Bonnie Belle died quietly Tuesday, February 26th. She stood tall on her legs and had a longer snout than most pugs. Our vet liked to say that she was a functional pug, free of the nasal problems that afflict many of her pug brethren. She loved to play with tennis balls. There could be a gazillion dog toys strewn around the house, but after dinner she would paw at the drawer with the fuzzy round ones. During the summer she'd take a tennis ball into her wading pool and bob it up and down for the longest time. We're going to miss her tunneling under the bedcovers and her barking at turkey vultures as they circled high above our house. Wherever she is now we hope she knows the fond memories that we will always treasure of her.

There's a hole in my heart
Where Puyi used to be.
No words of condolence
Or kind sympathies
Can quiet the storm
That I feel at my core
Knowing dear PuyiÂ
Won't be here anymore.
Friends say they're sorry
Intentions are true.
They can't understand 
What I'm going through;
Grief's my companion
Since I'm without you
My soul's filled with sorrow
I walk around blue.
But there's comfort in knowing
My beloved pet waits.
He's crossed Rainbow Bridge
And entered the gate
Where all of God's creatures
Who've passed from the Earth
Are happy and healthy 
A blessed rebirth.
So I thank you my Puyi
For friendship so true
When others deserted
I could count on you
I'll carry your memory
Forever inside
And patiently wait
'Til you're back by my side.

In Loving Memory Of
Puyi Rogers
January 2002-June 2008

After Death, by Edwin Arnold
 
"Farewell, Master, yet not farewell.
Where I go, you too shall dwell.
I am gone, before your face,
A moment's time, a little space.
When you come where I have stepped
You will wonder why you wept."

In 2005, I was dropped off by my previous owner at Animal Control in a county where they use the gas chamber. I was covered in tumors, so my previous owner figured that I was ready to die. Luckily, the MAPR webmaster's wife happened to be in school to be a Vet Tech, and the students "learn" on dogs set to die in the gas chamber. Well, this nice lady saw that even though I had cancer and was filthy, I had some life left and she took me home.

I made it almost 3 years with my new family. I chased birds, slept in a comfy bed, ate good food, and played with my pug and greyhound roommates. My family moved from NC to the Gulf coast of Florida just a month before I died, and I loved every minute of it. I even got to swim once.

Even though I pretty much slept most of the time, my family became very attached to me. They say I was the best dog anyone could ask for. Well maybe except when I barked when the doorbell rang. But I was very sweet, I loved everyone, and I was grateful to spend my last few years in a comfortable, loving home.

Popeye, also called Wally, came to MAPR with a couple of serious veterinary medicine problems. Despite his discomfort, he was a gentle, loving and good natured pug. His manners were impeccable with one exception. He loved to jump up on the bed and snuggle with his humans. But his affection was so genuine that this was easily forgiven. He would let you rub his belly, seemly for hours. He never chased any cats. He got along with all sorts of dogs. Popeye managed to win hearts where ever he went. It was as if he became everyone's best and favorite friend. So lots of folks cried when he died, all too soon in life.

Wally wasted no time in geting right into our laps, our lives, and our love. While all pugs are special and deserve the very best, his unconditional love and devotion were especially sweet. For a little guy who lived a short, hard life, he made it his job to make everyone around him happier, and we should all be grateful for the experience of having known him. And having known him makes us want to work even harder to prevent abuse and neglect of pugs everywhere, even if it is just one at a time. We owe it to him and all of them.