The Jake and Betsy Story.

[blanche]

On March 5, 2007, Roxane, a volunteer with PugSavers Rescue in California, got a call from someone wanting to dump Jake and Betsy, their two senior pugs, because they were moving and didn't want to take them. Sadly, PugSavers did not have any open hospice or foster homes and the other local rescue had already turned them down. It became apparent that Jake and Betsy had a death threat hanging over them. Roxane asked her contacts on an internet pug forum for prayers.

The hearts of many people were touched and within about three hours, a plan to help these pugs started gathering momentum. Volunteers with pug rescue organizations across the U.S. and independent pug lovers around the world offered to drive long distances, or to chip in for gas money and accommodation to help others transport Jake and Betsy to whatever rescue could take them. The same night, volunteers from Pugalug Rescue offered their services if transport across the continent could be arranged. Jake & Betsy's people agreed to hold off putting them down for a day while Roxane could figure out how to get them to Toronto. Another lady, Kendie from California, jumped in and was very instrumental in pulling the logistics together.

The next morning Peg in Reno, Nevada, asked her son Byron if he would drive them during his spring break from school. Byron graciously agreed. First he drove to the San Francisco area to pick the pugs up and took them home to Reno (700 km round trip) where he and Peg fostered them for ten days until their Great Adventure began on March 19. While in Reno, they were vet checked, had their shots updated, were microchipped and tested negative for heartworm. They also got new harnesses, tags and seat belts, and won the love of everyone they met. What a change to live indoors and be spoiled rotten instead of being kept outdoors and sleeping in a doghouse!

Byron, accompanied by his friend Ashley, had volunteered to drive them right through to Ontario, but when the logistics were sorted out he had time to get them only as far as Chicago (return driving time of about 60 hours) in order to get back home in time for class the next week. Mary and Kent from near Cleveland, offered to pick them up in Indiana and bring them through the border and on to Toronto, total travel time of about 20 hours. En route, the pugs and their transporters were accommodated at the homes of pug lovers in Utah, Nebraska and Ohio. The people (and there were many) who offered their homes and contributed to gas and food along the way had never met Byron or Kent and Mary, but were brought together by their common love of pugs and the urge to save the lives of these two pugs in particular. The love, generosity and effort of so many caring humans has just extended the lives of these two lucky pugs and proven that animal lovers are among the best in the world!

Jake and Betsy are adorable. They traveled happily and well and have had no problem adjusting to the many changes they've undergone or integrating into their Pugalug foster home. Sure, they need to work on potty-training and bedtime manners, but that is understandable given their past life of living outdoors. They love human interaction and give kisses and cuddles without reservation. Both have their tails up all the time, with much wagging. They are clearly happy to be given some loving attention.

[pugmetender]

What an inspirational story, makes you regain some faith in the human race.

[puglucky]

What a heart breaking and up lifting story.

I just read the other post about poor Jake and I am glad he got to live out his golden years in one of the best pug homes possible.

[SpeedyPug]

My youngest stepson and i were talking about that very thing this weekend.  Hilary & Bryan were "foster failures" to my stepson's first pug, Magoo.  When my husband and his ex split, she ditched the pug faster than you can say "i never liked animals in the first place".  Thankfully Gooey landed with Hilary & Bryan and the rest is history.  My stepson was commenting on how he still missed Gooey and we got to talking about Gooey's life now with Hilary- how Gooey has a pug-perfect senior home with pug-people who love him and take care of him (even with his medical issues) and lots of pug friends to hang out with and how he never has to be sad and alone.  My stepson agreed that if Gooey had stayed with him, his mom would have put Gooey to sleep years ago and my stepson wanted Gooey's new parents to know that he's very grateful Gooey lives with them.  All Hilary & Bryan's pugs would say thanks if they could- its a great place to land and bask through your golden years. 

[Pugpillow]

My youngest stepson and i were talking about that very thing this weekend.  Hilary & Bryan were "foster failures" to my stepson's first pug, Magoo.  When my husband and his ex split, she ditched the pug faster than you can say "i never liked animals in the first place".  Thankfully Gooey landed with Hilary & Bryan and the rest is history.  My stepson was commenting on how he still missed Gooey and we got to talking about Gooey's life now with Hilary- how Gooey has a pug-perfect senior home with pug-people who love him and take care of him (even with his medical issues) and lots of pug friends to hang out with and how he never has to be sad and alone.  My stepson agreed that if Gooey had stayed with him, his mom would have put Gooey to sleep years ago and my stepson wanted Gooey's new parents to know that he's very grateful Gooey lives with them.  All Hilary & Bryan's pugs would say thanks if they could- its a great place to land and bask through your golden years. 

Thanks, Shannon.  Please thank your step-son for Bryan and me.  We love Gooey so much.  He can't walk much any more (it's more like tap-dancing) and can't control his poop.  For the last two weeks he hasn't been able to pee by himself so he and I have developed a "quality time together" routine where we take care of his business - LOL.  It was actually his vet visit this week.  I was taking him in just to check up if there was a recurrence of his bladders stones that were removed while Kim was fostering him.  Bryan and I had decided that if he required surgery, we wouldn't put him through that again at his age and would be faced with the dreadful decision.  It was quite a shock when Jake had what I think was a stroke the day before the vet visit.  So both Gooey and Jake went to the vet and only Gooey came back.  The good news is that Gooey has no signs of stones and as long as he and I can potty together, he'll be well loved and looked after here.  He barks when he wants something and I am his humble servant.  He even lets me clean the hair from his gum lines every day (he licks the beds a lot).  He still won't kiss me (and I ask him every night) but I know down deep he loves me and he knows I love him.  Tell your step-son that I'm glad he and his brother were there to love Gooey when he was younger.  And tell him that I'll let Gooey know that he still cares about him.  As I'm typing this, Gooey and Farnsworth are having a Mexican standoff right behind my chair, snarling and growling and generally making lots of "sound and fury signifying nothing".

[SpeedyPug]

No problems, Hilary- I'll let the boy know.  i find it funny that the kids still comment on Gooey and what a good dog he was.  Gooey was always a laid back pug, not a guy for lots of playing or exercise in general...more of a suet-pug.  And he was already an older dude by the time the kids would have memories of him- he was actually there before they were.  Plus Gooey wasn't allowed on the furniture, on beds or even in certain rooms because of his hair.  But the kids still remember him with so much love and affection- first dog, i guess.  The kids really are happy that Gooey doesn't have to be sad and by himself anymore and that his new family love him and take care of him so well.  You really did give him a new lease on life and I'm sure Gooey and the kids appreciate it a lot.  Hang in there, Hilary...your efforts really do make a huge difference, not just in the lives of your pugs but in the lives of the people who still love them, too. 

[RockysMom]

All this brought tears to my eyes.

[Pugpillow]

No problems, Hilary- I'll let the boy know.  i find it funny that the kids still comment on Gooey and what a good dog he was.  Gooey was always a laid back pug, not a guy for lots of playing or exercise in general...more of a suet-pug.  And he was already an older dude by the time the kids would have memories of him- he was actually there before they were.  Plus Gooey wasn't allowed on the furniture, on beds or even in certain rooms because of his hair.  But the kids still remember him with so much love and affection- first dog, i guess.  The kids really are happy that Gooey doesn't have to be sad and by himself anymore and that his new family love him and take care of him so well.  You really did give him a new lease on life and I'm sure Gooey and the kids appreciate it a lot.  Hang in there, Hilary...your efforts really do make a huge difference, not just in the lives of your pugs but in the lives of the people who still love them, too. 

Shannon, I was thinking about what you posted this morning and want to ask you to pass this message on to your step-son.  I want him to know that I think he is very mature for his age to realize that it is important that we do what's best for our dogs, even though it might cause us some pain.  That's a very grown-up thing to realize and even many adults can't be that unselfish.  I think he is awesome and, when he is grown up, will make a very good rescue angel.

[SpeedyPug]

...will do.  He's a thinker...not bad for a 10 year old.    He really loves animals, too.  He even (mostly) forgave the cat when he ate the boy's lizard. 

[RockysMom]

...will do.  He's a thinker...not bad for a 10 year old.    He really loves animals, too.  He even (mostly) forgave the cat when he ate the boy's lizard. 

He sounds like a great kid!  Not sure I'd be as forgiving if the cat ate my lizard!!  :-)

[SpeedyPug]

...replacement lizard helped.    But Spike can never be replaced...SJ (Spike Junior) still gets told stories about how cool the first lizard was.  Yeah, i know...we talk to the lizard, too.