Haylo Hooman’s and Puggies,
I don’t know what it is about Puggies for other Hooman’s, but for me the first time I saw the 80’s movie “Milo and Otis” narrated by Roger Moore, I knew that when I was able too, I was going to be a Puggie-owner …. or Puggie-slave depending on how you look at it.
Picture 1: Milo and Otis poster (picture provided by www.funcage.com)
I connected with that little Puggie on the screen; he was cute, playful and, most importantly, loyal and brave. He knew his friend was in trouble and he pushed aside his fear of the big bad world to find his friend and get her home safe and sound.
I wanted a friend like that too; someone who would unquestioningly take the world on with me, which at times in my life was exactly how it was.
My first Puggie Louis, also affectionately known as ‘Fatdog’, came to me in a way that I can only describe as right place, right time divine intervention!
I was looking to buy a pup and had engaged the only Breeder in Far North Queensland at the time. Unfortunately, her bitches didn’t take that season and I had gone on a waiting list, which I was willing to do for my very own Puggie!
The next week after having been told I would have to wait at least six-months, the Breeder called me back. Would I be willing to take a seven-year-old male black Pug who would be put down at the request of the current owners if the Vet and Breeder couldn’t find a home for him in 24 hours.
Initially I was a little incredulous at the circumstances that had led to the call; the family were more interested in putting their Puggie to sleep permanently than trying to find a loving home for him. I assumed there had to be a story behind this to be so drastic and discovered from the Vet and the Breeder that they just didn’t want him anymore and didn’t want him to go to a person who would mis-treat him.
I could understand the owners sentiment at not wanting Louis to go to someone who wouldn’t love him but once the Vet had run through the list of health problems Louis had, a list that basically amounted to years of neglect, I decided there and then that they were not going to do that to him as well.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into; a senior-Pug who had lived with a family that had initially loved him and then cast him aside. I asked myself, what must be going through his head at the moment? I wondered if I was woefully out of my depth and would make Louis’ life worse because I didn’t know how to care for him with all of his mental and physical health issues; let alone habits that he had formed with another family that may not gel with my expectations.
Thankfully all of my misgivings were unfounded, and everything went better than I expected, although I suspect it was more good luck than good management on my behalf. The Vet packaged up everything Louis needed to get him on the road to recovery and the Breeder kindly met me halfway (I had a four round trip to collect my new fur-child) so that we could meet in person and run through everything to help with the transition.
I can categorically say that it was love at first sight! One look at that little Puggie face and I knew that I had made the best decision of my life; one that gave us seven years of adventures around Australia … it really was me and Fatdog against the world until Andrew came along and convinced Louis that he was worthy of allowing the duo to become a trio.
Louis was also the Puggie to inspire me to find outfits that suited his personality and fit his Puggie body shape. Once Louis realised that he was safe and loved, his personality really come out of hiding. He loved to go to the shops or the local café for some Mummy/Puggie time (not to mention the extra pats/attention/tasty treats) and as he discovered, wearing clothes made him happy and increased the likelihood of getting attention…. Win Win in a Puggies mind!
He had a Hawaiian shirt, a Dry-as-a-bone raincoat, a denim jacket, jumpers and bandanas to name a few items in his very own wardrobe; he loved them all. Anytime he saw me going to his wardrobe he would start spinning and spinning with excitement, knowing a new adventure was on the horizon because they always began with dressing for the occasion.
It was ten years ago this year that we lost Louis to old age, he was 14; four years more than what the Vet had predicted he would achieve due to his health issues.
I’d like to think it was because he didn’t want to leave me, but I sometimes wonder if it was his wardrobe and the promises it held every time an item came out of it, like a techni-colour security blanket. That wardrobe, the clothes and accessories in it, as well as the cuddles he got from me whenever he asked for them, were constant reminders to him that he was loved and that he was allowed to out-shine everything else in his world everything we walked out the front door.
For me, every time I see a Puggie in a pawsome outfit I think of how happy it must make them feel, just like it made my Fatdog back then, and how happy it makes my two boys, Winston and Charles, now.
So, until next week Puggies have a wonderful week and look forward to seeing your adventures in and out of clothes on our Facebook and Instagram.
From Donna
Proud Pug-mum to Winston and Charles
Founder of Pug Parties
#firstpug #louis #fatdog #blackpug #throwback #inmemory
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