Pumpkin’s skating her way to stardom
BULLDOG’S ON A ROLL WITH HUNDREDS OF FANS WATCHING WHEELED EXPLOITS ONLINE
THE skateboarding exploits of a precocious pooch named Pumpkin are turning her into a social media star.
The 14-month-old bulldog got the boarding bug as a puppy and proved to be a “total natural”, according to owner Debra Chandler.
Debra, 33, who lives in Ashby, said: “I knew that a lot of bulldogs just take to skateboarding, so we bought one for Pumpkin when she was eight weeks old, as a bit of a joke, really.
“She immediately jumped on the skateboard and she has progressed from there.
“I have never done anything to force her to do it, I just let her do it because she finds it so much fun.
“She can really go some lengths on that board.”
Debra started filming videos and taking pictures of Pumpkin riding around on her skateboard and posting them on a Facebook page.
Since she began posting, the page has gathered more than 700 likes.
Debra said: “When she started as a puppy she was jumping on and then falling off sometimes, but now she has become really good at it.
“Everyone has been commenting, saying how cute she is.
“We’ve had such a great response online to her videos.”
This newfound skill was even more of a surprise for Debra as her other bulldog, five-year-old Prince, Pumpkin’s father, never took any interest in it.
Debra said: “We’ve tried to get him interested in skateboarding, but he has never wanted to get on the board.
“Instead, he just chases Pumpkin around while she skateboards and he loves that.”
Debra has big plans for Pumpkin’s future and is hoping to build her online presence even future.
She has Facebook and Instagram pages set up for her dog, as well as a YouTube account. She said: “Over the past few months, lots of people have approached me asking about her and if they can use the footage.
“I want to find someone who will sponsor her and get some publicity that way, rather than just selling the footage.
“It’s all about growing her online presence now.”
Pumpkin has a public appearance lined up this year, showing off her skateboarding skills at Bulldog Day UK, in Newark.
Debra also uses Pumpkin’s social media presence to support and raise money for the Edward Foundation, a charity which helps rehome rescued bulldogs. For Debra though, the most important thing is that her dogs are enjoying themselves and living a good life. She said: “Sometimes bulldogs can get a bad reputation, but both of mine are healthy and very happy.
“It is all about the fun. Sometimes I think people film their dogs just for the video, which I don’t always like.
“It’s not really like that with her, she really enjoys it.” Debra Chandler
When she started she was jumping on and then sometimes falling off but now she’s really good.