This tribute page is to all of you, may you find peace at Rainbow Bridge. May loving hands and lots of treats and toys await every one of you as you enter.

Please send any entries to Karen Powers, Founder GMPR at vtpugs@charter.net

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Green Mountain Pug Rescue has learned of the passing of foster mom Jeanne Finnerty, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jeanne and husband Frank adopted and fostered needy pugs from GMPR until Jeanne’s health prevented them from continuing to foster. Originally from Massachusetts, they moved to Vermont several years ago and immediately shared their love for pugs with the GMPR family. Jeanne took part in our Alumni Parade at the Pug Social last September. One of her last wishes was that in lieu of flowers, her friends and family remember her with love through donations to GMPR for the rescue and placement of pugs, the dogs she loved so much. We know that there is a cluster of furry faces and curly tails waiting for some love from Jeanne on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

 

 

 

 

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Dear Karen,

As I am sure that you know we lost Toddy our Angel back in August. I have wanted to write a tribute for her but until now haven't been able to think about her without crying. As you know she was a special little angel that went through more than any animal (My Child) should ever have too. The last almost 2 years of her life where lived out in peace, harmony and joy. Toddy was a special part of my family and was loved by all including Mitzi her sister. They were inseparable until the day that Toddy passed and Mitzi still looks for her.
I just wanted to write this as, I don't want Toddy to ever be forgotten by anyone......

Thank You,
Sharon Bortell
 

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It is with such unbearable sadness that I write this. Our darling Newton made the journey across the rainbow bridge on Monday Sept. 29. I held him the entire time and hummed a lullaby and whispered how much we loved him. Newton came to us 3 1/2 years ago with his sister Moxie. He was a newly diagnosed diabetic. When Karen asked if we would foster them I said yes but was terrified at the thought of having to give Newton his injections. We did it...we fell in love with them...and adopted them. Newtie was a little spitfire..when he pooped on the floor and I would point at it and say "what did you do" He would yell at me with a Whoo...woo...wo!!! It almost seemed like he was saying I did not do that and how dare you to even think such a thing! :o) Had to laugh at him. He was such a character. When we use to come home he would sound off and it almost sounded like he was saying I love you. He soon lost all of his sight and developed CCDS (doggy Alzheimer's). The fire dwindled to a tiny flame. He was a fighter...In May our vet recommended that we let him go. His kidney's were starting to fail. We brought him home for one more night and to our amazement the little old guy rebounded. If he was willing to fight then we were willing to try. It was the CCDS that took him. It's a horrible disease and is much the same in dogs as it is in humans. This picture of Newtie was taken almost a year after he was here. It took him that long to get on the couch and look that cozy. (Bless him) The only other time he would get on the couch before that was after his baths and he only did it cuz he thought it was some sort of pay back. What a clown! He overcame aggression issues, fearfulness of being picked up. For the first year he was always in a defense mode. Could not hug him or hold him. He thought someone was going to hurt him. I really think that something bad happened to him. We are going to miss him terribly but we know he is in a better place now. He can see, run, jump and play again I am sure. It's been a rough year at our house but we know that these little guys were happy and loved in their golden years. I'll never understand how someone can have the privilege of being loved so unconditionally by these little guys and at a time in their (the pet) lives when they most need a helping hand and extra care they are just tossed away or given up. I'm so glad to of had the privilege of having them come to us and love us as if they had been with us forever and we loved them the same. We love and miss you with all of our heart old man. Take care of Moxie, give Missy a kiss...and play nice with Benny. We'll join you all one day. God Bless your sweet sweet little heart Newton.

Love Mommy & Daddy

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Missy: Adopted Jan. 2004...Passed Sept. 2008

We lost Missy Sunday Sept. 22 2008. Had her to the vet for an emergency visit at around 5 in the afternoon. He gave her a steroid shot and told us to bring her back in the morning. They were going to do more blood work. She became very weak Sunday afternoon and I noticed that her tongue was pale (anemia). She also sounded congested. I thought for sure they would keep her at the vets. We went to bed that evening with little Missy between us. She did some coughing but then seemed like she was setting down and going to sleep. I dozed off for a very short time and when I woke at about 12:30 I could not hear her breathing. I reached out and put my hand on her and I knew she had passed. Missy was my special joy. She came to us in Jan. of 2004 after being rescued from the horrors of a puppymill out west. For nine years she somehow survived the confines of a small cold cage. When she came to us she could barley walk, had no muscle mass and was terrified of everything. She slowly gained strength and her little body became sturdy. Everyday was a new experience for her. It took her over a year to get over having nightmares. She would wake up and just freak out like she had to run and hide from someone or something. She would be in a panic but then she would realize where she was and I would put her back in bed and she would nuzzle her little chin into my neck and sigh and go back to sleep. She came to us as a caterpillar and she became a beautiful butterfly. She was my little black 16-LB jellybean. I still cannot believe she is gone She has been the most rewarding little Pug that I have ever had. She overcame so much. We watched her blossom and our hearts would melt each time she learned a new trick like how to pee and kick her back feet like she was telling the world "this belongs to me" or when you could see her laughing cuz she was so tickled that the pop corn was almost ready. She was 14 years old and lived 5 years of her life in a warm loving home. I am so glad that she came to us. She has taught me a lot about life and how to be strong and about forgiveness. A sweet little angle such as Missy put up with such abuse for so long yet she learned how to trust & love & let someone love her. She sure could of taught the world a thing or to. If people would learn from our beloved pets the world be a much better place. We found out through an x-ray awhile back that Missy had an old injury. Her stomach had been pushed through her diagram. Yet she survived! There was major scar tissue so we knew it was something that had happened to her during her years of being held a prisoner of greed. Most likely she received a hard kick or was thrown against something. This type of injury, our vet told us, is usually seen when a car has hit a dog. The entire clinic was amazed that she had survived such trauma with out medical attention. This could have had an impact in what was going on with her recently, however we did x-rays again and there were no apparent changes. We are not sure what happened. God Bless My Missy! I hope that someone reads this about her life and joins the fight to end all back yard breeders and puppy mills. Yes that little puppy in the window looks lonely and cute, but stop and think about the horrors of the ones that produce them.

Missy my Dear sweet angle please know that Mommy & Daddy love and miss you with all of our being. Benny, Moxie, and Newton will look after you till we are together again.

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Winston was a sweet, old gentleman who came to us through Green Mtn. Pug Rescue. When he came to our house, he could barely walk, had thin hair and looked like a walking train wreck. And this was 'after' he was spruced up by his first foster mom. Being in our house and hanging out with our crew, he grew more mobile, enjoyed his food immensely and was in love with life. Winston was doing well; then he started having problems walking up and down the two stairs going inside and outside. And he started having a very embarrassing problem of not being able to hold his bowles and bladder while he slept.

After an evaluation by our local vet, where he was diagnosed with have degenerative disc disease in two places and various other problems, we decided to let him live the remainder of his days without surgery or other invasive measures.

When it was apparent that Winston didn't have the dignity and pain free existence we were wishing for him, I held him in my arms as he went on his last journey.

I can see him now, running with all his puggie and furry friends in the great meadows in the sky, with all the treats, warm beds and friends to keep him company until, someday, we go to join him.

Winston was one of our best furry guests, and we still miss him dearly.

Lynn Esty

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Tribute to Mandee..from the Hiltz's

Grief is a word that encompasses many emotions. I grieved for my son Neil the day Autism suddenly took over his young life. Our lives, and his, changed forever. He has taught us many life lessons, and I am so proud of how hard he tries to deal with his issues. One day, Neil and I discovered the Green Mountain Pug Rescue, and it became Neil’s obsession to check the website multiple times a day, looking at the pugs and reading their descriptions. He always went straight to look at Mandee, a puppymill survivor. Although we had two pugs of our own, we felt compelled to help one of these pugs whose lives were so horrific before being rescued. Mandee had survived three long years in an Amish puppymill, and living in her foster home was her first real time she was given love, affection, and freedom. To this day, we are eternally grateful to her foster parents who put her on the road to recovery from her traumatic past. So when we adopted Mandee this past August, I felt an immediate bond to her. Our bond began on our long car ride home to New Hampshire, where I could sense her uncertainty of what was happening. And yet, she clung close to me. Despite our bond, it took months before Mandee let down her guard around people, other than my family.

Our other pugs, Max and Luis, adored her and within a matter of hours after her arrival they cuddled in the big dog bed I had purchased to hold all of them. Before long, Mandee grew to trust my son Neil as well. Despite his vocal tics and loud voice, she would let him hold her and talk to her. One of their favorite things to do was to go for walks. But since Mandee was terrified of oncoming cars, she had to be pushed in a doggy stroller rather than walk on a leash. Neil would push her in her stroller, and as he did she would gaze at him, filled with happiness. Mandee and Neil were great therapy for each other.

Because of our great love for Mandee, we were incredibly worried when the vet said that she had developed a mammary tumor. She received surgery to remove the tumor and recovered well. But soon after she began having short seizures at night. The vet put her on medication, and for months she was seizure free. Then suddenly this began to change. After having five seizures in one night, we took her to the vet. The vet did extensive blood work and discovered that Mandee had a low thyroid level, so we gave her medication for that as well. Then Sunday came. We were only out getting ice cream, as Neil was having a hard day and ice cream always helps. But when we returned home, we were shocked to find Mandee violently shaking under a chair in the living room. We shuttered to think how long before we got there that she was in seizure. So we rushed her to the emergency vet, which was about twenty five minutes away. It was all I could do to hold on to her, as she was having such a horrible seizure. When we arrived at the vet they rushed her to the examining room. The last time that we got to spend with Mandee, she was in coma, and despite that, one leg still shook from seizure. We then knew that she was blind, and had other permanent brain damage. We knew all too well how critically sick she was, since we lost our pug Daisy to pug encephalitis four years prior. This experience brought back those painful memories from Daisy’s death.

I held her as she was put to rest, knowing that I would never see her from this moment on. My tears soaked her fur.

Now Mandee is up in heaven with Daisy. It breaks our hearts that she is no longer with us, but we know she is no longer in pain. She had suffered more than any dog should have, having once lived in a puppy mill. We gave her eight months of love and she made a great impact on our lives. My heart is broken in two but I have found comfort that she is in a better place, where she will never suffer again and is at peace.

We have made a tribute video to Mandee. To watch this video, please click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUfLiFhWayA


Jayne Hiltz and Family

Goffstown, NH

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I hadn’t really thought that much about pugs until my son Owen, who was in seventh grade, said he wanted one. You have to understand that Owen is obsessed, In first grade he came home from school all starry-eyed after his music teacher brought in a child-sized violin. He has played the violin ever since.

All we heard about were pugs. We didn’t want a puppy and found GMPR through Petfinder.com. We were lucky to adopt Ophelia through GMPR in September 2005. She came home and joined our dogs, Hero (a terrier, who is now 12) and Beatty (Beatrice, a cattle dog who is now 7), both of whom were adopted from shelters – Beatty was a rescue dog.

It took Ophelia a long time to warm up to us. Immediately, upon her arrival, she established herself on Owen’s bed. Taking her outside during the day, meant following her on a tour around the downstairs followed by a climb upstairs and into Owen’s room, where we would pluck her from his pillow and take her out. This went on for months.

Owen and his pug were a hit with the girls. We often referred to Ophelia as “Owen’s babe magnet.” She was even responsible for a local girl getting a pug after she fell in love with her. Owen went from being a little boy with a pug to being a teenager almost six-feet tall.

At some point, Ophelia discovered our king-sized bed and abandoned Owen. She took a shine to Alan (Owen’s dad) and would follow him everywhere when he got home from work. He would often say, “I just don’t get it,” but he got a kick out of her sitting it the kitchen watching him make supper or following him around the yard. Often, her paws were green from walking through the freshly cut grass. She was content to just sit near him when he read the newspaper.

She found two buddies in our other two dogs and an antagonist in our cat April who would stalk her. April finally settled down and the two could even find themselves sleeping on the same bed or couch. Our new kitten Xu and Ophelia got along famously.

Ophelia was afraid of people, but not large animals like horses or sheep or goats or other big dogs. She always looked like one of the gang about to have a great time when she was with other animals.

We loved how the dogs would pile out the back door like a scene in a James Herriott book. They would race around the yard, hang out in the garden and greet customers at the greenhouse.

I don’t have to tell all of you all the endearing traits of a pug and Ophelia had many of them. She was quite pretty and loved her nylon bone. Owen and I took her to the pug social and she, although subdued, looked great and seemed to like the other pugs.

She also had a voracious appetite and expanding waistline and we had to carefully monitor all the dogs’ food. Owen and his Aunt Jody would take the three dogs on a daily winter walk through our meadows on the VAST trail where they would race around in the packed snow.

Ophelia’s devotion to Alan ended her short life. He was moving snow fence in the truck and she ran over to where he was parked and he didn’t see her. She was killed instantly.

In shock, we drove over to the high school to pick up Owen after school and break the news to him. While we were gone, his two brothers had dug a hole for her under the apple tree near the garden.

She looked asleep on her pink and white fluffy bed as we placed her in the ground. Through the tears, we noticed the beautiful sunset. The dogs were under the apple tree and the cats were in the garden.

We all miss her.

—Heidi Racht, Huntington

 

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Moxie adopted 5/2005...passed 4/25/08
Our sweet little Moxie has crossed the rainbow bridge. She passed gently in her Daddy's arms early Friday morning with her Mommy and all her puggy siblings by her side. She had heart failure. She was 15 years young and she left us much to soon. She came to us a short 3 years ago in May with her brother Newton. I nicked named her Moxie May. They started out as foster pugs but it was love at first sight and a few months later we adopted them both. Moxie loved carrots, her Saturday night pop corn and her bedtime biscuit. She always started getting ready for bed early just to get her treat and then it was off to her favorite spot on our bed. She was such a wonderful little angle and was such a sweetheart. She was deaf but could read our hand signals. She lived up to her name ....she sure had Moxie and when she wanted something we'd hear her loud and clear. Our hearts are broken but we know that our Benny greeted her at the bridge and together they will wait for us. Till then my sweet sweet, Moxie May, you and Benny take good care of each other and we'll see you again. We will forever love and miss you.
 

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Hello,
It is with unbearable sadness that I must write to tell you that our little Joey passed away at 18 1/2 years old late Christmas evening! If you recall Joey had won your 'Special Award for The Oldest Pug Attending the 2007 GMPR Pug Social' on September 22,2007.

Without going into to much details (because I can't bring myself to at this time!) our boy had recently been having some problems and with that said...we decided (at 18 1/2!) he could pretty much have anything he wanted as far as food goes! (the only "people food" our boys ever get is carrots! and even those are organic only!) So....never knowing it was going to be his very last night with us...I gave Joey a piece of my Filet Mignon dinner! Well...he liked it so much that one piece turned to two...then three...four...and so on...and so on...and finally....Joey had finished the rest of my Filet Mignon!

He was such a good boy! He never did anything wrong! Anyone that knew Joey just loved him! He just had that kind of personality! Starting in May and ending at the very end of October we took a three hour drive from our home in Middletown, New York to Dorset, Vermont (several miles from Manchester) every single weekend and Joey just LOVED IT!! He and his brother Bernie (who is 13 1/2) love Vermont so much!!

I'm attaching a picture of Joey sitting outside in Vermont in October and a picture we used of the boys for our Christmas card this year that was taken on 12/9/07. Joey is on the left) Joey's Daddy Henry, his brother Bernie and myself are missing him and mourning him terribly!!
Marlene Pinto

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                    Nicky Palumbo
                     1996 – 2007

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In loving memory of "Moe" Varmette

Moe was the worlds most beloved pug lover. He always was smiling- all throughout the pain and suffering the past year has given him. He struggled and fought cancer to the end. It took his body but could not take his spirit. Moe told Mary that he was GONNA come to the pug social this year- no matter what. He was released from the hospital just days before it and we worried he would not make it. True to the man he was- he was there with Mary and their pugs Lucy, Lilly and Patty Ann. A true friend to all, and we all loved him through and through. A huge pug lover- he adored his pugs and coming to the social was one of his best times.

We got the news late last night through Mary that Moe passed away at 4:00 PM yesterday 11/11/07. GMPR is honored to bring a contingency of board members to the wake Weds night and funeral Thursday. To say thanks to the big guy for all the laughter, jokes, stories ( GO SOX) and great times. These memories will see us all through. We will see you again my dear friend...of that I am sure.

Some gmpr folks wanted to donate to gmpr in memory of Maurice so we are putting the paypal button here to help our vet fund for needy pugs. He was a firm supporter of GMPR and a way for those of you that were blessed to know him- to remember him by. Helping one pug at a time..

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In Memory of Ed:

You were such a joy to us for a little more than 4 years.

Ed came to us the end of June,2003. He was sight and hearing impaired, but it never slowed him down. Over time he lost both his sight and hearing, but still got around. He was such an impressive little dog. Wiggled his way into your heart.

My Dad lived in assisted living in Burl. Ed would go visit, all the residents loved him. They all wanted to hold and love him. He would snuggle into who ever had him.

About 3 months ago, Ed started having trouble with his bladder. We did everything the Vet said, but nothing worked. The weight loose came next, along with walking and eating.

We are so blessed to have had Ed for those 4 short years. He always enjoyed a ride in the car, and in the summer the stop at the Creme stand for a chance to for lick the bottom of the bowl. I miss hearing him walking around the house, wanting to get up on the sofa, and the hoarse bark, when he came in from outside wanting a treat.

Last Tues, Nov 13 th at 9:30, Ed crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. I held him all the way..........my tears dripping on his face.

Eddie we miss you..........................

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We had to let our little man go on July 26 2007. The Alzheimer got the best of him and it went so quick. I We could not make this wonderful little old man who gave so much love suffer. Our hearts are broken and the house is not the same. We miss him soooo much.

Benny Rescued 2003

Adopted 2003...passed 2007
We will miss you terribly but know we will be together again.
We love you Benny!
Love Mommy, Daddy & all your brother & sisters.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

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It is with great great sorrow that I have to announce the passing of my little angle, P2. He passed away today of congentive heart failure. He was such a sweet little man who was very attached to me soon after I bought him home. He was a big part of my family and even though I had him a little less than a year, I loved him like I had him forever. I will forever love him.

Please say a prayer for him as he passes through the gates into dog heaven.

Nancy

 

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Shmalz Amato
August 13, 2003-December 4, 2006

Shmalz was our beloved pug. He left us suddenly after 3 short years.
He was loved by everyone he met. Shmalz-y was so affectionate just waiting for you to hold him or put him in your lap. He was our first baby. He loved his blueberry pancakes and endless bowls of water. If we could have kept him forever, we would have. There will never be another dog like him. His loss is hurting us more than we ever could have imagained because of how special he really was. Hope to see you again Shmalz.

We miss you more than you know. There is a piece of you everywhere we go. We love you!
 

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Tasha came to GMPR an owner surrender. She was lovingly fostered by Jim Wright and cared for. She went in to have her spay done and ran into complications. They had to go back in and find out where she was bleeding from. She died last night at 9:30 with the vet by her side. The last 30 minutes she was having bloody diarrhea so the vet said that there must have been a serious underlying condition. Her pre surgery blood work showed nothing. Its one of those things you question- why!!! She was a loving little girl who gave love to all around her and her former owner is grieving too. She wanted the best life had to offer too and knew she would be lovingly spoiled in GMPR's care. We are deeply saddened to learn of her passing. May she run free with all the other pugs at the Rainbow Bridge and be happy once more. From all of us at GMPR- run free baby girl.

 

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9/17/06 Today was a very sad day for the GMPR family. We lost one of our puppymill pugs from Missouri. Fay Ray came to us on the 10th of September with 4 other pugs. She was healthy looking and barking up a storm as if to say I am here and I love life! On Sunday the 17th she was rushed to the emergency vet on call having difficulty breathing. She died that night but was never alone. My vet Rob Hoppe was with her to the end. While I am angry that she never had the loving adopted home- she did know love for the last few weeks she was free from the puppymill life of hell.

I ordered a necropsy done and this is what they found. Her heart was severely enlarged, wall was very thick. Left ventricle almost non existent, too tiny for blood to flow smoothly through. Right ventricle was flabby and enlarged.. Her right lung was like a liver- meaty looking- very unusual for a lung! Also blood was pooling in there from the heart. Her larynx was extremely hard- too hard to get a tube it intubate her even. This was not due to being postmortem either. Her trachea had a 1.5 inch beet red area very meaty but no known reason why. No tumors present at all. Collapsed trachea on one side. Not caused by the normal collapsing trachea pugs can get. Cause of death was ether a heart attack or suffocation.

She will remain in our hearts forever. I have asked for her to be privately cremated and will be laid to rest soon on a mountain top overlooking the fall foliage in the valley below. Run free baby girl- you were one special foster to both Marge and I. Karen Powers

 

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A letter to Chase

Hello My Little Chasey Bug,

Just wanted to let you know that mom and I miss you so very much. Barkley does too and I know this because I saw tears on his cheeks were he was crying as I was the day after we found you.

You died early on a Sunday morning in your sleep. I found you in the little bed by the fire place were you and Barkley like to nap on the cold winter days waiting for me to come home. You always greeted me at the stairs and talked to me about how your day was. That Barkley did this and Barkley did that, and you were happy to see me home.

I am finding it hard to sleep with out you beside me were you always were, or you asking me if you could come up into the bed when you could easily jumped up by your self but had to have me lift you up every night.  Sometimes I still hear and feel you scratching at the bed asking to come up were you belong. Or the kisses you gave me every morning greeting the new day of puggy advancers.

We laid you to rest out in the backyard were you and Barkley would go on pug patrol, exploring what the new day had brought you two. Barkley does it alone now and he's different about doing it. Think he's looking for his best buddy, but he knows were you are. You and Barkley were like our children sweetie. We called you two "The Boys" and sometimes when we were talking about you two people thought we were talking about our children,

With all my love
and till I am with you again.
and I know you will be waiting for me :o)
Love dad


Chase

adopted
6/11/05

Passed
7/16/06

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I remember the first time I met Gracie. Two and a half years ago, Green Mountain Pug Rescue's Phil and Judy Douglas, and Grace's foster parents, the Hallagans, and I met at the McDonald's in White River Junction, VT so I could bring Grace back to New Hampshire with me to her "forever home." When I held Grace that morning, I thought she was growling at me, but everybody laughed, and told me no-"She's snorting. That's what pugs do." Ever since, those sounds have been music to my ears, and each day I'd remind her how much I loved her darling little noises. Her sneezes were the most precious, even when she sneezed in my face.

She was blind when my husband and I adopted her, had disk fusion in her back, and arthritic hips. Despite her disabilities, she never seemed bothered by any of her ailments. In recent months, however, Gracie took a turn for the worse. She had become almost deaf, and the arthritis in her hips had grown more severe-sometimes they just gave out on her. When I felt some lumps beneath the fur of her chest, I took her to the vet, and an x-ray confirmed that her lungs were filled with tumors. The doctor gave her a shot of Cortisone and a prescription for Prednisone, and told me that Grace might have three weeks to live. She stayed with us for another six days.

And it was on this sixth day that a decision had to be made. She coughed incessantly, and could not seem to catch her breath. For the most part, she had also stopped eating and had not gone to the bathroom in almost twenty-four hours. At one point, she started wailing, either out of fear or pain, and that's when we knew it was time for her to go. Dr. Boardman put her to rest, and Grace died peacefully in my arms Sunday evening, July 30.

Like the proud mother I am, I took hundreds of pictures of Grace. I saved all of her whiskers that I found while cleaning. I now look longingly at all of her beautiful sweaters, and picture how cute she looked wearing them. I have a wealth of memories to last me a lifetime. But the one thing that I miss with every ounce of my being-and can not bring back in any way-is her smell. There was nothing more comforting than sticking my nose in her soft fur and taking a deep breath. I did this when I was stressed, or when I couldn't sleep, and it instantly made me feel better. I can't smell her in the house anymore, and that's the most difficult part of losing her.

Aside from her unconditional love and constant companionship, the lessons I learned from Gracie were profound. Here's one that comes to mind: At first I felt badly watching her bounce all over the house because she couldn't see. I thought that if I was her, I might be content just to sit in my bed where I knew nothing would hurt me. For a great portion of my life, that's exactly how I did live, scared of the greater world. But Grace was like a billiards ball. She'd bounce off something and immediately try another direction or approach to get to where she needed to be. And I thought, if she could do it blind, I could most certainly do it sighted. She taught me to never let anything block my path, or discourage my progress. I've become far less fearful of my own journey through life.

I want to thank everyone at GMPR for their love and support during this grievous time, and everyone at Brattleboro Veterinary Clinic (Dr. Boardman, Dr. Sandy, Dr. Sorton, Michelle, and Jessica) for the tender way they cared for Grace over the years, and for their sensitivity regarding her death. Most of all, I want to thank Grace herself for the two and half years of my life in which I felt the most loved and adored.
 

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5/4/06--- meet Moe- he was saved from a puppymill and rescued. The angel that rescued her helped him get to GMPR. For a new start and loving home and life. He had 8 teeth left and they all crumbled in the vets hands--he had been honking ,gagging and coughing at my home when I got him so I kept him away from my pugs and got him to the vets ASAP. They said no its just an elongated soft palate. They did his dental and took out the remaining teeth and his neutering. He was up on his feet and fine giving kisses and the vet called and asked if I could keep him overnight there as he was still groggy- sure I said.. She went back to him and he was gone. CPR - did everything- nothing. I felt horrible... But I learned that life is not fair a LONG time ago. At least he had a few days of knowing what love was... Its something to get me through. He was an amazing pug full of life and love.. I was honored to foster him- if only for a little bit!! Karen Powers

 

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Lord Jeffrey "Jeff" 4 August 1990 - 1 May 2006

We adopted Jeff from GMPR as an older adoptee on 10 July 2003. He was almost 13 years old. He was a wonderful addition to our family and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, which includes his pug brother, Winston, and Bernese Mountain Dog sister, Clementine. He was extremely easy to care for and was always eager to please. Thank you, Karen, for giving our family the opportunity to care for Jeff during his last 3 years on this earth.

It was a beautiful, warm day when Jeff entered Heaven.
- Lynn & Greg (Vermont)

 

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To our dog loving friends,

Well, Monday night (march 27th 2006)Belle’s lymph nodes (Lymphoma) were swollen in her neck so much that they made her breathing very difficult. This happened right after supper, and came on very quickly. She was moaning and gasping for air, so we called the vet to our house and he put her to sleep in Jeanne’s arms. She was very peaceful. We are greatly saddened by her passing, and will miss her so much, but are so happy we had the last few weeks with her. Every day was a special gift, in spite of the fact we knew she was going soon.


Sadly,

Frank & Jeanne
 

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Hello -

I am sad to say that our beloved family pug, Chelsea, was put to sleep last week (Jan 12th). She turned 15 last November, and even then she still was doing her sit/stay tricks for a treat (although she had to watch for fuzzy hand signals, since her hearing was gone).

She was able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas with the entire family; only in the last few weeks did she appear to feel pain from her illness.

She came to our family as a puppy, and we were so grateful for the time we had. It is amazing how close these pugs can get to your heart!

She didn't come to us through GMPR, but she is how we all fell in love with all things pug...
 

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We are back from Cape Cod and sadly, we have lost our beloved pug from GMPR, Cassie. She died peacefully in her sleep of what seemed to be a stroke or heart failure two weeks ago. She had enjoyed her second summer at Cape Cod with her family-us humansJ and Pug brother, Buddy, age 9 and her old Collie brother, Barron, age 14 ½. Chris held her in his arms, while mom called for help and tucked her in her little bed.

We drove 50 miles to the Boston area at 5 a.m., but she had crossed to the Rainbow Bridge by the time we arrived at the emergency clinic. She was a sweet girl who we adored and will forever be in our hearts. Our sadness hasn’t ended because yesterday, we lost our wonderful Barron. He was a love and we were so lucky to have enjoyed his wonderful self for almost 15 years.

We adopted him at age 1 when his owners didn’t want him due to a broken leg, which prohibited him from being a show dog. We took him in and got him the help he needed. Later in life, he survived a risky surgery at Cornell University Veterinary Hospital for a tumor from Cushing Disease. He had four wonderful years after that…so the Tammar family is very sad, but we feel very honored to be the human family of two wonderful dogs. Buddy is here with us and we are taking comfort in happy memories of the three of them romping through the house.

We know we’ll all be together again someday… Please pass our news and a photo on. The Tammar Family in Schenectady, NY



Pat Tammar

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“BECKIE” 1/17/97 – 7/11/05 “Free At Last”

GMPR was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our precious rescued pugs. Beckie survived 8 long years in a Maryland puppymill. Puppy mills are known for their inhumane conditions, but this particular puppy mill is one of the most despicable operating today.

Beckie lived in her own filth, sleeping in it, having litter after litter of puppies in it. Lacking proper nourishment, she ate her own feces. Fear and frustration and being caged every day of her life caused her to spin in circles for hours. She never knew human kindness, only cruelty. Worn out and no longer able to produce puppies, she was sent to an auction. Beckie was purchased by the Maryland Pug Rescue.

Maryland Pug Rescue asked GMPR for help because they had too many pugs and not enough resources. Last February, Beckie and 2 other pugs arrived in VT. Right from the start we knew Beckie was going to require tremendous patience and work. She was adopted, only to be returned after 3 weeks because of her disgusting potty habits. After 8 years of living in filth, Beckie had lost the natural instinct to keep her bed clean. She would spin so hard in a crate that she would knock it over. Beckie was adopted by Marybeth Barselle on 4/7/05. Beckie died on 7/11/05 after being poisoned with antifreeze. She knew love and human kindness for just a few short months. Rest in Peace “Beckie Girl.”
 

 

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Our Princess Sasha

Sasha was born in Canada on July 21, 2002. We took Sasha home when she was 8 weeks old. She was our first pug.

Sasha was beautiful and very very smart. She was "potty" trained in just 4 days. (This is huge for pugs). All our attention was with Sasha. We bought her at least one toy every week…she was so spoiled. We took her for a walk every day which kept her very fit. Sasha did not care too much for other dogs, and hated cars and anything that drove by our house. She was a barker and very territorial. But despite that, everybody who met her adored her.

One year after we got Sasha, we got another pug. We named him Sammy and he was actually Sasha’s biological brother (same parents, different litter) The 2 became best friends and did everything together.

My life pretty much revolved around the pugs (aside fro my kids). We joined the pug meet up group in Manchester and got involved with other pug owners. I think this was the best thing I did for my pugs and myself. The funny thing is that Sasha actually was fine with her fellow breed during the playgroup meetings.

Sasha developed PDE (Pug Dog Encephalitis) this past March. We did not know much about this disease, but we quickly learned that it was deadly and there was nothing any doctor could do. Our princess died on March 25, 2005. Sasha was only 2 and half years old. My whole family is still devastated about our loss. Sam is still waiting for her to come home.

Sasha was cremated and her ashes were returned to us on April 9, 2005.

Sasha is on the right in this picture- she belonged to Wayne and Sunita Bicchieri and daughters Manisha and Cassandra and pugs Sammy and Raisin

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The GMPR family has lost another of their sweet pugs. “Moose” Douglas crossed the Rainbow Bridge January 14, 2004. Moose came into GMPR Board Members Phil & Judy’s life when a friend let them know that this wonderful pug was sitting in a shelter in Upland, CA, close to where they lived. As soon as they laid eyes on him, it was mutual “love at first sight.” Moose made the trip east in 2002 when Phil & Judy left California to move to Vermont and he soon became a regular at all the GMPR events.



In 2003 Moose got cancer. After his surgery to remove a mast cell tumor, he made 6 monthly trips to Boston with Judy for his chemotherapy treatments. Moose thought the trips were mini-vacations away from Lucy and Trigger since he was getting such special treatment that included a long ride, lunch at a rest stop and a McDonald’s ice cream cone. He kept that “kibble and bits, kibble and bits” prance in his gait right up to the end, never letting the cancer get him down.


Surgery and chemotherapy cured his cancer, but also weakened his collapsing trachea, which caused him to struggle to get air and cough almost continually. The strain finally weakened Moose to the point where he was not able to continue the good life. He was such a friendly boy that everyone who met him loved him. We will all miss you Moose, but we take comfort in knowing that you now give classes on good behavior to all the pugs that have crossed the bridge before you.

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We just got the word that our little Taz man- our Tasmanian devil - has gone to the rainbow bridge. Gayle Lyman was his foster mommy and was in the process of adopting him when he passed on. He was outside playing in the snow and yelped once and that was all. Little Taz man was a adorable little terrier/pug mix. He disliked children and would snap at them without warning:) Gayle loved his antics and decided he was home.

He was a TJO dog that was going to be euphonized so GMPR raced to save him from certain death. Gayle got him and he never left her side, though he did not like kids- he loved her and Bill. He was her little buddy- her little man.

We remember you Taz- the little tiny man with a huge attitude and tons of spunk. Rest in peace and run with the big dogs now:) GMPR will never forget you buddy!!

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The below message is by Chi Chi about Percy:

Percy was a ten year old Cushing's dog who had diabetes and things like that. What I miss most about Percy is when he would always sleep either on the bed and hog the bed, sleep against the closet and break it, sleep on his special pillow or sleep in front of the back door to sun bathe. He was my first dog as a kid and even though we only had him for a year we still had really good times with him. what made us laugh a lot is when you got him hyper or you made a loud noise like a doorbell, he would run around in circles and run so fast he would bump into something. where ever you went in the house he would be right there by your side literally, he would even go under your your legs and we got so used to him going under us we would automatically do that when he came through. we didn't care we just wanted him to be happy after we found out that he passed away we decided that it would be best to have a urn made just for him so he could sit in the computer/ piano room while either my mom or I write something because he used to always sit on our feet as we typed on the computer or played the piano while he was alive. I miss him everyday. Chi Deyo

THE END

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Gizmo came to us Christmas Eve 2000 as an older pug. He was blessed to have been taken from a kill shelter and placed in our loving arms and home. For the next few years he saw more siblings join our home and welcomed them all in and even tolerated the fosters that came and went. He loved to snore, would rub his face into the covers at bedtime and this I will remember and miss the most. Coming home to see him lopping towards me tail wagging made our hearts soar. He was having trouble with his back legs and we took him to acupuncture once a week and put him on some homeopathic supplements and all. We did all we could for our little man. We all loved him - he was the king of the castle here and got special treats the other pugs did not. His last few months here with us he was slowing down, having hard times walking and could not get up at times no matter where he was. It was the hardest thing I have ever done to call our beloved vet and friend Rob to help us see him to the bridge here at home where he was surrounded by love. We will miss you our main man, our baby G and the lord of the castle here. Words can't express our sorrow right now. We know that you are running with the big dogs and happy to be able to do so now. We will always love you. I know your spirit is always here with us, enabling us to continue our pug rescue work in your name. Rest in peace and have fun at the bridge- we will see you again!! lovingly remembered and missed by Karen Powers, Darin Martell, Nate Powers & Tony Powers and the pugs Ebony, Molly and foster pug Benny and cats bridget and tipster:)

 

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Spike Douglas - 1986 - 2003

Devoted Friend and Companion for 16 years. The best little dog there ever was. "My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet." -- Edith Wharton...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chica Amiga Mitchell 6/96-4/03

Chica was my best friend. She had many health problems in her short life, but she never was too sick to cheer me up or make me laugh!!! I sometimes still feel her curl up to me when I drift off to sleep.

Peace to you Chica girl and lotsa treats, plump pillows, sunbeams, and lazy days forever!!! You are missed!!!

Tina Mitchell

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Rosie Douglas - Adopted 4/7/95 from Little Angels Pug Rescue. Crossed the Rainbow Bridge 10/9/00.  She belonged to Judy & Phil Douglas and is missed dearly.

 

 

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August 11, 2003

Tribute to Hazel Hazel

It was just about a year ago right now, mid August, that Hazel Hazel
was battling for her life. She came into Pug Rescue with a liver shunt
problem that was severe and that caused many seizures that were very
difficult to watch. Green Mountain Pug Rescue rallied around her and a
massive fund raising drive was initiated. Folks from all over responded
with support, prayers and donations. Hazel Hazel was driven to N.H.
where she underwent surgery with the very best of surgeons and
neurologists taking care of her.

While under our foster care, we drove to N.H. many times with her and towards the end, we even went down to just be with her, to sing to her and to help her with gentle exercises as a way towards rehabilitation. But, it was not to be. Hazel Hazel died on September 3 after a valiant fight. She did not die in vain.

Pug Rescue has established a Hazel Hazel Memorial Fund for very ill
pugs, pugs with a life threatening illness or a catastrophic illness.
All of the available funds were used recently on Edward. He came into
our rescue as a sorry looking little waif, no weight on his bones and
all else much neglected. The Hazel Hazel fund was utilized to give him
all of the best care and Edward was adopted by the wonderful Gibbs
family and is thriving and obviously, looks very happy!

Our board has since voted to allot 10% of all donations collected
to the Hazel Hazel Fund but we are always looking for donations
specifically for that fund as well. Each time we help another pug in
great need, we are honoring Hazel Hazel.

Joe and Jackie Vezina, Foster parents of Hazel Hazel

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GMPR has just learned of Charlie's passing. Charlie was a pug mix we placed into a very loving home with Shirley Schneider and family in Merrimack Nh in 2002. He ate a toy piece from her son's toys and even though she rushed him to the vets as he was not eating- xrays taken and barium done too and they were not able to see it. Even hospitalization did not show anything. It is a very sad day at their household and for all of us at GMPR. Please keep them in your prayers. Karen Powers, Founder GMPR