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.