
PUMPKIN - 4 YEAR OLD MALE
STATUS: ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Please review Pumpkin's adoption requirements. If you think you could give him the perfect forever home,


















































ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
Please review Pumpkin's adoption requirements. If you think you could give him the perfect forever home, CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION.
ADOPTION FEE: $400.00
Medical issues: History of struvite crystals, allergies
Special diet needs: Raynes Health-RSS CCD Struvite management Flushing food with broth or water
Behaviour issues: Excitable, some nervousness with new things
Good with Kids? Yes, kids 8 and up
Good with Dogs? Loves all dogs
Good with Cats? Yes
Housing? Condo or house
Crated? Never crated.
Time dog is alone? Max time left alone is 8 hours .
House training; Will not ask to go out, but will use pee pads
Sleep with humans? yes
Pumpkin had some allergies when he initially came to us, which has been managed with diet and Cytopoint shots every 3 or 4 months. We are unsure exactly what he’s allergic to, but thankfully, the allergies are easily controlled.
The main health concern with Pumpkin is struvite crystals, which were discovered last fall. He will require a special diet without chicken (because of allergies) that will help prevent any recurring struvites. It is recommended to flush his specialty food with fluids such as broths or plain water. Urine samples should be brought to the vet bi-yearly to ensure his PH levels are correct. The extra liquid required to manage the crystals does mean that Pumpkin needs to relieve himself frequently. He doesn’t ask to go out, but he uses pee pads consistently.
Pumpkin is an excellent little companion, but like most dogs, he does have some quirks. Specifically, Pumpkin is a very excitable pug when outside. If we are out on a walk, he can pull because he's excited to be outside. He is also easily distracted when he sees another dog. Even when relieving himself, he will sometimes stop in order to watch the other dog. If we go for a walk in a different neighborhood, he needs a bit of time to relax and do his business because he’s too excited about his surroundings. Pumpkin can get easily spooked while on his walks and pull quite suddenly, which requires his people to keep a firm hold on his leash.
He does not get startled by common things like cars, loud noises, people or dogs. However, he has tried running off when suddenly encountering garbage bin lids, flying bags or even strange-looking branches. Pumpkin does not like to be restricted and if his leash gets tangled around a pole, he will panic.
Like most pugs, he doesn't tolerate nail trims well, but it’s unclear if this is because of being held or just the nail trim. He is a perfect angel putting on his balloon boots so touching his feet is fine.
Fortunately, most of the Pumpkin’s behavioural issues are all related to how excitable he can be and this is very easily fixed with some training and a consistent routine that allows an outlet for his energy. Although he is busier than a lot of pugs, he still loves to be a couch potato and we all love to have him beside us, snoring away while we watch TV.
Pumpkin is a delight and is the typical “in your face” velcro pug that is willing to please. He requires a lot of attention and if he could bury himself into his human, he would. He needs to be with his human constantly and would sit on your lap all day if permitted - and if he could sit still that long.
Due to his excitement, Pumpkin does forget his manners on occasion and mistakes fingers for treats or jumps up to greet people. But with reminders, he has improved. He loves all people and animals - including cats. However, because of his excitable nature, he would do best in a home with children ages 8 and up.
Although Pumpkin can be quite excitable when you pay attention to him, he has calmed down a fair bit since coming into foster care. That said, his future family needs to be committed to helping him with his manners and continuing his training. I have never crated Pumpkin in the house, however, he has been crated on car rides without any issues. Before coming to Pugalug, he was restricted to one room and did not do well in that situation.
Pumpkin isn’t much of a barker and would do well in any housing scenario. At times, he will bark at the TV if an animal appears or if someone knocks on the door, but he only gives a couple of barks and then goes back to whatever he was doing. He won't bark if the resident dogs do, which is a wonderful rarity for a pug! Overall, Pumpkin is an energetic, sweet boy who would love a family that can help him with his manners and continue taking him on adventures.
FOSTER UPDATE - JANUARY 21, 2025
Pumpkin’s latest urine sample was clear of all crystals. We are unsure if this is the result of the veterinarian food that was recommended but it is good news. Moving forward, Pumpkin’s food should be flooded with water and his pH levels will need to be monitored to make sure the crystals do not develop.
Pumpkin will be ready for adoption soon. Pumpkin will be an absolute delight to anyone's home. He loves to please and cuddle!
FOSTER UPDATE - DECEMBER 3, 2024
This little pug has made it clear that winter isn’t his favorite season. He’s not a fan of the cold and needs a few extra layers to stay warm during outdoor adventures. His foster mom is currently on the hunt for the perfect cozy jacket to keep him comfortable. Pumpkin needs another urinalysis and is currently awaiting results. Getting a urine sample in this winter weather has been a challenge! Stay tuned for more updates on Pumpkin, and keep your fingers crossed for him!
FOSTER UPDATE - OCTOBER 16, 2024
Pumpkin went through another urine analysis after a 2-week treatment of cranberries. Unfortunately he still has crystals in his urine, but his PH levels are back to normal. Pumpkin will be starting a specialty kibble and we will retest him in another 6 weeks.
Pumpkin has a lot of energy and believes all humans and canines are his best friend. He and his foster brother are getting along quite splendidly. Pumpkin's personality is still coming out with his cute quirks. When I come home and make a fuss greeting him, he'll bark to play and say hello.
FOSTER UPDATE - AUGUST 11, 2024
We had a little scare 10 days ago when Pumpkin woke up with a sore back paw. He was limping first thing in the morning. This continued off and on for a few days. Once the limping subsided, he still wouldn't go up the stairs. He's a smart one, this little guy. Once we were at any stairs he would stop and look up at me. Telling me he needed to be carried.
We took him to the vet to have x-rays done on both hind legs, which showed no breaks. Pumpkin is on anti-inflammatory medication for 7 days. The vet also found some crystals in his bladder. We are having to take urine samples to ensure nothing major is happening.
Pumpkin had his first bath this weekend and he's a dream to bathe. We are still working on him tolerating his nails being trimmed. All in all this little boy is a sweetie and will shower you with kisses when you get home and at bedtime.
FOSTER UPDATE - JUNE 11, 2024
Pumpkin is settling in nicely in his foster home and is developing a sassy behaviour which is quite funny. If you're not paying attention to him he will yell at you. He's probably the biggest clown of all the fosters I have had.
He loves to wrestle with his foster brother or steps all over me (still hasn't learned any personal space etiquette). He has calmed down a bit when I'm petting him. Most times he will lay still and enjoy the love. Pumpkin is part parrot and part frog. He enjoys sitting on my shoulder while we're on the couch. Frog part you can see for yourself how he sits on the stairs! He truly has some weird lying and sitting positions.
Pumpkin is still learning how to walk properly on the leash. Him and his foster brother have started a new zoomies game when on leash. Really I think they're testing how fast I can get dizzy! He can be skittish when we are outside with objects like garbage bin lids and noises but overall he tries to make friends with most people and dogs. He's now an “under the covers sleeper” in bed because learning that behaviour from your foster brother is important you know!
We had our first vet appointment a couple of weeks ago and all was well with his overall checkup. He had a small ear infection and also received his first Cytopoint injection for his allergies. So far the injection has subdued his itchiness.
FOSTER UPDATE - APRIL 24, 2024
Pumpkin has been in foster care for almost 3 weeks now and he has adapted to the household routines easily. The first couple of days when I would leave the house he would bark. Now there's no fussing once I leave. He and the resident Pug are constantly playing and snuggling together.
Pumpkin has no personal space etiquette. He will walk all over you including your face to try to get closer. He's a very active boy and gets excited quite easily as soon as you speak to him. This is also evident when we go on our daily walks. He's all over the place sniffing everything and trying to say hello to everyone. We are working on better leash control.
One of the best experiences of fostering is discovering their "quirks". Pumpkin will try to get your attention by scratching at you. When you get him to stop, he will step back, sit, and bark silently at you twice. I believe it's his inside voice. This is adorable.
Pumpkin will be going to the vet in the next couple of weeks to see about his allergies.
INTRODUCTION - APRIL 6, 2024
Meet precious Pumpkin, a very friendly neutered male pug who will be 4 years old in about a month. His family cared enough to realize their home environment was exacerbating his allergies and chose to entrust him to Pugalug to find him a more appropriate home. He will remain in foster care until we learn more about what triggers his allergies and what strategies are successful in managing them. Isn’t he adorable?
Pumpkin is acclimating well to foster care. On his first night, he slept in his bed in the living room and is eating his meals well. So far he hasn't itched much and his skin seems to be fine. Toilet training has been a challenge with his excitement at being with other animals in a new environment so the foster family will be reinforcing his association between being outside and going for walks with pottying. He’s pretty excited to play with the resident pug and gets on well with the cat. He listens wonderfully when you say no or correct him and his recall is pretty good.