Pug or Slug

I found these tips on www.dummies.com. What I love about this advice is that it describes our Vicki so well. She is 100% Pug and these two traits in particular made me realize it:

Putting a big dog into a little body

Pugs have a big idea about themselves and think that they're the prime movers and shakers in their households. They probably are because most owners end up catering to their Pug's needs. A Pug is determined to get what she wants, but only if she doesn't have to go too far from the couch.

Finding another jogging partner: Pugs and intense exercise don't mix

If you're a jogger, don't even think that your Pug wants to accompany you on long-distance runs. Although her spirit may be in the activity, her body isn't, and she stops running or walking when she feels like it. Never walk a Pug farther than you're willing to carry her. Sometimes she may just sit down on an outing and refuse to go anywhere.

Oh so true and I can most certainly relate to that last sentence -- all of it actually!

Let's go, Vicki!

Hong Kong Dog Rescue Needs a New Home

HKDR brought us together with Vicki and now, just a few months later, they too need a new home. The rescue centre is now situated in Pok Fu Lam but, as of February 28, 2010, they will need to relocate.

This organization brings hundreds of dogs together with people each year. They genuinely care about every dog that passes through their doors. I hope that something can be done to help with their relocation whether it is finding them a new location, adopting a dog, fostering a dog or making a donation.

This weekend the HKDR is organizing a fundraising dog walk called Peak to Fong. Details can be seen on their website -- just click on this image.

Kennels Information: 

Address: 698 Victoria Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Tel / Fax: 2875.2132
Website: www.hongkongdogrescue.com

We wouldn't have Vicki without the Hong Kong Dog Rescue and we hope they will find a great home soon! 

Dog Owners Killing the Planet?

I was going to write up a cutesy little entry on the new outfit we purchased for Vicki over the weekend. Turns out the outfit and her food consumption are both contributing to a larger carbon footprint than an Ethiopian farmer.

Most people have probably heard by now that two scientists from New Zealand have data that claims a medium-sized dog produces a larger ecological footprint than an SUV. These scientists are also the authors of a book entitled "Time to Eat  the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." It definitely got my attention. I guess we all ought to provide a balance sheet for our personal carbon footprints. Vegans can minus 2 hectares but how large of a carbon footprint does 100,000 copies of this book leave?

This all makes me wonder what these scientists have against dogs and their owners anyway. Pet owners are now to blame for creating a larger carbon footprint. What a load of poop.

Holiday Boarding and Winter Wardrobes

We really have to consider all options before leaving on a trip now. Augustus, our cat, is fine with someone feeding him but Vicki requires more care. Luckily, a spot freed up for Vicki  at the kennel over Christmas (we were 5th on a wait list since September!). Our friends agreed to take her over the holidays but perhaps we'll save the favour for another time.

The weather has been quite cool here over the past several days and so I've been thinking about getting our girl a cosy sweater. I think that pugs do mind the cold but wonder if it bothers her that much really. Some of the dogs in the area have their coats and sweaters on and they do look completely adorable. It may be my imagination but I even think they walk a bit jauntier with their winter apparel. Booties, in my opinion however, do cross the line!

My Monday Morning Chuckle

Vicki has her way of bringing a chuckle to an otherwise dreary Monday morning. She has her spot on the couch with all of her toys positioned within easy reach. After checking emails, I became aware of Vicki snoring and found her in her usual spot. There was Vicki resting her head on the sole of one of the shoes I wore that morning on our walk! I had to laugh out loud when I saw her perched on a pillow with the shoe under her chin. What a character!

Time Keeps Ticking

It's a busy life for most people these days but hey it is for dogs too.

Walks, feedings, pets, scratches, baths, dancing for breath freshening treats and naps can add up to an exhausting dog's life. Oh, and guarding the front door from deliveries, neighbours and anyone who dares to breathe in the hallway out front.

When I think about having Vicki in our lives, it seems she's been with us for a long time. Yet Vicki has only been with us for just over 3 months now. She's so lovable and all she wants from us is some attention and, of course, food!

Well, time to give Vicki some of those much appreciated pets and scratches.

Change of Pace

Well, Vicki seems to prefer the two walks a day. Now there is a spring in her step. There's not much grass to be found in the area but we have managed to find a couple of green patches and she generally loves to frolic on something other than concrete for a change.

These minor variances keep Vicki interested and moving.

A Little Bit Better

Though Vicki has refused to walk at times, today was a bit better. She needs plenty of time to sniff around at the scent of other dogs or to stop as people depart from the mini-bus or to look at a man washing windows. We have learned to just slow down and let her explore on her own. She has no physical ailments impeding her from putting one paw in front of the other. As to whether there is an underlying psychological issue only Vicki could say for sure. We try to make it a fun, positive and rewarding experience with lots of praise, the odd treat and so forth.

When I ask other pug owners about the unwillingness to move (there are 5 other pugs in our area that we see regularly) some laugh and agree there are times when they don't wanna move.

We are changing her routine up a bit by taking her out twice a day instead of three times a day. Perhaps it's all just a bit much for her but we'll see how that goes. No matter how often or when we take her she still has the odd accident in the home. She'll sometimes piddle even shortly after a successful walk. I don't think she was properly house trained before so it will take time for her to realize outside=treat and in the home=no treat. She's a good girl most of the time but, like most of us, she's not perfect. Some days are better than others.

Vicki Won't Walk

We cannot get Vicki to move anymore on her walks. She sits in the middle of the street unwilling to budge. We try bribing her with Scooby snacks and have tried changing the routes because we read that pugs can bore easily.

Any dogs I've had in the past loved walks, Vicki seemed to love them too until recently and now there she sits. I just had to bring her back because I'm at a loss for what to do. She needs exercise, she needs to socialize and most of all she needs to pee and potty outside.

The Latest Thing

When we first brought Vicki home, she loved walks, she loved to sniff the other dogs and greet their walkers. Fast forward to three months later and our enthusiastic and sociable girl willfully sits on the sidewalk refusing to budge. Oh, sometimes she'll clip along then all of a sudden stop in the street. It could be the scent of another dog or just as easily that she does not want to walk. Vicki loves attention so she will stop at any chance of a pat on the head from a passerby. Guess we just need to slow down and go with it.

We Tried to Get The Halloween Money-Shot

Only one word comes to mind when we attempted to dress up Vicki and take a photo of her beside a pumpkin for Halloween and that is pug-nacious. There was no way we were going to get her to sit for that photo session. No trick or treat in the world would make her wear
that silly cape and stare out at the camera in front of that round orange thing that she couldn't even eat. Oh well, there's always reindeer antlers at Christmas!