Pearl

Max, Pearl, and Yoda sitting on their own couch.

We started out in 1998 with two pugs from Little Angels Pug Rescue in Pasadena. Both males had suffered extensive abuse from their previous owners, Max suffering the loss of one eye

but retaining a magnificent spirit; and Yoda, whose damage was less physical than emotional--he'd been torn away from someone he loved deeply and spent his first year with us grieving over it.

We had a long haul turning them around because they'd picked up some unattractive survival behaviors (trash-diving, chewing and clawing walls and doors), but we "loved them into shape" and, being smart and eager to please, they figured out they didn't have to do either anymore. Now they're happy and living the life every pug deserves to live.

In spring 2003 Pug Rescue of Santa Barbara called us and asked if we'd foster a young female pug whose military family was being posted to Japan and couldn't bring her along. We decided that the time had come to add another pug to our little "pack."

Pearl, unlike the other two, has always been happy-go-lucky and well-adjusted; she came from a loving, responsible home. So she made the transition to living here with a minimum of fuss and maximum amount of joy. She's infused the other two with playfulness (she won't let them ignore her) and is as smart as the boys.

What a joy each is! For all the wonderful dogs that have come through our lives, my husband and I agree that pugs are far and away the breed we love most.