Become a Member :)

[lmcpug]

Hi there,
just a note to all those people who are our "hidden" Guests!

We would love to see you join our Chat, take the plunge and join in on our postings! We're a fun group and love to chit chat about our Pugs, health, nutrition, training or lack there of, we love to poke fun about the flying fur stuff we find in our homes but mostly we would love to hear from you too!

If you are sitting on the sidelines, jump in........  promise we don't bite; but there are a lot of snoggles on here

Lori
Site Froum Admin

[Morgan Mom]

I took the plunge!  

love, Love, LOVE Pugs! Since I have not yet been blessed with a pug at home, I rely on this site to help with my "Pug" craving!

Morgan Mom
New Brunswick
(owned by Ralph the boxer, and Jewel the Morgan mare)

[lmcpug]

Welcome Morgan Mom;

Pug cravings are definitely hard to get away from
Whether you have a Pug or not and/or still deciding to bring one into your life;
we would love to hear from you!!

Members who have Pugs are here to answer any and all questions you may have prior to bringing a pug into your life

[blanche]

One of the members here  mentioned that some folks are "fearful" of joining because of having gotten their dogs at pet stores.  And that makes me sad--that you would feel unwelcome because of where you got your pug.
No question, we do not endorse pet store purchases of dogs--but our purpose is to educate not alienate.  We would hope that by joining our forum, folks would learn WHY we think supporting pet stores that sell puppies is such a bad idea.  Many of us got our first dogs from places where we wouldn't go now (pet stores, flea markets, etc).  We didn't know any better, but we learned.  
So don't be afraid.  We try not to be judgemental (I don't always succeed, but I try) and the important thing is to learn about our beloved breed, why pet stores aren't a good option for purchase and how we can spread the message about responsible pug ownership.

[lmcpug]

Very well put, Blanche!

I was trying to figure out a diplomatic way of inviting those sitting on the sidelines,
not sure if they were welcome or not...... but everyone is welcome!

Our bark is sometimes far worse than our teeny tiny pug bites :oops:   I meant to say, please come and learn about these precious fun loving little puglets

Lori

[blanche]

The reality is that we all have our different points of view on a number of topics.  And we will disagree on some things.  A lively debate is useful for everyone, but flaming and slagging aren't.  I haven't seen bad behaviour here, frankly.  I have found most people to be respectful and open-minded.
Got your first pug from a pet store?  So did a lot of us.  Know better now?  Good.  Don't know why pet stores puppies are a bad idea?  PLEASE join and learn.

[Jane aka 71337]

I'll start the ball rolling...

Hi my name is Jane and I got my first two dogs from a pet store...I truely didn't know any better.    Thank goodness I found pugalug and I'm proud to say that I will never make that mistake again.  

[clummy]

I must admit these people can be intimidating because they do know and care so much but you obviously do too or you wouldn't have even found the site.  

And while we are sharing our new found knowledge... I didn't know until recently that kijiji was so awful. I naively thought the people on there were real breeders, or just people whose dog had an unplanned litter. No clue people imported dogs from Europe, ran small puppy mills in their basements or who knows what. Hopefully we will always learn things to make us better people.

[DarwinandAdasmom]

I'm next.

Hi, My name is Anna, and I got my first pug from a Backyard Breeder.     I've learned a lot from Pugalug in the last two years.  Thank you!

[blanche]

LOL.  Most people DON'T know and you can't know until someone tells you or you read about it.
I'm a bit of an exception in that I've never had anything BUT rescued dogs.  I grew up with a breeder (my folks) and saw first hand some of the messes that were being created by backyard breeders with dals and danes.  
Everyone starts to learn somewhere.  Until about 8 years ago, I was an annual inoculator--just assumed it had to be done every year.  I know better now.

[Jane aka 71337]

LOL.  Most people DON'T know and you can't know until someone tells you or you read about it.
I'm a bit of an exception in that I've never had anything BUT rescued dogs.  I grew up with a breeder (my folks) and saw first hand some of the messes that were being created by backyard breeders with dals and danes.  
Everyone starts to learn somewhere.  Until about 8 years ago, I was an annual inoculator--just assumed it had to be done every year.  I know better now.

Yep that's been another one my of mistakes.  I was one of those people that thought all vets only wanted what was best for your pets just like I do and that they always know best because they are the experts.  Live and learn, is what I say.  I don't ever want to stop learning.

[Pugpillow]

Mea culpa. I'm like a reformed smoker (oh wait, I am a reformed smoker) - I got my first 2 pugs from pet stores, the first (Mei-Ling) from PJ Pets in Yorkdale and the second from Duggan's in Barrie before I learned about puppy mills.  Heck, I had my pugs for YEARS before I learned that collars weren't good for pugs and that doggy-doors are a no-no.  I spent literally thousands of dollars on vet bills and almost lost my Kimmy before finding out that grains are huge allergens and the choice of what you feed your dog is a big deal.  And as for vaccinations ....       My learning curve has been astronomically steep and continues to climb.  But I'm big into research and when I learn about something, I want to shout it from the rooftops so that others don't have to learn the hard way.  This may come across as shrill or intimidating but it's meant to be educational so that the pugs have a better life.  

Anyway, please join us and share your experiences, opinons and pictures.  And ask away if you want our opinions (that's what they are) and experiences.  And if we are coming on too strong, send us a Private Message and tell us how you are feeling.  And if there are some topics that don't sit well with you, just move onto another area.  But come and join in.

[puggy luv]

Thanks for this post - and for your words, Blanche.  Our two pugs are rescues - but our Wheaten Terrier was purchased 10 years ago by my parents at a pet store.  I've always been kind of hesitant to mention this - but as many of you've said, live and learn.  

I've learned a lot from Pugalug and gained even more respect for rescues and for the work of the many tireless volunteers who foster, transport, fundraise, etc, etc, etc....I could go on forever!  Hope this post inspires more people to join in - this is a really great forum.  

[Jane aka 71337]

Hilary, maybe this thread isn't the place but I'm wondering what's the scoop on doggie doors?  We don't have one strictly because of the home security issue.

[Pugpillow]

Hilary, maybe this thread isn't the place but I'm wondering what's the scoop on doggie doors?  We don't have one strictly because of the home security issue.

A doggie door is a convenience so they can go outside by themselves.  It's a very bad idea to allow the pugs to be outside unattended, even in a fully fenced yard.  The dog can overheat/get too cold very quickly, can find an otherwise unknown breach in the fence and escape, be stolen, be taunted by children/teenagers or have objects thrown at them, be attacked by wild animals/birds, catch a diseased live animal, eat/roll-in a diseased/rotting dead animal/bird or be stung by a bee/wasp.  All of these things can be averted or dealt with quickly if the owner is outside with the dog.