My Adorable Pugs are a Pair of Comedians

by Tracey
(AL, USA)

Goldie Fawn and Gracie Allen are my pair of pugs. It is no accident that they are both named after famous comedians. They could make anybody laugh. No sight is sillier than short-legged Goldie Fawn trying to chase down a backyard bunny. She can’t even get close, but she keeps trying.

And Gracie Allen is living proof that even a black dog can be a blonde inside. She will get excited before her dinner, so much so that she will spin in a frenzy doing the “feed me” dance. Of course, the minute the food hits her bowl, she accidentally flips it over and sends food across the floor.

Gracie now gets her dinner inside a kibble ball. She has to roll it about to get a single piece of kibble, and then roll it again for the next. It slows down her eating by a few seconds. You might wonder why I do this. Well, I do this to help keep her weight down.

Pugs are small dogs and anything over 20 pounds is just not healthy. Weight control is critical. And while many people value pugs as apartment sized dogs, I take mine out daily, unless it is raining. My pugs love exercise. It is great for their health. They like nothing better than a good romp off the leash and can keep up with the most diligent speed walker.

But, I have to keep an eye on the weather. Because pugs come with a face that looks like, “catches parked cars,” they can have difficulty breathing. Hot humid weather makes it very difficult for them to breath, most especially a black pug like Gracie Allen who is gaining heat from the sun.

Our favorite walking place is along a creek where they can always get a drink. During the wretched part of summer, we go out in the mornings before it gets too hot. At home, always keep fresh water inside and out. I often dump the ice cubes from my glass into the dish to cool the water.

Children will sometimes ask if my dogs are growling. I have to tell them that the sound is not a growl, but they way they breathe. I always pay attention to the sounds of my pugs breathing in the summertime. Overheating can kill them.

Because pugs shed their coats year round, we often sit on the back deck for grooming. My pugs get a wash a week, with a careful brushing afterward. Your other choice is to buy pug-colored carpeting. I decided long ago not to be a backyard breeder. Both my girls have been spayed so that they will not have puppies. Since pugs are born with large heads, I think it best to leave their birthing to experts.