Birthday!!

OH Frank! What is that you say? It was your birthday on August 18th?

OH, what a debonair middle aged pug you are becoming!

 

Frank's birthday was a delight as it included a visit from Grandma and Grandpa, complete with gifts and treats, of course! This year's gift was Birthday Raccoon, which was very popular with the pup...

 

 

Oh Frank! So very soft and supple for tugging on!

 

However, I believe Frank enjoys Birthday Raccoon for another reason...

 

 

 

Oh. Frank. Your new fried also forgets to put his tongue inside!

 

 

The only sad news about Frank's birthday was that Grandma and Grandpa left on it, and not only did they leave, but their flight coincided with low tide!! NO!!!

The beach we go to has exposed sand bars at low tide, and Frank knows that he can RUUUUUUUUNNNNN, and bob and weave to his little heart's content without fear of hitting any obstacles - delight! However, when this tide is just a little bit high the beach is rocky and full of barnacles and not terribly great, and so, sadly, there would be no birthday visit to the doggie beach for Frank.

 

Frank did not greet this news with joy in his heart...

 

 

 

Seeing the sadness welling up in such a handsome pug's eye can be quite unbearable, as you can imagine. In fact, it is so much so that our new friend who had come by for a visit suggested that we try a beach that he knew of down south where, he informed us, there is always a beach with exposed sand and low water levels reaching far, FAR out where Bean could fetch his ball in the water!

 

Oh FRANK! Doesn't that sound nice!

 

 

 

As you can see, Frank was rather dubious.

 

Upon arrival however...

 

 

OH the JOY!!!!!

Such frolicking ensued!

 

 

BEAN! You are such a water hound! They may have to change your official category in the AKC from the Toy Group to the Sporting Group!!

 

 

Now, Frank and Bean, who are the luckiest pugs about?! (Though actually they do look rather pouty in this photo...)

 

And, the birthday didn't end there!

 

Another fine feature of "down south" is this delicious buffalo take-out:

 

 

Let me just zoom in on that sign that you might not be able to read there on the front door...

 

 

 

Um. Yes. Frank and Bean were beside themselves with this news.

 

 

 

And, post bath bliss...

 

 

 

Oh Frank! Delicious!

 

 

 I believe Frank had quite the successful birthday indeed. Let's recap, shall we? Grandma and Grandpa, Birthday Raccoon, a long, long frolic on the beach, a mini road trip to buffalo take out, and a delicious raw bison bone! What do you think Frank? Pretty good?

 

 

Frank?

 

 

Frank?

 

 

 

 

Oh Frank. I shall take that as a yes.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

Leaving a Pug Behind...

 

Frank is displeased.

I have been going in and out of San Francisco for work this month, quite a lot, and though Frank and Bean will be joining me for the Fall down here, in the meantime this is the look I get every time I zip my bag:

 

 

Frank! You drama king! You have a whole TEAM of people loving on you INCLUDING grandma and grandpa this week! Not to mention that I hear you have finagled your way into adoptive mommy's (my delightful roommate!) bed at night along with your little sidekick Bean...

 

Such a very hard life Frank has... though I must admit that one misses a small pug acutely even when gone for one night!

The Wayward Tongue

"What? What's happening? Why is everyone staring at me?"

 

"Did...um....do I have something on my face?"

 

Oh Frank. You seem to be forgetting to put your tongue in more and more often these days... If ONLY you didn't look so very charming handsome with it poking out I would perhaps be a wee bit concerned....

Summer Treat!

There are few summer treats that Frank enjoys more than a Popsicle®. 

Recently, he was delighted to discover a new favorite flavor...

 

Oh FRANK! Banana! So delicious!

 After sharing with Frank, it was of course only fair to offer a taste to Bean, thinking that he too would like a delicious and classic form of summer refreshment!

 

Oh Bean. Dare I say that Popsicle®

is not going to be calling you anytime soon to be  their pugly spokesperson.

WAKE UP FRANK!

Oh FRANK! It is time to wake up from your summer hiatus!! Your fans have been looking for you!

Frank? 

Frank?!

Oh my. 

Well, we are working on it! Wednesday will be regular post day - let's hope I can get Frank up and about by them.  My goodness Frank, one would think you had not been sleeping and frolicking in the sun all summer!

Made in China?

This weekend was a very exciting time for Frank as he helped us put together a new grill! (Or rather what Frank believes to be a delicious salmon making factory.) 

As the assembly was winding down I noticed that Frank had picked up an accessory...

Oh Frank! What have you got there on your small and handsome backside?

Upon closer inspection:

Oh FRANK! You found your very own quality control sticker! I read this sticker to mean:

Passed, Made in China,  Quite Charming 2005 Version

Frank was INDEED born in 2005 and this from the AKC (American Kennel Club) website:

"The truth of how the Pug came into existence is shrouded in mystery, but he has been true to his breed down through the ages since before 400 B.C... China is the earliest known source for the breed, where he was the pet of the Buddhist monasteries in Tibet..."

Now, normally Frank and I are not large fans of Chinese manufacturing, however, in Frank's case I must concede that they have turned out QUITE a quality product!

Clean Pug, Dirty Tub

The warm weather of spring has finally arrived! Time to do a deep wash off of that winter grime and dry in the sun!

Bean is especially delighted.

Eyeball!

Oh Frank! Rise and shine! It is time to go check your eyeball out with your very favorite veterinarian in all the world!

Here we see Frank watching the door like a hawk, as he can hear said favorite veterinarian on the other side of the door, most certainly with delicious treats in hand... 

Though Frank's eye needs a little care and a change of drops, he is doing pretty well, and we DO enjoy a visit to see the rock star of veterinary ophthalmologist who just yesterday was seeing such patients as a polar bear and walrus! What?!

Hmm... I wonder if at times we seem at all rather dull in comparison....

Oh Frank!!! INDEED, what a preposterous suggestion!!!

Pug Care 101 #1 - The Nose Roll

I am sad to report that coming up in the near future I will be leaving the pugs for a whole 9, 9! days. While I am away, they will be cared for a by a delightful young lad who will be staying with them as well as by my extraordinarily competent and pug loving roommate. However, there seemed to be a lot of words needed to explain all of the pug care, so I decided to make videos! And why not post them on the blog for all of the Frank fans to enjoy as well!

So, here we go: #1 Nose Roll Cleaning!

Supplies needed:

-1 thin washcloth, quite wet with WARM water - shown here in light green/teal

- 1 dry washcloth - shown here in blue

- 2 delicious treats!

And here we go!:

OH so CLEAN!!! 

Now, here is the order in case you missed it.

1) Wet cloth --- get in there thoroughly!

2) Treat (feel free to call him back should he wander away after... use second treat as bait if needed.

3) Dry cloth --- Frank (and Bean) quite enjoy this part, back and forth a few times please!

4) Treat followed by scratches and love.

Viola! Look at all that nose roll yuckiness! Nose roll cleaning should be done every other day at least. And while you want to realllllly get all the way in there, because a lot of the goop gathers at the back, you do not want to be too forceful and scrape the nose roll raw!

(Every so often I also use a stronger cleaning agent, but I believe the pugs will be OK for the 9 days... sigh, though I am not certain that I will... PUG WITHDRAWAL!

The Magnificent Bean Bed Magnet

The Magnificent Bean Bed Magnet!

Ladies and gentlemen! Moms and dads! Prepare yourselves for the revelation and relief for which you have been longing! (and longing, and longing…) 

Are you the proud parent of a preschooler who has recently reached the magical milestone of graduating to a “grown up bed”? A delightful moment of pride and joy!
That is, until bedtime.
Ummmmmmm, what? There are no more crib railings to keep someone in bed? New concerns regarding safety from monsters combined with the necessity to come and retrieve someone for just ONE more song or story abound? At your wits end coming up with ways to keep your most beloved small person in bed? Please, please just stay in bed?

Look no further!
Introducing the Magnificent Bean Bed Magnet!!! (Shown here in action during afternoon quiet time):

The Magnificent Bean Bed Magnet offers soft warm companionship! It is the perfect friend to whom a wee tyke share stories with minimal interruption yet big-eyed interest! It keeps both loneliness AND monsters at bay (do not un-delude your preschooler by informing them that unless the monster is the size and shape of a dog biscuit the pug magnet will probably NOT devour it.)

Directions for use:
tell one small pug to "stay" cuddled up on the small human’s bed when making your exit for grown up time.
In experimental tests, the small human did not get out of bed! Not. Even. Once. 

Oh Bean! Your stock has gone up at your Autie’s household! She will be so eager to host you in the Bay Area next Fall!

Introducing The Magnificent Bean Magnet!

Break!

Please pardon our absence on Monday, Frank was taking a break!

Actually, he was hosting one of his human cousin's who kept us all delighted and running... and then he collapsed! 

Fear not! We will be back on Friday!

Taste Test!

Oh Frank and Bean! What is that? You have recently discovered the PERFECT sized delicious pug treats?!? 

Indeed, these have to be specially brought to us by a friend who, after MUCH hard work on the part of the pugs - wide eyed stealthy snuggling technique being the tool primarily employed - seems to have rather been won over by the handsome young pups!

Sojo's Dog Treats come in a variety of flavors and are the perfect size for a pug! They can even be broken down into 3 tiny treats for training! 

Oh! Frank and Bean! 

Given that there were 2 flavors which the boys were enjoying, I thought it might be good to do a simple taste test! On the left side we have PB & J, and on the right Blueberry Cobbler...

Time to hedge your bets!:

BEAN!!! NO! You are VERY bad and greedy!!

Blueberry seems to be the winner! However, in the interest of fair play, I thought we best do a second round with the position of the treats switched!

Yum, yum!! Blueberry Cobbler it is! Oh Frank and Bean! Delicious!

Good Morning!

What? What do you mean it's time to get up?

Oh Frank! You are so handsome when you are sleepy and disgruntled!

Easter!

We would like to apologize for this tardy email, but I was out of town visiting Frank and Bean's Grandma and Grandpa for Easter, but fear not! Grandma sent back an Easter Basket!!

Ooooooo...

Ooooooo!

OOOOOOO!

At first the focus stayed with the edible treats....

(here we see Bean from the treat's angle) :

Bean! You are so intimidating and focused when you are hunting!

Quickly, however, the boys became rather enamored with their new organic squeaky toys! Organic Turtle and Organic Spot!

Treats and play were followed by some well deserved rest (and a little bit of hoarding by Frank)...

Oh Frank and Bean! Happy Easter!

Someone looks miiiiiiiiiiiighty guilty...

Bean! What did you do???

I have yet to discover the evidence of mischief, but when I do I think I know who to blame...

Then again, they do say that only the guilty sleep in jail... Hmm... Frank seems awfully sleepy...

If ONLY...

Ughmmmmph alllllllmmoooosssst......

Oh Bean. If only your tail was straight, I'm certain that you would have made contact by now! Perhaps if you weren't so very confused by also needing to scratch your ear?

Definition:

Today we will be defining the word Antithetic:

adj: of the nature of or involving antithesis; directly opposed or contrasted; opposite.

Please allow Frank and Bean and our houseguest Whisky to pictorially demonstrate this definition:

Thank you Frank, Bean, and Whisky!

Neighborhood Moment!

Gosh darn it...

...if those aren't the funniest looking dogs Bean's ever seen!

I love in city chicken coops, perhaps we need some new friends for Frank and Bean! You are also allowed to have 1 goat in the city! Frank and Bean Build a Farm, I think it has a catchy ring to it!

Rain Gear

Guess what...

It's raining again.

Oh, but Frank! At least you have your fancy new coat!! It has a fleece lining so that he stays both warm AND dry. In true little brother fashion, Bean has inherited his old one... 

he just loves it....

Actually, he hates it, but it is a VAST improvement from the previous one which I thought was such a good deal ($12 vs. $70 for Frank's red one - yes, 70! for a dog coat!!! even I balked! But it is very hard to find one with a hood, especially a hood that doesn't constrict the ears and rides above the head like both of the current ones do so that the hood isn't immediately shaken/pulled off). 

Let us just say, it is not a bargain if it is a piece of you know what; I do not recommend the poncho looking versions. 

If you are seeking a durable and light weight raincoat, I must say that the Ruffwear Sun Shower Dog Rain Jacket (modeled by Bean) IS quite good for an active pup that doesn't need added warmth... however, they seem not to be making them anymore and you have to seek them on ebay; GREAT news since it usually drops the price! (PS! I learned during my search that Zappos.com is now featuring pet wear/supplies!)

If you would like an extra layer of warmth, we have discovered the RC Pets Robson Rainwear 

(modeled by Frank). I was overjoyed as I have been searching literally for years for another coat with the scalloped hoody... It looks like they also offer a slicker version with no lining and fun colors, The Yaletown Slicker , though I would not endorse it as I have not tried it, and of course their poncho, which is affordable, but as I mentioned before, not great at staying on nor is it durable, however it is tempting with fun colors and it packs up very small in a pinch.

Frank and Bean hope you all stay dry out there!

Courting Danger!

As many a pug owner can tell you, caring for such an adorable bug eyed creature comes part and parcel  with an exhaustive day to day process of making sure that one's pug does not get to close to anything which may poke  them in their ever preset eyeballs (though Frank IS quite handsome with only one leftover eye...). We look for extended bush limbs, long nails on play buddies, thorns on blackberry bushes... but it was with horror that I glanced down while drinking my coffee this morning to discover Bean's eyeball courting danger whilst lying "safely" in bed!

BEAN!!! Get away from that newspaper!!! Don't you know what a paper cut on the eyeball could do to you!?! 

(To be fair, his grandmother was accepting opinions on who the new Pope might be and I think perhaps Bean was investigating the listed candidates in the hope of offering his opinion).

He looked relatively shocked at my strong reaction... 

(oh, and add the fingers of toddlers to the danger list, those shiny orbs are so very hard for them to resist!)

Literacy

I am a reader. I love a good book and the pugs love a good book because it means that I will be curled up with them for a while. However, it is possible that I MIGHT have a weakness for US Weekly. I was sad to see when I returned from the shower this morning that Bean may have inherited my addiction....

BEAN! I do hope that you are not comparing my mistakes as a pug mom to those of Mom Kardashian!

Um...

I resent this...

I would never! go out with holes in my tights AND I will have everyone know that all of the pug merchandise that I own has been gifted to me! Mostly. And the vintage postcards that I collect are not of pugs!

As for the rest, well... 

Moby Whisk

I don't mean to make Frank self conscious, but it must be said that in the past month a rather prominent white whisker has appeared amongst his very sleek black whiskers... we have named it Moby Whisk. 

In the interest of scientific research I googled the top 10 reasons that we go grey, and here is what I found:

- Bad Diet

-Vitiligo, we don't know or care so much about whatever that is

- Lack of B12 and/or folic acid

- Tooth Whitening and something about Hydrogen Peroxide

- Smoking, Genes, Age, etc... when suddenly the lyrics to a rather embarrassing country song serendipitously came on: (I have inserted some additional and I think quite enhancing lyrics parenthetically):

They say time takes it's toll on a body 

Makes a young girl's (or pug's) brown (or black) hair (or whiskers) turn gray 

Well, honey, I don't care I ain't in love with your hair

And if it all fell out Well I'd love you anyway. (and I would buy you lot's of fancy sweaters because you would get oh so cold) (especially in the rain!)

That's right! Frank's advice? Wear that white whisker proudly! Frank for one is just filled with delight  to have made it long enough to have a white whisker, fixer upper of a wee sick runt that he was! Oh Frank! We are ALL so pleased!

Oh Bean, you are getting smootch from such a wisened handsome pug! (this was also the only shot of Moby that I could get, please note it there right under Bean's snout, the little rascals were NOT cooperating!)