Well i would like to put my little puglet up for nomination becuase he really is just such a little gent and a real trooper! I got Paul or 'Boonie piggle' as we tend to call him, in 2005 after I came out of a bad relationship and I needed that little someone to share my empty home with. I had worked as a kennel hand for 3 years previously and i knew a pug was for me as i had really done my research and met many in the block I worked on! I knew he was one of just three so i knew it would be tough to pick, but as soon as i saw his big saucer-like eyes as he sat there gazing up at me at the breeders home, i knew he was the one for me. He was the runt of the litter and was considerably smaller than his brother and sister but I knew he was going to be mine.
I brought him home and he was immediately sick in the lounge! (a good start to our relationship!) He slept in with me every night all snuggled up on the pillow next to mine, or in the crook of my arm. I was sure he knew I was in need of a real friend. He used to love sitting in my bag when i went shopping, always so inquisitive! until he grew and didnt fit in there anymore!!
Then one day i noticed he wasnt himself, he was withdrawn, not eating and had lost his puggi-ness! a real worry! His left eye was closed tight. We raced to the vet and unfortunately he was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer. He had a real tough time of it and we had a concoqtion of drugs and eyedrops to sooth and fix him. we thought we were in the clear after 2 weeks but sadly he developed another one in his right eye. No one could explain it and i was beside myself with worry but through it all he carried on and remained the perfect little gent that i had got.
Since then we have had a further 6 ulcers and no one can explain why he gets them but I have noticed that it develops around toe-nail trimming times, a common dislike amongst pugs! so we try to keep it minimal and ensure his excercise is done on hard ground to avoid this too often, i give him chamomile chews that i make for him which sooth and relax him so hes calm for when i need to trim him! so far we have been in the clear since mummy turned chew- baker!!
He only ever managed to grace us with one testicle and so that was another difficulty! Poor little soul!
Paul is 4 years old and will celebrate his 5th birthday in june. He is getting a little grey beard and looks ever so wise, like hes lived through the ages and taken on board every thing hes ever come across and could tell you a story or two! Im sure if i got him a flat cap and slippers he wouldnt look out of place!! |