Poem
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... If you would like to place a memorial for your Pug on the Rainbow Bridge page send an email with the memorial you would like written in the body of the e-mail and a jpeg picture as ana ttachemnt to the e-mail to pugluv@michiganpugrescue.com All memorials are welcome for Pugs

Bruce
I had always wanted a black pug so in 2009 I went searching and found one on the Michigan Pug Rescue Website. After meeting him for the first time I knew that he was destined to be mine and so I adopted him. He was around a year old and very lively and playful. He came with the name Bubba which I knew I had to change but it took me two weeks to finally come up with a new name. Bubba officially became Bruce. Bruce loved to go for walks and be outside but he also loved to sit next to me on the couch and sleep next to me in bed. When he was around five years old he started to walk a little bit strange but nothing that the vet was concerned with. Then about eight years ago his hind legs started to lose their walking ability. I took him to a veterinary neurologist who diagnosed him with inter, vertebral disc disease. While he was still able to walk it became increasingly difficult. So I invested in special harnesses to help him walk, which he still enjoyed and also I took him to get acupuncture treatments and physical therapy. They helped him for quite a while. Within the last three years he lost all use of his hind legs and was unable to express his bladder so I learned to help him with that. It was no problem for me because I really loved Bruce. Last year we were unable to really walk very far because he started to get arthritis in his front shoulders so I purchased a dog stroller. He loved going around the neighborhood because his nose still worked really well and he could sniff all of the old familiar places. Four months ago, I thought that I was going to lose him then he was really becoming depressed. It was at that time that I adopted a two-year-old Shih Tzu and He perked up and started to enjoy life again. However, within the last couple of weeks, his appetite was decreasing, and his thirst was increasing. He did not have much energy and I could tell that he was not enjoying life anymore. Bruce went over The Rainbow Bridge on October 10, 2024 at the age of 16. I will never forget him and how he taught me to never feel sorry for myself and to never give up.

Macy
Macy was one of 15 Pugs rescued from a puppy mill at auction in 2015. She was born in October, 2009. When we went to the Veterinarian's office the day after bringing them back from the auction she was the only Pug that came to the front of her crate to greet us. Yes, she chose us. She had several litters. In June, 2023 she was referred to the Canine Dentist. Her exam and X-rays revealed she had cancer of the jaw. Surgery was performed and a portion of her jaw was removed. As a result her tongue did not stay in her mouth. She was seen every 3 months after her surgery for the first 9 months and then every 6 months. A sweeter girl would never be found than she was. Her one problem was that if she was placed in a crate she would not only poop in it but she would kick it out on the floor and walls. We found that if she was left out of the crate she did not make a mess. She slept in bed with us without any issues. She went over the Rainbow Bridge at home on Saturday 8/3/2024. The Cancer had returned and we did not want her to suffer any longer. She had lost the use of her back legs, bladder and bowels. She will be sorely missed. Kathy and Larry

Lucinda (aka Cinda)
Cinda came to the rescue from a backyard breeder. She had recently had a litter. She had been kept in a building with other Pugs and mixed breeds. The owner had health issues and was no longer able to care for her. After having surgery she had somehow scratched her corneas and needed emergency surgery on her eyes. She was rushed to MSU where the surgery was done on a Friday night. She was seen at a later date by Dr. Ramsey for her followup care. It was decided that she would remain as a permanent foster so that her followup care would be done. She became very much of a Velcro Pug and never left Kathy's side. She never was completely house broken. She passed away on July 24, 2024 from unknown causes. She is truly missed. Kathy and Larry

Dozier
On 7/20/24, my sweet Dante passed over the rainbow bridge. Dante was diagnosed with collapsed trachea several years ago and his condition progressed to the point where it could not be managed at home. Everything was done to keep him comfortable through his final days, but the difficult decision to relieve him of suffering was inevitable. Dante will forever be missed. Adopting Dante was one of the best decisions I ever made. Words cannot describe the impact that he had on me and my family. He brought us all together in a way we hadn’t experienced, and so much happiness. Dante was with me for 7 years and they were absolutely the best 7 years of my life. I will always be grateful that we found each other and that I was able to love and spoil him during this lifetime. Everyone says that they have the best dog, but Dante was truly special. Always in our hearts, Maneesha and the Finkle family