A Tribute to My Pugs
by Ruth Mary Lyons

Betty Boop (black) and Henry (fawn) were friends for life. Booper came to us as a 12 week old puppy, no bigger than a minute. She was in charge from the moment we saw her. What a little dynamo! Her life long friend came to us a couple of weeks later. Henry was her long suffering companion. Boop controlled his life as well as ours. If she was mad at us, she took it out on Henry; if she was being teased and didn't like it, she took it out on Henry. He soon learned to hide when she was on a tear, although that didn't help because she waited until he appeared. They thought all people would love them and appreciate their attention. Even though that wasn't true, they never gave up trying to convince the offender. Henry, Mr. Hotshot himself, took affront at birds or thunder. Birds in the trees in his yard were trespassing and he circled and barked at them in the trees. If one landed in the yard, the chase was on, even though it was short lived. Thunder sent him out the doggie door, doing a figure eight in the yard all the while barking at the sky. He was always very pleased with himself and convinced he had chased it away. I could go on and on with all of their antics. They were part of our lives for 13 years. Thirteen wonderful years. Even though a divorce parted the humans in their life, they still both loved us. We had shared custody of them, not court ordered, but ordered by them. They loved coming to visit the new house, but really didn't like the hard wood floors. They still had their old house and yard to live in full time. I have been fortunate to share my life with six pugs: Poudre, during my teen years; Charlie, he helped raise the kids and keep them in their place; Betty Boop and Henry filled the empty house after the kids left and brought new life to it; and, finally still with me is AliceAnn, the rescue pug. I can't imagine my life without a pug. So this is a tribute to those who are no longer with me - I will always miss each and every one.

MOJO CLARK
March 2000 - July 24, 2010

Mojo was very loved and will be very missed. While we only had him for two years, it was the most wonderful two years. He was the most amazing dog with our 17 month old. He loved his two cat sisters, his cat brother, and his dog sister. Though Mojo was eight when we adopted him, I wouldn't change it for the world, and if I had the chance to do it all over again with him, I would do it 100 times over. Though his running and barking at the TV (especially at Drew Barrymore, don't know why) was annoying, I am definitely going to miss it. Couldn't have asked for a better dog, friend, and "son."

Thank you so much to Bobbye and her family for taking care of our little guy before we got him!

Mojo - you are loved and missed by everyone that had the opportunity to have you in their life.

Kyle, Laura, and your baby Liam Clark
 

THOR
January 16, 2002  - December 28, 2009

Scooter
1998 - November 28, 2009

Sweet Scooter, our Mr. Man:

You were our best friend and brought so much joy to our lives. We miss you so much – the way you would yell for your kibble, how you loved to have your wrinkles scratched, your passion for car rides, and they way you charmed everyone who met you. We are so blessed and proud to have been your people. We wish we could hold you again and tell you how much we love you. We think about you and miss you every day and hope with all of our hearts we can hold you again someday.

RALPHIE
June 15, 2005 - August 5, 2009

God rest his soul. My precious baby doll Ralphie came into my life when he was only 8 1/2 weeks old. He was a blessing from the beginning. Ralphie became a little buddy to anyone who came in contact with him. He was loved by all!!!! I have never felt pain and sadness as I did the day he passed. Ralphie suffered from heat stroke while at doggie daycare. I know it was not their fault, just a freak accident. Ralphie loved going to "school," and they loved when he came. He always made everyone laugh and smile no matter what. I will forever miss you baby doll!

TAYLOR DAWN MURRAY
January 7, 1995 - May 18, 2009

Missed dearly by Shelly and  David Murray and pug sisters Fopaw Allison Murray and Aspen Cheyenne Murray.

Greeted in pug heaven by Allison Murray, Sweetie and L.C.

  CHATTO
June 27, 2009

Chatto is Spanish for "flat nosed," or at least that is what the pug rescue told us when we adopted him (along with Selena who passed away last month) five years ago at approximately ten years of age. Everyone says they won't give their pets stupid nicknames, but in spite of otherwise good intentions, Chatto sometimes was known as Chatch, and Chacci (as in Joni loves ____). After from Merritt's swim lesson in the city and a trip to the Ferry Building farmer's market earlier in the day, my mother-in-law (Suz) and I returned to the house to find Chatto gasping for air, apparently after suffering a stoke and/or a seizure and battling pneumonia. The sweltering heat didn't help. We wrapped him in cool towels, and Merritt gave him a final petting - just in case - and told him he could go be with Selena now - if he wanted. I then rushed him to San Rafael emergency pet clinic since our animal hospital isn't open on weekends (these things never happen between 9 and 5 M-F). They took him back to the examining room, and the vet came out and said it was time. I held his paw and stroked his head and tried to comfort him, "It's ok Chacci. Good boy Chatch." Then I echoed Merritt's wisdom "Chatto you can go be with Selena now. If you want." As the vet put the syringe in his IV, his painful strained breathing slowed to a peaceful pace, his panicked bulging eyes slowly closed and his frantically panting tongue settled gently in the space where teeth once lived. He looked just like when he is sleeping except without the loud snoring part. Then I left so I could remember him just like that. I'm sure Selena will be glad to have her husband/brother back, but we'll sure miss him.

Nora, Coleman, and Merritt

  SELENA
May 17, 2009

Kentfield, CA - During the night of May 17, 2009, Selena Brinckerhoff the Pug passed away after a full rich life, including five years at the Feeley/Brinckerhoff pug retirement home(s) in Denver, Basalt, and Kentfield, at the age of 15 (105 in dog years). She is survived by her husband/brother Chatto and her approximately 40 estranged children, as well as her people (Nora, Coleman and Merritt). She will be remembered for her queen-like stature, the way she always managed to be literally underfoot at all times so as to never miss a moment with her people, the way her tongue hung out of her mouth with no teeth to keep it in place, her ability to coax small children (and adults) to part with their food, her quick study of English as a second language to her native Spanish tongue, her constant protection of Merritt from the day he came home from the hospital and Chatto tried to eat him, and finally - her unwavering grace which was only necessarily absent when thwarting Chatto’s continued romantic advances. And let us not forget her trademark snake like snow tracks, which could only be created by the dragging saggy parts of she who birthed double digits of litters. Our gratitude goes out to the many vets who saved her life during her soft palate surgery, her ACL surgery, the removal of most of her teeth, the incident with the large bowl of dog food she stole from my sister’s 120 lb great Pyrenees, the seizures, the overheating episodes, the problems with the nose which kept falling off, and the oxygen tank stints in Aspen including the overnight visit to the vet’s home with the homemade oxygen cone. If Selena had a human voice, she would have sounded just like Bette Midler. She was a strong, confident survivor who despite her humble roots from the trailer park in which she was raised as a breeder, to the various foster homes which led to her eventual rescue, was always a lady. We will miss her dearly and remember her fondly.

Nora, Coleman, and Merritt

MITZIE
December 12, 1996 - December 21, 2008

Mitzie came to Colorado Pug Rescue in December of 2007. She suffered from diabetes and several other medical problems. In spite of these, she was a sweet, happy girl who loved to give kisses and cuddle.

Mitzie was lovingly cared for by her foster mom, Valerie. According to Val, it was Mitzie who made her fall head-over-heels in love with the pug breed. Val says, "I will think about her and miss her for the rest of my life. I love her so much. My heart broke when she died, and part of it went with her."

OSCAR
October 4, 2008

I lost my dear companion, sweet Oscar, after we had been together 12 1/2 years. Oscar was the love of my life, and I am eternally grateful to be so blessed with him for 12 1/2 years. I love him dearly with all my heart and soul. He was the sweetest, purist, most gentle soul in the Universe and deserves nothing less than complete happiness and peace. I cannot put into words what he taught me about love and patience. I will miss him terribly.

Jodi Cohen

TITUS
August 11, 2008

My best friend, Titus, a 4 1/2 year old pug, was the smiling face at the end of the day. I so looked forward to coming home from work and seeing him waiting at the door for me! He followed me everywhere. I will miss his sparkling eyes and the love he bestowed on me and my kids! He loved being outside and letting the neighborhood know he was PUG! One thing for sure, he was well loved by all! He will be missed forever.

LEROY
2007 - July 27, 2008

Leroy was a young brindle-colored pug who arrived at CPR with his identical pal Sam in June of 2008. Leroy became quite ill soon after arriving and did not survive the irreversible failure of his immune system.

PHOEBE
September 1, 1996 - July 2008

Phoebe and her buddy Sarg came to CPR in April of 2008 with multiple medical problems. Although suffering from chronic discomfort, Phoebe remained sweet and stoic as she fought to regain her health. In July of 2008, Phoebe lost her battle with a general systemic infection. She was lovingly cared for by her foster mom Janet for the three months she was with us.

BANDIT
July 7, 2000 - June 17, 2008

I Had a Pug

His name was Bandit.
He adored me... I adored him.
He was my little love.
He slept with me under the covers or on the pillow. Don't know who snored the loudest, him or me.

My heart is broken.
I miss him so much, miss the pug kisses, the pug run around the house, the pug love.

A donation to Pug Rescue has been made in Bandit's honor from Elizabeth and Rosie, two of his favorite neighbors. Bandit would sit in the window on his "perch" and watch the world go by. Bark like crazy when he would see someone he knew. His favorite food was broccoli (a free food, no calories).

Bandit was spoiled and loved like crazy every day of his 8 years.
I will never be the same. I was loved by a pug.

Bandit I love you; no more pain for my little boy, my little love.

Mama

GUS
1994 - June 14, 2008

Gus came to CPR in 2006 when his owner entered a nursing home. He got along with everyone and everything... dogs, cats, people, you name it. He especially liked to keep track of where his foster mom was and what she was doing.

As time went by, Gus developed mobility problems with his hind legs. Age and increasing immobility took their toll, and it was decided to keep Gus with CPR as a hospice dog for the rest of his days.

Gus's mind remained sharp until the end, but finally his body just could not go on anymore. We hope that you are happy and whole again, Gussy-Gus!

MING
1993 - May 10, 2008

We adopted Ming (formerly known as Peanut Butter) from CPR in July of 2002. She passed away on May 10, 2008, at the age of 15, of congestive heart failure.

Ming was the most delightful, loving, smart and funny dog. Our family is devastated by her loss, but we are so very grateful Ming came to our family and that we had six wonderful years with her.

Ming was very loved by all of us, and thoroughly spoiled! Even though she came to us almost completely blind from cataracts, Ming never let her lack of eyesight slow her down. She was able to play ball by hearing the ball bounce on the wood floor, and she always managed to track the ball down. Ming loved carrots and cantaloupe, and when she felt naughty she would dig in the trash looking for other "treats"! We could never be angry with her, though, because she was such a wonderful dog. Ming loved car rides and visiting Fuller Dog Park in Denver.

Thank you to CPR for giving us the gift of Ming's companionship and love. Ming will be forever missed by her loving family:

Shawn, Julie, Ariel and Hunter, and Oliver (Ming's CPR brother)
 

ALEXANDER
November 6, 1993 - January 24, 2008

Alexander came into our lives when he was just 13 weeks old. My husband and I always laughed that we had a planned puppy. Alex ruled our lives with a firm paw, and he had a lot of love to give. He was my constant companion. He loved baths, road trips, long walks, going camping in the mountains and going to the office with his "Mom." He would speak for his supper and could count as high as ten. The number seven was his favorite, though, because "Dad" said it was Elway's number. Alexander had the most gentle soul. He loved to snuggle on the couch and watch TV; he loved to play fetch, on his own terms of course; and he loved to give whisker kisses.

My heart is broken. I think about the last few months of his life and the last few hours I was able to spend with him. I knew that cold January morning; when the seizures came one after another and I held him in my arms and looked into his sad old eyes, I heard his little voice telling me how so very very tired he was. The seizures had taken a toll, and I could see it in his little face and body. Buster Brown, I am so sorry.

You gave us the most precious years, days, hours and minutes of your 15 years of life, and we will treasure every moment and memory we have.

Very much loved and missed by Doug, Laura and Isabella "Izzy" Orr

KACEE
1991 - September 2007

Kacee was adopted through CPR in the summer of 2003 and passed away in September 2007 at the age of 16. A senior dog with puppy spirit, she was so smart and loving and spoiled rotten! She was in our lives for only a short while, but she will be in our hearts forever... we miss you old girl.

David and Rae Milanovich

Goober
1993 - February 2, 2008

Goober was our very first foster pug and gave us 6 1/2 years of pure love. He was truly grateful to be rescued from his miserable life. He was always happy, and even though his body was giving out, he LOVED meal time right to the end.

We will miss you so much, Goober. Thank you for letting us love you!

Scott, Lindsay, Liam, Hollywood and Frank

SOPHIE
December 1, 1994 - December 20, 2007

Miss Sophia suddenly left us just before Christmas, 2007. Leave it to her to go out with as much flair and drama as possible! What a girl she was!

We adopted Sophie in April 2004 from Colorado Pug Rescue shortly after we lost our Jing to pug dog encephalitis. Our hearts were sore, but having Sophie to watch over helped a lot to heal the pain. She came to us with plenty of love to give, and we were happy to give her a good life for her remaining years.

We live in Anacortes, Washington, where we moved shortly after adopting Sophie. We could not have had her with us as long as we did if it hadn't been for the support of the entire staff of Fidalgo Animal Medical Center and especially Drs. Ian and Bill and Sophie's biggest fan, Lori!

We all miss you, Sophia, and will forever remember the sight of you trundling around in your new "wheels," barking and doing your best to disrupt your sister's ball chasing and making absolutely sure we never forgot a meal!

We love you little poo poo girl and miss you terribly.

 Mom, Dad, and sister Spicey

MAX
March 23, 1994 - November 2, 2007

My dear friend Max was born on March 23,1994. He left his earthly body on November 2, 2007. Max was with me since he was seven weeks old. He saw so much. He was just four months younger than my son, Austin. He lived through the passing of many furry brothers and sisters in our family. During his lifetime he had two Labrador retrievers as best friends. He lived through each of their passings. The last was just 10 short months before his own. He had four cat friends, also at different times. Our family misses him so very much.

Max was on breathing medication for the last year of his life, and took these pills twice daily. He sure knew when it was time for his "snausages". (Had to hide his pills in these.) He lost his sight in his last year of life but would still follow me all over the house, no matter how he felt. I still feel his presence in the house around me. I believe his spirit visits me to check on me.

We were inseparable in this lifetime. When he passed, I told him to go find Fred and Jazz, his Labrador best friends. After reading the poem Rainbow Bridge, I know he is there waiting for me and in time I will see him again and feel his wet kisses on my face once more. For now, he waits with his brothers and sisters, and I wait here with the family that misses our dear friend so very much.

We love you Max,
Leasa, Austin, Alexis and Bryan

Sugar
June 25, 2007

Sugar's spirit left her failing body due to congestive heart failure. She fought hard to stay with me, but even with her wheelchair she couldn't make it over this one last hurdle. She died in my arms, finally pain-free and at peace. She will be deeply missed.

Laura Walker

CALYPSO
May 8, 2007

MINNI and MILO
1990 - May 2007 and February 2007

I loved them so! I miss all my pugs so very much. They were my family as much as the humans in my family. I truly am lost without them. My pugs Minni and Milo will always be in my heart.

Missi