New Beginnings & Happy Endings2003

 

Knox

This cutie was picked up by the Knoxville County Animal Center as a stray. One of our volunteers; Chris Dean met with a rescue group that assists us in Chattanooga. Everyone that helped with getting Knox to his foster home in the Nashville area was amazed at his wonderful disposition. All of his shots have been brought up to date, he was tested for heartworms and was neutered. He is blind and has probably been that way for awhile. He’s need eye drops daily, but is otherwise a healthy loving Pug. His senses of hearing and smell are good and he easily settled in his foster home. He quickly became familiar with his environment and is very content. His foster Mom says loves to cuddle and wags his tail when he hears their voices. Making those 'pug sounds' is a sure sign he's getting comfortable with them. He's very polite and waits nicely for his food. He’s totally housebroken, a great thing to those of us who've tried to train a pug to go outside!! He can be insistent about being picked up, barking in a raspy "old man" bark.

He’s estimated to be between 6 - 8 year old. The first night in his foster home they decided to crate him till he settled in….he quickly let them know he wanted to sleep IN the bed. He gets along with the other pets in the home and they are all enjoying his company. Shaka, the family‘s young rescue Pug has even gotten him to play a little (she's the recreation coordinator and insists everybody play with HER). Older rescue dogs whose lives have been disrupted in their later years have so much love to give and like nothing better than giving it. They tend to rely heavily on their owner for companionship and therefore bond very quickly. The desire to reciprocate the companionship given to them is very strong. Knox has lots of love to give and will make a wonderful addition to any family.

 

Peanut

Peanut AKA "Gloria" was rescued from a shelter in Indiana with a horrible upper respiratory infection. Abandoned for being less than perfect, she would have no doubt been destroyed if not for the dedication of rescue volunteers. After weeks of antibiotics she began to feel better and her playful personality emerged.  Peanut has been spayed but unfortunately, this poor babies teeth were in such horrible shape, 9 had to be removed. Still, everyone who meets Peanut is utterly charmed by her sweet personality and tiny stature. She doesn’t see very well and has a mildly deformed joint in her leg but quickly adjusts to her environment and gets around just fine. She interacts well with other pets and is very affectionate. Peanut and other pugs like her are what rescue is all about. In foster care, she has blossomed and is full of joy, wanting only to be loved.  She's spoiled rotten and her foster home cannot imagine this very special girl with spunk and personality becoming a permanent member of their family.  We all agree that it's certainly in Peanut's best interest to stay with the Higdon's and be know as the "Official mascot of Pug Rescue"

 

Abe's owner, Kyle, adores him as you can see.  Abe's favorite thing to do is hop in the bath tub with Kyle every night!

 

Petie is a little over a year old. He and his 2 brothers and sister were rescued from a puppy mill when they were only 12 weeks old. He was adopted but sadly his family was going through some life changes and moving from a home to an apartment. They didn’t feel they would have the time to give this energetic boy the attention he deserves. Petie loves to play fetch with his toys - his favorite is a bright orange squeaky toy. He knows how to give his paw for a shake, sit, lay down and jump. He loves to be rubbed behind both ears and gives "kisses" when asked. Petie won’t let you forget his treat of 3-4 little doggie biscuits every night at 8:30. After that’s he’s content and ready to go to bed.  Petie has found a wonderful forever home.... along with his very own Pug brother.

Rocco

This 3 year-old was turned over to rescue by his owners. The family recently had a baby and was going to be moving to Kansas and could not take this darling little pug with them. "I am so in love with my sweet Rocco!!! He is everything I had hoped he would be and more. I cannot believe that his first owners could have ever let him go. However, I am so grateful that they did! I am even more grateful to Pug Rescue for introducing the two...ooops!...I mean 4 of us...He, myself, Mozey and Bebe (the cat). He loves Bebe and they run and chase each throughout the house all day. I truly believe he is as happy to be here with all of us as we are to have him here. We are working on commands now and he is very bright and responding well. We've just mastered lay down...next we will learn how to shake hands. He has helped Mozey through her loss of Rocky, who recently passed away, and Mozey is finally beginning to eat (even her kibbles) on her own. Although they don't necessarily play together (Mozey is a 15 year old Pug) she seems comforted by his company and he is always eager to give her a kiss. Isn't that sweet?!?! He is always so happy to wake up in the morning and he just loves to cuddle at night time. When he goes to sleep...THERE IS NO WAKING HIM UP!!!!. He absolutely crowds me out of the bed. Not much of a great bed buddy...kicks, steals the covers and of course snores. I couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!!!"

 

Crunchee (aka Baby Doll)

Crunchee touched the hearts of her foster parents so much they decided to keep her FOREVER! She is definitely healthy as a horse, very playful and loves to run through the house. She and Lolli (their other Pug) always greet Stephanie at the door. She does a little dance with her front paws kind of like a walking horse! This is when she is excited or wants to play. Her Dad, Chip does it back and they both stand there doing this like some type of bird mating ritual! It is so cute!  She is totally potty-trained now although she does have to be on a leash at all times. She has to find that perfect spot so pottying takes a little longer. Sometimes she gets a little startled outside and won't come easily when called because she thinks she might be in trouble. She loves the cats and really loves Lolli and boy does she love treats. She races to the kitchen when we come in from pottying. She has really bonded with Lolli and even though she is independent, she takes lessons from whatever dog she is with. She is not the leader..but a good follower. She mimics all that Lolli does. If Lolli peepees, she peepees.  If Lolli barks, she barks. It's so cute. Actually, I think she has just learned to bark. At first she would just squeak and still does occasionally.  She and Lolli are kind of like Mother and daughter. That's one of the many reasons we began to consider keeping her. She has really bonded with Lolli and that was important to us. A good companion for Lolli is what the family wanted all along.

 

Update from Leo's new family (pictured above Kevin, Leo and Marcus): "We are so in love with this little guy. He has sooooo become such a part of our family. He is doing wonderful and seems to be very happy here. We are all about Leo...we take him everywhere.....have tons of tv time....play with all his toys with him constantly....and, of course he sleeps right between us. It's sooooo funny. We usually start him out in the middle of the bed between us.... and he slowly inches his way up until his head is on the pillow with ours.... sleeps on his back with all four paws sticking straight out and snores like a banshee.... He has us so whipped... We wouldn't dream of another dog. Honest. So yeah...things are going super super. So rest your (and everyone else's) mind. He fits in perfectly and is already a full member of our family. We couldn't be happier. He's our baby and what's funny is that he knows it too.... hahaha..sooo spoiled already."

Buck

Pug rescue received a call from an owner who felt he needed to give his Pug away because he was not able to give him the time and attention he deserved. Buck is 5 years old. His shots are up to date and he has been neutered. He was being left alone for as many as 12 hours a day and never had an accident. It's obvious he's been very loved and well cared for. He's great with small children, who have been taught how to treat a pet. Like most Pugs, he's blended in smoothly with his foster home and had no problem jumping in their bed his first night there! Buck gets along with their other pets, but we feel he would be content as an "only" pet.

 

Daisy

Daisy was owned by a breeder who passed away last Spring. She was being kept outdoors by her caretaker and only allowed indoors at night. Fortunately, she and Dusty and D Jay were turned over to rescue. Daisy strolls through her foster home always searching for one of the children in her foster home to play. She gets along with the other pets, but prefers the company of the humans. This lovely sweetheart just had her 5th birthday, is up to date on her shots, and ready for a home.  This little charmer is a joy and will make a fabulous addition to a family who is looking for the perfect companion pet.

 

Tess is 5 years old ... super friendly and sweet.... She now has a sister, Sybil - a mixed breed dog 17 years young and Josie, a 10 month old kitten. Tess will be a pampered princess in her new home in Louisiana.
This sweet pug mix was found on the side of a road in South Carolina. She had been hit by a car and was brought in to a vet clinic. Her owners came in to authorize her treatment, came back to visit her once and never came back again. She had been there since January 11, 2003.  All of her shots are up to date and she has completely recovered from surgery to repair a fractured Tibia. Sasha is just a little over a year old. She has a Pug personality and is definitely a lap dog. Her body and legs are longer than a Pugs and she has a nose that's not as smushy as a Pug. Virginia Schaefer, a young volunteer for Pug Rescue of Memphis happened to be traveling with her grandparents to SC. They agreed to bring her back to Memphis and Sasha was in her first real home in two months. Finally, Sasha is in her forever home. She traveled with Bud to Boston and her new family thinks she is adorable and super sweet. Cooper, her young Pug brother keeps her on her toes and they seem to be getting along really well. When she's had enough, she lets him know. Sasha will soon realize that she's in her forever home with the McGowan’s and doesn't need to be afraid anymore. Obviously she has been bred a couple times and she also seems to cower a little when you go to pet her. She is glued to Jodi and seems more comfortable with females than men. Jodi’s husband is totally taken by her and they formed an immediate bond. It's really touching that Sasha has a family that is so dedicated to making her feel secure and loved.

Rascal (aka Moses)After being in rescue for months this young Pug was finally well enough to be neutered and begin heartworm treatment. He came to us with a yeast infection that covered 70% of his body. He was so thin and frail you could easily see his backbone. Not only does he look better, but also it's clear he is feeling much better. Moses is an incredible Pug with a trusting nature. He has gone to his forever home with Melissa and Jeremy. Melissa has always owned a Pug, but this is her fiancé's first experience with the loveable breed. She says he and her fiancé are new best friends. When she is at work, Rascal spends most of the day with him and Rascal just loves him. Rascal makes going outside a huge event. Both Melissa and her fiancé have to walk him together or he won't leave the apartment. Rascal now has someone's undivided attention. Melissa says, "He is such a good dog. The way he behaves makes me laugh." He's health and happy these days, with his Mom and Dad wrapped around his little paw.

 

Bud

Bud arrived in Boston a very happy pug! He came bombing out of the SUV when his new owners arrived to pick him up. He is like a bull in a china shop! Lynne and her husband had Stoli, adopted from Pug rescue last year, with them for the introduction. They let the boys run around for a while and then got back in the car. They both rode in Lynne's husband's lap on the way home. Stoli is definitely trying to assert himself as the Alpha dog. They got to Lynne's parents home and ran all over the back yard. Bud and Stoli both seemed anxious from this new twist in their lives and Bud ended up throwing up. It didn't affect his energy and the whole family was pooped that night and slept well! Bud hopped right into bed and snuggled right under Lynne's arms.

 

Rudy

Rudy was picked up by the shelter in Collierville. He was found wandering the streets the week before Christmas. He is 3-4 years old and almost regal in his bearing. He's quiet, sweet and very well behaved! He is fully house trained and enjoys just being in your company. He'll sit quietly at your feet unless you invite him onto the chair, couch or bed.  Carol Simms fell in love with Rudy and now he is happy and comfy in his new home in Clarksville TN

 

Divet is a delightful 1-1/2 year old fawn male. Even though he has an eye missing he’s a very good looking boy! His remaining eye is almost completely covered in dark pigment but he is not lacking in charm and personality. Divet is proof that a visually impaired dog is not much different than a sighted one. When a dog looses their sight they come to rely on their other senses and often times these senses become even keener over time. He had not been named when we got him and his ribs were showing. The vet found his tummy was full of intestinal worms. He was startled the first time we reached in his cage to pet him but he liked it and quickly learned that any humans he meets now are not going to hurt him It wasn't easy for his foster home, The Cockran's, to let Divet go. You see, they adopted Nine-toes, the first Pug they fostered. We all assured them that it wouldn't be long before there would be another Pug in need of a foster home. Their love and patience turned Divet in to trusting loving Pug. On 3/1/03 Stephanie's daughter Lauren fell in love with Divet after seeing his picture on the website!  The family already had an eight month old, Pug, Catfish and were confident Divet would love to be a member of their family. The whole family anxiously awaited Divet's arrival. When Anna brought Divet in he and Catfish began to play. Lauren picked Divet up and he melted in her arms. He was home. Catfish would have preferred to continue their game of chase, but Divet was content snuggled in his new owner's arms.  He will have the companionship of Catfish and the love of Lauren and her whole family.

Butch

Butch's owner became very ill and the family was not able to care for him so they contacted Pug Rescue. Butch is 5 years old and he came to rescue on December 23, 2002. Tests revealed that diabetes was the cause of symptoms he was experiencing. The condition was caught in time and there is no permanent damage. As he began to feel better he clearly brightened up and his sweet personality came out. He's been adopted by the Owens family in Jonesboro, AR. He has a Pug sister name Gin and he sleeps cradled in Eva's arms and snuggles as close as he can. He’s full of charm and enjoys attention. He's become particularly attached to Eva and is very protective of her. Occasionally he will spend time with Steve and Eva's daughter, Donna. He goes between both houses at his own discretion and has them all wrapped around his little paw.

 

George

George is a handsome 7 year old gentlemen. He was turned over by his owner when he tested positive for heartworms. He's otherwise healthy has been neutered and had to have 10 teeth pulled. He began heartworm treatment on March 27, and is doing very well. George is very well behaved and he has a beautiful fawn coat. He gets along with and enjoys the company of other pets. George has a typical Pug personality. He's affectionate and he's got a wonderful home waiting on him as soon as he's completed his treatment. George is a charmer and it doesn't take long for this handsome boy to cast you under his spell.