ADOPTION PENDING
Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle. At Pound Dog Rescue, we believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows for continued socialization, and learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process.
Allow me to introduce Brawny the Cuddle Pug!
Brawny is a 6-year-old, all black pug with big, round soulful eyes that will melt your heart. He entered his foster life at 11.7kg through his dedication to his diet and exercise routine he’s made it down to 9.6 kgs in just a few short weeks. He has very broad shoulders and a nice little hour-glass waist perch atop his stubby little legs and flourished with tiny little ears and tail that fluctuate between the typical pug curl or straight down depending on his mood.
Brawny came to us from a mill where he was tasked with creating puppies for profit. But little did they know that they had the smartest, sweetest little bundle of love before they discarded him. Unfortunately, life in a mill can be hard and likely because of chronic ear infections his hearing isn’t the best, but he does try to listen carefully and can hear a little bit if you call for him. His weight was left unchecked and his exercise was very limited leading to him being too big for his health and wellbeing. His new family will have to be dedicated to his weight loss journey – I assure you it pays off in spades as he’s already gained much more energy and mobility. He has a very brachycephalic (flat) face and because of his extra wrinkles, his eyes have suffered some damage as well. He can see a bit, but it’s limited. Regardless of his health notes, he’s a happy boy and does his best to adjust his life and behaviour to fit into a loving and adventurous household. The hot summer days are hard on pups like Brawny, but it has been fun to find creative ways to get his activity up, going on late evening walks when it’s cooler, finding air conditioned stores to browse, play wrestling in the house, even a little bit of splashing in the water.
It’s an absolute joy to share your home with Brawny. He’s spends his days following his humans around the house, always very close by. If you stand still to do a task, he’s often found with his face gently pressed against your leg, which can mean he’s a tripping hazard if you’re not quick on your feet. Once you sit down to relax, he rests his chin on the side of the couch and waits patiently for you to pick him up for couch-cuddles. He’s an excellent cuddler – always finding the perfect spot to curl up on your lap and either invite you to game of wrestling or falling fast asleep.
Brawny can be standoffish when meeting new people in his home and will make his unfortableness known with a stern bark. But with his own family he rarely feels the need to say much.
Early on, we learned that Brawny could be trusted to have the run of the house when we aren’t home. Never once has he tried to chew anything that wasn’t one of his toys. Aside from some marking in the house early on, he learned quickly that bathroom business was to be conducted outside and he no longer has accidents in the house. The only mess he makes is a trail of water dribbles from his chin after he has a big drink from the water dish.
Bedtime is a delight with this little gentleman. You’ll have to scoop him up off the couch, where he will be sound asleep in your arms until you take him out for his bedtime pee. From there, he heads straight for his crate where he receives his daily facial. He needs daily nose-wrinkle-wipes to prevent rashes and get rid of snoot-buildup. He’s a good sport about it, especially because he knows he gets a couple of kibbles as a treat for being a good boy. Brawny will sleep soundly throughout the night in his crate with his gentle snoring. We’ve had him in our bed while travelling and I can assure you, he’s an excellent bed-pug that keeps his snoring to himself and rarely moves.
Brawny is always down for a car ride adventure, opting to sit on his backseat hammock bed and rest his chin on the center console to snooze away until we
arrive. We’ve done both short and long car rides and he handles them all really well. He loves to be included in your day-to-day life and would thrive in a house that is happy to include him. He’s doing amazingly well with his leash training and loves his walks and romps in the field. He’s been know to have the zoomies in the yard if his energy levels haven’t been met during the day. As he gets slimmer, he’s getting much faster. I doubt he’ll ever be a good jogging partner, but he’d be a quality hiking buddy.
As for other animals in the family, Brawny has been known to sleep next to his foster dog brothers and sister. He finds comfort with them, will nap in the same beds and has learned how to exist in a household from them. As for other critters in the house, I assume he’d take the same laisse-faire approach that he does with our backyard chickens, cats or squirrels so I don’t think he’ll have any problem with them inside his home either.
His new humans will have to help teach strangers on the best way to introduce themselves to him. I don’t think young children would be the best human-siblings for Brawny, simply because it might be a bit overwhelming for him. He’s met children and was polite, but prefers to keep his personal space a for his own comfort.
Formal training has been slow with Brawny, with him learning more from other dogs than from his humans. But he’s learned to be gentle when taking treats, and to come when called (if he’s close enough to hear you). He’s doing really well on leash training and rarely pulls, but does rely on his humans to lead the way for him in new surroundings. He’s food motivated (scrambled eggs being his favourite) so I think when he’s found his new family he can start to learn more.
The Pound Dog Vets got Brawny his neuter, and a dental cleaning. Unfortunately most of his teeth were bad and he’s left with three canine teeth, which is why his one bottom tooth sticks out causing his signature look that I absolutely adore. The vet said that he may benefit from having a little “face lift” and getting his snoot wrinkle reduced, but that can be discussed. He’s a good boy at the vet office, and getting groomed. You can tell he’s a bit nervous, but takes it all in stride and never lashes out. We’ve given him baths and nail trims at home. He gets his facials and ear cleanings each night and likes the pampering he receives.
Brawny can go alone for at least 5 hours at a time, I’m sure he’d love nothing more than to have his humans home with him all the time, but he’s perfectly happy to amuse himself while we go to work, often bringing toys to different parts of the house. He’s always up for a new experience and will rely on you to be his guide in his exciting new life.
Brawny is a special little guy that will make sure he shows you all the love he has for you. We ask that his new family is dedicated to his daily maintenance and his weight loss goals, you’ll be rewarded with a long and happy life. He’s an easy dog to include in your family and he may look Brawny, but he’s a big softy and he’s got the brains to go with it.