Pug Rescue
By Christy Scannell
SDUN Editor
And fur coats were everywhere.
It might sound like your average fashion show – except these models strutted down the runway on all fours.
“Pug people (owners) are crazy that way about dressing up their dogs,” said Jaime Shea, vice president for marketing of Pug Rescue of San Diego County, which sponsored the fundraiser earlier this month. “And the dogs, they get really excited about it. They’re really quirky little dogs, really endearing.”
The Valentine’s Party, held at Fido & Co. Canine Country Club in Hillcrest, featured the “doggie couture” show, a pug kissing booth, caricature drawings and donated wine and cheese for dog owners. It was one of several countywide events – the next is “St. Pugstric Day” on March 13 in Coronado – the organization sponsors each year to raise awareness of and money for pugs.
“Ninety-eight percent of what we take in goes to medical care for the dogs,” Shea said. “Pugs are prone to issues that most other dogs aren’t, such as problems with their skin and eyes. And they are prone to obesity, which can bring on diabetes later in their lives.”
That extra care is often what causes the dogs to be abandoned or let go.
“They are very expensive dogs to keep,” said Shea, who owns three pugs. “So with the down economy and people losing their homes, sometimes they have to relinquish their pugs so they can live in apartments or with relatives (where dogs are not welcome).”
Last year, the all-volunteer group took in 148 dogs, compared to 75 in 2008. By Jan. 31 of this year they already had received 28 pugs.
“That’s almost one a day and it just doesn’t look like it’s going down,” Shea said.
When a dog becomes available, either from a shelter or through contact with a private party, Pug Rescue first takes it for veterinary care. Then an adoption coordinator
finds a suitable foster family until the dog can be placed permanently.
Shea says nearly all the dogs they see have medical issues, even those that aren’t abandoned. For example, she recounted a story about a couple who “were done with” their pug, locking it in a closet during the day and putting it outside at night.
“Pugs are not outdoors dogs,” she said. “They said they were caring for it but it had ear infections and dental problems.”
But for those who appreciate the unusual breed, they can be ideal companions, Shea said.
“These aren’t worker dogs,” she explained. “They are lap dogs. They’re just there for you to take care of and love.”
Pug Rescue of San Diego County is accepting applications for foster and permanent dog homes. For more information, go to pugsandiego.com or call (619) 685-3580.
