Harold

Meet Harold, we rescued him in October of 2010. For nearly twenty years I longed for a Pug. Something about this adorable breed beckoned me. I never had the privilege of seeing the breed up close let alone petting one but every time I saw someone walking their Pug, or spied a greeting card with that irresistible mug, or saw one on television, my heart leapt and I was hooked. Now that my family has matured to three school age children, my husband and I agreed it was finally time for a pet, a dog...a Pug. Okay, I admit I tipped the scale for a Pug, my husband was never particularly attached to the breed but he was not attached to any breed in particular so a Pug it had to be. I was conflicted about how to acquire our new pet. You hear so many negatives about puppy mills, pet stores, even breeders, it's hard to know where to look. I knew I did not want a puppy. This being the first dog I've ever owned, I wanted a calm lap dog, something my children could be comfortable with. I called my local animal shelter and humane society, neither of which had any Pugs, then I searched online, I came across many breeders and ‘dog for sale’ ads but nothing felt right. I happened upon the Michigan Pug Rescue site, scrolled through the available Pugs and saw Harold. He had the most adorable face with those big sad eyes and what seemed to be a sweet playful demeanor. I cannot tell you how many times I visited his bio and pictures over the long weekend but I knew immediately he was meant to be with our family. I knew I was in love with him because I did not sleep for four days. I was in a panic that he would be adopted before I could even fill out the application. I spent the entire weekend researching vets, pet food, supplies, medical conditions that are common to the breed and anything else that I came across. On Monday I mailed my application to adopt Harold, and then I waited. Tuesday I received a phone call from Larry with the rescue. He thinks Harold would be perfect for us, when can we do a home visit? How about tomorrow? Tomorrow sounded great! That was it, Thursday I saw his picture, Wednesday he was ours. I was able to touch a Pug for the first time on that Wednesday and I've been petting him ridiculously ever since. Harold is playful and likes to chase tennis balls all day, he also enjoys a little ‘Harold in the middle’ and tug of war. He is especially attached to me and never allows me to leave his sight for long. He spends evenings as a lap dog enjoying a belly scratch, grooming, and continuous petting. At night he sleeps with the children alternating from one to the next and occasionally naps with me. He is a very caring and loyal dog. He never fails to be excited when my husband arrives home from work and stays faithfully by my side when I am ill, even forsaking meals. He is trustworthy and has proven as much therefore is always free to roam anywhere in the house or yard even when we are away. Harold is a terrific little companion with a lovable personality. He is sweet and patient with our three children, loyal and playful with me and my husband, very cooperative at the Vet’s office, and respectful of visitors. He receives the best possible care both at home and from Vet’s office. I do not know the extent of Harold’s life before Michigan Pug Rescue but I promise he has the good life now and can expect to be spoiled ridiculous for the rest of it. I wish anyone reading this story who already enjoys the love and companionship of a Pug or someone who is thinking about adopting from Michigan Pug Rescue, all the best. If you experience half of the joy Harold has brought to me and my family, you will be very happy. Thank you to the Michigan Pug Rescue! The Baker Family

Jeno

My husband, Jerry and I adopted Bubba, and our daughter, Sandy who lives down the street from us, adopted his brother, Jeno on February 8. Our pugs are adjusting well to their new homes and we are enjoying their antics and companionship. Jeno comes and stays at our house Monday through Friday while his mother is at work. This gives Bubba and Jeno plenty of time to run around our snowy backyard, play together and rest together. When Jeno leaves for the evening, we enjoy some alone time with Bubba and Jeno relaxes at home with his mom. We are looking forward to many happy memories with Bubba and Jeno. Thank you "Pug Luv". Shirley

Bosley

Bosley (formerly Taylor) and I have moved to Texas. Bosley loves the warmer weather here — he's been very happy. Here's a recent picture of him in his outfit for the Rose Bowl.

Mickey

We adopted pugs Micky and Rocky from the Michigan Pug Rescue in July 2004. They were adorable. Micky, who had only one eye was a cute, smart 4 year old and his brother Rocky was an adorable, energetic, sweet 7 year old. Even though my husband Terry and I live in Philadelphia, and the Pugmen were near Detroit, we had no problem driving to Michigan to adopt them. Ironically, someone in Michigan loved the movie Rocky and named the pugs after "Rocky" the fighter and "Micky" the coach/manager in the movie. The Rocky films are all based and filmed in Philadelphia where we live. I thought it only fitting to tour the Pugmen around the city when they first arrived. I took photos of them in front of the "Rocky steps" which is the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky the Pugman got a chance to meet the real Rocky. Well, it wasn't the real one, but the statue of "Rocky"! The Pugmen traveled with us on vacation and stayed at nice places in Delaware and VA. A few years later, Rocky the older pug developed cancer and passed away in November 2007. We were so sad and so was Micky. For about a year, we focused our attention on spoiling Micky even more since he was alone. We then began discussing adopting another pug. In October 2008, we returned to the Michigan Pug Rescue to adopt an adorable little Puglady named Lucy. Lucy was 3 when we adopted her. We love her and she and Micky get along well. When she first arrived, Micky was determined to make Lucy "his lady", but Lucy loudly and physically reminded him that she was his sister! Micky finally accepted his sister Lucy who is a ball of energy. Lucy has a thing about the tv. If she sees an animal, specifically horses, dogs or cats on tv she runs up to the tv and jumps on the stand (front paws on stand) and standing on her two hind legs, puts her face up to our 42 inch high definition tv and whines (she use to bark, but now whines) and it is hilarious. She believes she has to get the animals out the box! Our dogs go for "rides" regularly, to the dog park, state park, city park and the wildlife refuge. They are truly our companions and we wouldn't trade them for the world. It's wonderful how from day one Micky seemed to love me the most and I am his human although he really loves my husband. Rocky was my husband's buddy. When he died, my husband didn't have an animal companion although Micky tried to fill the void. When Lucy came, she immediately sensed my husband needed her and she is totally "Daddy's little girl" although she loves me too! Yes our pugs snore and snort and eat faster than my 185 pound St. Bernard ever did. But, after a stressful day at work, coming home to the Pugpeople is always great! They love us, sleep with us and get along with our cat and box turtle. We're so glad we adopted them! Gina Gilliam - Pugs

Moe

Moe – A Pug on the Move Moe is proud to be from Michigan – that’s Detroit, Michigan to be exact. Otherwise known as “Moe – town.” Moe was planning to spend all his days enjoying the Rock City, but his owners launched him into an adventure he could never have imagined when they left him in the hands of the Michigan Pug Rescue (aka “MPR”). After a few months with his foster family and pug foster brother, Chang, Moe was ready to be adopted. This is when my husband and I come into the picture: a couple Northwestern grad students ecstatically awaiting the arrival of the first dog either of us has ever owned. After months of planning and making sure we were ready for the responsibility, we found Moe online and immediately knew he was ours. Luckily the Michigan Pug Rescue also agreed that we would be the right home for Moe. As soon as we heard the news we jumped in the car and excitedly drove the 300 miles from Chicago to Detroit … little did we know how our lives would change! We walked in the door of Larry & Kathy’s home (the great people who run MPR) and saw the room was packed with happy, playful pugs. We wondered to ourselves, “which one would be joining our family?” Then Larry said, “here’s Moe,” and, just like that, Moe became a part of our lives forever. Having never owned a dog before, we were definitely a little nervous about how we would stack up as dog parents. It certainly didn’t help our jitters when Moe’s foster parents informed us that he wasn’t the best car rider. Poor little Moe cried all the way to Chicago, but after 5 hours he had successfully made the move to the Land of Lincoln. It took a little time for Moe to teach us how to take care of him. As his note from his foster Mom said, “I like to be good, but sometimes I don’t listen to you, just be patient, I do listen eventually!” The first week, Moe didn’t listen too well. We didn’t have a backyard and would spend hours getting Moe to go potty on the leash (tough to get used too if you are accustomed to your freedom in that department!). After multiple days of 2 hour potty sessions, in the middle of finals week no less, I was in tears thinking we might have to return Moe. Luckily someone was looking out for us because as soon as we returned home our rescue outreach person, Susan, gave me a call. She knew exactly what to say to assure me that Moe would be able to adjust and become a part of our family, it was just going to take some time. Thanks Susan to your inspirational phone call! Our routines and Moe’s routines eventually did get in sync and Moe became a fast favorite of our friends. Moe even provided advertising for MPR! Our friends Lindy and Duane were planning to get a dog, and considering a pug as an option. Moe must have sensed an opportunity because as soon as they came over, Moe climbed up on the couch behind Duane and strategically rested his chin right on Duane’s shoulder. Needless to say, Moe closed the deal that night for a pug. Lindy and Duane also decided to adopt from MPR and brought home cutey-pie Hamilton. You have to hand it to Moe for securing himself a pug friend and playmate! (makes you wonder if pugs are smarter than we think) We all lived happily in our apartment until graduation. Moe even grew to love car rides (especially since they normally involved a visit to Hamilton’s house). Then Moe bid farewell to the beaches of Lake Michigan and made the move with us to Seattle. Now we’re in Seattle for good and Moe seems happy to be settled here in the Emerald City. He likes a lot of things about living here: the eco-friendliness (he is a “recycled dog” after all), the great hiking (no hills, please), the dog-friendly companies (Amazon is dog heaven), and even the dog friendly bars (but not on a school night). He is not a fan of the rain, but Moe has seen enough cities to know that no place is perfect. If you asked him, I think Moe would probably say that his favorite thing in the world is meeting new people. Moe can hang with anyone and hasn’t met a dog, person, or even cat (!) that he doesn’t like. Moe even enjoys going to the vet. It doesn’t make a difference if they poke and prod him, he just loves the socializing. Moe definitely is not a perfect dog. He is stubborn, he cannot fetch and he has a yappy bark that he breaks out when he’s trying to boss around big dogs. But, he is a great cuddler, a constant comedian and we could not imagine our lives without him.