Heat Stroke Dangers!

I wanted to take some time today to STRESS to everyone the dangers of heat stroke! Sadly yesterday I heard that a little Pug I had rehomed in April of 2009 passed away from heat stroke on Wednesday.

Please, please, please be aware of the dangers of heat! His owner thought he was okay in their home with a fan....obviously that was not the case. I realize it could happen to anyone, but with this flat faced breed it is even more dangerous. Do your best to take care of your little ones...this goes for children too! Don't EVER leave a pet or a child in a car....EVER. If you don't have air-conditioning in your home, be creative. Fans, cooling mats, cooling collars. Do all you can do! The same goes for trips in your car. I had a blog friend whose Pug died after riding home from a visit in their van on a hot day. She was in the back and got overheated and did not survive. Don't assume because you can feel the cold air blasting you in the front seat that it is the same in the back of the vehicle. I have actually gotten into the back area where my group rides to see how cool it was. I always cool the interior of my car down prior to a trip with the gang.

You can read more about heat stroke HERE and HERE

Take care and stay safe this Summer!

Rosie "chill-ax-in" at camp...inside, air on!

A friendly bday gift.....

My good friend L, who made this for me a couple of weeks ago...for no reason at all......

presented me with this at our weekly lunch yesterday.......

I think this bottle is a collector for sure. Anyone tried this?

Built in 1840

After our vacation in Colonial Williamsburg we came home to our own historical presentation. Our town gave bronze plaques to 10 properties. The criteria is "if the original owners came

back, would they recognize the property?"

My grandparents purchased our property from the son of the original owner. He had inherited the house from his father and lived there until entering a nursing home in 1930. My own dad was born in the house and after I was born, I lived with my parents in the carriage house here on the property. I guess you could say our roots go long and strong here. Due to rezoning and growth in the town our house is actually considered by many to be "endangered". The belief is that the house was built in 1840, although the original structure it was based on could actually be much older. I try to imagine myself living here with no electricity and heating by wood and taking those STEEP stairs in a long, full dress!

These layouts of each property will be hung in our town library for permanent display.

The committee person who researched our property with us - a long time resident also!
My dad and P

Wrapping my mind around it.....

I met Linda in 10th grade. She passed away on Friday. My heart and head can't seem to wrap around it.

More trip...sorry to bore you, no Pugs!!!

Well maybe just one little Pug! My birthday gift from P. A hand painted porcelain Pug necklace!Closeup!P's sisters and their husbands had a little party for me on our last night. The cake was hilarious!The last morning together we went out to breakfast. We've been traveling together since I was 21 and we're still smiling!

Trip - continued

Our condo building...

One of the bedrooms

Part of living room

This place was very beautiful! Full size kitchen, foyer, and laundry room. Honestly IF I could have my Pugs there I could live there!! Lots of walking paths and 3 pools, inside and outside whirpools...activities, golf and QUIET.

Girlville, Tammy and Jess...this place was TWICE as big as the condo we had in October! I kept looking around thinking you guys were around!

Trip - Mount Vernon

On the first day of our trip my sweet hubby took me to Mt. Vernon. I am a history buff and since we didn't have Puggies this trip, we were able to stop while driving and see different places. Mt. Vernon was amazing. Sadly they didn't allow any photos in the buildings, but they had a wonderful book for only $7 with tax that shows everything in great detail! I thought the house was much smaller than I imagined...but then inside it seemed much larger. We went on a special addtional tour, so we saw the basement in addition to the first and second floor. 3rd floor was not part of the tour.the river side view Please notice I am wearing my Milhaukee Pugfest t-shirt!

Talking to the animals...of course

the resting place of George and Martha....interesting Martha's death date is 5-22...which is my birthdate....I'll remember that forever!

This was the original burial place for the Washingtons and their families...they were moved in teh 1800's per a request in George's Will.

Looking out over the river...what a beautiful place...

If you've never been, Mt. Vernon is open 365 days a year! They had 1.5 MILLION visitors last year. There is a lot more to see besides what I've shown. Two museums, outbuildings, wharf, and of course gift shops and places to eat!

Winner....I mean Winners!

I decided to give out 2 prizes instead of just one!

The kitty painting goes to Staci, who said:

Love your kitty painting! We are kitty people at my house........

and a crocheted dress goes to Stella, Gunther and Betty!

Staci, please contact me with your information to ship.

Stella, Gunther and Betty, please have your mom drop a note as to size and color preference.

Hugs to all!
Punchy

May Giveaway Day!!!

Thanks for stopping over from the SewMamaSew Give-a-way. My shop is basically "about the dogs". I have sewn, crafted, etc. since I was a small child. My sewing room looks like it! Please take a look at my shop or venture about my blog to get to know me better and what I love to create.

Please join me in celebrating May Giveaway at SewMamaSew. One lucky winner will receive their choice of a "custom" hand crocheted doggie dress (or pick one off my esty ) like the one below....

no dog to dress? your choice of one of the following wood paintings.....

Heres the link to the entire list vists http://sewmamasew.com/blog2

Winner will be chosen by random generator on May 20th, 2010 at 11pm. To be entered post a comment and answer this question....if tou have a pet, do you dress your pet?????

Winner can be international! All welcome!

http://www.pugpossessed.etsy.com/

Milwaukee*Pug*Fest

Many of you have heard of, or may even be attending the Milhaukee Pugfest TODAY! A face*book friend, Boo Bear and his Mom made 2,500 of these buttons....

they had plans to attend and give the buttons out in honor of Boo's little brother Ace. Ace is a rescue that was struck by a car and has had 6 months of recovery. Yesterday he had to undergo more surgery and long story short...couldn't attend. The mama posted and said she would make more buttons available to people who really wanted one, but couldn't attend either...so the idea was born that anyone wanting a button could get one...or two...or however many they wanted, they can donate if they want to or even can. So, here's how to get your button(s)....

Go to www.milwaukeepugfest.com
Click on the "donate" button at top right
Put in your name and address. Be sure to also mark "donating to Button Fund". If you want more than one, just state how many.

Remember donating is voluntary!

Smaller models needed....

Seriously mom, you don't think I can get this on, do you?Don't think I'm going to embarres myself and try...I either need to get myself a Chihauhua...or....a puppy! I've been adding some items to my etsy shop this week in anticipation of the SewMamaSew event coming up on Monday (be sure to check back on Monday!). A couple of the new items are MUCH SMALLER dresses than I usually make. I had fun doing them and hope to do many more in the future.

Rosie

Rosie was the only one of the group that attended the walk last weekend. It was too cold and windy to take all four and I knew the other 3 would be much happier at home...although the look on Rosie's face...you'd never know she was happy! Look at the faces on this group!

Maybe their thinking about the hotdogs.....

a surprise...

I have a friend who is pretty much as crazy as I am...although her craziness goes to Boston Terriers. She has a HUGE heart and helps work our Pug events and gets involved in all local animal fundraisers. She even hosts weekly playdates in her own backyard. We meet once a week for lunch and last week she surprised me with this.....

This is SO special to me - she made this for me. As one who creates, it is VERY special to me to receive something someone else has made for me!!!

My daughter is amazing...

completely unnecessary tribute to me for mom's day....but wow....I sure loved it all!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is not the same for me since the passing of my own Mother in 2000. I feel cheated out of MANY MANY years with her, but look to the higher power that it is all for a reason. I was very blessed to have both my grandmothers and my Mother up until September of 2000. In one short year they all died. My heart barely had time to heal from one month to the next. I went from being a Granddaughter, Daughter and Mother to being "Mother". Mother's Day was THE hardest day for me to get by. Someone I met once told me "do yourself a favor....stay away from the card aisle around Mother's Day"....I continue to pass that advice on to those I know that have lost their own Mother's and continue to follow that advice to this day! So to all my friends who have lost their own Mother's, or could never become a Mother, or never even wanted to be a Mother......rejoice in what you have!

The walk....

Today we got blown about, froze, and walked our 2nd annual WiggleWaggleWalkathon to support rescue.....

we raised $1,408! pretty awesome all things considered!!!!

Tomarrow!!!!!

Please note the "rain or shine"!!!! Weather is calling for showers and high winds! Grrrrrr...... Let's just hope people have time to join us, walk, shop and grab a bite to eat before they blow away!

If anyone would like to donate to the walk, please let me know and I'll send you my paypal link. I think I'm ready, at least everything is stacked up in the den ready to be put in the car tomarrow morning!

Funds from the walk are going to GreenMountainPugRescue, NortheastBostonTerrierRescue and if they show up....HappyTailsAnimalShelter will also get a donation. 100% of all monies collected will be distributed! Last year we raised over $1800!!!! Please cross your paws we can at least meet that goal and perhaps even surpass it!

When people do the right thing....

Sometimes a pet owner has to make a sad decision regarding their pet. This little guy's owner was NEVER home. Going to college, working two jobs....but LOVING him! She overlooked her own feelings and asked for help in finding him a perfect home......just so happened I knew of one!

My heart broke for the young lady that went home to a pugless house. She told me although her heart was empty and broken, she knew she had done the right thing for him. Unfortunately not everyone who takes in a pet does this. Some get relinquished to outside or crated or worse. This was a happy ending....I mean beginning!

PS - P was SO thankful this all worked out........y'all know what would have happened right?