"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Dietary Intolerance in Pets
Dietary Intolerance Adverse reactions to ingredients in the diet may well be one of the commonest yet least recognised causes of ill-health in pets and humans. In theory, any dietary ingredient can cause an intolerance. In practice, protein (e.g. beef, ...
Dogs - Understanding Their Needs
What a Dog REALLY Needs Loyal, friendly, protective, affectionate, fun. Those qualities have earned dogs a special place in the lives and hearts of humans. Most dogs now are owned as pets mainly because they are THE ideal pets. A dog will always try to ...
Shih Tzu - Introducing A New Shih Tzu Puppy To Your Household
Bringing home a new shih tzu puppy is always an exciting time for the entire family. Getting that new shih tzu puppy off the right start with proper training is very important to making that shih tzu puppy a valued member of his human family. There are a ...
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In the past years I have lost count how many people asked me "how can you do all this without getting anything for it", "doesn't it break your heart to see these Pugs in distress" and "don't you just want to go and hurt the owners of these poor Pugs?"
My answers have always been the same. Many of the Pugs surrendered to us are not neglected or abused, but loved dogs who's owners desperately want to see them placed in good homes. No, I don't want to harm anyone as I do not believe in harming any living creature. Yes, my heart feels like breaking when I get a badly neglected and abused Pug through the door, but I can't give in to the pain as I need all the strength in my body to help every Pug that needs a loving, helping hand.
And finally, after being asked why I go on without getting anything for doing rescues all I can do is smile and shake my head as I remember the enormous joy I and my family get as reward for the work we do.
I get showered with love so deep and true from a Pug that was once unable to walk out of fear of being kicked again, who now takes running leaps onto my lap, giving me kisses too many to count.
There is no feeling like taking in a "Puppy Farm" Pug who fears every hand going towards it and later having to apologize to visitors for the pushy Pug who just won't take no for an answer when it sees an empty lap.
What about the Pug that runs the opposite direction to the one he was called because he can now run and jump after 2 hip operations which where too expensive for this previous owner.
But my biggest rewards are stories like the one of TIMOTHY TUGMUTTON. About 2 ½ years ago I received a call from the local pound in regards to this skinny, ancient Pug with huge calluses on his behind. Would I come and check him out as even though he didn't seem scared, he didn't react to people in a normal manner.
I begged to be given guardian ship of this lovely, cuddly granddad and promised to be "kind" if he were to start suffering. I called home and told my ever so patient husband that I was going to bring home another rescue and would he mind getting a few things ready.
Upon arrival it was obvious he was a very old Pug; we later found he was 14 years old. It was only after I picked him up from the pound and had him examined at the vet that we established that he was deaf and blind also. We found out that his owner had passed away, her family took the Pug in but couldn't deal with him as he didn't seem to want to play with their toddlers....!?!? The local pound had assessed the old gentleman and decided to put him to sleep.
Now after having signed a mountain of paperwork at the pound and getting used to the idea that I will have a deaf/blind Pug for the next few months in our house (as I could not see myself finding a new home for him quickly), I got a call that very night from a lady called Heather. She had heard about my old fellows story and she was convinced that he was the dog she needed to adopt.
The next day, after having checked references and assessed her house, Heather and I spent hours talking about TIMOTHY TUGMUTTON, his needs and the sad fact that he might not be alive for many more years. Heather was so in love with Timmy that she was going to take the risk of only sharing a few months with him. She ordered a carpenter in to make the
necessary modifications to her house so that Timmy couldn't hurt himself.
Within a few weeks, Heather and Timmy became celebrities, every school day at 3 pm both would walk over to the primary school were Timmy was greeted by his own fan club. He would mark his trees, stand next to the school bus until the bus driver would come out and give him a little treat. Over Christmas he even collected a fair few presents from his school kid buddies.
In the 2 yrs and 3 months that Heather had Timmy she never left him alone for more than half an hour. Heather and Timmy managed to work out a daily schedule that suited both him and Heather. She wouldn't leave home to visit her own children or grandchildren if she believed Timmy would suffer. Only once had Heather asked me to Pug-sit Timmy because she had a fall and couldn't stay at home.
Dear old Timmy passed away a couple of months ago after having his breakfast and then lying down for a morning nap. Almost everybody I met called me mad for giving Timmy a chance but I feel blessed that I was able to witness the love of Heather and her beautiful gentleman Timmy. I am humbled to have seen what love can do for two beings in search of meaning and companionship. PUGADISE PUG RESCUE NSW has been a big part of my family's life. There have been numerous occasions where my teenage daughter stepped back and went without a new fashion item just so I could afford to pay for operations; she stayed home from parties while I had to rush around the country side to rescue Pugs while she looked after the ones at home.
Unfortunately I never thought to trade mark the name PUGADISE or to register it as a business. I never thought that someone would have any motivation to steal it and we make no money from it. How wrong could I have been? In June '05 a person who had stolen from us previously, registered the name Pugadise and has since passed herself off as us. Our name, and other prominent names in the animal welfare community, were used in an illegal fundraising campaign. I had hoped that I would never have to openly discuss this unhappy event, but I fear that our efforts to help Pugs in need might be mistaken with the nefarious activities of others.
My family and I would like to whole heartedly thank all our supporters, the many reputable breeders who have trusted us with their bitches who needed placing, those who recommended our organisation to others, the volunteers who at any time of day or night jumped into their cars and picked up a Pug in need. Also a big Pug hug to the many travellers who have taken rescue Pugs as 'excess luggage' to help cut our transport costs.
It's business as usual; We will continue to care for all Pugs in need. We take in Pugs of all ages and medical conditions. Surrenders will be taken from the legal owner of the Pug without any embarrassing questions. We ensure that no breeder will be identifiable when we place their dog. We will not exploit them for profit and will strive to find them loving homes where they can put their paws up and live out the rest of their days in peace.
About the author:
Phoebe Crane runs PUGADISE PUG RESCUE NSW a non profit service caring for the welfare of Pug dogs in NSW Australia. Phoebe is also a counselor specialising in pet related loss and grief.
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