Welcome To My Homepage
When designing a web site, I couldn't decide between football and our one year old Pug, Bumper. I've been an avid Minnesota Vikings fan since 1975 and an avid Pug lover since 2001.
On November 6, 2001, my husband and I went shopping. We happened to walk by a pet store and decided to go in and look around. We had wanted a dog for some time but with him being in the military (he's out now), we were unable to get a dog because we lived in rental housing outside of base. We decided to look at the dogs. There was this beautiful black Pug who had the saddest face I had ever seen. He was in a cage with a Jack Russell Terrier. I asked to hold the Pug. As soon as I held the Pug, I was in love with him. My husband immediately knew this and told the clerk we'd take him.
The next few weeks were horrendous. He cried all night long. Though we took him outside to do his business quite often, he still peed and pooped in his crate and often, when he did sleep, he slept right in his "mess". Needless to say, he was bathed quite often. He bit and chewed everything in sight. The dog would not sleep unless we held him and rocked him to sleep. He was a holy terror.
He remained nameless for a few days until I noticed that he was a bit of a klutz and bumped into everything. I said "We should call you Bumper" and the name stuck.
As time went on, he calmed down, though he still bit at our ankles and those puppy teeth were very sharp. I began to love the fact that he followed me everywhere. After 3 1/2 long months, he was finally housebroken. He reaped the rewards of that he was able to sleep in our bed. Pugs are known for their stubborn nature and Bumper is no exception. He "talks" back to me. When I tell him "no", he barks back at me. He likes to be naughty. He knows he's not allowed to do things like jump up on the coffee table but does them anyway until we yell at him.
Pugs are also very endearing. They snore but we think it's very cute. They also sneeze, snort and wheeze. They also grunt and sometimes grumble. They will turn their heads from side to side when you talk to them. They will greet you when you walk in the door like they haven't seen you for days. They are natural clowns and love to make you laugh. They love to cuddle. They are great with kids and are very friendly.
Pugs also shed. Lots. Most fawn pugs have double coats. Most black pugs have only single coats but it doesn't matter. They still leave lots of hair around your house. If you don't like dog hair, a Pug is not for you. I often run into people while I'm walking my dogs. They said "Oh, I love pugs! I want one!" I tell them what great pets they make. Then I always make sure to mention that they are terrible shedders. That turns about 95% of the people off immediately. I've learned to live with the dog hair. I have a bagless vacuum cleaner. I make sure to change my shirt before cooking. Nothing is foolproof when you have a pug around. Hair still ends up in the food sometimes but I'm pretty careful. I've found pug hairs in the oddest places. It has ended up in my contact lens case, on DVDs, in my chapstick, and places that I can't imagine how it got there. I was tempted to ask the surgeon who did my colonoscopy to look for pug hair in there too so I could brag about that. I'm sure I've ingested some of it over the past 3 years.
Pugs also cannot tolerate heat. Some dogs cannot tolerate heat in the 90's. A Pug sometimes cannot tolerate heat in the 70's for more than 10 minutes or so. They have short heads (brachycephaly) and breathing is difficult for them in the heat. Pugs cannot tolerate extreme cold either. PUGS ARE MEANT TO BE INDOOR DOGS. They are also very gassy. Believe me - they can clear out a room real quick. If you think grandpa can cut some bad ones, obviously you've never been around a Pug. Our newest addition, Toby, at least gives us warning. You can hear it when he farts most of the time.
I'm biased, but I think they're the most wonderful dog on the face of the earth. If you're thinking of getting one, please do the research. There are too many unwanted dogs. Think about getting a rescue Pug first. There are many wonderful organizations that have rescue Pugs. I will be adding some links to rescue organizations here one of these days. Most of them very carefully screen the candidates who want to adopt these rescue Pugs. Remember - they want what is in the best interest of the Pug. These dogs have already been rescued at least once. If you can't adopt, consider fostering a pug. You can make a difference!
***Update 6-8-03
On May 21, 2003, we welcomed Bumper's Lady Magdalene (Maggie) into our home. She had just turned six weeks old. She is precious. Funny how you forget about those puppy teeth and how much "fun" housebreaking is. :-) Bumper sometimes gives me that "Okay, the fun is over, when is she going home" look but I think he's getting used to her. They take turns instigating each other. I've already added a couple of pictures to my picture page.
This web site really limits what I can do. With a full time job, two dogs and lots of other things to take care of, I don't have a lot of time to invest in building another site right now. Oh, what I'd give for just a few more hours in each day.
I'll post more pictures of Maggie as she grows.
Take care, all.
Tammy, Bumper and Maggie (aka Pudge)
*Update 10-6-04.
We added Toby to our family in May of this year. He is an adult fawn (he'll be four on 12-12-04). His family was having another baby and didn't feel they could give him the time he needed. He spent his days in the basement and slept in a crate (I'm not criticizing that, just stating this for the purpose of how Toby lives now). When Toby first came here, he was so anxious. He appeared to be trying so hard to please us, like we were going to abandon him too (his first family hardly abandoned him and still come to see him when they can - they live 5 hours away, but to a dog, they feel abandoned). He panted so hard, was so nervous. His first night with us, we brought him to bed. About 4 hours later, he woke up, ready to play. Needless to say, he spent the next 10 days or so sleeping in his crate while he adjusted. During the day, however, he spent his time roaming the house with the other 2 pugs. He's free to do what he wants, sleeping on the furniture (he wasn't allowed on the furniture at his other house), looking out the window or whatever pleases his huge puggy heart. At night, he sleeps with us, so grateful to go to bed with humans. In the morning, when I get up bright and early for work, Bumper and Maggie get up with me. As soon as I'm ready to take them out for their morning walk, I have to drag Toby out of bed. He's still out like a light. Karl things Toby would sacrifice his bladder for a couple hours' extra sleep. It works out pretty good with 3 dogs in bed. Maggie always sleeps in my arms. Toby sleeps against my back, all stretched out. Bumper likes to sleep by my head.
An update on Bumper - the pug who was such a terror as a puppy has turned into such a wonderful adult dog. He is absolutely beautiful. He calmed down at about 21 months of age. He is mellow. He likes to be baby-held. He's so easy-going with the other dogs. When we brought Maggie home at the precious age of 6 weeks, Bumper wrestled with her but was so gentle. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't have asked for a better dog.
As for Maggie, I can't believe my baby girl is 18 months old now. She is the sweetest thing I've ever known. She wags furiously for her daddy. She is a true charmer. It's amazing how each pug has such a different personality. I wonder how many people truly take the time to get to really know their dogs. I'm glad I took the time to get to know mine. Maggie is boss around here with the other 2 dogs and she definitely has her daddy and me pegged for suckers. I just melt when she sleeps in my arms at night. She is so enthusiastic about life. Everybody should have a Maggie. If I could clone her, I would.
My life is so enriched because of my pugs. There's not a day that goes by where they don't make me laugh. All I have to do is think about them and I smile. I have pictures of them around the house and at work so I can see them wherever I go. I carry pictures of them with me in my wallet so I can show them to people. My life would not be complete without them. I couldn't imagine sitting here, trying to update my web site, without Bumper licking my hand while fighting with the laptop for lap space, and Toby and Maggie on either side of me, fighting Bumper for lap space.
Tammy, Bumper, Maggie & Toby
10-6-04
