Happy Adoption Day Mr. Cash Pugface!

One year ago today I made the 8 hour trek to get my puggie from the animal shelter. You can read all about that and see more pics here and here. In honor of this day I'm going to get on my soapbox for a minute and say please, if you're considering adding a pet to the family, adopt! There are fantastic animals in need of homes, even breed specific pets! I found Mr. Cash Pugface through Petfinder.com and he was a Pug sitting in an in-state animal shelter.

A few more encouragements from my soap box:

1. Read all you can about the species and breed you think you're interested in and give honest consideration to the breed characteristics, the time and the costs.
2. Don't ever buy a pet from someone selling on the side of the road, you don't really know what conditions these dogs are bred in and good breeders don't sell their dogs this way and you could be supporting a backyard breader.
3. Don't acquire a pet on the aww he's so adorable spur of the moment. (I'll admit, I'm guilty of this one!)

If you pick your pet wisely you'll enjoy each other a whole lot more, like I love my Mr. Cash Pugface! Happy One Year Pugaversary!

The Famous Mr. Cash Pugface

Mr. Cash is a model! He's now part of a shop listing in the DoDaaDoggieApparel shop on Etsy modeling the belly bands and bandanna we got him awhile back. I see star potential!

Taming The Rebel Pug In Style

The face of a satisfied customer

I didn't think I'd gone into Pug ownership unawares. I had done my research and read that they were notoriously difficult to housebreak. I decided that being home all the time I was up to the challenge. But for anyone who's contemplating a Pug, wherever you see "can be difficult to housebreak" read instead "probably will never be 100% housebroken!" About a month ago I was at wits end with Mr. Cash Pugface and his naughty pottying ways. So much so that I was on the edge of finding him a new home. I posted my exasperation at the fantastic Pug Village Forums and was greeted with wonderful ideas that might save my rescue puggie yet another relocation (and myself and the boys some big time heartbreak). I was told about belly bands. I jumped on Etsy and found a great seller, Do-Daa Doggie Apparel, who makes them in your choice of fabric so I ordered right away, you can also get matching bandannas! I just got them in the mail yesterday and am thrilled. I'm saying a little prayer that this does the trick (along with some other things I'm trying). When I first put one on Mr. Cash he ran around like his hind end was on fire but he's already warmed up to them and already thinks nothing of it being on.

Belly Band and Bandanna by Do-Daa Doggie Apparel on Etsy (click here for your own!)

Belly Bands by Do-Daa Doggie Apparel on Etsy (click here for your own!)

Upsetting The Delicate Balance

Mr. Golden Curls and Mr. Cash all tuckered out.

Just letting you know we're still alive. My computer died, again. This time it looks as though it is not to rise from the dead and through this I'm realizing what a big online addict I really am. And how much I hate to have my routine upset. On the upside, my house is starting to look a lot cleaner! I am managing to get some things done in the mornings and evenings on my husband's laptop so be sure to check out the latest to my shop!

Pug Vs. Thomas The Tank Engine

Turns out Mr. Cash Pugface isn't a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Postcards From Folsom

Mr. Cash Pugface here sending greetings from the big house. It seems I've crossed the line this week by peeing on the bed. Not just a mark but a full-on bladder relief. I have my accidents here and there but this seems to have been the straw. Now I have to spend the night in my cage instead of in the big bed until I learn how to ask to be let out to use the potty. The first night was a little tough but now it's fine and I hear my humans are sleeping a lot better now, I can't imagine how! I'm not even aloud on the bed for a mid-day nap!! I'm going to try really hard to learn how to ring the bell on the door to be let out! If you feel like sending a cake with a hidden file my way that would be greatly appreciated.

Fashion With Pugitude

Friday Mr. Cash and I headed out on our usual date of Starbucks mochas and a trip to Petco for doggie biscuits. On the way back from the biscuits I got sucked into the spring dog clothes section and this time I couldn't resist temptation. So Mr. Cash has two new additions to his wardrobe, a skully tie and a Captain Awesome t-shirt. Isn't he so beautiful?! I'm lovin' his new punkster tie! I find the t-shirt especially funny because Mr. Golden Curls has been saying since we brought Mr. Cash home that his superhero name is Captain Pugface.

When we got home I already had the t on him and let him out of the car without a leash. The one bad thing about the t is there's no hole for the leash to poke through, I'll have to fix that. Anyway, I thought I could trust him to go straight to the front door. Instead he ran directly next door to a construction worker who's building in that lot. Did I feel like a goob or what? "Excuse me, just coming over to retrieve my little Captain Awesome!"

Couch Potato Extraordinaire

That Mr. Cash sure does know how to lounge!

And just a friendly public service reminder:

My Pugfilled Valentine's Date

This afternoon I took Mr. Cash Pugface on a Pug date for Valentine's Day. Petco was having Valentine's pics so I wanted to take him for the nerdy pet lovin' fun. Petco's pics really are better than this but my scanner didn't do a great job. And my husband so rightly pointed out that he needs a black harness for times when he's dressed up! Of course his eyes also rolled when I said we could get one in about 5 min! When we arrived at the store we were immediately greeted inside by a female black pug, too cute! Doesn't he look so dapper? He's trendy too, going green in his all upcycled outfit!

This morning I decided he needed some Valentine's attire so I whipped up this doggie collar with tie! I made it by cutting the collar off an old shirt of mine, leaving the top snap so I didn't even have to rig another way to put it on Mr. Cash. The tie is made from an old belt of mine cut in 3 pieces, two for the parts that hang down, one for the knot. I sloppily stitched the three pieces together and safety pinned it to the collar. Since the tie is removable I plan on making ties for other occasions that I can attach to the same collar. It was such a breeze to make I'll have to whip one up a make a photo tutorial for it!

Look at what else this shirt and belt have made, saving the planet is so much fun!

A Smidge O' Pug Love

I guess I've caught the Pug Bug, I'm smitten. This year I'm asking Mr. Cash to be my Valentine.

M.I.A

For those of you who have expressed concern, no I did not trade my children in order to acquire Mr. Cash Pugface. Here is my photographic evidence:

Wishing You A Pug-filled Christmas

Isn't he so pretty? I was terribly impressed with his manners during his photo shoot. We've never done this and so far when I try to take his picture he runs up and sticks his nose in the camera. I suppose getting dressed up has a civilizing effect on us all! He sat still as a stone waiting for his treat, there must be bribes! I did realize after looking at these that he's shorter than the bottom of the tree so the tree wasn't as much of a background as I'd hoped it would be, more of a hovering presence. Have I mentioned yet that I LOVE this dog?! He's perfection. My husband's pretty cool too, he enables my newly found Pug obsession by taking pics while I bribe.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" It's just the Pug Mamma trying to trick her Pug into acting like a Poodle.

Bah Humbug!

Between kids and my love of pets I don't think I'll ever be able to decorate my tree below the half way mark. This year I thought I was safe with non breakables down low but Mr. Cash Pugface LOVES the plushies!

You Don't Say

I sent a thank you email to the pug rescue group that allowed me to adopt my new pug through the shelter (you can read about that here). I wanted to let them know that what they did was a big deal to me. The shelter told me the rescue was familiar with this particular Pug and I've discovered some new information! My supposedly 7 month old is actually somewhere in the 3-5 year range. I've been kind of wondering why I haven't had too much trouble potty training and why he didn't have all the puppy mannerisms I'm used to, like roughhousing, nibbling and chewing into oblivion anything within reach. I'd just decided it's because I've never owned a Pug. His age does not at all lesson my happiness over Mr. Cash Pugface, if anything I'm excited to know that he isn't likely to get used to us and turn into a crazed Piranha-like poo machine! I also learned that he came from less than stellar circumstances and that makes me even happier to have him in our house!

Mr. Cash and I try on our silly pug faces, have I mentioned I'm a bit of a goob?

I also want to add to my previous posts a disclaimer. I would never want someone to see me gushing about a particular pet of mine, think they look super swell and run out to acquire one of their own just to realize later it wasn't such a good idea after all. If you're considering a Pug, or any other pet, PLEASE do your research! Pugs aren't for everyone, they're super adorable and lovey but they are also noisy breathers, grunters, snorers, clingy, they have bad gas, are prone to serious health issues, and they're notoriously difficult to train, especially in the house breaking department!

Pugvillage.com is a great place to start your research. Read everything in their side bar and you'll be educated indeed. Their Don't Get A Pug, and Meet The Pug articles are a good place to start along with the Pug Profiler that can help you determine if a Pug is right for you. Pug Village also has a forum for asking questions, just click here.

If you do decide on a new pet please consider a shelter animal or if you're wanting a specific breed then research breed specific rescues in your area. Not only will you get a pet you love but you'll have the peace of mind knowing you gave a home to an animal in need. And dismounting soap box.

I may not have my pug face down yet but I seem to have the pug neck wrinkles!

Welcome Home

Where have you been my whole life Mr. Pugface? I'm completely smitten, it's puppy love at first sight! After a very long 4 hours drive, made even longer by the fact that my weather proof car with a heater is in the shop and I had to drive the heaterless '68 bug in the 40 degree, sunless weather, which is kind of like driving a colander down the highway at 70mph, I was at the shelter. I arrived frozen solid and shivering. I made the difficult decision to stop by Walmart before going to the shelter to finally see my baby, so I could buy a bunch of blankets and make sure I didn't return home with a Pugsicle. I also bought him a doggie coat. I plan on being a 100% total goob with this dog, clothing and all. However I didn't realize when I grabbed this particular doggie coat that it matched my coat so well until we pulled over at a rest stop full of truckers so I could walk him around in the grass. Kind of felt like a Paris wannabe but we were totally stylin'! The 4 hours home were just as cold but tolerable now that there were blankets.

I've never had a pug before, nor have I owned a dog this small, what a funny little guy. I've read up on them so I'd heard about the snorting and grunting and snoring but he's always making a little noise, like a Pug purr. He's very polite for a puppy, he's 7 months old. He isn't nippy or chewing on things. I know he's the new guy so his personality may change a bit as he gets comfy and he just got his buddies snipped off so he may still be recovering a bit from that as well, but he's one mellow, laid back dog! And what a love, follows me around and as soon as I sit down he's cuddling. It's hard to tell if he likes or dislikes anything, his expression is always the same and when he gets excited he just grunts louder, like a little piglet! Pugs also don't really bark and when they do it's muffled by their lips, too funny! We got to hear one of those last night, hysterical!

I was concerned that after all this driving I would get him home and our current dog or cat would have such a problem with him we wouldn't be able to keep him. I was sure our dog Maya would be fine but Annie is another story. She's getting a little old so I wasn't sure she'd be willing to put up with this new change but she really doesn't seem to care.I think we've come up with a name. He couldn't completely shake the Mr. Pugface that was supposed to be a temporary name. It's tough, we've been using it for years. But I wanted him to have something that was just for him. I had a stroke of brilliance and decided to name him after the man in black himself, Mr Johnny Cash. So officially my little pug's name is Mr. Cash Pugface but I'll probably call him Mr. Cash. He's going to have many names I fear. The Bohemian has been calling him Mr. Pugface, and the boys have been calling him Captain Pugface, which I actually think is a pretty good Pug name.

Let the Pug adventures begin!

PUG DISCLAIMER

I would never want someone to see me gushing about a particular pet of mine, think they look super swell and run out to acquire one of their own just to realize later it wasn't such a good idea after all. If you're considering a Pug, or any other pet, PLEASE do your research! Pugs aren't for everyone, they're super adorable and lovey but they are also noisy breathers,grunters , snorers, clingy, they have bad gas, are prone to serious health issues, and they're notoriously difficult to train, especially in the house breaking department!

Pugvillage.com is a great place to start your research. Read everything in their side bar and you'll be educated indeed. Their Don't Get A Pug, and Meet The Pug articles are a good place to start along with the Pug Profiler that can help you determine if a Pug is right for you. Pug Village also has a forum for asking questions, just click here.

If you do decide on a new pet please consider a shelter animal or if you're wanting a specific breed then research breed specific rescues in your area. Not only will you get a pet you love but you'll have the peace of mind knowing you gave a home to an animal in need. And dismounting soap box.