Monday, May 10, 2010

Armchair Guard Pugs

To say that pugs are guard dogs would be a stretch, however, to say they are of no use in keeping an eye on things would be an understatement. I think the problem is with the word guard. My pugs don't really guard anything. I would imagine they would guard a piece of pumpkin bread with their life, but that would imply that they wouldn't eat it right away and actually have something to guard. But, I digress. Perhaps, a better word is surveillance? My pugs are great surveyors. Because surveillance requires observation, it does not require them to take action. And I would say that observing is a very strong pug quality. They observe me go to the kitchen, they observe me get a blanket out and beat me to the couch.

While most of their observations are made in areas that don't really need observing, I have to say that the pugs do a very good job of letting me know when anyone is around the house. Mailman - check, neighbor's lawn guy - check, delivery man - check. Most of the time, they alert me to routine things, but there have been a few times that they let me know about things we weren't expecting.

Just a few days ago, Henry alerted me in his patented "woo, woo" that there was a cat hanging around our side yard. Which was good, because Cupid does not take too kindly to other felines pawing around her territory.

And the true genius is that pugs have their paws on the pulse around the house and you would never know it. They do all their surveying from the comfort of the couch or a cozy dog bed or a lounge chair by the pool. And they always look strangely disinterested. But maybe that is their modus operandi - make others think they are not paying attention when they really are.

But make no mistake, the pugs are in surveillance and not the guard dog business. Because unless doggie kisses are kryptonite to those with ill will, the pugs would not be of much assistance. But the good news is they would alert the proper authorities and have them take care of it. Delegating, another pug strength.