This note was written by a wonderful MAPR family who adopted two very senior pugs from us in 2005 - it shows the priceless joy that they can bring to their new owners. We thank every family who has opened their hearts to older rescues. This story reminds me of our MAPR President's favorite quote -
"A good man will take care of his horses and dogs, not only while they are young, but also when they are old and past service.
---Plutarch

–Kimberly Thompson, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue, Inc.

I am afraid of dogs, yes believe it!!! That is, until I met some pugs at my ripe old age of 31. Now, I am still afraid of dogs - but certainly not pugs! To me a pug is more a person who is trapped in a dog's body. When I say that I mean they are very sensitive, sincere and loyal - my pugs are there for me and I care and love them as if they were my own children. I already had 2 pugs - one boy fawn (4) and one girl fawn (1) and if you ever speak to a pug owner - they are like potato chips - one is not enough, two maybe enough (but not in my case)... hence my story begins.

I knew I loved pugs - I never knew about rescues until watching emergency vets on Animal Planet one evening. The next day I decided to find out if there was a pug rescue in my area. After visiting the MAPR website I was SHOCKED!!!! I was in awe of people putting pugs in a dumpster, on the side of the road (HOMER), outside chained in bad weather - I just could not understand that - at that point I decided to take a stand!!!! I became a supporter of the cause - to save and assist helpless pugs. this is the point in which my story changes... I put in my application to help and was contacted by the great MAPR folks about 2 older, bonded pugs who needed a home quickly. Two senior pugs seem to be among the toughest pugs of all to place in a forever home. Finally, after I went through the MAPR adoption approval process they both arrived in November 2005. The two I already had adjusted for about a week with the new dogs, but luckily pugs are notorious for getting along with each other! Now we are one happy family, and I will say that the addition of the two older pugs has made my life happy - the 2 older ones show the younger ones the ropes, and the two younger ones keep the older ones on their toes. The older ones tend to appreciate EVERYTHING!!!! If I ever had to do it over, I would not change a thing - I know my older pugs probably do not have much time left, but I certainly know I gave them a quality of life they deserved in their last years and they gave me more joy, love, loyalty and companionship that I ever expected.