Thursday, June 2, 2011

A Story of Aging

As many loyal readers know, the boys each turned 9 years old earlier this year. Obviously, being a week apart in age, they did not come from the same genetic line. Not unless that pug mama had one heck of a labor!

It is clear that the boys are not blood brothers. There are many things that make the boys alike and many that make them different. Benjamin has been a spitfire his whole life. Henry, well, he has been more laid back. As time moves on, this is starting to reverse. We are starting to see the years of running hard and fast taking its toll on Baby Benny. Henry, while still relatively mellow, now takes the lead on walks and other events. It is sort of like watching the extended version of the tortoise & the hare.

Benny is simply slowing down at a more rapid pace than Henry. I can only compare it to what Solsey must have been like a few years before we got her. Benny's hearing is not as sharp as it once was, he walks considerably slower, he is not eager to go outside for his final potty of the night even though it always garners him a treat. He is as lovey as ever, handsome with adorable wrinkles, precious with his needy whine and irresistible with his appreciate kisses. He is just getting old.

He really is getting to be more & more like Solsey. So much so that now we sometimes call him "Solsey Benny". This is a spin-off of the "Solsey Baby!" call we would yell out when we would be super excited at something funny or adorable Sol did. We feel so lucky to have had Sol and experienced her for as long as we did. And now it is like having another Sol. Only this time we get to be there for more of the onset of the aging process. We really feel truly special to have had 2 pugs age ever so gracefully. We are curious to see if Henry will age in such an accepting fashion.

While it is hard for us to think of what happens after "aging", for now, we are simply enjoying their golden years. They are no longer the shoe string eaters and crate poopers they once were as puppies. They are now fine mature gentlemen that stroll rather than run through the parks and on the beaches. They are finessing their senior moments to be most splendid. We have of course, signed them up for their AARP (American Association of Retired Pugs) membership so they can get discounted meals and services.

Nonetheless, while Benny is ripening quicker and Henry is comparatively more green, both boys are getting up there in age. They are both still our ultimate pleasure. We adore them young, old and in between. Can’t even imagine what Little Looney will be like when she hits 63 in dog years like her bros. Only time will tell.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

His Perch

I never get tired of seeing this bag of wrinkles draped over the arm of the sofa. Benny has certainly claimed this arm of the sofa as his own. Actually, all the pugs prefer to be against the arms of the sofa. So, if you ever come to visit just know that you are going to be stuck with the middle seat on the sofa.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Improvising

What do you do with a pug that has strict orders to take it easy, but is just itching to go for a walk? You take him for a ride in the Solsey mobile. A stroller that Solsey hated by the way. She much preferred to use her pouch.

The pugs also have something very special to look forward to this weekend. G-Ma is coming for a visit!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

On the Mend

I am very happy to report that Benny's tail was back in its regularly curled position yesterday. After a great night's sleep and a very restful day, Benny was feeling much better. He still has some soreness, but overall he is doing much better. Now, the tricky part is keeping him still until Sunday. The vet's orders was to restrict his activity until next week. That means no walks, no running, no jumping and not too much milling around the house. The better he feels, the harder it is to keep him quiet. But, I much rather have the problem of trying to keep him still than to see his little tail uncurled.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Shake, Shake, Shake

Since the pugs get a wet and sandy mess at the beach, they do a lot of shaking while they are running around playing. I caught of few shots of Benjamin shaking off some water and sand. I love to see how the wrinkles on the back of Benny's neck fly while he is shaking. He really gets into it.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Pug Sized

People in the neighborhood always laugh at the little fire hydrant statue we have in the yard. We found it at a concrete art type place and when we bought it it was a plain cement color. Having three dogs, we thought it would be cool, to paint it a fun color and use it as a yard decoration. It would be even neater if the pugs actually started using it like they do all the other fire hydrants in the neighborhood. But, wouldn't you know they never use it! They pee on pretty much everything else in the yard, but their own personal, pug sized fire hydrant? Nope, never once have they peed on that.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Comfortable?

This position certainly does not look comfortable, but the boys sit like this all the time.

I have never seen Luna sit like this. I think it is because she is too little. Her little neck isn't long enough to reach the arm of the chair.