Previous Diary Entries: January 8, 2003 October 22, 2002

April 8, 2002 - I don't get to write in this space very often, mostly because, well, I'm a dog, and we dogs live pretty simple lives. In my case, it means waking up around the crack of ten, go for a walk, come back in, sleep for a while, then it's chow time, then I nap a little, go outside for a walk, then Mama comes home and she and Daddy have their chow time while I stare at them intently. There's the tug-of-war with froggie, chewing on some rawhide, snacking on carrots and Altoids, sleep some more, and one more walk before it's bedtime.

The other reason I don't write much is because Daddy hogs all the computer time, and has no patience for my slow typing.

But sometimes I do have something interesting to say, even if it's just interesting to me. But Daddy said that what I had to say was important enough that he'd let me go on at length.

Most of us dogs, as I mentioned before, have it pretty easy. We've got our own Mamas and Daddys who make sure we're fed and clean and have water and get some exercise and just a nice comfie corner of the couch to sleep on. Some are too big for couches and need a little more exercise than others, but you get the general idea.

Mama's been finding sites related to Pug Rescue clubs and as she reads those stories it just breaks her heart. Our whole family here just cannot believe that dogs just like me, who just want someone to love us and feed us and make us feel welcome in their homes, are mistreated to the point where they need to be 'rescued', rehabilitated (at great cost) and then have to wait for a suitable family to take on the added responsibility of caring for a dog who is somehow handicapped, or worse, been abused to the point where he or she won't trust humans and can't do his or her doggy duty of providing some of the best companionship to be found.

I'm not sure what's worse - knowing that there are dogs suffering this plight or the fact that Mama and Daddy can't really do a lot about it right now. They can't really swing the money to donate to these rescue organizations that need outside help with food and medical treatment. Adopting a Pug is out of the question as we live in an apartment and I don't know how well two dogs would work here.

We don't have any easy answers for fixing the problem of overproduced dogs, or unloved dogs. But there are things that humans can do to reduce the problem. If you're looking for a dog, avoid the chain pet stores and find a reputable breeder who doesn't get dogs from "puppy mills". If you know of a dog that's getting mistreated, alert the proper authorities so they can get the dog out of that bad situation and into the hands of a rescue group that can rehabilitate it and find a loving home for it.

But the most important thing to do is, if you have a dog, give him or her an extra scratch under the chin or one more carrot before bedtime. We can't do a lot about those dogs that are in peril thanks to careless owners, but we can make sure that those in good homes know they're appreciated and rewarded with lots of hugs and play time and treats.

Have you hugged your Pug today?

Till next time, Jenny