The Great Pug Adventure - thegreatpugadventure

An Amazing Journey

When my friend Sheri contacted me in early December and asked if I would be willing to travel to OH to pick up 29 pugs (was originally 30 but one is currently being treated for heart worm)- all recent puppy mill survivors - I admit that I was a bit hesitant at first (that's a lot of dogs!), but how could I say no when there were 29 little lives that needed help!!

I recruited my friend Joe to be my co-pilot during the trip (well, he actually ended up doing all of the driving -- THANK YOU, JOE

!) and Sheri - the master transport coordinator that she is - worked out all the other important details needed in order to make the transport happen. The precious pugs spent a week at a vet/boarding facility in Maumee, OH (Total Pet Care – www.total-pet-care.com) where they not only received medical care but lots of love from the staff as well! After a very long drive Joe and I arrived in OH a little after Midnight. Unfortunately, because of the wind, neither one of us got much sleep that night - it sounded like the windows were going to explode at any minute! And, to top things off, the hotel lost power around 7 a.m. because of the extreme winds - not a good way to start the day off! Sheri, Glen (her significant other), Joe and I arrived at Total Pet Care around 8:30 Sunday morning. There were 29 crates that need to be assembled; 29 pugs that needed to be fitted for collars/harnesses and name tags; 29 crates that needed to be labeled; and, 29 crates that needed to be loaded into the cargo van -- it was quite an undertaking! At around 11:30 a.m. we were on our way back to Albany, NY with the precious cargo.

About 4 hours into our trip I heard little "noises" coming from the back of the van -- oh, did I mention that two of the pugs were pregnant?? Well, turns out that the stress of the trip brought on labor and one of the pugs gave birth! We got off at the next exit (thankfully it was only minutes away!); located the crate containing momma and baby; made sure they were okay; and, cleared the front of the van and moved momma's crate to the passenger seat so that I could watch over them. Thank goodness there was a good amount of space in between seats because that ended up being my "seat" for the next 6+ hours! Another surprise arrived about 4 hours later - another puppy. Unfortunately, even after lots of loving from his mommy and me administering "mouth-to-mouth" on him, he did not survive.

I had the [phone] help of a wonderful vet (Doug Meade, Burlington Vet Hospital – www.burlingtonvet.com) who was so incredibly patient, helpful and caring -- without his assistance I do not know what I would have done. I cannot put into words how incredible, emotional and life changing this experience was for me. Momma (whose name is Angel) and her two pups will be forever in my heart, as well as, of course, the other 28 pugs on the transport!

We arrived in New Paltz, NY at around 11 p.m., where we were met by two of the rescues that were taking 20 of the pugs between them (Precious Pugs Rescue & Adoption – www.ppra.org; Curly Tail Pug Rescue – www.curlytailpugrescue.org). They helped walk all 29 pugs in the freezing cold weather and loaded their cars up the ones they were going to be caring for from that moment on. What wonderful, loving people they all are!! There were plenty of hugs and tears to go around! Shortly thereafter I was back on the road with the remaining pugs (Joe got off in New Paltz as well!). I finally arrived in Albany around 12:30, where I was greeted by the remaining lucky people who were going to be fostering the pugs until they head off to VT, where the third rescue is located (Green Mountain Pug Rescue – www.greenmtnpugrescue.com). To say the least, after the final drop-off, I was an emotional wreck! I cried lots of tears - a mixture of both happy and sad ones.

I feel so fortunate to have been a part of such an incredible journey. Much love and thanks goes out to everyone involved - I am in awe of each and every one of them.

Hugs & Kisses to All!!
Kristi

BTW ... this transport was the first time I met Sheri in person! We've been e-mail and phone friends for the last [almost] 7 years; of course, we met through the dog transport world!! She’s even more awesome in person!!

Precious Pugs!

December 21, 2008 Transport - OH to Albany

Hope - Precious Pug
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Maggie - Precious Pug
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Cutie - Precious Pug
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Buddy - Precious Pug
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Swinger - Precious Pug
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Lilly - Precious Pug
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Lil Bad - Precious Pug
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Cracker Jack - Precious Pug
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Annie - Precious Pug
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BB - Precious Pug
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Harley - Precious Pug
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Ebony - Precious Pug
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Gidget (gave birth on Christmas Day!) - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Tammy - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Spass - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Samson - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Coy - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Teddy - Curly Tail
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Angel (gave birth during transport) - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Miss Sugar - Curly Tail Pug Rescue
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Puggie - GMPR
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Mable - GMPR
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Piper - GMPR
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Tabby - GMPR
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Frank - GMPR
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Oliver - GMPR
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Snowflake - GMPR
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Darby - GMPR
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Willie - GMPR
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Kristi (L) & Sheri (R)
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Van Full of Pugs!
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UPDATE

It saddens me to report that the baby who was born during the transport did not make it; he passed away at three days old.

On a happier note, the other pregnant pug on the transport gave birth to three healthy little babies on Christmas Day! Please visit Curly Tail Pug Rescue's website (below) for not only pictures of all the pugs from the transport currently in their care, but of pictures of the precious babies as well.

http://www.curlytailpugrescue.org/

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Comments

1/1/2009 12:29:27 PM - 000053962923
GMPR's pugs are starting to be adopted out. Some more ready emotionally than others. They are overall pretty socialized for coming from such a place.

PPRA had a waiting list and was able to place most of their 12 pugs. Some are still waiting emotionally. Everyone seems to be doing o.k. there. One may have a patella issue- and they are watching and evaluating that one.

CTPR's 8 pugs, some need medical care. Two females will need spays and dentals and they also have a couple with mammary tumors ( assuming its the former pg ones), and eye issues. They have a chip in set up to help them fundraise. So hopefully they will raise money for these bills. They should have some adoptions happening too for the healthy ones.

All in all this was an amazing journey full of love and hope. We all hope they live long healthy lives!

Karen
gmpr

12/26/2008 11:56:52 AM - 000053962923
I am just so relieved that its over with and all pugs are safely in homes. At first when I got the first email & call saying can you take in 53 pugs? yikes I panicked for a second. Then thought= Nope I can do this- lets contact all the pug rescues and see who can take in some asap. It was scary for the first few days I slept little to nothing sorting it all out and working with Sheri and Brenda to get this all down pat.

My husband said- its pathetic when you are on the phone in a conference call with people throughout the USA. Now this is getting overboard honey, as he smiled. He knows I live for these challenges and to save any pug I will go overboard. He just kept the hot tea coming and helped field calls when I was on the cell:) He might not always agree with my thinking but he GETS RESCUE:)

Hugs to you all who are fostering these precious babes.. Happy Holidays to you an yours!

Karen Powers
Founder
GMPR

12/26/2008 2:42:31 AM - 001000665688
What a touching story. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Without you so many lives would have been lost. My family and I are proud to be a part of this great story and help save the lives of these precious pugs.

The Great Pug Adventure - thegreatpugadventure

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An Amazing Journey

Precious Pugs!

December 21, 2008 Transport - OH to Albany

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