Welcome to my blog, Pugnacious P...tales of Payton the Pug! My parents say I was a miracle and the toughest creature they’ve ever met. Despite being diagnosed with Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), I lived a wonderful life. Read more in the "My PDE Story" page in the green banner just below. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventurous life! Love, Angel Payton
I guess technically all of the posts over the last two weeks have been flashbacks, but these pictures are quite a few years old and scanned from prints. Anyway, I wish you all could have seen the two of these girls in action. From the moment they met, Payton had her sight set on Isabella and I think she was really excited to have a playmate, even a tiny tan and yippy pug at one forth of her weight. When Payton got home from our first trip to Chicago after being diagnosed with PDE, she wasn't allowed near other dogs for three months. It was a tough time for many reasons, as you can imagine, but it was hard for Izzy too. I think she missed her friend. The nature of their relationship changed, Payton just wasn't the same dog, but their bond remained.
~~~~~~~~~~
♫♪♫
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
♫♪♫
With all of the most awesome friends I have met (both in the fur and here in Blogville), I got to thinking about my first best friend. I have published only a few posts about Isabella, but she was such a big part of my life that I wanted to share a few more pictures of us together. We could not be more different, but she taught me a lot. And even after I got sick and didn't want to play with her like I did before (as demonstrated in my "playing with a big dog" post), Izzy stayed by my side. We were two peas in a pod.
Isabella was a beast sometimes, but I could tame her. You know you've found a great friend when they don't mind you sitting on their head while sleeping. Hehee!
Love,
Payton
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After Izzy's passing in December 2007, we didn't seek out opportunities for Payton to meet new doggie friends. But in the last year since starting the blog, which brought about many great meet-ups, we were so surprised and proud that she really became quite the social butterfly and kept getting more comfortable with other pugs. Now don't get me wrong, she didn't actually socialize WITH the pugs, Payton just tolerated being in their presence if it meant getting to explore new places and going on adventures and getting extra treats. She was fortunate to have spent the most time with girlfriends, and despite her aloof attitude, the connection with Tiffy and Suki was clear. Payton felt instantly at home with Tiffy at her house (her peeps live there too!) and the two quickly became partners in crime, trying to track down every last crumb in the kitchen and pantry. Suki was like her little sister. Their relationship reminded me a bit like that Payton shared with Isabella. She had Payton's back in Texas and when asking her friend to play by getting all up in Payton's face, it didn't phase Miss P one bit and she even tolerated the active youngster like any good big sis would (which as Vito and Vinny know, as witnessed by Hank, wasn't the reaction Payton had during her very first pug encounter!). She was so fortunate to have met those pugs as well as Sid (who I think is Payton's male alter-ego), Southern Fried Pugs, Pug, Gracie (and Arnie and Levi),the entire Pugpant gang, Salinger, Mia, The Pug Posse, the late angel Yoda, Brutus, Ellie, and a few other Indy pugs. So many wonderful pugs (and their peeps), but so many that aren't in that list. I wish you all could have met Payton and likewise her *snub unless holding a treat*, I mean, meet all of you!
Last week, I was so caught up with birthday plans that I missed out on acknowledging the first day of spring. Well, I think that came back to haunt me. The last few days have been cold again, and rainy. Yuck. In fact, since mom had turned off the heat because of the nice weather we had been having, it was only 60 degrees in the house Friday morning. Brrr! I headed straight for the vent after mom cranked up the hot air! Just when I thought it was safe to leave the house without a blanket...
Hopefully the weather people got it right, and today and the rest of the week will be mild and sunny so I can go out to lunch with Gammy! I'd also like to enjoy the yard like I did on the actual vernal equinox. What?!? A pug can't know big words? I'm smart.
Please come back, Spring!
Love,
Payton
PS. Two more birthday surprises came in the mail for me over the weekend. One was a package from the gang at Minnie and Mack's Daily Digest!
Isn't that just the cutest mailer? And look at all the cool stuff in the package!
Yeah, I was totally getting ready to attack those stuffies! My man, Mack, gave me the monkey, Minnie picked out the lion, and their foster puggle, Mario, chose the green Holee Cuz. They all signed a cute card with pugs eating a cupcake, so appropriate! Oh, but wait, you may have noticed the card on the armrest in the picture above. That was from DW (Writing Chances), who wrote such a sweet note to me on the inside of that pretty hummingbird card! Ok, now let's get down to business...
The monkey has a pink shirt that says "Happy Birthday" and he is also wearing a party hat, so he was my first victim...I mean playmate. Thanks so much to Minnie, Mack, and Mario, and DW too!
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!
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!
I'm so happy to be back at the reins of the blog again. After my mom posted an update on my condition yesterday, I barked in my sleep, face-timed with Gammy and Gampy, and then when dad got home I grabbed a toy and chomped on the squeaker! My energy level isn't quite back to normal and I have to catch my breath more often than before, but I am continuing to get stronger and feeling better. I am so blessed to have such great friends, and I know it helps mom a lot to know so many are praying for me. We will continue to keep you posted on my progress, and I will make sure that mom follows through on promises of extra treats. Did she think that I wouldn't read my own blog?!?
Without further delay, let's talk adventure! Some of you guessed right...Texas!
Just to warn you now, this post is going to be as big as Texas. There is so much to talk about and my mom took a lot of pictures. My adventure started Wednesday night when I had visitors. I couldn't believe my eyes when Miss Tiffy Tippy Toes showed up at my door! Tiffy took a tour of the house, but then we ended up in our usual hang out spot...the kitchen!
After a long drive south to see me, Tiffy was getting pretty tired and rested her pretty face on the table.
Don't you just love this picture of Tiffy with her momma?!? We all had to get up early to set off for Texas (yes, Tiffy was going too!), so we headed outside for one last potty break. Tiffy helped me patrol the perimeter, and then we synchronized our poops. I only mention this because our peeps were excited about our mad skills. Hehee!
Thursday morning, right after breakfast, we piled into our cars and took off. Mom thought I'd go right to sleep since I usually do after breakfast, but all the excitement got to me and I wanted in front with dad.
But I soon calmed down and was actually pretty good in the car. Must have been because Tiffy brought walkie-talkies so we could stay in touch while driving. It was a blast! 10-4 good buddy, roger that, over and out! We are silly girls sometimes and had fun in the car. I'll tell you what wasn't fun about our drive...cold and rainy! Yep, it was utterly miserable. Neither of us would cooperate during rest stops. I held it in for almost the entire drive. It's a good thing Tiffy got me 2 cool fleeces because I needed them on this trip for sure! I will have to model them later, although you will see the pink one in upcoming pictures.
When we were almost at our destination (Dallas/Fort Worth), we broke up the caravan and parted ways with Tiffy and her peeps, but don't worry, I'll see her later in the weekend.
Our destination was none other than Gracie the Agility Pug's house! And guess who else was there? My good friend Suki!! Everyone was waiting at the door to greet me, including Gracie's brother (and Suki's sweetheart), Arnie. Dad passed out treats right away to make sure everyone would like me.
clockwise from top: me, Arnie, Suki, and Gracie
Lucky for us treat dispensing seemed to be a reoccuring theme at Gracie's house, or maybe it's just that we kept anticipating it which made group photos easy to get.
I also got to meet Levi, one of Gracie's other brothers. You may see him in the photo above (naked pug to the right). He is so talented and sneezes on command! I didn't get to run around with sister Snap (a beautiful boxer), but I was completely mesmerized by her and kept watching her through the gate.
Suki handed out presents. Look how beautifully wrapped it is, with a homemade picture tag!
I was too preoccupied being at a new place, meeting friends in the fur for the first time, that I didn't open it, but as soon as I feel much better, mom said she will take some pictures because she knows I will love it. Mom and I, and especially our chauffeur, dad, were beat after a long drive so we called it a night and headed to the hotel. Better get our sleep with all the activities planned for us.
I was so ready for fun and adventure Friday morning, but the weather was not cooperating. It has been in the seventies almost all winter in Texas, but the two days we were there it was only in the fifties and was damp and rainy. Yuck! But we didn't come all this way to stay inside, so we all ventured out to the Stockyards (where there just happened to be a 1000 Pugs photo shoot) to meet up with a very famous pug. But first we explored the area and there were plenty of spots for photo ops.
Gracie was so upset she had on a coat that she walked around with her head down. She made us all laugh. I don't like clothes either but it was too cold to not wear any. My dad works for Wells Fargo, and since their logo is a stage coach, we are going to have the last picture framed for his desk. If the weather had been better, we would have taken pictures with the cows and other cowboy things. Oh, well.
Soon it was time for the pug party at the Love Shack restaurant! All the 1000 Pugs crew was meeting there, but since the weather was so bad, the only other pug that joined us was THE PUG! Mr. Puglet himself, in the fur!
After Pug demonstrated his super modeling poses, he joined us for lunch at the table. In the photo below, from left to right, Gracie is completely focused on a cup of dressing that she will later spill all over, Arnie is watching dad's hand as he eats nachos, Suki is getting cold, and Pug is utterly depressed that his human is cheating on him.
But soon Miss Amanda comes to join us and tries to make it up to Pug by giving him a hamburger. Half of one anyway, donated by Suki's mom.
Our jaws dropped to the floor in amazement. Pug should totally enter an eating contest. The rest of us finished our lunch at a slower pace and we enjoyed being able to talk and get to know each other.
Gracie and Arnie waiting for a few nibbles of Love Shack chicken fingers.
Soon it was time to head back to Gracie's place. But mom got a picture with Pug before we said goodbye.
Yeah, I know. What's up with that? Shouldn't I have a picture with Pug? We better remedy that in Milwaukee after my 1000 Pugs shoot! Sheesh!
At Gracie's house, there was a break in the rain so we all headed outside to take care of business. And then Gracie and Arnie gave us an agility demonstration. Suki joined in too. I guess I was inspired because even I leaped over the 8 inch jump! I also went through the tunnel, scrunched up though. None of the peeps had cameras to capture my athletic moments. My mom always thought that if I hadn't got sick, I would have enjoyed agility and I think she's right. We were all pretty tired from a long but fun day at the Stockyards so we all found a lap to take a nap. Unfortunately for Suki, Gracie snagged her mom's lap before she could.
I just love the expression on Suki's face as she looks at Gracie sound asleep! The 'rents had fun talking the rest of the evening, making plans for the next day, and enjoying a wonderful spread of foodables, while we dreamt about stealing said foodables.
On Saturday, we headed to another 1000 Pugs location, downtown McKinney. It reminded me, mom and dad of Naperville, IL. We had a lot of fun shopping.
And posing for a ton of pics that the peeps thought would be so cute and funny. I should say that I look pretty rough and tough with my pink fleese in these pictures because at this point, dad had my harness under it. Anyway, before we left, we were so lucky to run into Pug again!
It was time to leave McKinney, but we had another stop to make. We were invited to hang out with Tiffy and the pugs from The Pugpant Chronicles! It was a fabulous pug party and so great to meet even more friends in the fur!
Left to right: Tiffy, Annie, Hannah (hiding), Java, Howie, Suki, Arnie, me, and that's Gracie on top of the couch!
When we got back to Gracie's house, my coughing became more frequent. I won't go into the stuff that my mom already talked about, but I just want to give a public shout out to Suki. She kept checking on me to see if I was ok and told her mom that she thought something was wrong. I love my friend Suki for caring so much about me.
Thanks to Gracie, Arnie, and Suki for showing me their great state! I had a blast hanging with them and also seeing my girl Tiffy, The Pugpant gang, and last but not least, Puglet! What a weekend this was!
