From the family

I hope through reading this blog that you know how lucky I am to have the most supportive family... 

...not just my husband, but my parents too.  They were always very encouraging and enjoyed reading Payton's posts, even if they had been on the adventure or knew about the story.  Since things are wrapping up on Pugnacious P, I wanted to give them the opportunity to share something with you. 

It was crazy how much Payton loved her Gampy.  If he was near, no one else was given the time of day.  Tim and I were always thankful when she would still want to go home with us after a visit.  In case you didn't already know, my dad, Payton's Gampy, has his own blog, Life IS a bowl of cherries!, so I'm sure he will continue to write about Payton now and again.  That being said, this post just wouldn't be complete without him, so he's up first.

Today, I want to honor two people who devoted 9 years to the health, well-being, and love of one seriously sick pug.  Christy and Tim rearranged their lives without qualm when Payton was diagnosed with PDE.  I could go on for pages about their sacrifices but most of you who have unwaveringly followed this blog know all about the 24/7 round the clock care, the emergency and routine trips to the vets (near home and in Chicago), the extraordinary financial burden...well, you get the picture. Payton was a very fortunate little miracle.  Most families could not have done all those things and that's very understandable.   

The journey Payton and Christy took us on via Pugnacious P is a story of love, humor, sadness, joy, and hope, educating all of us about the horrific illness that is PDE.  I pray every day that Tim and Christy understand Payton's gift to them, that of ultimate love.  And that is what their sorrow should turn into with time, love for the many blessings they gave each other! 

Thank you, Christy.  Thank you, Tim.  Thank you, my little Noodle-Nose!

Love,
Gampy

There is no way to possibly count the number of times that my mom, Gammy, stepped up to help out and watch Payton so that I could still work during the first few years of Payton's illness, run errands, or go on a date with my husband.  Payton loved her Gammy, but she also liked to boss her around, demanding treats and toys.  They were great buddies and playmates.

Payton touched the deepest part of my heart that will always remain with me. I can remember her first visit to our house. Steve [Gampy] and I were waiting in the back yard with anticipation. She was the cutest thing I have ever set my eyes on. She immediately came over to us and showered her love all over our faces. And she never failed displaying her unconditional love towards us.

Payton was so precious how she would talk to me at the dinner table wanting more than a nibble. Her face always melted my heart, so I would give her treat after treat after treat! Her eyes were like no other. They were so expressive and human like. And the way she would use her paws to hold a toy was amazing. She always surprised me with her intelligence.

Not only was Payton adorable, but she was also very playful. And I took advantage of all the opportunities to play with her. Whenever Payton came to visit, the first thing she would do is go to the back room and stand by the dresser waiting for a new toy. Before we entered into the living room sometimes the squeaker or the toy was destroyed. I keep her favorite, Sea Horsey, by her picture.

Every time I saw Payton I just wanted to squeeze her and give her all of my kisses, even though I never received any most of her life. Instead, each time Payton and I would meet, she would sniff and lick my ears while pulling off my earrings. When I did not wear earrings, she would nibble on my ear lobe. How cute is that?!?  I could feel the softness of her fur and whiskers as she breathed on my face and in my ear. There are many endearing moments but her tender ear "kisses" are my favorite and have a special place in my heart. The last couple of days the Lord gave me to be with her were the best ever. I was on my knees, and she did nothing but gently gnaw on my ear, kissing them, and my face, and like never before, my lips.

I truly miss her! She gave me so many treasures I will never forget.  I thank God for His wonderful creation, teaching us how to love and be loved.   

What Gammy says is so true.  Payton would very rarely give her kisses on the face and never on the mouth...even when my mom would smear food on her lips trying to bribe Payton.  So it must be that Payton knew she needed to say goodbye.  And Gammy always gave in to Payton's treat requests.  I have no doubt she scored more than one tasty bite after this video was recorded.

Last up, but certainly not least is my silent [until now] partner and husband, Tim.  He was the one that really pushed me into starting the blog.

Hi everyone.  This is Payton's dad.  I want to say a few words to my girls.

Christy, I'm so proud of you.  You started the blog to raise awareness about PDE, and you've clearly begun to do just that.  As a by-product, you've created a wonderful catalog of Payton's life and adventures.  Your writing authentically captures Payton's spirit.  Many people across the world got a glimpse of how incredible our little girl was thanks to you.  You were an amazing mama.  Staying home with her full time was as challenging as it was rewarding.  But I know that she loved having you by her side through it all.  And I love and appreciate all you did for her.

Payton, you won me over the first time I saw your little expression.  I couldn't go home without you.  And even through all the tremendous difficulties that your situation caused, I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Your strength and determination cannot be put into words.  6 years with PDE!  Even the doctors could only smile and shake their heads in amazement.  And the whole time, you loved life.  You never let anything get you down.  That is what I hold on to.  You lived every day like it was the only moment that mattered.  In your memory, I'm trying to do the same.  I miss wrestling with you.   I miss giving you a "scratch session" when I come home from work.  I miss you "attacking" me with kisses.  I miss you.  I love you.  And I was so proud to be your dad.  I hope I get to see you again, my sweet P.

Payton had a routine when Tim got home from work every day.  Many of you saw the rubs and scratches post/video.  Well, just in case Tim would ever forgot, Payton would bark and follow him around until he picked her up.   This video is a prime example, and it was taken the Friday before she passed.

It's hard to say if Payton was a daddy's girl or a mommy's girl.  I was home with her for the last 5 1/2 years of her life (working from home 3 1/2 years and then becoming a full time pug mom for 2 years), so we did everything together.  But she knew that Tim was her provider and protector somehow.  She just loved to be with us.  Sometimes she would refuse to play until we were both home.  I feel privileged having had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with her, and so thankful that since being diagnosed with PDE, Payton was never alone.  She was always with me, Tim, Gammy, and/or Gampy.  Here are some of our favorite memories shared with our girl.

So the You Tube video was supposed to be imbedded here.  I have no idea why Blogger found the two videos above, but can't seem to display the third one in the pick list of my videos.  Ugh.  Sorry.  Here's the URL, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6i6g1sa0XQ.  Please check it out.

More memories tomorrow as I pay tribute to the pug behind the blog, the one and only, Pugnacious P. 

Love,
Christy 

The Party

I'm not going to lie, the day didn't start out exactly how I wanted.  After chowing down on breakfast, I went back to bed as usual.  Mom got me up for my 9:30 am pills and then nothing.  Where's my presents, my new toys, my treats...good lord, where are my treats?!?

I double checked to make sure that it was actually my birthday and that's what the calendar on my mom's iPhone said, so I didn't understand why the party wasn't starting.  I thought that maybe one too many screws got loose in my mom's mind or she was having one of her (albeit dark) blonde moments, so I decided to start playing.  Maybe she would get the hint?  I think I went through all of my toys until it was time for lunch.  And then it happened!  I guess all of your comments guilted her into making my food!  I had my suspicions earlier in the week when mom was in the kitchen cooking AFTER dinner, so I stayed close to examine and supervise, but when I didn't get anything right away I had lost hope.

Russet and Sweet Potatoes

Green Beans

Poached Talapia Loins and Boiled Potatoes

I think this is my food.

Mom packaged up 1/3 protein to 2/3 potato and veggies into 1/2 cup servings.  I eat 3 meals a day so she'll cook this about once a week, I guess.  I also still get a tablespoon of the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon kibble each meal.  YUMMY!  Ok, looks like this birthday is turning around.  Next up I got to open all of the other mail that was for me!

I received such great cards from Meredith/Scarlet (The Scarlet Sutras), Tiffy (It's Tiffy Time!), Zoe/Webster/Peyton/Liberty (A Day in the Life of Pugs), Fred/Pucia/Zuzia (Notes from the Bowl), and Sammy/Neko (Sammy and Neko), who also got mom that cool car magnet you see in the photo above AND this awesome ice cream cone for me!!

So now I was hopeful that there would be more great things in store.  And before I knew it mom was stuffing blue berries in my mouth to calm me because Gammy and Gampy had arrived! 

The treats worked great.  I did get excited to see them and was a bit out of breath but nothing serious or scary for the peeps to deal with.  Whew!  That means I get to see them again soon.  It was time for dinner.  Everyone was hungry.  I ate first (as it should be) and then everyone sat around the table enjoying fillet of beef sandwiches.  I couldn't believe it when mom gave me a few nibbles of her beef.  Talk about nom-able!  Now she is getting the hang of this birthday thing.  Then it was time for dessert, and it got even better!  A trio of grain free cupcakes made just for me.

Three different flavors too.  Apple, carrot, and carob...all with peanut butter frosting.  I got a little antsy and jumped the gun during the picture taking.  Yeah, I know you guys don't blame me one bit!

So after that little "incident", mom cut up pieces from each one and dad served it to me on a plate.

A fitting birthday treat!  Now on to more presents!  Of course, my attention went straight to Gampy.  He better have remembered to bring the jet.  Well, at least the keys!  That's when Gampy pulled something out of his pocket.

I look thrilled, don't I?

Not funny, Gampy!!  Not funny.  It may say "Hawaiian Excursion", but there is just no way that thing is going to get us there.  Sheesh!  Guess mom was right about not trusting Gampy's wild promises.  But if you ask me, I think he better go and buy a winning lottery ticket soon!

Well, that was my birthday.  I had a ton of fun!  Maybe by this time next year I'll have that jet and can fly all of my friends in for a party, pug style!  Hehee!  Have a great weekend!

Love,
Payton

PS.  I almost forgot!  Thanks to all of your kind birthday wishes on my post from Wednesday, my first Comment-a-thon was a huge success!  We purchased a big bag of dog food for Wilma's "Stuff My Doghouse" project!  If you want to help, see Wilma's blog and then check out the Homeward Bound Pug Rescue and Adoption of Oklahoma's Amazon wish list.

Happy Anniversary Gammy and Gampy!

Yep, 36 years ago, my Gampy convinced my Gammy to marry him when he wooed her in the Big Apple. 

And for all the boys out there, if someone gives me a big apple, I will say yes too!  Hehee!  Anyway, they decided to get married on Valentine's Day...how romantic!  So Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

These are flowers that my dad got for mom...at least that's what we are telling her so her feelings won't be hurt (dad got them for me of course).  I like to smell flowers.  Dad also got mom 2 tickets to the Orchid display at the Botanical Gardens.  Our surprise for dad hasn't arrived yet, so we can't tell you what that is just in case he reads this today.  But I can tell you about a Valentine present that I got from a handsome boy pug...MACK!  I went right for the lion before mom could even get everything out of the box.

But when mom said there was a lot more to check out, I went right over to see what else was in the package.  I also got a cute card with a special message written just for me, a Little Miss t-shirt, a girly pink dress, a cool bag that mom is in love with, and a sweet pink bone.

I *heart paw* you too, Mack!  Thanks for all the great toys and clothes, you are so thoughtful.  *kiss kiss*

Well, before I say goodbye, I should tell you that I was tagged by Urban Hounds last week.  Since I'm "it", I better get to answering the questions.

1. Describe yourself in 7 words:

Fighter, food-crazed, bossy, cuddly, hungry, beautiful, and sweet

2. What keeps you up at night?

NOTHING can keep me up and only the aroma of food will wake me up early.

3. What would you like to be?

Professional taste-tester.

4. What are you wearing right now?

I’m au naturel, but covered in a blanket!

5. What scares you?

Being home alone and running out of food.

6. What’s the best and worst of blogging?

The best part is getting to share my story, but the worst part is all the time it takes away from treat eating, cuddling, and play time.

7. What was the last website you visited?

Blogger Dashboard

8. What’s the one thing you would change about yourself?

I wish I didn’t have PDE.

9. Slankets. Yes or No?

I say no, but mom says yes since it’s winter and I’ve lost a ton of hair recently.

10. Tell us something about the blog that tagged you:

Urban Hounds is a diverse group of dogs that share their lives in the big city, and also share their recipes for lots of human and dog-friendly dishes!  They are delish!

Now I'm supposed to tag a select number of blogs, but I don't want to narrow it down.  I'd love to read every one of your answers to these questions.  So if you are reading this, tag, YOU are "it"!

Love,

Payton

Holiday Rewind...Christmas morning with Gammy and Gampy

After a great start to Christmas morning, we left home to spend time with Gammy and Gampy!  Of course, I went over in the pugjamas you saw me wearing in my post from yesterday, but you may be surprised to know that my mom went in hers!

Yep, her sheep PJs even have feet.  My dad got them for her a couple years ago because she is always cold.  But between you and me, she looks a little silly in them at her age.  Hehee!  Before we could tackle the presents, everyone wanted to have some breakfast.  I waited with dad while the finishing touches were done in the kitchen.

I love my dad, but those smells were so good that it was torture to try and stay out of the way.  I was able to snag a few nibbles of egg, but the real treat was that I got a grain free peanut butter cookie all to myself!  Nom, nom, nom!

It was very tasty!  So after we finished breakfast, it was time for presents, but I made a quick pit stop to tell Gampy how much I love him.

But then I made it known it was definitely time to unwrap those boxes, and mom was happy because she caught me in the act!

What?!?  I was just trying to help Gammy pick out the right one,

and I made sure she knew I was there to help unwrap too if she needed it...just in case.

Then FINALLY it was my turn!

 

Gammy and Gampy gave me a skinneez masked raccoon!  It's awesome!  All this excitement was starting to make me a little weary.  I fell asleep with my skinneez.

And then I did some snuggling with dad.  Mom thinks I look so tiny wrapped in dad's arms in this picture.

I had more presents to open, but before long, it was lights out! 

I had such a fabulous Christmas, and I am looking forward to the next time we go to Gammy and Gampy's house so I can get my other presents!  It's a good thing I got some rest though because there was so much more fun to come.  Next up, Chicago!

Love,
Payton

Flashback Friday...making Christmas cookies

Every year, for Christmas only, my mom and Gammy make iced sugar cookies.  Butter is one of my favorite foods (too bad I never get to have it unless I steal it), and the smell of it fills the air as the cookies bake in the oven.  Here's a few pictures of me helping them roll out the dough at Gammy's house from 2006.

Gammy is a good teacher, she taught mom and me how to make them super tasty!  After they cool, we all get together that night and have dinner and then spend the evening icing the cookies.  Gampy always breaks some so he can have an early treat.  Next Friday I'll show you a picture of me stalking the cookies while the icing is drying.  I may not be able to see or hear very well, but the nose has not failed me yet!

Have a fun weekend!  I know I'll be thinking about making these cookies again this year!

Love,
Payton

Life in a cone...or so I thought

Mom and dad busted me out of the cone prison that I posted about on Wednesday!  I am so thankful that my life sentence was over practically before it started.  (Sorry Gracie, this means I don't have any good advice to give to Snap, who I hope is feeling better.)  I know it didn't seem to bother me from pictures the other day, and I really never tried to get it off, but I just couldn't get comfortable with it on while laying down.  Shh!  You can't tell anyone though...I don't want my mom and dad to get busted by the vet.  Don't worry, I've been a very good girl and haven't once tried to scratch my ear, so that got me some over due treats...finally!

On Wednesday, I was still feeling a bit weary and wanted to cuddle with mom all day.  She didn't mind having a lazy day either, so it was all good.  We caught up on all the great cooking shows while snuggling, and my mom wrapped me up in the blanket that Salinger bought me.

Mom's leg is the perfect bolster.

Most of the day we hung out on the floor and I curled up in my mom's lap.  She quietly got up without waking me to take this picture.

But then I heard the click of the camera and woke up from my beauty sleep and stretched.

Wednesday wasn't all about sleep.  I did grab some toys and play, but just for a little bit.  First up was my skinny raccoon that Salinger gave me.

And then it was a gift from Suki, the giant pink Cuz.

So all in all Wednesday was a good day, but on Thursday, I was totally back to normal.  And my Gammy came over to visit and brought me a new toy!  I immediately went for the gut where the squeaker was hiding. 

I was so happy to see my Gammy.  I've missed her so much since she's been in Ohio visiting her parents for about 2 weeks.

So thanks to all of your positive thoughts, I'm doing great!  And not having to wear that cone is great too!  Now if I can just get my peeps to take all of the advice to give me those meals I missed!  Don't worry, I won't stop asking.

Oh I almost forgot, it's Veteran's Day today, so if you know one, give 'em a big kiss and tell them how much you appreciate what they have done for our country.  My Gampy is a veteran and I am so proud!  Also if you have time, check out Sabrina's post on War Dogs.  Very inspiring!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Love,
Payton

PS.  Before Vinny came along, Vito had a foster sister named Pippa.  Sadly she has gone missing from her current home in Missouri.  Please stop by A Pug's Tale by Lola to read more about her just in case you may have some important information.  Thanks!!