The Fart That Could Kill a Moose!

Although we try not to fart-shame in our family,
there are times when I believe Pete does feel our
judgements. 

Picture this...the family is all together enjoying a night in watching a movie in total peace and tranquility...when all of a sudden that sense of relaxation is shattered like a fastball hitting the picture window as the aroma of a fart so powerful and precise the entire room is cleared within a minute.  Okay, maybe not cleared, I appear to be the only one in the room who can take it (but then I love the smell of horse shit).

Before you assume I feed Pete junk food and the sort of processed crap that may produce such emotionally upsetting omissions, he eats a very clean and whole diet of manly dry, a little whole meat, and veggies (no processed food for him). HOWEVER...should he capture a fallen morsel or someone shares their dessert with him, we are all in for a bumpy night (and, quite literally, all hell breaks loose).

In my youth, I spent much time with large animals like cows and horses and loved mucking out the stalls while  breathing in the pungent stench that goes with it.  If they could bottle up the smell of horse poop on a hot summer day (along with freshly cut grass and gasoline on the water just as you are about to yell "hit it" before water skiing) I would be the first in line to buy a bottle (no judgement please).  Even with my experiences with animal excrement, nothing prepared me for the farts that come out of my beloved.

I can't be sure if this is the breed or this is Pete specific, but I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't at least warn you of the potential.  Even with all the dramatics that follow, including the potential for light headedness, stomach turning, and a loss of appetite (I may or may not be kidding)...it's all good when it's coming out of your own sweet little pug.

Snoring that Wakes the Dead

One of the many suggestions I have for potential (or current) pug owners is the importance of earplugs should you sleep in the same room as pug (and you value your sleep). Pugs snore, heave, jerk, and rattle the bed...providing they are on it.  Pete sleeps in his own bed at times and with me when my husband travels.  Without the ear plugs, I don't know how I would get a full night's sleep.

I do believe the snoring pug is common due to the fact (yet again) that they belong to the brachiocephalic family of dogs.  At times Pete is so loud we can't hear the TV or he startles the family by the sheer volume and physical intensity of each breath.  At times, he sleeps soundly without a peep, but there is no doubt that should you decide to share your life with a pug, you will be exposed to a level of snoring you have yet to experience.

....you should be so lucky!

The Beauty Regime of a Pampered Pug

Pete's spa days usually include an oatmeal scrub,
full body message, and time to lounge in his
terry cloth robe.

Skin Fold Cleaning
There have been too many times to mention when, while chatting with a fellow pug caregiver, I ask how often she/he cleans their pug's skin folds. The response I get is often riddled with confusion and coupled with disgust (which I totally get).


When I had first read about the cleaning of the skin folds it was enough to turn me away from the idea of getting a pug.  What the hell did it mean to clean a skin fold? What is a skin fold? What is in a skin fold? In the end, it meant nothing but a few wipes now and then, but if it goes overlooked your poor little pug could be in a world of discomfort. 


The skin folds I'm referring are what makes pugs so damn adorable in the first place.  I keep telling Pete, sometimes there is a cost to being beautiful and, for him, that cost is sitting still while I stick my finger in his skin folds (sounds a little odd, I know). Dirt, food, and all sortsa bits of stuff can accumulate in these folds and, if they aren't cleaned, can cause infection, redness, soreness, etc.


It was evident when we adopted Pete that his previous family overlooked this regime due to the redness spilling over onto his poor little face.  I simply went to my vet and purchased some wipes specifically for the job (and you can use them for ears, paws, etc.). It takes two seconds and Pete is happier for it.


Nose Moisturizing
Just like the sub-title suggests, a pug's nose can get very dry (probably due to the fact they can really reach it with their tongue...poor little guys).  While there are many store-bought remedies for this (and some organic, natural, and healthy) I tend to use Coconut Oil.  I use it as a make up remover at night and while I'm spreading it on my face, I dab a little on his nose to keep it moisturized. 


The challenge for Pete is seeing if he can stretch his tongue out far enough to lick it off (as he has a passion for coconut oil) but most of it stays there and when he awakes the next morning, his nose is as fresh and as moisturized as the day he was born!

The Beauty of Pug Snot

I just love this poem. This obviously comes from a person
well versed in the pug snot experience.

Three years ago, I would never have imagined I would be living with a snorting, snotty, shedding (albeit super adorable, funny, and highly intelligent) pug.  Before meeting Pete, I was warned by many of those pug websites that these dogs have the capacity to sneeze with ferocious power and little precision.  But really...how much snot can a small dog produce anyway?


It's been my experience that pugs do "snot" (I realize I'm using this word as a verb) and do it anytime, anywhere, on anything or anyone. I'm finding when Pete gets really excited about something, he tends to do it more often. Like when he's driving in the car with me to our morning hike in the woods and he leans over my coffee cup and let's out a loaded sneeze. Or when he's standing on my chest in the morning waiting "patiently" to go on our walks and sneezes all over me (I'm learning the signs before it comes now so I can take the appropriate cover) and the sheets.


Although I have referred to it as "liquid love" many times (usually those times when my husband is covered in it) but it's snot. It's a part of living with a pug and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I couldn't imagine living in a snotless world or a world without a serious of juicy sneezes coming at you on a lazy Saturday morning.  Just like a mother describing the joy she may feel when her baby barfs on her shoulder (kinda poking fun here)...it's not gross if it's your own pug's snot.

Beware and Be Ready for the Vet Bills!

If you live with a pug or considering sharing your home with one, it is very important to consider the health care costs of choosing a member (albeit extremely cute one) of the brachiocephalic breeds.  Pugs are known to some (the cool people) as being one of the cutest dogs ever while others refer to them as ugly, fugly, or even pugly (I know...I can't even fathom).  At any rate, what contributes to their ageless looks is the hard fact that the pugs nose was bred out of them. As a result, these poor little dudes have breathing problems, teeth problems, and problems with thermoregulation (i.e. cooling themselves in higher heat)...to mention just a few.

Whoever says that pugs are anything but adorable has no soul (do you hear that husband?).

I knew this going in, but I really didn't comprehend to what extent.  To put this into perspective, I spent over $3500.00 this past spring on dental care for Pete.  Only $400.00 of this was covered by his medical plan (yes...I immediately signed him up for a medical plan to ensure I wouldn't be out of pocket)...I must have overlooked the small print.  Although I'm a firm believer of setting your pet up with a medical care plan, I'm somewhat skeptical about insurance providers based upon my last experience.  If I was able to put aside $50 a month for his future care, that would also be a good plan of action and be there for any expense he has.  Something to consider.

From vaccinations to dental surgery, it is something you need to consider when choosing to live and care for a dog. Should you be interested in accumulating a grumble of pugs (yes, that is the official term for a group of pugs) be ready to spend every penny on their care.

As Pete demonstrates, his nose has been considerably altered. Just think about what that does to his 42 teeth! From impacted teeth to teeth growing in all different directions, eventually your pug will have to face the dental chair!

Who Wants to Go for a Walk?!

One of our favourite walks during the summer is
Cattle Point in Oak Bay, Victoria.

One of the first posts I would like to offer is on the importance of walking your pug. Pugs, by nature and design tend to be overweight.  This could be due to their insatiable appetite for anything that even looks like a food item or their tendency to be as inactive as their caregiver.  If you refer to the many informative sites on pug health, it is suggested that pugs aren't really the athlete of the dog world.

What I have found is the complete opposite. I guess it is very pug specific, but Pete's default is a run and his passion is jumping and walking on narrow surfaces like logs, curbs, etc. He loves to balance and rummage through the bush.  After much training and canine socialization over the past two years, Pete became an off leash dog over the past six months (something that came as a huge relief for his caregiver).  He now enjoys exploring the many trials that are near our home.

Every morning (without exception...unless Pete determines it as such) the first thing we do before anything else is go for our morning walk. This may be 30 minutes to 60 minutes in length depending upon is schedule that day.  The first thing we do when I get home from work is go for another walk.  Not only has this helped keep Pete fit and healthy but I have never walked so much in my life as I have walking with him.  Pete is my personal trainer and one that I never argue with.

Yup. He would have NEVER considered this stunt surrounded by large dogs before he met his pack walker.  What a great job this dog whisperer has. 

Now, I realize that many people don't have the extra money to hire a dog walker, but before I decided to commit to a dog, I made sure I had that income to ensure he gets at least 2-3 pack walks each week during the working day.  Not only has this alleviated my guilt about leaving him at home, the pack walk helps to socialize him while his pack walker serves as the most effective trainer.  In fact, I do believe he is a dog whisperer.

Pete is able to get along with any breed of dog after his last two years of pack walking. If you do have the cash for it, I highly recommend it as a way to socialize and exercise your pug.  It seems there are new doggie day cares and pack walkers springing up everywhere.  Of course, you want to beware of who you are entrusting your pug child to. Before signing Pete up, I met with Scott and he met with Pete before the walks started.  Unfortunately, anyone can hang a shingle but not everyone treats your dog with care.

Here we see Pete and his walker taking a few minutes to relax on the wood trail.

Whether you live with a pug now or are thinking of sharing your life with one, you must carve out some time to walk twice a day (no matter what).  So many pugs (and dogs) I know stay indoors and sit throughout the entire day due to caregivers who are too busy or unable to walk.  If that's the case, hire a professional and think of the life long health of your pug!