Wilma's Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ Question and Answer Edition

Good day, all my friends. Today marks the addition of a new element to my Wednesday Words of Wisdom.

In last weeks post I talked about fielding questions from you all on some of my Wednesdays.

This weeks question is from my friend Pearl.

She's really put me to the test, as this is quite a weighted question.

I will do my best to answer, and I invite you all to chime in as well in the comment section.

Here it is...

"My question for you for next week is this: Why are there so many pugs in rescues? Pugs are SO over-represented in rescues and shelters and I just can't figure out why that is. Furthermore, why do people do mean things to animals? We are the sweetest things ever. I have just been thinking about that today and looking at some rescue sites. I want to take them ALL HOME. And I would like to poop on all of the losers who treat animals badly. So you just give a wisdom about how I can make that happen!! :)"

Little Miss Pearl

OK, my friend. To start, I will address the first part of your question.

Why so many pugs in rescue?

Well, I think there are many reasons for this.

One is that over time we pugs with our cute faces and sparkling personalities, have come into fashion.

At times we can be very prominent in the public eye

Some humans just have to have the next big thing. I have heard "keeping up with the Jones'" being used in relation to this phenomenon.

Many times these folks, while they may have good intentions, don't do their due diligence when it comes to finding out what is really involved when you commit to care for we somewhat high maintenance pups.

Once the kids are "over us" or the reality of what it takes to keep us in the fashion we are accustomed to sets in, these humans realise they haven't got what it takes.

People who have only ever had a "dog" in the past don't understand that we are a breed apart.

So they give up on us.

That was kinda Brigitte's story, her first Mom "always wanted a pug" but only ever had  labs.

She didn't have the time to devote to Brigitte. She had the whole full time job, husband with full time job, 2 kids, 1 infant, a big dog, and a cat going on. It was too much, and Brigitte wasn't getting the care and attention she deserved. So she lovingly surrendered her to my Mom.

I believe she had every intention of remaining committed to Brigitte , and it was very difficult for her to give her up. But she did what was best for Britte. (better than she could have ever imagined)

Then there are the other factors, such as costly medical issues and changes in life's circumstances. (Although I personally never understood the "I am moving and my next place doesn't allow pets" bullsh*t, but that's a whole other issue)

Unfortunately too, this business about the economy (don't ask me, I don't let it change the amount of money that is spent on me) has more and more people having to give up their pets due to financial hardship.

Plus, with more people becoming aware of the hideous practices at puppy mills, many of these delicate souls are becoming available due to rescues freeing  them at auction.

Every rescue pug has their story, some very much worse than others.

So that is my short answer to part one of your question.

As for part two. Honestly Pearl, I really cannot even begin to try and come up with an answer for that one.

I can only think that people who would hurt an innocent animal are extremely sick individuals.

I like the idea of pooping on them though, or worse!

[ Insert cute picture to lighten up serious post]

Sluggo steals a kiss from Wilma

Now, Pearly, that last part, about making it happen. I wasn't sure if you were talking about pooping on losers, or taking home all the rescue pugs.

I am going to take the high road on this one, and talk about the ways we can help the pugs who need people. The pooping part, I think that will all work it self out in the end. No pun intended.

One thing I'd like to point out, is that all of you out there on your blogs are already doing something to help put pugs in the spotlight.

Puglet with his flat self.

Punchy and her crew over at Pug Possessed, with the work they do with rescue.

The folks over at A Pugs Voice who bring us up close and personal to the blood, sweat and tears involved on the front lines of pug rescue.

So, on what ever level they can, our humans should keep on keeping on giving us a voice.

Some things we can all do, is to educate, educate, educate the people who stop us, where ever we are, to get a piece of us.

Give them the good, the bad and the ugly, and if they still think they are up for it, tell them all about rescue.

Now, that is not the easiest thing for me to say. I am a pedigreed pug from champion lines. My breeder, God rest her soul, was deeply committed to the pug breed her whole life. And for those people, who are so devoted to continuing to breed healthy happy pugs, I have a deep respect.

But, I did have a talk with Mom and Dad when I was younger, and we have agreed that any new pugs who came to live with us, would be rescues.

I have some other ideas about how I can help those flat faces out there, and I will be working on them together with Mom.

One thing, is to work a little with the side bar on the blog. I want to include more resources and links and things of that nature.

We can all do a little more. Be creative. Money is good, but that's not all that can be done.

We can contact our local rescues and volunteer to transport pugs in need.

We can donate towels, food, toys, crates.

We can use our voices. Bark out loud for all the pugs who don't have one.

All that being said, and I didn't even say everything I wanted to. I am going to close what may turn out to be my wordiest post yet.

This weeks post was a little on the serious side for me. But, I'm OK with that.

Sometimes, life is serious. We must balance our comic sides with our dramatic, our yin with our yang.

Balance our chi, make a deposit into the good karma account.

May you all have a beautiful day.