TIMOTHY TUGMUTTON – One dogs Story

In the past years I have lost count how many people asked me
“how can you do all this without getting anything for it”,
“doesn’t it break your heart to see these Pugs in distress” and
“don’t you just want to go and hurt the owners of these poor
Pugs?”

My answers have always been the same. Many of the Pugs
surrendered to us are not neglected or abused, but loved dogs
who’s owners desperately want to see them placed in good homes.
No, I don’t want to harm anyone as I do not believe in harming
any living creature. Yes, my heart feels like breaking when I
get a badly neglected and abused Pug through the door, but I
can’t give in to the pain as I need all the strength in my body
to help every Pug that needs a loving, helping hand.

And finally, after being asked why I go on without getting
anything for doing rescues all I can do is smile and shake my
head as I remember the enormous joy I and my family get as
reward for the work we do.

I get showered with love so deep and true from a Pug that was
once unable to walk out of fear of being kicked again, who now
takes running leaps onto my lap, giving me kisses too many to
count.

There is no feeling like taking in a “Puppy Farm” Pug who fears
every hand going towards it and later having to apologize to
visitors for the pushy Pug who just won’t take no for an answer
when it sees an empty lap.

What about the Pug that runs the opposite direction to the one
he was called because he can now run and jump after 2 hip
operations which where too expensive for this previous owner.

But my biggest rewards are stories like the one of TIMOTHY
TUGMUTTON. About 2 ½ years ago I received a call from the local
pound in regards to this skinny, ancient Pug with huge calluses
on his behind. Would I come and check him out as even though he
didn’t seem scared, he didn’t react to people in a normal manner.

I begged to be given guardian ship of this lovely, cuddly
granddad and promised to be “kind” if he were to start
suffering. I called home and told my ever so patient husband
that I was going to bring home another rescue and would he mind
getting a few things ready.

Upon arrival it was obvious he was a very old Pug; we later
found he was 14 years old. It was only after I picked him up
from the pound and had him examined at the vet that we
established that he was deaf and blind also. We found out that
his owner had passed away, her family took the Pug in but
couldn’t deal with him as he didn’t seem to want to play with
their toddlers….!?!? The local pound had assessed the old
gentleman and decided to put him to sleep.

Now after having signed a mountain of paperwork at the pound and
getting used to the idea that I will have a deaf/blind Pug for
the next few months in our house (as I could not see myself
finding a new home for him quickly), I got a call that very
night from a lady called Heather. She had heard about my old
fellows story and she was convinced that he was the dog she
needed to adopt.

The next day, after having checked references and assessed her
house, Heather and I spent hours talking about TIMOTHY
TUGMUTTON, his needs and the sad fact that he might not be alive
for many more years. Heather was so in love with Timmy that she
was going to take the risk of only sharing a few months with
him. She ordered a carpenter in to make the necessary
modifications to her house so that Timmy couldn’t hurt himself.

Within a few weeks, Heather and Timmy became celebrities, every
school day at 3 pm both would walk over to the primary school
were Timmy was greeted by his own fan club. He would mark his
trees, stand next to the school bus until the bus driver would
come out and give him a little treat. Over Christmas he even
collected a fair few presents from his school kid buddies.

In the 2 yrs and 3 months that Heather had Timmy she never left
him alone for more than half an hour. Heather and Timmy managed
to work out a daily schedule that suited both him and Heather.
She wouldn’t leave home to visit her own children or
grandchildren if she believed Timmy would suffer. Only once had
Heather asked me to Pug-sit Timmy because she had a fall and
couldn’t stay at home.

Dear old Timmy passed away a couple of months ago after having
his breakfast and then lying down for a morning nap. Almost
everybody I met called me mad for giving Timmy a chance but I
feel blessed that I was able to witness the love of Heather and
her beautiful gentleman Timmy. I am humbled to have seen what
love can do for two beings in search of meaning and
companionship. PUGADISE PUG
RESCUE NSW has been a big part of my family’s life. There
have been numerous occasions where my teenage daughter stepped
back and went without a new fashion item just so I could afford
to pay for operations; she stayed home from parties while I had
to rush around the country side to rescue Pugs while she looked
after the ones at home.

Unfortunately I never thought to trade mark the name PUGADISE or
to register it as a business. I never thought that someone would
have any motivation to steal it and we make no money from it.
How wrong could I have been? In June ’05 a person who had stolen
from us previously, registered the name Pugadise and has since
passed herself off as us. Our name, and other prominent names in
the animal welfare community, were used in an illegal
fundraising campaign. I had hoped that I would never have to
openly discuss this unhappy event, but I fear that our efforts
to help Pugs in need might be mistaken with the nefarious
activities of others.

My family and I would like to whole heartedly thank all our
supporters, the many reputable breeders who have trusted us with
their bitches who needed placing, those who recommended our
organisation to others, the volunteers who at any time of day or
night jumped into their cars and picked up a Pug in need. Also a
big Pug hug to the many travellers who have taken rescue Pugs as
‘excess luggage’ to help cut our transport costs.

It’s business as usual; We will continue to care for all Pugs in
need. We take in Pugs of all ages and medical conditions.
Surrenders will be taken from the legal owner of the Pug without
any embarrassing questions. We ensure that no breeder will be
identifiable when we place their dog. We will not exploit them
for profit and will strive to find them loving homes where they
can put their paws up and live out the rest of their days in
peace.