so apropos for Valentines Day, are for the American Heart Association?s Go Red For Women Campaign.

Laugh It Up?
With the Capitol Steps Comedy Troupe -- former DC staffers who share the ultimate insider jokes. Sunday night at Ramapo College in Mahwah, (201) 684-7844 for tickets.

Jazz It Up?
See classic jazz artifacts, including rare sheet music and albums, on display at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey (www.aahmsnj.org).

Pump It Up?
Join your fellow Jerseyans and train for triathlons (www.eteamz.active.com/paramountadventure/).

Run with the Rose City Runners Club every Saturday morning at 9 at Loantaka Brook Reservation in Morris Township (www.concentric.net/~Rc02/vsatrun.htm).

Lift Up?
Then ski down the slope at Mountain Creek (www.crystalgolfresort.com) or Hidden Valley (www.hv.nearyou.net/). Both winter playgrounds have plenty of snow. Book a massage to round out your day at the Minerals Hotel and Spa, next to the ski lift at Mountain Creek.

Pick Up?
And go to the Ocean County 26th Annual Bluegrass Festival, Sunday at Albert Music Hall in Waretown. (609-971-1593).

Sweeten Up?
It’s Sugar (www.thepieratcaesars.com) in Atlantic City has all the ingredients to sweeten your Valentines Day. You can pick the most exotic flavored M&M’s, customize a candy bar with your sweetie’s name on it -- or even choose from all kinds of edible lingerie. We guarantee you won’t be counting calories!

Tomorrow, why pugs make great Valentines!

It was spring at Neiman Marcus (www.neimanmarcus.com) last week. Not outside, but Bergdorf’s suburban sister was clearly the warmest place to be when the Chanel trunk opened. Figuratively, of course.

For the un-initiated; there is no trunk at this trunk show. It takes its name from the tradition of designers arriving with trunk-fuls of clothing. Nobody in their right mind would put these pricey clothes, bags and shoes in a trunk.

There was a mini-show on every floor at N-M in Short Hills to welcome the new Chanel (www.chanel.com) line.

To see, touch, and hold a Chanel handbag, we had to compete with the crowd of seasoned collectors scooping up the first editions. The big totes were tops, followed by new versions of classic quilted handbags in bold yellow, green, blue, and red.

The signature chains on the Chanel bags are so elegant, they could be worn as jewelry. In fact, chain linked necklaces -- a riff from Chanel -- are everywhere you look this season.

Chanel shoes were front and center on floor two -- colorful patent flats to match the colorful bags. Classic silver pumps with a stacked heel. Even rubber rain boots.

On the third floor, Chanel showcased its sportswear; the fringed jackets that work with skirts, dresses, even the designer’s jeans. There are lots of plaids and pastels; peach, light blue and denim blue. One piece that attracted much interest, a black, deconstructed jacket with white cuffs. Button it up over jeans, and you look like Mick Jagger.

We won’t tell you the prices. If you have to ask -- well, you know the rest. And you also know that if you don’t get there soon, you may have to wait a little longer for the next trunk to arrive, with your shipment.

And all over your body. Naked and muddied, you sit in the dark in a heated temple, on warm throne-like seats, in a misty indoor rain. There are “stars” on the ceiling.

The Razul at the Avanti Spa (www.avantisalonspa.com) in Manalapan is fit for a king. Or at least a Trump (we’re told Ivana favors the place).

Owner Luda Conti wanted to create a spa like no other. Colorful tiles were imported from Europe. The large cement chamber was built overseas and shipped to Manalapan.

When you use the Razul, you are given five jars of different colored mud, each from a different place on the planet. Luda says they all have the ability to draw toxins out of the skin.

Spa-sitters slather the colorful muds on pre-designated parts of their bodies, like exotic warriors. A series of steam jets keep it from drying and caking.

After a half hour, it rains indoors and washes the mud away. After a real shower, you are lubricated with oils and goat’s milk, then wrapped in plastic and rocked gently inside a pool of warm water.

After a final rinse, Luda says, your skin feels like “a baby’s tush all over”.

Avanti is offering a Valentine’s Special for couples who want to commandeer the Razul. You can substitute chocolate for mud. Exfoliate your skin with fresh strawberries. Finish with a glass of wine or champagne.

It seems every town now has a spa. And most spas have gimmicks. But only Avanti has a Razul... and the joy of a royal mud bath!

Print this column out and leave it by the remote control -- so you can be sure he will find it!

Smell The Roses
Book a couples’ massage in an intimate, rose-filled, candlelit room at the Urban Muse (www.urbanmuse.com) in Denville. $270 gets both of you a massage, chocolates, a complimentary bottle of wine, and a three course meal at 17 Main, an excellent local restaurant.

On The Wild Side
Mix a bright burst of wildflowers with red roses in her special bouquet from Cape Winds Florist in Cape May (www.capemaytimes.com/shopping/cape-may-florist.htm).

Spring Forward
And treat her to a new gauzy cotton and silk tunic ($372) from New Zealand designer Rebecca Taylor. She can layer it now, or wear it alone when it warms up. Peper (1028 Washington Street, Hoboken), has a nice selection.

What Lies Beneath
Only the two of you will know. Indulge your fantasy at Bare Necessities (www.barenecessities.com) in Matawan -- hint: we can’t get enough Cosabella (www.cosabella.com), that super delicate, sexy Italian-made lingerie.

Magical Potions
Lotions, creams, shampoos, from the fabulous Kiehl’s (www.kiehls.com) in Westfield. She can also register at the store, and they’ll put together a customized gift bag for her.

Bling Is King
You can customize an elegant Pandora Bracelet for her at Kevin?s Fine Jewelry in Boonton (973-263-0101) or Totowa (973-790-8836). Spell out her name or initials in gold or silver, then add Murano glass and other silver and gold beads to finish it.

This Is Serious
If you buy her the Louis Vuitton Manhattan GM (www.louisvuitton.com) monogram canvas bag ($1,870) designed by Marc Jacobs with gold metal hardware, and great exterior pockets.

This is Forever
Get her a generous gift certificate from The Maids Home Services (www.maids.com). Call Franchise Owner Ken Black at (973) 448-1888 -- his office is on Love Lane in Netcong. You’ll make her day, and even get away with throwing your dirty socks on the floor -- for a little while.

Tomorrow: The mud treatment that works wonders?