Dressing your Puggie is not just about serving a purpose, like a harness for walking, it can also serve as a way to make your Puggie feel special, as well as give you an alternate option to treats to show them how much you love them.
If you haven’t already guessed, dressing my Pugs gives me immense pleasure; not only does it make them look cute and get them lots of compliments, I find that it’s a great way to show them I love them without adding (treatie) weight. Is it any wonder that I started a small business selling clothing and accessories for Pugs!
]]>Dressing your Puggie is not just about serving a purpose, like a harness for walking, it can also serve as a way to make your Puggie feel special, as well as give you an alternate option to treats to show them how much you love them.
It’s amazing how Dog Apparel has changed over the last 20 years; getting clothes for Louis entailed me going into a shop that I had found in Fremantle, WA of all places, look through a catalogue from a Japanese designer who made clothes for French Bulldogs, order from the catalogue and hope that by the time I had put in my order that it hadn’t already sold out.
The bonus was that when I was successful, Louis was the trendiest dog at the café and it got him so much attention he didn’t know what to do with all the love coming his way, which for a Puggie who had been abused and neglected was a big compliment. Louis loved being dressed up and I loved doing it as well.
If you haven’t already guessed, dressing my Pugs gives me immense pleasure; not only does it make them look cute and get them lots of compliments, I find that it’s a great way to show them I love them without adding (treatie) weight. Is it any wonder that I started a small business selling clothing and accessories for Pugs!
I understand that for some people dressing their Puggie just isn’t their thing or they have a Puggie that prefers to go “au natural”; getting a harness or collar on them is as good as it gets and that’s great. Knowing and respecting what your Puggie wants is an important part of your Puggie/Pawrent relationship and no Pug should be forced to wear something they don’t want to wear unless it’s required by law or recommended by a Vet.
However, if you’re a Pug Pawrent who wants to try something new, or you’re a new Pug Pawrent that wants to spoil their Puggie with non-food treats, then a new outfit or an enhancement to a harness is a great way to do it.
I started out small and once I got my confidence with what worked for Louis, then Winston and Charles, and finally Rosie, I then started to get a little experimental and try things that I wanted to but was initially a little scared of trying as I wasn’t sure how it would turn out … and there have been some fabulous disasters over the years!
The first item for Louis was his collar, and it was my father who actually made it. It was black leather and it had small silver studs along the length – I couldn’t find a studded collar that was small enough to fit Louis’ neck and I thought he’d look cool with a studded collar and his shinny black coat! I do love that my father made it for Louis as well, they loved each other very much and it was a lovely reminder for Louis that he could be loved by a man even if his previous experience was to only experience pain by them.
Next, I brought Louis a ‘Dry-as-a-bone’ jacket for when we went walking in winter and there was a possibility of getting caught out in the rain; I know how dare I make Louis go for a walk in the rain! It took a couple of goes to find the right fit for his chest and the back length went over his tail, but Louis didn’t seem to mind, and the chest fit was the most important thing for overall comfort. This purchase was borne from necessity; keeping Louis warm and dry in winter was the driving factor for the purchase which was a very important one in my mind. Interestingly, it showed me that Louis loved wearing it not for the protection it provided but because of the non-stop compliments he’d receive from complete strangers walking past with their own dogs or families.
With that realisation, I started to branch out to outfits that weren’t particularly utilitarian but reflected Louis’ pawsonality and made him feel special whenever he wore it. Louis had a denim jacket, a faux-leather jacket, a Camouflage Hoodie complete with fur lining, t-shirts, Santa outfit, bandanas and his absolute favourite, a Hawaiian shirt.
Once I figured out what Louis liked and what he needed, especially as he got older and arthritis set in, I would keep an eye out for new outfits that I thought would look good on him and that he’d enjoy wearing. Louis’ tail would wag a mile a minute and he’d get a twinkle in his eye when he realised that we were going to his wardrobe to pull something out for a day out together. I couldn’t think of anything better than to dress Louis up so that he looked as cute as a Pug can be and that would attract people to him so that he got the attention that I thought he deserved.
By the time Winston and Charles arrived I can say that I had already considered the outfits that I wanted to get them, and the fact that they were litter brothers just gave me the opportunity to dress them in similar clothes; one in blue and yellow stripes and one in red and blue stripes for example, painfully reminiscent of identical twin-dressing I know but why let the opportunity pass?
Thankfully they both liked getting dressed up and they both loved getting attention from everyone, so shopping for them was just as fun as it was for Louis; just double the trouble so to speak.
Then along came Rosie and I realised that I was now contending with a girl and that meant dresses and skirts were being added to the mix! There was a short trial period as I figured out how Rosie would go but thankfully, Rosie realised that she looked very pretty in a dress or skirt and the compliments she’d get were almost as good as getting treaties so she was all for getting dressed to go out.
Unlike the boys, I think Rosie really understands just how pretty she looks in her outfits and she’ll take full advantage of it; she’ll stand up in the stroller when she’s hitching a ride with Charles, or walk up to a Hooman and sit daintily at their feet so that she can elicit a compliment and a pat if not a cuddle whether the Hooman was planning on doing it or not.
Interestingly, Rosie won’t wear an outfit all day like the boys who’ll happily wear it all day long. Rosie is happy to wear her outfit whilst out and about but when we get home she’ll start rolling around on the rug which is basically code for, I want to go ‘au natural’ now thanks mum! Again, it’s the beauty of getting to know your Pugs likes and dislikes that helps you to read their mood and make sure that something that is meant to be a positive part of their day stays that way all the time.
Now for those Pug Pawrents who aren’t too sure it they want to dress their Pugs in clothes and accessories, other than the basics, I recommend doing the following to determine if your Puggie even wants to get dressed up or not:
Some colours suit the fawn or black coat better than the other, but the great thing about Pugs is that most bright colours look great on them regardless because they’re such little clowns and the bright colours enhance that pawsonaility trait.
At the end of the day, dressing your Puggie can be loads of fun and a great way to spend time together that doesn’t involve food, and it can be done on rainy days as well … yes Rosie, Charles and I have had our ‘dress up’ days where we try new combo’s with lots of cuddles and visits to the bathroom to look in the mirror and see what we think.
Now it’s your turn to talk Pug, do you dress up your Puggie or are you afraid to try? We’d love to know so please share with us in the comment section below.
Until next time Puggies, have a pawsome week and Hooman's be generous with the snackies.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you advanced notice of our next PODCAST episode, access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Style series:
Left untreated, separation anxiety can lead to unwanted behavior, however, there are ways to help your Puggie deal with this condition.
]]>It is believed that ‘one in every 4-6 dogs’ have separation anxiety and that is ‘more common in older dogs’, according to research done by the University of Melbourne (1).
Many Pugs experience separation anxiety when their Pawrents leave them alone which can be very frustrating for both the Puggie and the Pawrent. I experienced this with Louis (a.k.a Fatdog) when he first came to live with me; he had been neglected and abused and developed separation anxiety when I had to go to work after I had gotten him home and settled in.
Left untreated, separation anxiety can lead to unwanted behavior, however, there are ways to help your Puggie deal with this condition.
As a Pug Parent, you know that separation anxiety is common, but there are ways to help your Puggie deal with it.
In this article we’re going to discuss some of the best ways to help your Puggie overcome separation anxiety.
Pugs are known for being loyal, loving, and affectionate dogs. However, they can also suffer from separation anxiety if they become too attached to their Pawrents or fur-family.
Separation anxiety is a condition in which a Pug becomes anxious and stressed when separated from their chosen Hooman or companion, i.e., Pawrent or Homan child or bonded Pug like a litter sibling.
Symptoms of separation anxiety can include whining, barking, howling, pacing, chewing, and destructiveness.
Separation anxiety is common in Pugs for a variety of reasons. Pugs are very social animals and love spending time with their Hoomans and Grumble. When they're suddenly left alone, they can become anxious and restless.
A Pug's high level of energy and curiosity can also lead to separation anxiety. Pugs are known for being "Velcro dogs" because they love being close to their humans.
The first step in dealing with separation anxiety is to understand the condition and its causes. Once you know what's causing your Pug's anxiety, you can begin to take steps to help them overcome it.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help your Puggie deal with separation anxiety, such as:
If your Pug's separation anxiety is severe, you may need to seek professional help.
There are a few things to look for that indicate your Puggie may need professional help:
If you think your Puggie may need professional help, talk to your Vet or a Pet behaviourist. They can help you create a treatment plan for your Puggies separation anxiety.
Louis was my shadow from the day he came home and realised that he was safe and loved. I was lucky with Louis, in that he didn’t destroy anything, but he did cry at the front door when I felt for work and when I had to be away overnight for duty he would sleep at the front door and only leave it to eat dinner or go to the toilet. It took him 12 months to finally accept/trust that I was always coming home so when I had to go back to sea, as I was still in the Navy then, although he missed me and I missed him, he was ok with me not being around for long stretches of time and he knew that I was always coming home.
Luckily for me, I never had to worry about finding people to look after him when I was away, and he came to trust them as much as he trusted me which made all the difference for both of us.
With Winston and Charles, it was a little different; they were a bonded pair and Andrew and I were happy to have them both with us knowing that they could be separated. The only time we had any problems was when one had to go to the Vet and the other couldn’t come, and this applied to Charles more than Winston.
Charles would sit at the front door and cry until we returned from the Vet, which in the last 12-months of life for Winston was hours as opposed to minutes. Charles would settle down if Andrew or I were still home but if neither of us were it got to the point where I would take both just so that Charles was ok.
As you can imagine, when Winston passed away, and without Charles there when it happened, that created a situation that Andrew and I weren’t really prepared for; we discovered that the best thing we could do for Charles was get him another companion quickly so that he didn’t die of a broken heart even though we weren’t really ready for another Pug so soon after losing Winston.
Rosie was the total opposite of all three boys, she took a few days to get to know us better since the only time she had known us was at play group and photo shoots, and then she settled herself in without any real issues. I think her choice of Andrew as her Hooman as opposed to me like the boys also helped her transition; Andrew loves being her Hooman and to be honest, he lets her get away with a lot, which is wonderful for both of them!
Separation anxiety is a common problem in Pugs, but it doesn't have to be a lifelong condition. With patience and consistency (both are key), you can help your Puggie overcome their anxiety and live a Puggily-ever-after together.
Now it’s your turn to talk Pug, have you ever experienced separation anxiety with your Puggies? What was it like and how did you deal with it? Are you going through it now? We’d love to hear all about your experiences so please share them with us in the comment section below; we read every comment and would love to talk Pug with you.
Now it’s your turn to talk Pug, do you dress up your Puggie or are you afraid to try? We’d love to know so please share with us in the comment section below.
Until next time Puggies, have a pawsome week and Hooman's be generous with the snackies.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you advanced notice of our next PODCAST episode, access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Reference:
(1) Dealing with Separation Anxiety in dogs, by Dr Diane van Rooy, University of Melbourne, https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/dealing-with-separation-anxiety-in-dogs
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The easy answer is empathically YES! The not so easy answer is, not every Puggie wants to be a Pug Super Model, which means no matter how much fun they're having at a photo shoot, they won't agree to being dressed or they won't agree to sitting long enough for clear photos to be taken of them ... I mean who can blame them with sooo much going on! What I have found is that most Puggies love getting their photo taken, because they know that a photo means praise and treaties at the end (minimum) ... not to mention being the centre of attention for 5-10 minutes at a time!
]]>Haylo Puggies,
The easy answer is empathically YES! And it doesn't matter if you're wearing clothes or accessories when you're striking a Puggie pose either, cause a Pug Super Model can look just as adorable naked tilting their head, dropping their ears back a little and widening their big Puggie eyes .. you know the look I'm talking about.
The not so easy answer is, not every Puggie wants to be a Pug Super Model, which means no matter how much fun they're having at a photo shoot, they won't agree to being dressed or they won't agree to sitting long enough for clear photos to be taken of them ... I mean who can blame them with sooo much going on!
What I have found is that most Puggies love getting their photo taken, because they know that a photo means praise and treaties at the end (minimum) ... not to mention being the centre of attention for 5-10 minutes at a time!
Having said that, we have figured out the hard way that each Puggie needs to get used to the process in their own time, and the more time you invest in making them feel comfortable, the more enjoyable it will be for everyone AND you get the best pictures. We'll cover:
Introductions - now if you're taking the photo's yourself then your Puggie is already comfortable with you, and no doubt used to you whipping out your phone at random times capturing the beautiful memories that you'll be enjoying for years to come.However, if you've decided to get professional photos of your Puggie done or they become a Pug Parties Super Model (for example), then it is really impawtant that your Puggie meets the Photographer and gets the opportunity to get to know them and the studio first. |
We find that giving a Puggie an opportunity to have a good sniff around the place, and approach the Photographer in their own time works really well - the Puggie feels like they're in charge of the situation, they feel like they have time to understand their surroundings and have an ability to make a decision if they want to stay or not.
If a Puggie refuses to leave their Hooman's side we know that the session is over - a Puggies happiness is more impawtant than taking photos and if their Hooman wants to try again later, we want their experience with us to be positive.
Little bits at a time - sometimes getting to the photo shoot, then getting dressed, then walking into the studio with the lights and the Photographer, then seeing the flash of the camera can be a little too much all in one hit for a first time Super Model. |
So we tend to take it a little bit at a time to start with. First they'll come in and play with the other Puggies at the shoot, run around and check out the waiting area and get as many pats as they can from the other Hooman's ... possibly sneak some treaties when their Hooman is not watching.
Then we'll dress them in their first outfit, and let them go back to playing and checking things out. Only after we can see that they're having fun and not hiding behind their Hooman do we call them into the studio (with their Hooman) to have their photo taken ... with a few more treaties strategically placed in the area we need them to sit or lay down on so they associate that spot with something wonderful.
We're not joking when we say that our Super Models don't pose for anything less than 10,000 treaties a session LOL!
This whole process might take 10 minutes or it might take 30 minutes; the impawtant thing is allowing the Puggie the opportunity to take it all in, in their own time so when we ask them into the Studio to take photos the Puggie is having so much fun that they want to keep going.
Know when to walk away - Even after all our careful preparation and treatie giving sometimes its just not our day to get photos. Typically a Puggie will jump off the lounge, dip their head or just plain turn their back to you - all signs that they're not interested in getting their photo taken today or that they've had enough of photos if they've already had one or two rounds taken. Sometimes a Puggie might be making a ploy for more treaties, but generally we know our Super Models well enough to know that they're just not feelin' this part of the game today and we give them a kiss and send them back out to play. |
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Typically we plan 2-3 outfits per Pug Super Model in a photo session - some will do less, others more and all determined on the day. Unlike Hooman photoshoots where Models will go through multiple outfits in a session, we find that on average a Pug will do a maximum of 3 outfits over about 2 hours - there is more playing than there is "working" for our Super Models and that's exactly how we like it!
We know that it should go without saying, but we're going to say it anyway; forcing your Pug to do something they don't want to do is futile, not to mention mean. We have heard of stories over the years of Pugs/dogs being drugged or forced to pose for photos and it is not something we condone or practice ourselves - ask any of our Pug Super Model Pawrents - we value our Puggies and their happiness above everything else, including getting the pawfect photo!
Smiling is not a given, natural is best - I love seeing Rosie and Charles smiling at me with their beautiful eyes and winkles looking up at me hoping for one more treat. But the simple fact is that Pugs don't smile all the time. They have the most expressive faces and they use them all to very good effective. We prefer to show photos on our website and social media accounts that show every expression a Puggie has, including the grumpy ones. |
Charles is a naturally grumpy old man and most of his photos are of him looking like a 'grumpy old man', whereas Rosie is inquisitive and will usually wear a serious "I'm listening" face or a head tilt that says in exasperation "WHAT are you talking about Mum?". There is nothing wrong with either expression and both should be celebrated as much as a smiling face is.
Get to know your Puggies expressions and immortalise them in film, you'll be happy you did when you're remembering them and their pawsonailty.
Practice makes Pawfect - the more your Puggie sees a camera/phone and associates it with a bit of fun they'll begin to forget it's there when you're trying to get action shots, and if you're looking to get them to sit still long enough to get a non-blurry one they'll know that camera/phone out and the 'sit' command = sit still, look gorgeous and there will be a treatie/praise at the end. |
In the end, the most impawtant thing to remember is that any Puggie can be a Super Model, professional or amateur, and as long as they think it's a fun game that they get to play and stop when they've had enough, you'll get the best photos you could have ever imagined.
We'd love to see your Pug Super Model photos, the good and the not so good, because we understand how hard it is to get a good one every time and we'd love to see them anyway! Tell us about their pose and their expression, what was happening when you took the photo, because sometimes the story behind the photo is better than the photo itself!
Until next time Puggies, have a pawsome week and Hooman's be generous with the snackies.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
PUG-PAWRENTING CONFESSION: I wasn't always a Crazy Pug-Lady. Read it HERE
PUG PAWRENTING CONFESSION: I lost my Pug at Play Group. Read it HERE
PUG-PAWRENTING; the emotional roller coaster that is Pug ownership. Read it HERE
#blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>I know it may seem like a strange topic to write about, but after having had a recent discussion with a Grumble friend about a rescue Puggie who had moved between three owners because all three had passed away, it sense to me that it was a topic that needed attention.
Being the Crazy Pug Lady that I am, I have made provisions in my last will and testament for Rosie and Charles (and any other Puggies we may adopt), to ensure that not only do they go to someone who they know and love, but that I'm assured that their lifestyle remains in line with my expectations and that their medical needs are covered as they get older ... and more expensive.
Now obviously, if I pre-decease Andrew or vice versa then we who will be caring for Rosie and Charles, but if for some reason we both go at the same time then it was really important to us that we seriously consider who we ask/nominate to be their new Hooman. Thankfully we weren't short of volunteers within our family and our Grumble circle which was comforting, but is not always the case when you hear about Puggies who have been surrendered because no-one wanted them or nothing had been arranged prior to the Hooman passing.
Believe me when I say that our Lawyer was a little surprised that we had a very specific list of requirements for our Puggies and their care to be included in our wills; she commented that it was like we were talking about the custody of human children, and in my mind, I was talking about the custody of my children ... my fur-children. I have heard that it is becoming more common place these days but it wasn't so much so when I had Louis and was a single girl nearly 20 years ago. |
Andrew and I discussed at length who was best placed to care for our Puggies in a way that we wanted them to be cared for; did they have similar beliefs around discipline, exercise, socialisation, grooming, play group, food and treats, being allowed in the house and on the couch, and did their definition of "quality of life" align with ours. It was a tough decision, but we narrowed our list down and thankfully our first choice agreed! Having said that, we still check in every now and again to makes sure that they're still ok with the arrangement, peoples circumstances change and what was OK a few years ago, might not be the case now.
We also estimated how much we thought it would cost to care for our Puggies for the remainder of their natural life. Luckily, having been a Pug-mom for nearly 20 years I had a good idea of what it costs to feed, clothe (yes, clothe!) and care for a Pug each year. It is a little subjective but at the end of the day, a good estimate helps allocate what you think will be required to be gifted to your Puggies carer for the average life expectance of a Pug. We thought it was only right to cover their living expenses as best we could noting that our nominated carer had agreed to take on our Puggies at what we expect to be very short notice.
The other thing that I have in my will is an allocation/bequeathment to our nominated Pug Rescue. I have been blessed with the love of four Puggies, who were either rescues or re-home, and I know what it costs to get a Puggie's health to a point that their ready for adoption; their adoption fee rarely covers it all. Giving back to the organisations that have given me the Puggies who have given me unconditional love, is a small way for me to say thank you for their gift.
Talking about your last will and testament, and making plans for your Puggies should you pass before they do can be a little off-putting, but I think is a necessary practicality when it comes to the welfare of your Puggies. Maybe you should be asking yourself, are you ok with them being surrendered to a rescue organisation that is not your choice, and are you ok with them going to a home/family that is not of your choosing either? Only you can answer those questions, and the answers will determine what you do next. |
There is no right or wrong answer to this, and I think that most Pug-Pawrents have already thought about this on some level - we love our Puggies too much not to have at lease considered it once.
I'd love for you to share with us what provisions you have made for your Puggies or have you not considered it yet? Just because I've made my provisions formal doesn't mean that they have to be; you maybe lucky enough to have an extended family of Pug-owners to whom your Puggie will do to naturally and you don't even have to give it a second thought; I'd love to hear all about it so please share in the comment section below.
And, until next time Puggies, have a pawsome week and Hooman's be generous with the snackies.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
PUG-PAWRENTING CONFESSION: I wasn't always a Crazy Pug-Lady. Read it HERE
PUG PAWRENTING CONFESSION: I lost my Pug at Play Group. Read it HERE
PUG-PAWRENTING; the emotional roller coaster that is Pug ownership. Read it HERE
Guides to help your Pug clothing shopping:
Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit? Then CLICK HERE
#lastwillandtestament #pugmom #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
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I'm one of those people who never really thought about having children; I was one of "those people" who always wanted Pugs in my life like other people wanted children. I was the person that people would look at with the expression that basically said "who IS this woman?", and I was that person who people would literally say, "you can't compare your Pug/s to children, they're not the same". And they're right in their own way; in their world my Pugs are not the same as their children ... but I would also argue that their children are also not like other peoples children. You don't have to understand, you just have to respect that children means different things to different people, none are better or less than the other.
Back when Winston and Charles were still young Pugs (Charles didn't have grey whiskers back then!) I was pug shamed by someone who didn’t know anything about pugs and who I should have ignored. I was just starting in a new job, my first after retiring from the Navy, and I was looking to make friends and establish new connections and had agreed to have dinner with a colleague and his wife whilst I was travelling. |
I was brought up to "not talk shop" whilst entertaining and I wanted to get to know my colleague and his wife so I invited conversation about their interests and obviously shared mine being my Pugs. I can acknowledge that I did probably talk about Louis, Winston and Charles a bit ... OK, gushed a lot ... and that can be overwhelming for someone who doesn't love Pugs (or dogs for that matter) as much as a Pug-mom does.
Unfortunately, my dinner partners (in hindsight) didn't have the good grace to listen and join in on the conversation, or even politely re-direct it to a topic they were more comfortable with. Instead they made disparaging comments about Pugs in general and about my obvious "obsession" with them like I was somehow not worth their time. I have to admit that I was taken aback about how rude they were and I was unsure how I could respond without causing them offence or impacting my ability to socialise with other people within the company that I had just started working at. |
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On reflection, the way those people made me feel stopped me from living my best Pug Life for years because they made me feel ashamed of loving my Pugs so much that all I wanted to do was talk about them like other people talk about their children. It didn't stop me from loving Winston and Charles as much as I could, but it did stop me talking about them with other people; I even avoided Play Group and I didn't take them absolutely everywhere like I did Louis. I was selective on when I exposed Winston and Charles to the world, and what I didn't realise was that I was really being selective on when I exposed myself as their Pug-mom to the world even though I had wanted to be since childhood.
It wasn't until I decided to take a huge leap by starting Pug Parties, and finding my Grumble, that I realised that I was letting the ignorant comments of some really rude and, basically, inconsequential people as far as my life was concerned, rule my Pug Life. I'm not saying that it was an overnight transformation, but I did start making changes to how I lived it, and how much I cared what other people might think about my passion, my love and my life. |
Now I am unashamedly, and publicly, Pug Crazy and if people don't want to hear my Pug stories I respect their request but I also don't tolerate rude comments. I have pictures ... and pillows ... and calendars ... and figurines ... not to mention the business that I am so proud and passionate about that I hope makes you as happy as it makes me, Rosie and Charles.
Now Puggies, I’d love to know how you deal with negative or rude Hooman's who can't appreciate your pawsomeness – did you sneeze on them or did you show them some Puggie-tail?
I’d love to hear all about it so please share and reassure me that I'm not the only one who has had to deal with ignorant people!
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
PUG PAWRENTING CONFESSION: I lost my Pug at Play Group. Read it HERE
PUG-PAWRENTING; the emotional roller coaster that is Pug ownership. Read it HERE
PUG BAN; are we really eliminating Puggies from the Australian family. Read it HERE
Guides to help your Pug clothing shopping:
Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit? Then CLICK HERE
#crazypuglady #pugmom #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>He managed to get there without anyone on the path noticing him ambling by (and there were a few on the path between the play area and the car park) and thankfully the car park was empty; I still shudder to think what would have happened if it was the busy one.
Charles may possibly be developing Doggie Dementia which would possibly explain some of the sudden wondering behaviour, but whatever his reason, Charles now sports a bright yellow winter jacket for play group and we all watch him like a hawk – just in case he gets the notion to go for another wonder without telling me first!
Now Puggies, I’d love to know if you’ve had adventures that have given your Hooman similar frights – did you wonder down the street to check out a new neighbour or did you decide that the fences where for sucka’s and head off in search of a new adventure?
I’d love to hear all about them so please share and reassure me that Charles is not the only one who can disappear like a professional!
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
Guides to help your Pug clothing shopping:
Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit? Then CLICK HERE
Not sure how to use the SIZE MY PUGGIE tool? Then CLICK HERE
#lost #puggiestealth #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>you know you're a whole lot of dog and adora(pug)ble to boot no matter how you look or sound on a hot day; which is why when I see articles calling for the banning of Brachycephalic breeds because they're, well, Brachycephalic I get really frustrated to say the least.
Earlier this month (Feb-2022) the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) was all over the news calling for 'any dog with a muzzle length less than a third of its skull length banned from being bred or shown because of the suffering caused on the animal.' |
The AVA then went onto explain that 'it would be a "partial ban" on breeding. That is, dogs severely affected with brachycephaly, or affected at all with spinal deformity, should not be bred or shown'. The AVA (and the RSPCA) also called for changes in judging criteria for Show dogs like Pugs, changes to Laws that enforce breeders to disclose health issues on purchase of the dog, as well as changes in breed standards to discourage unhealthy expectations of breed features.
Upfront, as a Pug Pawrent to rescue Pugs I agree with the argument made by Dogs Australia in the article that, unregistered or backyard breeding, has caused a lot of health issues in the breed, that has necessitated the ongoing need for Rescue Groups to remove and rehabilitate Pugs who didn't get the care they needed from the "breeder" from the start or were sold to owners who were ill-prepared for the responsibility/expense of Pug-ownership.
I also agree with the call by the AVA, RSPCA and Dogs Australia to clean up the breeding community/industry by expanding/introducing legislation to enable the relevant authorities the ability to enforce safe breeding practices and the readjustment of breeding standards back to healthy levels so that our Pugs can live their best lives with us for as long as possible.
What I don't agree with is the call for a blanket "banning" of breeds from Australia (or anywhere else for that matter) due to the irresponsible practices of a minority of the community; I'm unclear as to what banning Pugs (and other Brachycephalic breeds) in accordance with the definition provided by the AVA will achieve other than to deprive people of the companion that they want to have in their life.
How does banning the breeding and showing of Pugs resolve the underlying issue of poor breeding practices through lax or non-existent regulation and enforcement of ethical breeding practices. It appears to me that the recommended way forward is to take the path of least resistance, rather than fix the known problem (that doesn't just apply to Brachycephalic breeds) and stop unethical breeding practices Australia-wide.
It took years to get Oscar's Law enacted into Victorian State Parliament, effectively banning Puppy farming and the sale of puppies in stores in Victoria, and that is just one State.Every State in Australia has differing levels of legislation banning (or not banning) puppy farming and the sale of puppies in stores; with one State still allowing puppy farming with little restriction. |
Why does it take a team of volunteers like the team at Oscar's Law to fight the good fight, one State at a time? Why can't the AVA and RSPCA take a leaf from their book and attack the real issue and not focus on a small portion of dogs that have been on the wrong end of the lax breeding laws in Australia due to their popularity?
All I can say is that Oscar's Law is doing the hard work needed to fix the industry for the better and can use all the help they can get to make a difference for the future; for me, Oscar's Law is a "breeding ban" that I can get behind!
Our Pugs, like never before, fulfil the role of significant companion in our lives and all we want as Pug Pawrents is to do what is best for our Pugs well-being; even if that means spending thousands of dollars on surgery and medication to give them the best life they deserve.
So Hoomans, how about instead of banning the breeding of Brachycephalic breeds like our beloved Pugs, we get behind organisations like Oscars Law who focus on the underlying problem and not the "path of least resistance".
If you would like to know more about Oscar's Law and how you can get behind the cause that ends unethical breeding practices, pop over to their website HERE.
And if you'd like to read the full article that inspired my blog post, read it HERE.
We'd love to know what you think about the article and unethical breeding practices. Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you, and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
Calling my Pug ugly is as offensive as calling me Fat! Read it HERE
Guides to help your Pug clothing shopping:
Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit? Then CLICK HERE
Not sure how to use the SIZE MY PUGGIE tool? Then CLICK HERE
#oscarslaw #ethicalbreeding #puppyfarm #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>I haven't met a Puggie yet who likes to be cold and when snuggling with a Hooman or Puggie buddy just doesn't cut it, a Puggie must do what a Puggie must do to keep out the chills. Thank Pug there are Puggie PJ's in Summer-weight and Winter-weight fabric for the different times of the year when it's kinda cold to teeth-chattering cold to help a Puggie out. So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in PJs
]]>Haylo Puggies,
I haven't met a Puggie yet who likes to be cold and when snuggling with a Hooman or Puggie buddy just doesn't cut it, a Puggie must do what a Puggie must do to keep out the chills.
Thank Pug there are Puggie PJ's in Summer-weight and Winter-weight fabric for the different times of the year when it's kinda cold to teeth-chattering cold to help a Puggie out.
Now all we need to do is get the PJ's on and we're set for this year's rain and thunder.
Luckily, we have loads of practice with our Supermodels who sometimes are little angels and happily let us dress them in their pawsome PJ's, and other times ‘squirm like a (Puggie) worm’ and tell us in no uncertain terms that no amount of doggy chocolate or proffered cuddles can get us back in the good books…… for now.
In this video we'll cover:
Don't forget, getting the PJ's over your Pugs head and the first paw in is by far the most difficult part of dressing and may take a couple of goes, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time
We'd love to know what you think of the video and the tips and tricks we shared with you. Have you tried any of them on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us? Is there a particular piece of clothing that you would like us to do a video on next?
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Shopping series:
Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh new T-shirt - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Puggie when you're looking for that pawfect Dress - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jacket - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jumper - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Shirt -Read it HERE
Credit: Header picture by Flouffy on Unsplash
Picture: Rosie and I having fun at the desk during COVID lockdown
Picture: Charles and Winston having fun on Australia Day a few years ago
If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Picture: Bella and Benny enjoying a cuddle at the cafe
Picture: Some of Winston's handy work in my office
Picture: Charles happily lying in between my feet in my office
Blog Header Photo credit - Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
#cutepug #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Calling my Pug ugly is as offensive as calling me fat but non-pug owners seem to think that they have the right to actively walk up to me to say so to my face!
I know that they would not appreciate me walking up to them, pointing to their child and tell them that it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen and why do they even own one.
]]>#ugly #pugmom #cutepug #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>If you hadn’t guessed by now, I love dressing Charles and Rosie because not only do their outfits make them feel special, but their outfits also put a smile on other people’s faces whenever they see them; instantly brightening the day of a complete stranger is one of the many inherent talents (or dare I say “super-powers”) our Pugs have.
Both Charles and Rosie have Shirts in their wardrobes because of how cute, trendy and/or smart they look in them, and because they are a great basis to an outfit if you have a big day of activities planned and don’t want to have to take multiple outfits with you. I can start with a Hawaiian Pug Shirt for a day at the beach and then pop on a Cut-out Bamboo Pug Bowtie for an early dinner or start with a Striped Saloon Pug Shirt for play group and then add a Three Row of Pearls Pug Necklace for brunch.
Whatever the occasion, a Shirt is a light weight colourful and versatile addition to a Pug wardrobe that needs to fit well to ensure that your Pug Supermodel looks and feels fabulous whenever they’re out meeting their adoring fans who just have to give them a pat and take a photo of them to share with their friends.
So, to make sure that you find the pawfect Shirt that will deliver maximum comfort and cuteness, I have a few basic criteria that I use when shopping for one of my fur-babies personal wardrobe; size chart measurements, materials, design, and colour options.
Handy Hint: Make sure to confirm the measurements of your little Supermodel, so you have as accurate a guide as possible when choosing your next purchase. If you’re unsure about measuring your Pug correctly, check out our guide; and if you’re shopping with us, then please take advantage of the SIZE MY PUGGIE tool on all of our clothing pages.
Typically, when I am shopping for Charles and Rosie and our other Pug Supermodels, I look for a snug fit at the torso without causing undue discomfort around the chest and neck on dressing or wearing; I find that too loose a fit will trip them up or get in the way when going to the toilet.
To be honest, I’ve found that it takes a dash of guesswork mixed in with a little know-how on what to look for on the product page to purchase with any level of confidence:
Graphic: Questions to ask yourself when shopping for the Pawfect Shirt
Size Chart Measurements – when looking at size charts, a Pug’s guiding size is its chest, then neck and finally length (“typical dog breed” sizing uses the (back) length as the primary guiding size). I have found that if the only measurement available on the product page is the length, the Shirt will not fit your Pug’s chest (even with a couple of buttons/press-studs open).
This may mean that to get the right fit around your Pug’s chest, the back length of the Shirt tail will cover their tail. I have found that an average Pug’s length is 35cm, so I look for fit at the chest with this corresponding length or shorter; this also generally ensures that the front of the Shirt does not get in the way when the Pug is going to the toilet as the Shirt front is proportional to the back length.
Materials – Shirts generally come in materials/fabrics that have minimal to no stretch across the body, such as cotton or cotton blends.
These materials are typically soft on the body, don’t cause irritation for a Pug with sensitive skin, and can be washed in a washing machine with the rest of your household clothes.
Handy Hint: The important thing to remember is that if the material has any give, or stretch, it will typically have the stretch across the chest.
Design (neck and sleeve holes) – Be wary of neck holes that are extra wide and don’t button all the way to the top as they can slide down the shoulders of your Pug and become uncomfortable; check the product photos that have the Shirt on a dog/model and see where it sits to determine if it’s going to be a problem for your Pug.
*Note that Shirts with sleeves can be a problem if your Pug has shorter than average legs because the sleeve will get in the way when walking. It is difficult to determine if that is going to be a problem for your Pug but look at the product photos and see how far down the leg the sleeve goes to make a judgement call, you may be able to hand sew the rolled-up sleeve to make sure that it doesn’t unravel.
Design (hem) – Generally Shirts will not have an elastic hem which will hold the shirt front against the body better. However, if it does, the best way to judge this is to look at the product photos to see how it sits on the model and make a judgement call; you know your Pug best.
Picture: Max, Oscar and Charles in their Hawaiian Pug Shirts
Product Model - Do the product photos have the Shirt on a Pug or even a Frenchie so you can judge how it fits and sits on the body? If it is a small dog (i.e. Chihuahua) or a large dog (i.e. Golden Retriever) there is a chance that the Shirt won’t fit your Pug properly because it has been designed and manufactured to fit the “typical” dog size; it may require you to make a judgement call when purchasing.
Handy hint: Don't forget to check the return policy on the website to be sure that you can return the Shirt if you find the fit is wrong, and what you have to do to be eligible for another size to be delivered.
At Pug Parties we understand your frustration when you realise that you ordered the wrong size which is why we’re always happy to sort it out with you; check out our return policy here.
Other questions I ask myself as I am browsing -
Does the title description of the product include a size description of ‘medium sized dog’? Small dog description usually means Chihuahua sized
Does the product description tell you about the material and its give?
Is it harness friendly? Can I put a harness over the top and still be comfortable for your Pug, or is there a collar hole or harness hole that allows you to put the Shirt over the top?
Picture: Charles in his Shirt and Vest Pug Suit and Pop Culture Bamboo Pug Bowtie
Even with all of the above shopping tips, I still find at times that the pawsome Shirt I have found will fit at the chest and neck but is a little long down the back covering their Puggie tails.
In this instance, I use the following options to make the Shirt look like I always intended on styling it that way:
Hair clip – if the Shirt tail is too short for a knot but you’d like to tighten it up a little, grab a hair clip in a complimentary and tie up the bottom
Scarf slide – similar to the hair clip, and you want the gathering material to lie flat down your Pugs back, use a large scarf slide in a complimentary colour
Sewing (hand or machine) – create a couple of darts, preferably on the underside, to remove the excess around the chest/length evenly
But don’t forget if all else fails and the Shirt just doesn’t fit properly and it can’t be returned, consider giving it to a fellow dog at play group or to a Rescue Organisation who can add it to their care packages when they find their fur-ever home.
Sometimes trial and error is the only way to find the right outfit for your little Supermodel, but hopefully our tips and tricks make that process less hit and miss. Plus, if you’ve missed our other shopping guides, I’ve provided the links below to make it easy to find them.
I’d love to hear from other Pug-parents on their shopping experiences, tell us a tip or trick that you use to shop for your Pug that has or hasn’t worked.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and we look forward to snuffling with you again soon.
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Shopping series:
Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh new T-shirt - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Puggie when you're looking for that pawfect Dress - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jacket - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jumper - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Shirt -Read it HERE
Haylo Puggies,
Adding to your Pug’s wardrobe can be fun, time consuming and satisfying; you can see your fur-child in your mind’s eye looking adorable, stylish and every bit the Supermodel you know them to be.
Then it comes to dressing them and you realise that they’re more Diva/Demon Supermodel than the calm little cutie they were before you tried to dress them in the pawfect Dress you searched the world (via the internet) for, just for them to wear to an event.
Luckily, we have loads of practice with our Supermodels who sometimes are little angels and happily let us dress them in their pawsome Dress, and other times ‘squirm like a (Puggie) worm’ and tell us in no uncertain terms that no amount of doggy chocolate or proffered cuddles can get us back in the good books…… for now.
So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in a Dress in 5 seconds flat …. OK, maybe 30 seconds but you get the idea!
In this video we'll cover:
Don't forget, getting the Shirt over your Pugs head and the first paw in is by far the most difficult part of dressing and may take a couple of goes, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time
We'd love to know what you think of the video and the tips and tricks we shared with you. Have you tried any of them on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us? Is there a particular piece of clothing that you would like us to do a video on next?
Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
#shirt #cutepug #pugclothing #dressingguide #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pugparties #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Haylo Puggies,
Adding to your Pug’s wardrobe can be fun, time consuming and satisfying; you can see your fur-child in your mind’s eye looking adorable, stylish and every bit the Supermodel you know them to be.
Then it comes to dressing them and you realise that they’re more Diva/Demon Supermodel than the calm little cutie they were before you tried to dress them in the pawfect Dress you searched the world (via the internet) for, just for them to wear to an event.
Luckily, we have loads of practice with our Supermodels who sometimes are little angels and happily let us dress them in their pawsome T-shirt, and other times ‘squirm like a (Puggie) worm’ and tell us in no uncertain terms that no amount of doggy chocolate or proffered cuddles can get us back in the good books…… for now.
So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in a Dress in 5 seconds flat …. OK, maybe 30 seconds but you get the idea!
In this video we'll cover:
Don't forget, getting the Dress over your Pugs head and the first paw in is by far the most difficult part of dressing and may take a couple of goes, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time
We'd love to know what you think of the video and the tips and tricks we shared with you. Have you tried any of them on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us? Is there a particular piece of clothing that you would like us to do a video on next?
Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
#dress #cutepug #pugclothing #dressingguide #blog #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pugparties #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Shopping for your Puggies should be as fun as they are, and finding the next pawsome addition to their wardrobe just as easy.
So check out our 12 gift ideas for a Lady Pug or Gentlemen Pug, and have fun finding the next addition to their wardrobe ..... we definitely had fun finding these clothes and accessories ourselves!
We'd love to hear about your styling ideas, so please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Guides to help with your Pug clothing shopping:
* Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit?
https://pugparties.com/pages/measuring-guide
* Not sure how to use the SIZE MY PUGGIE tool?
https://pugparties.com/pages/size-my-puggie-tool
#puggift #giftguide #tips #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pugparties #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Lucky for you, we have a few tips to help with taking the pawfect Puggie picture, and with PUGOWEEN competitions going virtual this year, we thought there was no better time than now to share with you what we do during photo shoots
]]>What Puggie hasn’t heard a Hooman say “Did anyone ever tell you that you look absolutely Pugtastic? I must take a picture to show my friends/the world!”
Unfortunately, for some Puggies the excitement of having all that adoration concentrated on them all at once means that they just can’t stand still long enough for the Hooman to take the pawfectly posed picture to be shared with the world.
I mean, let's face it Puggies, there's a lot to consider when getting your photo taken by adoring fans ..... which is my best side? should I smile or pout? Should I be asking for a two treat minimum up front appearance fee? Should I allow the Hooman to take a selfie with me?
Lucky for you, we have a few tips to help with the Hooman's get the best photo possible, and with PUGOWEEN competitions going virtual this year, we thought what better time than now to share with you how we manage to capture the best in our Pug Supermodels during photo shoots:
We hope this helps and we’d love to hear how you take photos of your Puggies. Have you tried any of our tips on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us?
Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Guides to help your Pug clothing shopping:
* Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit?
https://pugparties.com/pages/measuring-guide
* Not sure how to use the SIZE MY PUGGIE tool?
https://pugparties.com/pages/size-my-puggie-tool
#tips #pugphoto #photography #pugoween2020 #pugoween #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pugparties #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Haylo Puggies,
Adding to your Pug’s wardrobe can be fun, time consuming and satisfying; you can see your fur-child in your mind’s eye looking adorable, stylish and every bit the Supermodel you know them to be.
Then it comes to dressing them and you realise that they’re more Diva/Demon Supermodel than the calm little cutie they were before you tried to dress them in the pawfect T-shirt you searched the world (via the internet) for, just for them to wear to that Springtime event!
Luckily, we have loads of practice with our Supermodels who sometimes are little angels and happily let us dress them in their pawsome T-shirt, and other times ‘squirm like a (Puggie) worm’ and tell us in no uncertain terms that no amount of doggy chocolate or proffered cuddles can get us back in the good books…… for now.
So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in a T-shirt in 5 seconds flat …. OK, maybe 30 seconds but you get the idea!
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
I love a good colourful scarf at anytime of the year, it's one of the most versatile accessories in any Pug (or Hooman) fashion arsenal because it can be an outfit all on its own or as part of a pawsome outfit (Hooman/Pug twinning anyone?); the key is to make sure you tie the knot safely so it sits comfortably at the neck all day long!
So, let us show you how to tie your Pug’s scarf knot safely so they look Pugtastic and you both can comfortably wear it all day and all night!
]]>I love a good colourful scarf at anytime of the year, it's one of the most versatile accessories in any Pug (or Hooman) fashion arsenal because it can be an outfit all on its own or as part of a pawsome outfit (Hooman/Pug twinning anyone?); the key is to make sure you tie the knot safely so it sits comfortably at the neck all day long!
So, let us show you how to tie your Pug’s scarf knot safely so they look Pugtastic and you both can comfortably wear it all day and all night!
In this video we'll cover:
Share your thoughts or ask us questions on your experiences tying a scarf on your Pug in the comments below, we respond to every one because as Pug Pawrent ourselves we understand your frustrations when shopping for and dressing your Pug, and because we believe every Pug deserves to be the best dressed at the Pawty!
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us and become a Grumble Friend by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this page
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
#scarf #bandana #knot #guide #howto #safety #exclusive #grumble #membership #pugparties #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #ladypug #gentlemenpug #pugparties #pugfashion #pugfashionista
]]>Adding to your Pug’s wardrobe can be fun, time consuming and satisfying; you can see your fur-child in your mind’s eye looking adorable, stylish and every bit the Supermodel you know them to be. Then it comes to dressing them and you realise that they’re more Diva/Demon Supermodel than the calm little cutie they were before you tried to dress them in the pawfect jumper you searched the world (via the internet) for, just for them to wear to that autumn/winter event.
So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in a jumper in 5 seconds flat …. OK, maybe 30 seconds but you get the idea!
]]>Haylo Puggies,
Adding to your Pug’s wardrobe can be fun, time consuming and satisfying; you can see your fur-child in your mind’s eye looking adorable, stylish and every bit the Supermodel you know them to be. Then it comes to dressing them and you realise that they’re more Diva/Demon Supermodel than the calm little cutie they were before you tried to dress them in the pawfect jumper you searched the world (via the internet) for, just for them to wear to that autumn/winter event.
Luckily, we have had loads of practice with our Supermodels, who are sometimes little angels and happily let us dress them in their snuggly jumpers, and other times ‘squirm like a (Puggie) worm’ and tell us in no uncertain terms that no amount of doggy chocolate or proffered cuddles can get us back in the good books…… for now.
So, grab your fur-baby for a cuddle and watch our short video guide on how to dress your Pug in a jumper in 5 seconds flat …. OK, maybe 30 seconds but you get the idea!
In this video we'll cover:
Don't forget, getting the Jumper over your Pugs head and the first paw in is by far the most difficult part of Jumper dressing and may take a couple of goes, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time
We'd love to know what you think of the video and the tips and tricks we shared with you. Have you tried any of them on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us? Is there a particular piece of clothing that you would like us to do a video on next?
Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
#jumper #pugjumper #pugfashionista #dressingtips #shoppingtips #blogpost #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugparties
]]>With Pug-parents around the world reading this and chuckling knowingly alongside me, I offer you my tips and tricks for shopping for Jumpers for your little bundle of adora(pug)ble fur, so that you’re ready for the cold days and freezing nights
]]>Haylo Puggies,
I don’t know about you, but when there is persistent fog until mid-morning at home, I know it’s time to rummage around in the wardrobe for something a little more snuggly for me and my fur-babies. Charles finds getting up a little difficult these days and I have to admit I have similar issues in the morning myself sometimes!
So today we’re adding to the (winter) wardrobe to make sure that no Pug goes cold with my tips and tricks for Pug Jumper shopping….. sorry Hooman’s I don’t have time to help you shop for yourself as well! As alluded in our other shopping guides, when I am shopping, I have a few basic criteria that I use when considering a product for the store or for one of my fur-babies personal wardrobe; size chart measurements, materials, design, and colour options.
Handy Hint: Make sure to confirm the measurements of your little Supermodel, so you have as accurate a guide as possible when choosing your next purchase. If you’re unsure about measuring your Pug correctly, check out our video.
Typically, when I am shopping for any product, I am looking for a snug fit at the torso without causing undue discomfort to the Pug around the chest and neck on dressing or wearing, which takes a little judgement and knowing what to look for on the product page:
Graphic: Questions to ask when shopping for the Pawfect Jumper
Size Chart Measurements – when looking at size charts, unlike “typical dog breed” sizing that uses the (back) length as the primary guiding size, a Pug’s guiding size is its chest, then neck and finally length. I have found that if the only measurement available on the product page is the length, the Jumper will not fit your Pug’s chest (even with fabric stretch).
This may mean that to get the right fit around your Pug’s chest, the back length of the Jumper will cover their tail, which you may need to take into account if your Pug prefers “tail out”. I have found that an average Pug’s length is 35-40cm for a male and 30-35 cm for a female, so I look for fit at the chest with this corresponding length or shorter; this also generally ensures that the front of the Jumper does not get in the way when the Pug is going to the toilet as the Jumper front is usually proportional to the back length.
Materials – Jumpers generally come in materials/fabrics that have a minimum of a 2 cm stretch across the body, such as cotton or polyester blends, and can be referred to as knit or windcheater in the product description. These materials are typically soft on the body, don’t cause irritation for the Pug with sensitive skin, and can be washed in a washing machine with the rest of your household clothes.
Plus, these types of materials mean that you can buy a Jumper for your Pug that just fits into the size chart window and know that it will fit snuggly but not uncomfortably.
Design (neck and sleeve holes) – Be wary of neck holes that are extra wide, they can slide down the shoulders of your Pug and become uncomfortable, so check the product photos that have the Jumper on a dog and see where it sits to determine if it’s going to be a problem for your Pug.
Jumpers can also come with buttons/press studs at the neck or a hood (or Hoodie). Buttons/press studs at the neck can make dressing your Pug so much easier if you have a Pug that loves getting dressed but is a little squirmier or has a little more ruff than the average Pug and you can leave one of the buttons/press studs open for a little extra breathing room.
Hoodies look fabulous on Pugs in my opinion, but they don’t always fit your Pugs head, even with the neck size being right, and generally there won’t be a head measurement in the size chart. So, make sure to check the product photos and see how it looks on the model, and check to see if the hood comes with a drawstring or fastener at the back that can shorten the hood length.
*Note that Jumpers with sleeves can be a problem if your Pug has shorter than average legs because the sleeve will get in the way when walking, even if you roll it up. It is difficult to determine if that is going to be a problem for your Pug but look at the product photos and see how far down the leg the sleeve goes to make a judgement call, you may be able to hand sew the rolled up sleeve to make sure that it doesn’t unravel.
Design (waist band) – Generally Jumpers will have an elastic waistband which will hold the bottom of the Jumper against the body better. If the Jumper does not have an elastic waist band, it will generally hang open a little away from the belly more like a t-shirt which is fine if you do think your Pug will catch their hind legs on the hem when rolling around on their bed or in the grass which we all know is where they love to really roll around in. The best way to judge this is to look at the product photos to see how it sits on the model and make a judgement call; you know your Pug best.
Picture: Pug Supermodel Mia in a Pink Hoodie
Potential stretch – Typically, if the product description does not describe the material/fabric stretch or it is not in the product title, such as ‘stretch denim’, then assume there is little to no give in the fabric to be safe.
We have provided a guide on the different types of fabric used in dog clothing below and their typical stretch profile to help you when reading product descriptions; this is a guide only, fabric has many different varieties and each has their own characteristics, I’m calling out the commonly used.
Handy Hint: The important thing to remember is that if the material has any give, or stretch, it will typically have the stretch across the chest.
Product Model - Do the product photos have the Jumper on a Pug or even a Frenchie so you can judge how it fits and sits on the body? If it is a small dog (i.e. chihuahua) or a large dog (i.e. Golden Retriever) there is a chance that the Jumper won’t fit your Pug properly because it has been designed and manufactured to fit the “typical” dog size; it may require you to make a judgement call when purchasing.
Handy hint: Don't forget to check the return policy on the website to be sure that you can return the Jumper if you find the fit is wrong, and what you have to do to be eligible for another size to be delivered. At Pug Parties we understand your frustration when you realise that you ordered the wrong size which is why we’re always happy to sort it out with you, and you can see our return policy here.
Other questions I ask myself as I am browsing -
Picture: Pug Supermodel Benny in a Blue Smiley face Jumper
Even with all of the above shopping tips, I still find at times that the pawsome Jumper I have found will fit at the chest and neck but is a little long down the back and little Puggie tails are covered by their Jumper. In this instance, I use the following fitting systems to make the Jumper look like I always intended on styling it that way:
But don’t forget if all else fails and the Jumper just doesn’t fit properly and it can’t be returned, consider giving it to a fellow dog at play group or to a Rescue Organisation who can add it to their care packages when a they find their fur-ever home.
Sometimes trial and error is the only way to find the right outfit for your little Supermodel, but hopefully our tips and tricks make that process less hit and miss. Plus, if you’ve missed our other shopping guides, I’ve provided the links below to make it easy to find them.
I’d love to hear from other Pug-parents on their shopping experiences, tell us a tip or trick that you use to shop for your Pug that has or hasn’t worked.
Share with the rest of the Grumble below we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Shopping series:
Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh new T-shirt - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Puggie when you're looking for that pawfect Dress - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jacket - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Jumper - Read it HERE
How to shop for your Pug when you’re looking for that pawfect Shirt -Read it HERE
For me, the last couple of months have been tumultuous with the loss of Winston, Rosie coming into our lives when she did (kiss-met!) and then the necessity to #stayathome until further notice. So, it’s no surprise that we started to notice that Charles was finding it more and more difficult to get around in the morning now that it’s starting to get cold, coupled with a decrease in toilet control, and the fact that he recently celebrated his 11th birthday. The Charles in my head still looks like the puppy I adopted all those years go.
Picture: Charles at the age of 2
We count ourselves lucky that Charles has been relatively healthy long into his senior years, but the recent changes have woken us up to the fact that we needed to make some accommodations at home and when we go out to make his senior life as comfortable as possible. Unlike our last Pug Louis, who lived until 14 and only started to have real trouble in the last 6 months of his life, Charles is the first Pug we’ve had, were we’ve needed to buy equipment to help him maintain his freedom in his Senior years.
Now depending on who you speak to, the age your Pug is considered to become Senior varies between 7 – 9, and some even say later. Personally, my experience with my Pugs has been, a settling of puppy type behaviour, such as zoomies, but still getting about happily, at about age 7. Then another settling into an almost ‘zen state of being’ at 10, where they happily sleep the day away in their favourite sunny spot, meander down the road for their daily exercise/socialisation activity and definitely become more cuddly/happy to be picked up and cuddled than ever before.
Picture: Charles at the age of 11
Regardless of when you or your Vet believes your Pug has reached Senior status, the consensus is that once your Pug becomes ‘Senior’ they need difference care, starting with regular geriatric screenings, an increase in Vet visits in general to manage the many issues that develop with age, and the inevitable changes around the house or when you go out, to accommodate their reduced agility/mobility.
If you're not aware, a geriatric screening is an important baselining activity for your Pug and Vet, and includes:
What is your Vet looking for you might ask? They’re looking to mitigate the following common Senior issues because prevention really is the best medicine for your Pug:
We have been very fortunate that Charles has largely been healthy and happy right up until we started to see a change in his agility about 12 months ago; both at home, and out and about. He was having trouble getting up on the couch where he historically jumped up with vigour and a little smug smile on his face like “Yeah! I’ve still got it mum!”. We were happy to pick him up and put him on the couch but after a few tragic landings that had my heart skipping a few beats, we got him a set of stairs from a friend at play group whose Pugs wouldn’t have a bar of them.
After a few false starts, Charles got the hang of them, and for about 9-months he had a happy Pug 'zooming' up and down his stairs; yes, he got cranky when Winston tried to use them but luckily Winston could still jump up onto the couch without assistance. We then noticed a reluctance to use the stairs to get off the couch, he was happy to go up but not down; resulting in barking to be put down by us or the return of the heart attack inducing jump to the floor when we were obviously not fast enough.
With that, I then went looking for something that would continue to give him the freedom we wanted for him, minus the palpitations and agility issues. No one in our play group had used a ramp before so I had to take a leap of faith that it would work, and what I found was a height adjustable dog ramp that was designed for dachshunds. Although I was a little nervous about getting it as I wasn’t sure if Charles would like it or not, he figured it out pretty quickly (with the help of doggy chocolate) and now loves to slide down the ramp on his paws ….. you go my little skater-pug! The ramp was well worth the money and fingers-crossed it will serve Charles for a long time yet.
Picture: Charles’ Ramp (purchased from RampChamp.com)
The other piece of Senior Pug support equipment we’ve invested in recently was a Stroller, or as we like to call it “The Puggie Stroller.” Charles loves going for walks and snuffling around (initially with his brother Winston and now with his girlfriend Rosie); the thought of having to walk him separately to Winston/Rosie because he can’t go as far these days was not something we wanted to entertain.
I found a stroller that did the basics and most importantly was weighted to carry Charles and a few extra items like a water bowl and bottle because he wasn’t a fan of the travel bottles (spoilt anyone?). We had to invest in two retractable leashes to give us the freedom to walk two Pugs with the stroller until Charles had had enough and he went into the stroller for a rest … looking like a little ‘Puggie Prince’ in his carriage. Having the flexibility of a retractable leash definitely makes life easier for me and the Pugs, giving them freedom to meander around the stroller without being run over or my arm getting yanked out of its socket as they suddenly change direction!
Video 1: Charles and Winston resting up after a "long" walk
The challenge I now have, as you can see by the video, is that I have a two pugs in a one pug stroller; yes, Rosie like Winston figured out that the stroller was the place to be and having Mum or Dad rolling you around is completely appropriate! I think you can guess what I am now shopping for in my spare time!
I never thought I’d be a Pug-mom that would need stairs or ramps or strollers for my Pug(s), but it’s not the first time I have turned my life and house upside down to make sure that my fur-baby was as comfortable as possible. And, I am positive I am not the only Pug-parent out there that has!
I'd love to know what you have bought, tried and tested for your Senior Pug to make sure that their days are as comfortable as possible? Can you recommend a ramp, set of stairs or a ‘Puggie Stroller’ that is two-Pug strong? Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. I have included a number of interesting and helpful Senior Pug Articles below if you want to do some more reading on how to care for your Senior Pug in general.
*
If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
*
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
References:
Other articles in the Pug Love series:
#seniorpug #oldpug #maturepug #blogpost #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion #pugparties
]]>Haylo Puggies,
I have been incredibly lucky with my fur-babies over the years because they have all loved to dress up and go out for coffee, around to a friends place for a visit or for a walk; it is my second favourite thing to do with them after cuddles.
But I do know that not all Pugs are like my terrors; at some of our photo shoots our Pug Supermodels are in the mood, having fun and striking a pose like only a Supermodel can, and other times we get the upturned nose and tail in the face as they walk away ... can anyone hear a 10 thousand treat minimum "show-up" fee being demanded in that flick of a tail? In this instance, my advice is let them walk away and enjoy their "naked" time.
Conversely, we also have Pugs that are so excited that they're getting to try on a new outfit that they can barely sit or stand still long enough for us to dress them, which has lead us to develop a few different ways to dress our little Super-stars quickly and safely.
With that in mind, we created this video to help you do the same with your Supermodel. So please sit back, grab some pup-corn and enjoy the show:
We'd love to know what you think of the video and the tips and tricks we shared with you. Have you tried any of them on your Supermodel successfully or unsuccessfully? Do you have a tip or trick that has worked for you in the past that you'd love to share with us? Is there a particular piece of clothing that you would like us to do a video on next?
Please share with the rest of the Grumble below as we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna, Charles and Rosie
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodels
P.S. wanna browse our collection? Then CLICK HERE!
If you ❤️ all things Pug? then become a Pawty Pug by subscribing to our newsletter in the footer of this blog post
Being a PAWTY PUG gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Dressing series:
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JACKET in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a T-SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a DRESS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in PYJAMAS in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a JUMPER in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
The Subtle Art of Dressing your Pug in a SHIRT in 30 seconds. Read it HERE
#jacket #dressing #tips #shopping #blogpost #guide #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion
]]>It's difficult to make plans let alone look forward to anything when you don't know what will happen next! One of the things I do to give myself something to look forward to each day is to look at Pug videos and pictures; their smooshy faces and belligerent attitude that we all know and love always puts a smile on my face and never ceases to lift my mood, helping me get through the worst of the crappy days.
So I thought we would share with you some of the websites and social media accounts that are our "go to" when in need of a quick dose of Pug love to help lift your mood and get you through a crappy day ... or fourteen.
]]>As I write this, I am listening to the Hawks v Lions match (Aussie Rules Football (AFL)) on the TV because supporters were not allowed in the stands as a necessary precaution, and I do it with the knowledge that this will be the last game I see/listen too until at least May with the announced suspension of the season in line with new state lockdown precautions coming into effect in the next few days.
This type of uncertainty and ongoing changing of advice is something that I am familiar with being a two time veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and therefore also understand how it impacts a person's well-being and ability to maintain equilibrium. It's difficult to make plans let alone look forward to anything when you don't know what will happen next!
It's difficult to make plans let alone look forward to anything when you don't know what is happening from one day to the next! One of the things I do to give myself something to look forward to each day that I can control is to look at Pug videos and pictures. Their smooshy faces and belligerent attitude that we all know and love always puts a smile on my face and never ceases to lift my mood, helping me get through the worst of a crappy day.
So I thought we would share with you some of the websites and social media accounts that are our "go to" when in need of a quick dose of Pug love to help lift your mood and get you through a crappy day ... or fourteen.
Social Media Accounts
Australian Pug Chat (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1415847805396779/)
A Facebook Private Group that anyone can join as long as they honour the rules of respect and no selling. Members use the forum to gush about their Pugs, ask questions and share experiences for the benefit of other members.
We enjoy looking at the feed, photos and sharing with other like-minded Pawrents, but most of all, we love learning new things about the breed that we didn't know or had never considered previously. The members are super friendly and there is always something to read or join in with.
Local Pug Playgroups (https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/where-can-i-go-to-meet-socialise-with-other-puggies-and-hoomans)
We have written about Pug Playgroups previously and they all have Facebook and/or Instagram pages that you can join, with similar rules to the Australian Pug Chat page.
The Pug Parties team and Supermodels are all members of various playgroups, and we love the community and support that our local groups provide. We have found that in times of need our local Pug Playgroup has been there for every member in one way, shape or form and the shared conversations on-line can be just what the doctor ordered after a "ruff" day.
Websites
Pug Village Forum and Chat room (https://www.pugvillage.com/forum/)
A fabulous free membership site that has loads of conversations and articles about everything Pug. You can chat with other Pug owners who have been around the leash-free park a few times, as well as have access to a comprehensive FAQ section and search function if you're looking for something specific.
The site is stuffed with great information and you can spend hours and hours reading or browsing about your favourite (Pug) topic!
Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/pugs/)
Who would have thought you could gush about your Pugs on Reddit, but yes you can and I can admit that it is saved in my favourites. The r/pugs section is chock-a-block full of gorgeous, funny and quirky Pug pictures, posted by adoring pawrents and voted/commented on by Pug lovers everywhere!
I never thought that Reddit would be a place to find Pug lovers and Pawrents alike but the r/pugs section has 70+K members telling me that it is definitely a place to connect with like minded Grumblers and I always find myself in a better mood after a quick browse.
Pug Life Magazine (https://www.puglifemagazine.com/)
We love Pug Life Magazine mostly for its articles about their Puggie readers and what entails the "Pug life" but the site gives you so much more than that.
Even if you don't want to read the articles or watch the videos (which are fabulous and a great way to spend an hour or two), the magazine covers are Pugtastic and well worth having a look at when you need a quick fix.
The Pug Diary (https://www.thepugdiary.com/)
The Pug Diary is another site that has some fabulous articles that we have enjoyed reading over the last few years; they're well written and thought out and we always come away with something valuable.
We also really enjoy reading about other Pugs (Australian and from other countries) that The Pug Diary interview and profile, and the beautiful pictures always put a smile on our face.
Pug Parties
Don't forget that we share with our Grumble regularly and we will continue to do so as we believe Pug's are the best medicine for a fixing a crappy day!.
You can find us and our Pug Supermodels on Facebook and Instagram @PugParties and our Blog 'Grumble News' (http://bit.ly/pugpartiesblog)
Thankfully we have the power of the internet to help manage our anxiety levels like never before and what better way to do that than to get your daily dose of Pug love and fun to put a "smile-on-your-dial."
We'd love for you to share with us what websites or social media accounts you use to help make a crappy day better, and why it makes you feel so good. Share with the rest of the Grumble in the comments section below, we love chatting with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna and Charles
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
*
If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
*
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Community series:
Blog title photo by Matthew Henry at Burst
#pugcommunity #pugplaygroup #pugfun #blogpost #guide #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion
]]>Yep, we've all been there and today I am going to share with you what I look for when buying Jackets for our Pug Super-models to test out prior to making them available in our store.
]]>Last year I shared with you our tips and tricks for shopping for your Pug when you wanted to buy a t-shirt or dress, because we know how frustrating it is when you buy an adorable outfit online only to find that it doesn’t fit when it arrives at your doorstep the week before the party. If you haven’t read those articles, I’ve provided the links below.
Today we’re adding to the wardrobe, YEAH! And I’m going to share with you what we look for when we shop for a Jacket. As alluded to previously, when I am shopping I have a few basic criteria that I use when considering a product for the store or for one of my fur-babies personal wardrobe (life is tough in my house I tell you!); size chart measurements, materials, design, and colour options.
Handy Hint: Make sure to confirm the measurements of your little Supermodel, so you have as accurate a guide as possible when choosing your next purchase. If you’re unsure about measuring your Pug correctly, check out our video.
Typically, when I am shopping for any product, I am looking for a snug fit at the torso without causing undue discomfort to the Pug around the chest and neck on dressing or wearing, which takes a little judgement and knowing what to look for on the product page:
Graphic: Questions to ask when shopping for the Pawfect Jacket
Size Chart Measurements – when looking at size charts, unlike “typical dog breed” sizing that uses the (back) length as the primary guiding size, a Pug’s guiding size is its chest, then neck and finally length. I have found that if the only measurement available on the product page is the length, the Jacket will not fit your Pug’s chest.
This may mean that to get the right fit around your Pugs chest, the back length of the Jacket will cover their tail which you may need to take into account if your Pug prefers “tail out”. I have found that an average Pug’s length is 35-40cm for a male and 30-35 cm for a female, so I look for fit at the chest with this corresponding length; this also generally ensures that the front of the Jacket does not get in the way when the Pug is going to the toilet as the front is usually proportional to the length.
Materials – Jackets generally come in materials/fabrics that are either water-repellent or proof and therefore do not have a lot of stretch, or they are faux-fur lined or heavy-duty such as denim, so may have a little stretch but not nearly as much as you would in a t-shirt or dress.
Jacket securing methods can be zip, button, press-stud or velcro; all are good options for keeping the Jacket closed and all have pros and cons when dressing your Pug; if your Pug is a squirmer then velcro or press-studs may be a better option.
Design (neck and sleeve holes) – Be wary of neck holes that are extra wide, they can slide down the shoulders of your Puggie and become uncomfortable, so check the product photos that have the Jacket on a dog and see where it sits to determine if it’s going to be a problem for your Pug.
Jackets can come with or without sleeves and really is a personal preference if you want to purchase a particular style.
*Note that Jackets with sleeves can be a problem if your Pug has shorter than average legs because the sleeve will get in the way when walking, even if you roll it up. It is difficult to determine if that is going to be a problem for your Pug, but look at the product photos and see how far down the leg the sleeve goes to make a judgement call.
Design (waist band) – Some Jackets have an elastic waistband which will gather the material up against the body better and won’t get in the way. The best way to judge this is to look at the product photos for gathering on the front of the Jacket, as well as how it sits on the model. If the Jacket is hanging under the body there is a good change there is no gathering, if it sits against the body then there is a good chance that there is some form of gathering, or the Jacket is designed to fit snug.
Picture: Pug Supermodel Mia in a Pink Duffle Coat
Potential stretch – if the product description does not describe the material/fabric stretch or it is not in the product title, such as ‘stretch denim’, then assume there is little to no give in the fabric to be conservative.
We have provided a guide on the different types of fabric used in dog clothing below and their typical stretch profile to help you when reading product descriptions;this is a guide only, fabric has many different varieties and each has their own characteristics, I’m calling out the commonly used.
Handy Hint: The important thing to remember is that if the material has any give, or stretch, it will typically have the stretch across the chest, but I recommend that you do not rely on this when choosing your Pugs Jacket size
Product Model - Do the product photos have the Jacket on a Pug or even a Frenchie so you can judge how it fits and sits on the body? If it is a small dog (i.e. chihuahua) or a large dog (i.e. Golden Retriever) there is a chance that the Jacket won’t fit your Pug properly because it has been designed and manufactured to fit the “typical” dog size; it may require you to make a judgement call when purchasing.
Handy hint: Don't forget to check the return policy on the website to be sure that you can return the Jacket if you find the fit is wrong, and what you have to do to be eligible for another size to be delivered. At Pug Parties we understand your frustration when you realise that you ordered the wrong size which is why we’re always happy to sort it out with you, and you can see our return policy here.
Other questions I ask myself as I am browsing -
Picture: Pug Supermodel Oscar in a Faux-fur Denim Jacket
Unfortunately, with the way Jackets are designed it is difficult to make simple adjustments to make the fit better. But don’t forget if all else fails and the Jacket doesn’t fit and it can’t be returned, consider giving the Jacket to a fellow dog at play group or to a Rescue Organisation who can add it to their care packages when a they find their fur-ever home.
Sometimes trial and error is the only way to find the right outfit for your little Supermodel, but hopefully our tips and tricks make that process less hit and miss. I’d love to hear from other Pug-parents on their shopping experiences, tell us a tip or trick that you use to shop for your Pug that has or hasn’t worked.
Share with the rest of the Grumble below we'd love to chat with you and we always respond.
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna and Charles
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
P.S. wanna browse our Jacket collection? Then CLICK HERE!
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If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
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Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Shopping series:
Not sure how to measure your Puggie for that pawfect fit? https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/not-sure-how-to-measure-your-puggie-for-that-pawfect-fit
Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh new t-shirt https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/nothing-beats-the-feeling-of-a-fresh-new-t-shirt
How to shop for your Puggie when you're looking for that pawfect dress https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/how-to-shop-for-your-puggie-when-youre-looking-for-that-pawfect-dress
#jacket #tips #shopping #blogpost #guide #puglove #fawnpug #blackpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsupermodel #pugfashion
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Four weeks ago, we lost Winston without any warning; we thought we were prepared should this happen but in reality, when it did all that preparation went out the doggy door.
We knew Charles would be lonely, confused and possibly even act out a little but we thought we had a solid support plan in place whilst we grieved the loss of one of our boys; his brother, the one constant that had always been there for him and made us smile right up until the end.
]]>It’s been a little over four weeks since we lost Winston and to be honest, we‘re still reeling from it after having spent the last 12-months doing whatever we could to get him back to full-speed and almost pawfect health. In some ways, Winston had super-pug like powers because he had defied all the odds and recovered from every challenge thrown our way … we thought we were finally over the hump. Unfortunately, in the end his body told us what he couldn’t, and we made the decision to end his suffering, knowing intellectually that we were doing the best thing for him but emotionally still hating ourselves for doing it.
It’s the first time Andrew and I have had to make the decision and although we had discussed what we would do if Winston’s circumstances deteriorated to the point where his Specialist advised us that we were out of options, we were still blind-sided by the phone call when it did happen. I think we both even said something along the lines of “What do you mean he’s not recovering, Winston’s recovered from everything.”
Photo: Winston and Charles resting after a big Christmas with our friends and their kids
Our last Pug Louis died at the ripe old age of 14 and we were content that we had given him the best life we could when he was with us, and that it was just his time to go. But with Winston, he was still ‘full-throttle Winston’ until approx. 36 hours prior to his passing, including going to play group and commanding his usual measure of treats and pats from everyone there. How could his body have failed him so quickly? I still find myself asking “what did we miss? Should I have done something different? Was I so happy that he had made it through hell last year that I just didn’t see the early tell-tale signs? Does this mean that I didn’t love him enough to notice?” All questions that I know will never be answered but has equally made me wonder, if I am thinking these things, what is going on in his brother, Charles’, head. What is Charles thinking noting that one minute his brother was by his side (as always), and the next we were saying goodbye to him in the hospital after he had passed. In the days after, we watched Charles wander around the house at different times walking into rooms to then immediately turn around and go back to his bed alone, and we could not miss the look on his face when we walked through the door without his brother in tow that first week.
For those not familiar with Winston and Charles’ story they were rescued by Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria as 18-month old pugs; both with health issues that in part were the product of neglect. Pug Rescue worked wonders on the boys and after 6-months of loving care were ready for their fur-ever home. The challenge the team had was that the boys had never been apart and were reliant on each other to the point that the decision was to put them up for adoption as a pair. Luckily for us, we were looking for a pair of Pugs to adopt at the time and one look at their adorable faces meant we became an instant fur-family of four.
Photo: Winston and Charles watching their dinner preparation intently
Fast forward nine years later and Andrew and I are faced with the challenge that had been avoided with our adoption; the separation of an 11-year bond that was stronger than the typical sibling bond. Add to that the fact that Winston was the alpha in their relationship and we now have a boy who is lost without his brother.
Initially, we knew Charles would be lonely and confused, and we employed many different care options to try and support his grief process whilst we went through ours. We’ve had family members drop in and check on him when we were at work, we arranged to work from home one day a week each to try and break up the work week where he would be home alone, we even researched doggy day-care options that would be able to accommodate his emotional and health needs. What we have found is that it’s more difficult than originally thought noting he is a Pug who has arthritis, is a shy guy naturally who prefers to closely follow his Hooman around the house or watch closely from the comfort of his strategically positioned bean bag. Not really doggy-day care material.
So now Andrew and I are faced with the dilemma of needing to balance Charles’ immediate needs of possibly finding a friend who will give him the emotional support that Winston did, without increasing his anxiety levels by introducing another Pug into the house too soon; as well as our need to grieve.
Fortuitously an opportunity to Pug sit a little cutie who Charles knows from play group and who is of similar temperament to him for a couple of weeks popped up unexpectedly. We agreed to the “sleepover” with the proviso that if it was too much for Charles that she would go stay with another friend. I can admit I had mixed emotions; high hopes of the sleepover for Charles, but both Andrew and I were equally worried that it was too much too soon and that we were making it worse not better for him.
Photo: The last time Winston and Charles were at the Groomers, SuperMutts, together
I am a firm believer that a Pug-parent knows their Pug and their needs better than anyone else; we love and live them 24/7 and I think that gives us insight into their personality nuisances that an outsider will never pick up on. However, it doesn’t stop us from second-guessing ourselves every time we interpret what we think their trying to communicate to us via their facial expressions, snorts and huffing. For me, Charles’ behaviour over the last few weeks felt more and more like he was lonely for the company and companionship that his brother provided him and for that reason I felt that the sleepover was worth the risk especially if it helped with the loneliness.
I can report that the sleepover has been successful from the perspective that Charles has calmed noticeably and although both Puggies do their own thing, there has been bean bag and couch sharing without argument or too much snorting. What this means for the future is still to be decided, but for the moment we’re just relieved that the sleepover has helped Charles’ immediate emotional needs as well as give Andrew and I hope that if we do decide to adopt a new sibling for him that it won’t be a huge mistake.
I’d love to hear from other Pug-parents who have experienced similar concerns after the loss of their Puggie; how did you deal with your grief as well as support your remaining Puggie(s)? Did you try something that did or didn’t work that you’d be happy to share with us?
Until next time Puggies, have a wonderful week and look forward to snuffling with you soon.
From Donna and Charles
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
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If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
*
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Love series:
In loving memory of Winston https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/in-loving-memory-of-winston
What is your Puggies super-power? https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/Pugtastic-the-one-thing-that-makes-your-pug-fantastic
When one-Puggie home is not enough https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/when-a-one-puggie-home-is-not-enough
#puglove #pugloss #grieving #charles #fawnpug #pug #mops #carlin #pugsleepover
]]>In my opinion, the Pug spin is one of their most endearing qualities. It definitely made me feel like the most loved person in the world when Winston and Charles would greet me at the door with their uniquely choreographed Pug spinning ballet. Unfortunately, in reality their dinner bowls also got the same performance, possibly on a more regular schedule than my own overture, but I will continue to stick to the delusion of my being the greater love regardless.
Luckily for me, all of my Pug’s have spoilt me rotten over the years with their affectionate performances, but did you know there are occasions when spinning is their way of telling us something, or that it is something that their ancestors have been doing for centuries?
Interestingly, I have seen the wording 'circling' associated with behaviours that others use 'spinning' for. In my mind, circling is different to spinning but there is no real consensus on what is spinning versus circling behaviour so I’m including circling for completeness; notwithstanding the fact that Charles displays some of the circling behaviour himself but my other boys, Louis and Winston, did not.
Circling prior to going to the toilet is something that has lasted the ages with all dog’s ancestors circling the area prior to “going to the loo” to ensure they couldn’t see or smell a predator; I think we can all agree that we are kinda vulnerable at that point and no-one likes to be disturbed!
Another theory in regard to the toilet circling is that the Pug uses it as a way of letting the system know its show-time; for Charles this has always been the more likely explanation for his circling. We know as soon as we see him stop, sniff and then circle a few times that it’s time to get the bag out ready. Yes, there have been times when he’s done the “poopy dance” as we like to call it and as soon as he sees the bag out ready to go he walks off like “not really feeling it right now mum and I might go check that spot out instead” …. Yes, I too have suffered from Pug-manipulation on more than one occasion.
The other circling habit for Charles is when he’s had enough of the day and is going to bed; it’s his equivalent to the “do not disturb” sign at the hotel. His brother Winston knew that if Charles got to the bean bag first that all bets were off, and the beans will have been properly positioned for maximum Charles comfort. This situation has resulted in Pug stand-offs over the years, including one of them storming off to the bean bag in my office to sleep alone in silent Pug protest.
Similar to the toilet circling, bed circling and re-positioning has been passed down the generations as the dog’s way of creating the pawfect dirt and undergrowth bed; it was also used to keep cool on hot days as well as make themselves less conspicuous to predators whilst they took a nap. I don’t about you, but I have been on the end of “the look” when I’ve woken one of my boys when they have not wanted to be woken and I am surprised I am still walking let alone alive!
Founder of Pug Parties and Pug Supermodel
P.S. if you have a Pug that loves to spin and dig at their bed to get it just right, you might like to get them a bean bag; it's the pawfect bed for burrowing down in once the beans have been positioned just right.
Pop over and have a look at our bean bags, we have multiple colours and with the inner bean holder you can pop the outer bag in the wash to keep it smelling pawfect https://pugparties.com.au/collections/bean-bags
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If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
*
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
Other articles in the Pug Life series:
What is your Puggies super-power? https://pugparties.com.au/blogs/grumble-news/Pugtastic-the-one-thing-that-makes-your-pug-fantastic
Websites/articles referenced or researched for this blog post:
http-//content.tailster.com/blog/why-do-dogs-run-in-circles/.pdf
https-//blackpugsite.com/why-does-my-pug-go-round-in-circles/.pdf
https-//pets.thenest.com/mean-dog-spins-circles-11585
https-//www.petsbest.com/blog/reasons-dogs-spin-in-circles/.pdf
Gif source: 157ofgemma via Giphy
#blog #pugspinning #puglove #pug #mops #carlin #fawnpug # blackpug #pugpuppy #pugparties #pugsupermodel
]]>We are devastated to share with you the news that one of our inspirations, our mischievous and handsome boy Winston passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning last.
Please join us in celebrating the things we loved the most about Winston, what made him unique and what we'll miss.
#blog #farewell #memorial #puglove #blackpug #pug #winston #pugparties #pugsupermodel #mops #carlin
]]>We are devastated to share with you the news that one of our inspirations, our mischievous and handsome boy Winston passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning last.
He fought hard to stay but he passed over the rainbow to join his adoptive brother Louis who we know will look after him and keep him company until we see him again.
We wanted to share with you the things we loved the most about Winston, what made him unique and what we'll miss.
Thank you to our friends and family for all your support and love whilst we learn how to live without our puppy, our cheeky boy and Charles only brother.
*
If you love all things Pug, then come snuffle with us by becoming a Grumble Friend and subscribe to our newsletter in the footer of this page.
*
Grumble membership gets you access to one-time offers, advanced notice of new collections and sales, as well as shopping and dressing guides to name a few treats reserved exclusively for our friends.
#blog #farewell #memorial #puglove #blackpug #pug #winston #pugparties #pugsupermodel #mops #carlin
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