Love, at first sight, is real. I felt it in December of 2005. I looked into the eyes of a 4-month-old Puggle puppy who was chewing on the tag of a purple t-shirt in a cage at the Puppy Shoppe in Edison, NJ. I had to have her. She made me feel something when we locked eyes.
To my surprise, she was waiting for me a few days later in the kitchen as a graduation gift. She was the cutest puppy I had ever laid eyes on and we were best buds immediately (thank you, Carolyn, for the best gift).
One thing was clear right away, this puppy loved food. Although she didn’t have a name for at least two weeks, I finally settled on Puggle. It was the perfect name and always gave people a chuckle when they learned it. I easily house trained her with Cheerios in the snowy winter of 2005-2006.
Puggle loved everyone and everyone loved her (except Maya the German Shepard). She wore a thermal maroon hoodie (thank you Mary) and a cute red, white, yellow, and blue striped t-shirt in those beginning days. Yes, I was that mom.
She slept on my neck like a scarf at night and wrestled with her older roommate, Puppy, Cece’s Pomeranian during the day. We went for runs together and the word run came in handy when many dogs, male or female, would try and mount her at the dog park. I’d yell, “Run Puggle!” And she would take off, putting distance between her and the randy dog. She was good looking, so I get it. The hot piece at the dog park. I remember not being able to say the words “dog park” because when she would hear it, she would instantly spin in circles, tail wagging and wide-eyed wondering When? Now? Let’s go! We started to abbreviate using “D.P.” until we were actually ready to leave. “Cookie” was another word we learned to spell around the Puggle.
Puggle was a bit of a snob at the dog park, preferring to play with other Puggles and Pugs almost exclusively. They would all run full speed in circles chasing each other, their curled tails oddly straightened. It was the cutest.
Puggle traveled with me almost everywhere I went (even though she despised the car) and even had her own purple blanket waiting for her at Jorj’s house. Puggle loved blankets just as much as her Aunt Jackie.
Carolyn and I shared custody for a short time and Bobby Brower became her first male parent. I know you loved her Bob, even though she was very needy and I am pretty sure she pooped in your suitcase or something like that.
When her Aunt Lindsey was diagnosed with Leukemia and had long stays at the children’s hospital, Puggle came with me to visit her. Lindsey would love it when Puggle came to visit and would take a nap on her bed. Aunt Lindsey taught her the ballerina trick and showed it off to her nurses. Puggle learned other tricks too like sit, lay down, speak, and rollover (we called it the retarded rollover because she was so round it was hilarious how unsmooth her roll was).
In addition to being a snob at the dog park, I am proud to say Puggle was a beer snob too. She preferred pumpkin ale just like her mom and wouldn’t even lick a drop of Miller Light. Champagne, Puggle? Always. She was loved by Fia, Adam, and Nick in my first house. Thank you for always helping me with her and giving Puggle so much love.
She had a few lovers in her life. Three were stuffed dogs (see the video Two Dogs Fall in Love to meet one of them), but another happened to be my Aunt Rosemarie. One sniff and Puggle immediately started humping her leg. Maybe it is because she is always baking or cooking and smelled like food. Or maybe it was something else entirely. All I know is that was one funny Halloween.
Evelyn and Buck became her roommates and Buck fell in love just like I did. Evelyn would sing a “perpetual hope” song to Puggle as she tap danced (begged for food) in the kitchen. Evelyn and Buck were Puggle's family too.
Grandma Josephine was Puggle’s next roommate. They shared apples and sunbathed together on the back porch of 28 Seymour Ave. Grandma broke the rule all of my roommates did- "Please don’t give Puggle any human food. She is a vegetarian," I would say. It was an easy rule to break as Puggle had a Master's in persuasion tactics. Her face is just too cute.
When I took a trip to Thailand and my sister Jackie was Puggle sitting. We always wondered how much food Puggle would eat if nobody limited her. Jackie found out. Puggle sneakily broke into the duffle bag where a brand new box of salmon treats was tucked inside. She ate the entire box of salmon treats except for ONE. We had our answer.
Puggle was great with kids and brought so much joy to my niece Brooklyn as she was kicked in the head and given sooooo many animal crackers. Puggle learned quickly that kids = food. Puggle would kindly vacuum the carpet every time I would bring her over to see Jackie and her family. When the twins were in high chairs, Puggle was scoring big time.
Puggle was certified as an emotional support animal after my accident in 2016. This was so that she could travel to Colorado with me in the cabin of the airplane. Little did I know, she would provide emotional support throughout my huge transition from NJ life to CO life. After the accident, I was pretty messed up injury-wise and Puggle was the only reason I HAD to get out of bed.
Puggle was my support through almost all of my breakups. She was happy to lick my tears away, she provided companionship, and gave me purpose. She taught me about responsibility and what it means when her butt smells like fish—-time to get those anal glands expressed. Gross.
She accidentally consumed edibles on more than one occasion...passing out by the fire in a deep sleep for 3 hours and the other time, she started walking into walls. She is a trooper because she recovered quickly and was begging for food soon after (probably because she had the munchies-ha). Thank you to Dr. Julie Jones for always giving great advice and for coining the statement, “Lesbians are the best pet owners.”
Puggle was also a resilient dog. She traveled all over with me. She hiked in NJ, ransacked coolers on the dog beach of the Jersey Shore, played in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and camped there too. In 2017, we both had surgery. Mine, hip, and her 2 ACLs each 4 months apart. Thank you to Carolyn, Fia, and Nikki for flying out to Colorado to take care of both of us.
After the short time Puggle and I spent moving around Colorado we lived with chickens, a crazy lady and her 2 dogs, a pimp, and finally we rented an apartment in downtown Denver with Joe Foster, her final daddy. Joe loved my Puggle even though she was a whiny old lady by then and started showing signs of dementia. Thank you for all of your help, humor, and love, Joe.
Love, at first sight, happened to me again when I met Katie on October 26th of 2018. I think Puggle knew this as she saw me the happiest I have ever been. Katie, Ruca, and Bodhi (Puggle’s first feline roommate) welcomed us into their home. Bodhi would playfully attack the unsuspecting Puggle and by the time Puggle reacted, he vanished. I learned that cats are amusing. The 3 animals, Katie, and I made the ultimate cuddle puddle on the couch. Katie loved Puggle as if she were her own and really got to know her. The 4 of us camped together a few times. Puggle's whining got out of control and Katie always had a peaceful way to try and calm her.
Over winter break, Puggle and I took one last adventure together. We drove to Crestone, Colorado where we rented a studio and I spent time writing the book I keep talking about writing. We cuddled and watched movies. This is when the vomiting began. I thought it was because she eats the same treats and food every day, but I let her consume the Christmas gifts from Grandma & Grandpa. I was wrong.
She vomited again this past Thursday night, but this time it was just her food. She NEVER has done that before. My heart was pounding and I had a terrible feeling as I cleaned it up. Friday morning, I cooked her rice and planned to go to work. She ate the rice and 10 minutes later threw it all up on the bathroom floor. In tears, I called out of work (Thank you, Jenn) and made an appointment at the vet.
Dr. Dan had given Puggle a root canal about a month ago and everyone at Columbine Animal Hospital was familiar with Puggle. She received warm greetings and we were placed in a room. I explained the situation, he felt her belly, she yelped with pain, and he feared pancreatitis. He suggested an X-ray and blood test. I went for a 30 min drive until they were finished.
The look on the tech's face as she placed me in a room told me this was not going to be good. Dr. Dan wore the same expression as he told me that he does not have good news. He showed me the results of the X-ray and revealed the massive inoperable tumor in her abdomen. I teared up as he explained my options. I asked what he would do if Puggle was his dog and he recommended euthanasia. I needed tissues at this point. He told me what could happen if the tumor ruptured and how uncomfortable she is now and will remain without meds. He sent me home with pain meds and anti-nausea medication for 4 days. Nikki, a tech that has worked with Puggle a lot came in to say goodbye with tears in her eyes. They assured me that I have given her a good life and that she looks wonderful for being 14 years old.
I drove home (ugly crying) and told Katie the sad news. We thought through all of the options and after a full day of watching how uncomfortable Puggle was and how she just paced around the house, I decided euthanasia would be best for her. Thank you to my family, Evelyn, and Katie for helping me think through this difficult and crushing decision.
Puggle was a dog who always was down to go for a walk with me, despised wet grass, refused to eat lettuce, let her ears flap in the wind on road trips, went temporarily insane when toweled down after a bath, moved with me at least 10 times, snorted like a pig, slept under the blankets, loved peanut butter best, attempted to swallow the triangle of a quesadilla whole, followed me around the house, always got along with other doggies, was a go with the flow type of dog (unless it was time for food) and only destroyed expensive things like reading glasses and Invisalign.
Puggle passed away in my arms surrounded by her lover, Katie, and I. She was loved until the very end. She has touched so many hearts in her 14 years and she will be missed.
You left me in good hands, Puggle. I love you.♥️
Thank you to everyone who helped enhance Puggle’s long life.
I want to create a memory book, so if you have any photos or videos that you are willing to share, please e-mail them to me. Thank you.
My Cute Little Puggle September 29, 2005 - January 12, 2020
