Happy Birthday Baby!

*(Now go get a cup of coffe or something - this is a bit long - but I'm feeling pretty sure it's going to be worth reading.)

A little under 8 years ago I moved out from my parents home and was sans dog for the first time in my life. I didn't really intend on getting a dog - at least not for a while - but quite soon the desire to have a dog of my own appeared. I did a lot of research. And I mean a LOT of research. I wasn't one of those (*cough* *stupid* *cough*) people who start looking at pictures and what dog looks cute. I started reading the breed standards of all the dogs in the groups I'd concider (no working-, herding-, or hunting dog was an option as I don't hunt or have sheep and so on) and researched online.

I eventually became quite certain I'd like a pug. I liked the enthusiasm I saw among their owners and overall they seemed to suit me. I researched breeders - asking questions and figuring out who might be an option. (Haha.. I thought I was so very clever..) One day in April 2002 I called Anette to hear if any puppies was born yet - and they were! Three girls and two boys if memory serves me. I was absolutely certain I wanted a boy. It didn't take much time to decide I'd have one. I had first pick of the boys and as long weeks passed Anette had a clear idea which one of them might be the better one conformation wise allthough they were fairly similar.


2am one june morning my friend Lene and I got in the car and headed across the mountains. When we finally found the place after thinking we were clever (again) and following the signs rather than her directions. Following directions would of course have been wiser. There were lots of pugs and kids and commotion - but I really only had eyes for the puppies in the living room. She handed me the one male with the least white as she thought was the better of them (white is not ideal, but a little white in the chest doesn't matter). Other than that the only real difference was that the other one had larger eyes, she said. I looked at the puppy in my lap and thought "These eyes are HUGE. I don't think I want a puppy with larger eyes than these!!!". So I said I wanted him.

Back into the car we went and up-up-up into the mountains. Where I called Anette worried that he was making little snot bubbles from his nose. She said he was probably just a bit stressed and that I shouldn't worry. He was rather active. My friend suggested I should name him Bajas. It's a name that indicate high energy, clownyness and someone full of tricks. I arrived home that evening with my new puppy. So tired from the excitement and the lack of sleep. I sat down on the kitchen floor (my legs could hold me no longer) and called my parents. When my dad asked if I'd found a name for him I answered "Yes. It's perfect. But I'm too tired to remember what it is."


He was such a handful as a puppy. They'd all forgotten to mention that pug puppies are the most difficult puppies in the world (or close to it). I only slept when he slept. And that wasn't much. When he slept I didn't dare to move so much as a finger. He'd totally forgotten to read the puppy manual. At least the pages about how puppies are always sleeping. He would bite with his razor sharp puppy teeth on that soft, sensitive skin on the top of your foot. He'd literally dangle from my skirts - where he'd jump up and get a good grip. All my pants and skirts from that summer had puppy teeth punctures. I'd taken a couple of weeks off work of course to ease his transition to a new home. I won't pretend I wasn't thrilled to finally get some time away from the little terror.

In august we started puppy class and he did so well. Class was the only place he behaved. They all admired my well behaved puppy. If they only knew.. LOL! But at least we continued taking more classes - anything to keep him occupied. And of course it was lots of fun. Especially all those men with their "proper" dogs laughing at the girl with the toy dog. Asking why I'd bother even taking classes with a dog that couldn't learn much. Looking rather ashamed when he beat the c**p out of their precious working dogs at the competition at the end of the course. Muahaha...


He finally calmed down a bit - of course it all came gradually but at around 2 he started to resemble what pugs "are supposed to be like" (according to the myth - experience seems to contradict that myth but that's another topic all together). He'd still be crazy happy out meeting people but he'd be quiet and well behaved at home. I'm so very lucky to have him. I know there will never be another one like him. Today my little annoying puppy turn 7!


I hope you'll all join me in wishing the bestest little Bajas a very, very happy birthday! (And hopefully his tummy will be better. He's been off food for a day and I got hime some medicine to make it better, too. It would be a shame not getting food on your birthday!)

Ane

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I just saw that Gilbert the Parrotlet turns 8 today! So I was borned on his 1st hatchday. That is cool! Have a happy day, Gilbert! You can visit him here: http://pugnotes.blogspot.com/

And then Salinger dropped by and said it was HIS barkday, too! Happy birthday Salinger! You're borned on a very cool date. You can visit him here: http://salingerthepug.blogspot.com/

Bajas