Minnie
We lost our beloved Minnie Henrietta on July 1, 2023. She was approximately 16 year old. It's amazing how these little furry souls can impact a human's life so deeply. Minnie’s dad has owned many dogs throughout his life, but Minnie was the first dog for me (her mom) and her young sisters, Penelopi and Sabrina. We all cherished her so much and provided her with the best life we could. We found Minnie through 'Pug Luv' Michigan Pug Rescue 8 years ago. A good Samaritan saw Minnie on Craigslist for $50 and purchased her to turn over to the rescue so she wouldn't be bought for bait and would have a chance at a life of love. She had an injured eye, many rotten teeth, and several skin tumors. The rescue had her fixed up and made the decision to remove her eye for her protection as she no longer could see from it. She was put into a temporary foster home, then brought to a Pug rescue event in November 2015. Some of the Pugs at the event were seized from backyard breeders, some discarded because they got sick or old. Some were shy, some were crazy, but they were all adorable and the ones with all of their physical features intact were getting the most attention. We originally had our attention on a chubby stout feisty boy with a funny bark and silly disposition. Then I felt paws on my leg and heard someone laugh and say, "Oh, Minnie! Get down, stop being a nuisance”. I looked down and saw a cute little silver Pug with a black face and one eye looking at me as if to say "how about me, I'm cute too"! No barking or jumping like the others, just paws on my leg, a tilted head with floppy silky ears, and a longing gaze from one eye. We filled out an application that day. A week or two later the rescue came to our home and did a thorough interview and inspection and told us the Pug on our application was already adopted but many others were still available. The girls and I looked at the rescue's website a million times the next week and Penelopi (at the time, aged 8) couldn't stop going back to Minnie. I asked her why she wanted her, and she said “because she is disabled and she wants us too”. I was sold, but her dad was skeptical as having a one-eyed half toothless older Pug as the girls first dog wasn’t his ideal choice. We won. Then Minnie won all of our hearts, including his. I have too many stories to write, but to sum up her life with us, she was a normal little sassy stinker who ran the show. For the first couple of years she loved her walks where she stopped at the edge of every yard to sniff around the neighbors mailboxes and protect us by barking at every human or dog she saw along the way. She played fetch and tug-of-war and ran around the house chasing her cat brother. She went from sleeping in her crate, then on a dog bed in our room, then worked her way up into the bed where she slept every night until her passing. After about 3 years with us, she slowly started to lose her back legs to a typical issue often found in Pugs where the brain stops communicating with the back legs until eventually they are left disabled and unable to hold up their hind end. Once the legs go, they can't steadily stand to do their personal business and need to be held up to do so. Minnie was good telling us when she had to go potty until the last couple of weeks. When she totally lost use of her back legs, we carried her from place to place because being the queen she was, refused to use the custom wheeled cart we had shipped here from California. Then during the last two years she developed arthritis in her shoulders and elbows so we helped her with pain medicine and massages. Many wondered, and a few have dared to ask, why didn't we just euthanize her at that point? Because she was still full of sass and life, still bossing us around, arguing with the cat, defending us against any and all threats such as the doorbell, non-family members, any animal that appeared on television, and blowing leaves and grass. Up until the last week she was still demanding treats, scolding us if we were 30 seconds late getting her dinner or if it was getting near or past her bedtime (we had a routine and she was to make certain we stuck to it)! She was silly and sassy and loved her food and attention until a few days before she left us. Yes, I am that pet owner and belonged to several online Pug groups. I have seen many senior Pugs in the same situation and have met many who have owned Pugs their entire lives and they all have answered the same way when asked 'when will I know it's time to let her go?' They said, 'she will let you know'. They were right. She did let me know. Then I let her know that I understood, I thanked her for staying for me until she knew I could handle her moving on and I told her I loved her a million times, kissed and hugged her a million more, then with the support of her sisters and dad, I made the call I dreaded making. She took her final breath at home in my arms surrounded with love and tears. I miss you so much my beloved and treasured companion, Minnie Henrietta. You were my first doggie and I will always hold you in my heart.

Jazz
Jazz came into the rescue at about 1 year old. She had already had a litter of puppies. She was terribly afraid of men and women. When a anyone came in front of the house or entered her space she was a wonderful watch dog. As a result of her behavior could not be taken to Meet and Greets She completely loved to sun bate no manner what season it was, if the sun was shinning she wanted to be outside. She stayed in a foster home with the hopes that she could be behavior could be modified. It took a year before she would even trust the man in the house. Very slowly she began to settle into the home and would approach strangers barking and wagging her tail. She was a special little girl who found out that everyone was not a threat and upon entering we would tell her or him she was a friend. Approximately 3 years ago she was diagnosed with Cancer and needed treatments monthly as well as her liver problems. after 2 treatments for $1,000 each there the financial she was doing well however the was a new financial discussion and with a significant increase in cost that would exceed the fee of $1,000 that time. It was decided at that time to change to the oral treatment. She became a very sweet girl and loved to cuddle. She was very loving and when a new foster dog came into her home she accepted them with no incidents. She was loved very much and and will be definitely missed.

Otis
Otis Keller, adopted from Michigan Pug Rescue on March 8, 2009 passed peacefully on Feb 26, 2023 after 14 years of wonderful companionship. He really was a special boy with a big personality and love for everyone he met. He loved to travel, eat, snuggle, sleep and be around his humans. He was the center of our lives and will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace, buddy, mommy and daddy miss you so very much. You were a highlight of our life and we are so grateful to everyone at Michigan Pug Rescue for trusting us with your care.

Buddy
Buddy, the best dog ever... Flew lighter than a feather. Sweeter than honey. Gentler than a butterfly. Friend to everyone, big and small. We will miss you most of all -- Sweet little, Buddy. See you soon at the Rainbow Bridge.

Tyson
Tyson Tyree passed on Nov. 3 2022. He was my best friend and fur baby for 15 years. I adopted him from the Los Angeles Craigslist in 2007. He was 2yrs 8mo old. He was from Hong Kong . I had to learn Cantonese to communicate with him. That was just the first of many things he would inspire me to learn or introduce me to. He passed at 17yrs 8mo yo. Here are some highlights of our adventures together…We have been on the Today Show helping people learn about the wonders of CBD, he has been a YouTube star, helped me learn acceptance and presence and came on my Detroit adventure so I wouldn’t have to be alone. I’m so grateful for my little doodle burger.