Dad's doodle

Sometimes mom and I find small doodles of pugs on scrap pieces of paper or notebooks all around the house.  I guess my dad is a doodler.  And what better subject than me!  Then recently when mom and I went to check in on everyone in blogville, we found this sketch done in Paint on the computer.

Pretty cute, huh?   

But I think dad needs to practice a bit more to improve the resemblance.  Everyone have a great weekend and please try to stay cool out there!

Love,
Payton

Silly side effects…paw hair

I know us pugs have been known to have some shedding issues, but the hair always grows back in immediately as if there is an endless supply (probably to the dismay of our humans).  But for me, some of the PDE meds have stunted my hair growth.  I’m not vain, so normally I wouldn’t mind, but I do get cold easier and because of it, so my mom insists on putting me in t-shirts and the like.  I hated it at first, but now I don’t really complain.  (I'll have to do a separate post on all my "clothes" later.)

But recently a strange thing has been happening.  I’m starting to grow hair in places that hair normally doesn’t grow.  I feel like an old man that has to trim his ear and nose hair!  Check out these pictures of my paw:

My mom has to trim it at least once a month to keep me from slipping and sliding because the hair just keeps growing and growing!  Strange, huh?

To get an idea of my hair loss progression, here’s a picture of me with a full set of fur:

Jan 2007

Here’s one where you can see the hair loss starting:

Aug 2007

Such weird patterns!  And here’s a couple more where you can tell my fur isn’t as thick as most pugs (you may need to biggify to get a better look):

Feb 2008

Look at that bare chest and neck!

Don't I look tough in my sleeveless coat, despite my bare shoulder and arm?

I insisted on posting that last picture cause I look pretty cool, but my mom wanted to make sure that you don't focus on her too much.  Both pictures were taken on our way home from Chicago (same trip) and she is just wiped out from the trip (as you can tell from the tired expression on her face).

When I first started going bald, we tried a bunch of things to include melatonin, but nothing seemed to work.  And now, completely out of the blue, I am actually starting to grow some hair back and am not quite as naked looking as in the picture above.  This is me yesterday:

I'm just not feelin' the camera today...but I still get the treat, right?

It’s not as thick as it was before I got sick, but it’s definitely noticeable and enough of a change that this warm summer feels even hotter than it usually is for me.  I hope the extra fur will stay around for the winter months.  Otherwise, I got this whole thing backwards!  I’m also shedding right now.  My mom seems so excited to do the extra vacuuming and sweeping.  Ok, not really.

The other thing that mom and dad have noticed is that my face has gotten much darker. Yeah, I'm a bit gray around the chin (who wouldn't be at 8 1/2 years) and have two white whiskers, but take a look at this side by side comparison to see how well defined my mug used to be and now it's like some of those black hairs are migrating to the rest of my face.

2007

2011

 My back is also darker.  It's as if I lost much of my tan colored hair and the black ones from my mug migrated to the rest of me.  I have always had darker undertones, but it seems strange to go dark in my older age rather than lighter (gray).  Guess I should be thankful in case I want to snag a younger man.  Just kidding, mom!

Love,

Payton

My first award!

First I'd like to thank the Academy...oh, wait....wrong award.  A girl can dream, right?  In all seriousness, I'm so honored that the ladies at Southern Fried Pugs choose me to receive the Versatile Blogger Award, or shall I say "Versy" for short!

But what I don't get is that I now have to list seven things about my mom!  I mean this is MY blog, right?  Sheesh!  But since rules are rules, here it goes:

1. My mom loves, loves, loves to cook and bake.  I keep applying to be her official taste tester, but she only takes me up on that offer once in a while.  But lucky for me she has made my birthday cakes/treats for the last couple of years and they are super tasty.  And don't worry, just cause I'm grain-free now, doesn't mean she's off the hook next birthday!  Guess she'll have to get creative, huh?
2. My mom has a major sweet tooth.  I think ALL of my teeth are food teeth.  Sometimes I think she rivals my love of food when cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, chocolate cake, ice cream, and the like are around.
3. My mom and dad are high school sweethearts and got married while in college.  They both majored in physics but at separate universities in the same town.  Mom tells a story about how dad went to class for her one time when she was sick.  Awww!
4. My dad out-smarted my mom in high school by one class.  He was salutatorian (2nd) and mom was 3rd in the class.  Maybe mom spent too much time practicing routines for the Pom-Pon squad.  But mom out did dad in college by double majoring in physics and computer science.  Although to be fair, she says she doesn't really remember any of it.  Neither one of them used the physics...Dad is in finance (actually getting his MBA now) and mom was an Information Systems Engineer at a non-for-profit company that provides technical advice to the government.  Of course, now it's safe to say that both are experts in Pugology.
5. My mom is an Air Force brat.  She was lucky and didn't have to move as much as others.  She was born in the DC area, then lived in San Antonio TX, then Charleston SC, and finally near St. Louis MO.  Her dad, my Gampy, retired as a Chief Master Sergent while stationed at Scott Air Force Base which is why the family is still in Mascoutah IL. 
6. My mom is terrified of tornadoes and has recurring nightmares about them.  This started even before she was in "Tornado Alley".  She has no idea what happened to cause this irrational fear since she really hasn't been near one before.
7. My mom is a fan of Monet's paintings.  The 2nd most prevalent things on the walls of our home (aside from tons and tons of pictures of me!) are Monet prints.  Landscapes with flowers in the living room and sailboats in the dining room.

Ok, so now I must pass on the award to other deserving bloggers... seven to be exact.  I wish I could list all of the blogs that I follow because it was hard to choose so few!

1. Suki @ Short Tails of Suki
2. Sid @ Pug Slope
3. Tweedles @ "Through the eyes of Tweedles"
4. Tiffy @ It's Tiffy Time!
5. Minnie and Mack @ Minnie and Mack's Daily Digest
6. Vito (and Vinny) @ The Adventures of Vito Marino
7. Gracie @ Screaming K9

To officially accept your "Versy", create new blog post including the award picture, seven things about your human(s), and lastly, pass on the award to seven different blogs.  I look forward to reading your posts.

This was fun.  I hope you all enjoyed learning a bit about my family.

Love,
Payton

Flashback Friday...playing with a big dog

It's been quite some time since I played with another dog, but I gained lots of experience when I was younger.  As such, it's only fair that I impart some of my lessons learned.  For illustration purposes, I'll use some flashback shots of my best friend Isabella and I.  (As you might be able to tell, my mom and I have been digging in the old photo album so the picture quality isn't that great.  Sorry.)  Ok, let's begin.

Rule #1:  Don't be afraid to put your head in the lion's mouth.

Although you may want to make sure there are breath mints around.

Rule #2: Show 'em your best moves.

There are few creatures that can keep up with a pug's quick turns.

Rule #3:  Don't let them see you sweat...

...even if it looks like they are gaining on you.  I think this is the only picture of me doing the "butt run" with my tail pointing, ears flapping, and tush tucked under.  Good form, I think.  And don't worry, I was not about to get pounced.

Rule #4:  Stand your ground.

Make it look like you can win, even if that's not the case.

Rule #5: Stay well hydrated.

Rule #6: And take breaks.

Rule #7:  If you fall, bark until you get back up.

And give them a real nasty look while doing so.

Rule #8:  Don't be afraid to ... um ... go a bit crazy.

Enough said.

Rule #9:  Keep up with them.

 

You never want to trail too far behind or they will think that you are following the leader instead of being the boss.

Rule #10:  Make sure they know anything they can do, you can do...better.

Rule #11:  Rest up for the next skirmish, but be sure to always keep an eye on them in case they start something early.

Hope this helps you on your next play date.  Everyone stay cool this weekend...make playtime indoors instead of out!

Love,

Payton

PS.  Hey girls, I'll see you all at Camp Sunflower tomorrow!  Don't forget to pack your Frogg Togg Chilly Pad/Towel.  It's going to be so hot.  You know, maybe Suki will let us use the air conditioned RV that she went camping in recently.  Oh, and bring some bug spray in case that pesky "bee" comes buzzing around again!  We are going to have so much fun!

Wordless Wednesday...shadow and light

 

Deep Thoughts...hobbits and pugs

At times, many of us pugs tend to resemble bats, Gremlins, Stitch from that Disney movie, and even sometimes our fellow dog pal, the Boston Terrier.  Sure we can even be cat-like on occasion, but in my opinion, we have a lot in common with Hobbits.  You know, those short creatures resembling humans in the J. R. R. Tolkien stories.  I've observed them many times as my parents seem addicted to the Lord of the Rings movies.

Here's my case.  Granted the physical similarities aren't outstanding, but we are both short and stocky.  Oh, and hairy (think feet).  We are not thought to be all that active or adventurous, but we certainly can be!  Well, I've saved the best for last.  Probably the most compelling likeness is our obsession with food.  Don't you wish we could eat SEVEN times a day?  Yes, thank you.  I'll have Breakfast, Second breakfast, Elevensies, Luncheon, Afternoon tea, Dinner, and Supper.  

While I dream of living the life of a Hobbit, tell me what pugs remind you of most.

Love,

Payton

Flashback Friday...this one's for Salinger

Mom stumbled upon this picture of me and a huge pug stuffie in the old photo album.  So she scanned it for me to post cause it made us laugh...

Oct 2004

We thought of S-Dog immediately!  But don't worry, folks.  I'm a lady and do not do such things with my toys!  If I can remember right, I actually wasn't very fond of it.  I would have much rather chewed on my faithful Galileo bone which you might be able to make out laying in front of me (if you squint real good).

Happy weekend!

Love,

Payton

Important PS.  Please keep Minnie in your thoughts and prayers as she deals with pancreatitis.  Stop by and show support for her, Mack, and the rest of the family.  Thanks.