Pug Part II: Rosie the Rescued Pug

Olivia is no longer with me; it is a sad story I would rather not share. However, on March 31, 2007, I rescued another Pug and named her Rosie. Rosie is short for Rosie the Riveter and Rosie the Rescued Pug. The vet estimates Rosie is five or six-years-old now. She is a very energetic for a Pug and enjoys playing fetch and running around the house at warp speed when she is feeling playful. Rosie knows how to lay down, open her crate for food, and shake. John is planning on teaching her how to play dead when he says the word "Bang". The picture of Rosie was taken shortly after I rescued her. She was emaciated and dirty but now she is a healthy 18 lbs.

Pug Parade

Christina and I traveled down to the west coast of Florida to see family and attend the 10th annual Pug Parade which benefitted the Humane Society of Sarasota County. There were over 100 Pugs in the parade plus other pugs and dogs who came to just hang out. We wore matching shirts - I wore a tank top and she wore her short-sleeved shirt. We saw one human dressed as Batman and his Pug was Robin!! The costume contest winner was Lu-Jack Sparrow from Pirate Pugs of the Caribbean. He even had his own 'boat' and everything. Unfortunately we couldn't get a good picture of him. There were a ton of fairies and princesses, a Mexican Pug, a Hooters Pug, a Bumblebee, all sorts of costumes. Christina and I are planning big for the Pug Fest near Atlanta in October. If you have any costumes ideas we'd love to read them!

Things John can use in Iraq

Several people have asked what to send John and I decided posting a list on Olivia's blog is the easiest way to create an accessible list that I can update as I think of things. I keep going up and down the grocery aisles in my mind to think about what John would put into the cart and this is what I have come up with so far:

Spaghetti O’s with Meatballs
Libby Corned Beef Hash
Heinz 57 Sauce
Smoked Oysters
Saltines
Hot Sauce (Crystals is one variety he likes)
Cheetos
Chips ‘n Salsa (Yellow corn) (not too spicy)
Fritos
Protein Bars (probably something with chocolate or peanut butter)
Creamy Peanut Butter
Wasabi Peas
Ramen Noodles (Oriental and Chili Flavored are favorites)
Dried Fruit
Trail Mix
Beef Jerky
Beef/Cheese Sticks (more likely to be found in a convenience store)
Red Bulls
Propel – Kiwi Strawberry, Lemon, Mandarin Orange
Orbit Gum – green package
Butterfingers
Folgers Instant Coffee
Tuna lunches, single serving
Items that can be heated in a microwave that do not require refrigeration
Popcorn
Pudding
Cheer Powdered Laundry Detergent (very important it be detergent without optical brighteners as optical brighteners make the fabric easier to see by the insurgents through night vision goggles)
Wet wipes (w/Anti-bacterial)
Tupperware
Mach 3 Razor Blades
DVDs
Magazines

If you send more than 3 lbs. 2 oz. the flat rate boxes are the way to go. The boxes are available for free and come in two sizes: rectangular and square. The rectangular box holds about 10 canned goods. The rate is $8.10 regardless of the weight of the box.

Olivia with Tulips

I have THE best husband in the whole entire world. Despite being thousands of miles away in a combat zone he managed to find the time to send me flowers! On Tuesday I received 1 1/2 dozen Bellsong Tulips. Click on the link to see a good upclose picture of them. I have never seen tulips like them before - they are multi-colored and the edges are frilly. I can't decide if Olivia complements the flowers or the flowers complement Olivia. It only took a few minutes and some treats to get a few good photos. Note: Olivia's picture has temporarily been replaced until I can edit it to remove her contact information from her dog tag. I don't want stray dogs calling our house in the middle of the night asking to talk to her.

Olivia Visits Ft. Morris

Last weekend Olivia and I went with her godmother, her son, and the little girl she was watching to Ft. Morris in Liberty County. I call T'Challa Olivia's godmother because she and Justyce take care of Olivia on Tuesday and Thursday nights when I work late.

John and I visited Ft. Morris before but it was Olivia's first time. We all got to watch Civil War and ironworks re-enactments during our visit. Olivia didn't much care for the muskets firing but she was oblivious to the cannon firing as we kept our distance. She did see a mock 2-person tent used by soldiers and officers' tents too. Olivia had such a good time she slept most of the 45-minute car ride home.

Christmas06

Olivia was quite a trooper over the holidays. We had most of John's family over (12 people including us). She LOVED all of the attention and she didn't understand why Ike, the 12-year-old cat, didn't want to play with her. John and I got a pug Christmas ornament, several pug magnets, and two cards with pugs on them (Pugs & Kisses!). Olivia did not want to miss a moment of the action unless she was asleep in one of our arms, on the Christmas stocking underneath the dining room table where several of us played Scrabble, or on Santa's hat. Bad things she learned to do include climbing up on the Lazy Boy recliner, but she's soo cute we have decided that's her chair now. There were zero accidents in the house when the family was around leading me to once again conclude she only messes in the house or in her crate for attention.

History/State Park Buff

As luck would have it, Olivia loves history and going to state parks as much as John and I do. Saturday, December 2 we took Olivia to Ft. McAllister, a Civil War site in Richmond Hill about 45 minutes away. She walked most of the three mile trail but by the time we got around to the actual fort she was too pooped to party. We carried her most of the way, something she usually does not like - unless she's tired.

John Needs a Bath

Olivia likes to lick...alot! Apparently John is a very dirty guy because Olivia licks all over his face, the side of his head, and even his ears! LickLickLickLickLick

November 10

Hi everyone! I started this blog before we got Olivia and haven't done a thing since then. We are having so much fun with her and when we're not having fun with her we have to catch up on the things we neglect, like blogging. We picked her up November 10 - almost a month ago! She tried to wiggle out of my arms leaving Deidre's (the breeder) house and I felt a little guilty taking her from her littermates. We got her in the puppy jail and she whined for awhile. I praised her whenever she stopped whining and eventually she fell asleep and slept most of the car ride home. Attached is a picture I took of her on the way home. She's so little!