Caution!

Pear season has arrived.
Now, I am a fan of a pear, especially with a bit of Stilton cheese and a side of port. However, the pears that we have BOUNTIFULLY growing in our back yard are not the delicious kind. They are the hard kind. Very hard. Like a large green rock.

 

Only these large green rocks fall out of the sky. The good news is that the pears falling from a greater height crash through several yards of branches before descending to the ground, with a shocking velocity, so you have a few brief moments with which you can flee to the door.
If a pear falls from a low branch you are out of luck, but at least it has not dropped from as high.

The result of either of these pears falling and thunking a human squarely on the head is a headache and a rather large lump. However, what about a pug?! The pears are just about the size of their heads AND they have even farther to fall to hit a small pug close to the ground...
 What to DO?! I feel that Bean, since his eyes are basically on the top of his head and they work and he is ever so small and quick, has a relatively good chance of escaping damage.
Frank on the other hand, well, Frank = not so hardy. 

The solution?

Oh FRANK!!! You look so handsome in your old bicycle helmet!!!

Safety first! No one likes a concussed pug, no matter how handsome!

I am sad to say that it took several times for Frank to re-acquaint himself fondly with his helmet. Perhaps it is because, due to the rather round shape his head, it tends to slip down over his eyes. We have secured it safely to his new Outdoor in Pear Season Collar, and readers may now rest assured that all is well.

Super Stylin'

Woah!!! Frank!!! What IS that brilliant new accessory that you have about your neck?!

Oh my! So sleek and stylish! And what, your readers might be thinking, could be more perfect for a one eyed pug (who is also a Johnny Depp fan, or so I would like to think...)!

Now, readers, don't be worried. I could understand how you might be thinking that Frank's new taste for high fashion might have gone to his head. Please let me assure you that he has, thus far, remained rather unimpressed with his new uptown style status...

Oh Frank. 

Thank you Auntie Lauren for keeping us so fashionable!

Oh Bean! I'm sorry, did you have something you would like to add to today's post?

Oh, indeed! Happy Birthday Grandpa Railey!!

Vacation!!!

Once upon a time, there were two small black pugs who were feeling rather restricted and worn down by the daily grind of city life....

So, not wanting for there to be ANY discontent in the little pug's hearts, we packed up the bags and headed out of town for a mini vacation!

Oh Frank!! Where are we headed?

The answer is that we were headed to the charming and delightful Sunset Marine Resort (yes, that is a pug on their website, no that is not why we decided to go. Well, it is not the only reason we decided to go, and I believe that the charming model is actually a bug! Half Boston half Pug!) This was a charming resort with separate cabins, several of which allow and even encourage canine guests!

BEAN!!! Don't jump!!! You aren't even wearing your life preserver!

Oh my! Weren't Frank and Bean delighted when we pulled up to their very own cabin with their own LAWN and steps to a private beach for frolicking!!!???

And frolic they did...

They frolicked with a new friend....

They frolicked with a ball (oh BEAN! how picturesque!)....

They frolicked on the beach...

Oh Frank! Where are you going???!

Why Frank and Bean, whatever are you looking for?

 OH! A seal friend! (um, that is its head).

And at the end of a full day of frisking and frolicking, the boys relaxed with some chewies on the dock...

All in all, a delightful and relaxing time was had by all, and upon returning home the pugs appeared much more content just to be! 

(And yes, for those of you wondering, of course Gentle Pig did come along on the vacation.)

Happy Birthday Frank!

Now, it is important to note, for all of those who may want to add Frank's birthday to their calendar, that Frank's birthday is NOT in fact today, but was rather on the 14th of August! August turned out to be a bit packed, which is why we have so many delightful stories saved up! 

We shall begin with a tour of Frank's birthday, which started out with a package of gifts sent from his Grandma!

Oh Frank! Who is such a lucky pug? There is even an extra toy for Bean!

We then proceeded to Frank's favorite dog park, where there was much frolicking to be had by all...

followed by a bath and drying in the sun (everyone should be fresh and clean for their birthday!!)...

Oh? What's that Frank? This is not quite pampered enough for your birthday? How about a chewie in the sun as well?

Much better!

And finally, at the end of a big day, rather than a birthday cake, someone got their favorite dinner of all: some fresh grilled salmon and skin.

Oh Frank! Delightful! Welcome to your seventh year!!! 

(don't worry, Bean got some salmon too...)

Smile Bean!

I tried to take a still of the way Bean smiles when he gets a scratcharoo... but it didn't do it justice, so... here you go for your viewing pleasure...

Bean!

How is it possible...

... that something with such a large personality can curl up into something smaller than my book? (The Sisters Brothers for those who might be curious... pretty good... a short Western with a heart... I bet we see the movie getting put together soon...)

Bean! You are so very tiny!

Frank's Vacation Home :(

 Oh Frank! What's that? Just two weeks ago you had a delightful visit to your vacation home in Colorado Springs?

 Where you frolicked in your own fully fenced yard?

And sought some delicious refreshments?

And visited your very best friend in the world, Snackler?!

Oh Frank! 

Such big times were had, and then the day after we left there was such a fire...

Frank is sending his love and good wishes to all of those affected (animals and humans alike) by the Waldo Canyon Fire.
(Frank's Grandma and Grandpa and their home are all safe so far.)

Hawaii! (not really)

What's that Frank and Bean? You're helping to send me to vacation in Hawaii!! Oh you are so thoughtful! If only you would think of a different way... Sneaking my 3 year old niece's raisins so that I can put the emergency vet bill on my Alaska Airlines credit card is really less than ideal I must say...

1000 "miles" later we all seem to be safe. 

Raisin count from induced vomiting:

Frank: 17

Bean: 10

Sigh. Frank and Bean, pugs aren't even allowed into Hawaii without strict quarantine, so STOP helping!

Over-Stretching?

Oh. Dear. Frank, you forgot to put your tongue away before falling asleep!

I do hope that this is not a result of your exemplary stretching routine! 

(please see previous post for a pictorial example...)

A Healthy Morning Routine

Part of every healthy morning routine should include some stretching to waken and lengthen!

Frank agrees with this whole heartedly and enjoys a full length stretch each morning!

Of utmost importance for a pug, you may like to take note of the exceptional tongue stretch here included.

(You know the tongue IS the strongest muscle in the body!)

(Also, Bean, not so ready to be up and at 'em here.)

Good job Frank!