Clara

Clara - adopted August 13th, 2006

Clara has found her forever home! Kelly Coyne and Richard Harris, their children Brianna and Martin, along with super pugs, Otis and Cody, have given Clara a warm welcome to their home.

The Harris-Coynes are seasoned and loving pug people who were looking for a Pugalug event to attend when Kelly saw the picture and write-up on Clara and felt that Clara could be happy in their home. The home visit went very well, especially when Clara’s exuberant and playful nature won over the hearts of their two male pugs.

The entire family came to pickup Clara and it was already clear that Clara felt very comfortable with her new playmates and human family. The children are currently home from school and Kelly works at home and everyone is intent on making sure Clara’s transition is as smooth as possible.

Clara greets her new long time forever friend, Cody

Clara's new bed (appropriated)

Clara is waiting to be adopted - August 2nd

Below are the adopter requirements and behaviour review. If you feel you can fulfill most of these points then send us an email - rescue@pugalug.com - and we will consider your application.

1. It would be important that there is another pug or dog in the household who really enjoys playing; Clara and Hercules (and at times Roxy), play vigorously and chase each other several times a day and Clara clearly enjoys and needs these interactions. (Herky has also grown to absolutely love these play times). Clara is very sensitive to the hierarchy of the dogs in the home and does not attempt to dominate in any way.

2. It would be best if someone is home through the day as Clara has been feeling anxious in the past.

3. Because she has been feeling anxious and submissive, it is highly important that Clara be placed in a calm, patient and very loving family where her anxieties will continue to subside.

4. It may not be optimal if there is a very young child or children in the home (a baby or toddler). Clara is a very loving and affectionate pug who is used to a very vigorous demonstration of her affection! She jumps up and walks on her people frequently, which may be too much for a very small child. She has been used to teenaged boys (including our two), but she also shows great attention and affection to our 19 year old daughter (who adores her). Nevertheless we had a 4 and 6 year old here for a visit and she was great with them and certainly Clara is an intelligent and sensitive pug who can easily learn.

5. Clara is used to sleeping in her peoples' bed (she really likes to sleep beside my head) and it would be hard on her if she is not allowed to do this.

6. Clara is absolutely WILD about her toys; loves to play pugowar with any stuffed toy or rope and will run to get them when they're tossed for as long as anyone will do that for her. She also loves rawhide bones, which she will gnaw on for long periods of time.

7. Like most pugs, Clara tires quickly when she is exercising, especially outside. However, she also truly loves to run and she is the fastest pug I've ever seen. This provides her with a great deal of joy, but Clara also knows when she has reached her limit - be prepared to carry her home!!

9. Clara is not particularly attentive to the word 'come' and must be watched very carefully when she is off-harness, although she’s getting better.

10. We have 'pug beds' (donut beds?) placed around our house and Clara really enjoys ying in these.

11. Clara loves to be held snuggly, which relaxes her. It’s important that someone in an adoptive family would have the time and willingness to hold her and cuddle her – not just pick her up for a couple of minutes.

12.Clara is a very vigilant little girl and sensitive to noises in the house…she is a barker and so an adoptive family would need to be patient with this.

Foster Update - July 7th

Clara had her checkup today and everything went very well. Dr. Paul Donovan at the White’s Road Veterinary Clinic did a thorough exam and finds her in great health.

Her heart, lungs, teeth and bones all seem to be healthy. She shows no signs of knee issues or ear problems. We spoke to him about a slight wheeze we hear in her occasionally when she’s very excited or exercising very hard, but he didn’t feel there was any underlying problem. The only thing he feels needs to be watched is the beginning of dry eye.

She was already spayed and micro-chipped. She had blood taken and we are getting a fecal and urine sample back to them in the next day. They are doing what they call an advanced canine wellness with heartworm series. Once the testing is done, the vet will provide us with a complete report.

Anyway, it went very well and she was amazing as always – extremely cooperative and unfazed being at the vet – she charmed everyone there. She continues to do very well – fitting in effortlessly and always demonstrating her outstanding puggishness!

Clara (right) with her foster buddies Roxy (center) and Hercules (left)

Foster Update - June 28th

Well, Clara has now been with us for nearly 7 days and she is doing extremely well! Clara is a true pug, with a loving and affectionate nature and a load of personality. We have been able to move her wake up time from 5:30am to 7:30am without any difficulty. At that point she wants to go outside for her morning relief and then back in to enjoy her breakfast. She didn’t seem quite as frantic today as she did when she arrived, but food has to be watched because she will eat anything she can get.

Clara has quiet times and exuberant times – when she wakes up she is a wriggling mass of kisses and energy, yet she will quietly lay in my arms for as long as I will stand and hold her and today, for the first time, I heard some real puggy snorts of contentment.

Clara holds her own easily with our two larger pugs – Hercules a male and Roxy a female. She is not intimidated at all and she and Herky so some serious play-fighting at least twice a day. Clara always comes back for more! She has a very cute voice and occasionally can vocalize with great skill. She also loves to play-fight with her toys.

Clara - Introduction - June 22nd

Clara, a 3 year old fawn female, came to us from an owner who dearly loved her. However severe allergies meant that she could not be with Clara for long periods of time. A sister-in-law was able to look after her and they could see each other from time to time. The situation changed and the sister-in-law could not care for Clara. We have accepted this bouncy, energetic beauty into our care

Miss C is highly intelligent and carefully listens to everything that’s said to her, cocking her head in the usual pug way. She has been trained, and is incredibly obedient (her one unpug-like feature!). I doubt I’ve uncovered everything she’ll do, but she is trained to sit, lay, stay, be quiet, go pee, and do a high-five for a cookie on command. However, the ‘come’ command is not her strongest suit! Her intelligence has allowed her to fit in to our routines very quickly, as she watches and imitates our other pugs. Although I may be oversensitive to this, I find that the smallest sternness in my voice with my other pugs (who completely ignore me!!), causes her to look concerned and go into a laying down and submissive position. I worry that she has been treated too strictly, but perhaps I’m just used to being trained by my pugs, rather than the other way around.

Clara is very interested in everything that’s going on in our house, and is sensitive to night noises and people coming and going. She appears to be quite vigilant, although not as much so now as she was in the first couple of days.

She shows attention and affection to our teenage children, but has formed a stronger bond with my husband, myself, Herky and Roxy. She is great on walks (she LOVES to run), and in the car. I have noticed that although it doesn’t seem to interfere with her ability to exercise, she occasionally wheezes, which I haven’t encountered with Roxy and Herky.

Although it is still early to say, I think Clara would do best in a home with another dog and preferably where there is someone home during the day. Like most pugs, she craves companionship, although once or twice during the day she appears content to go and lay on the couch or chair, even if no-one is sitting there. Clara is a treasure, a beautiful little girl with a sweet and loving nature. I truly cannot think of any downside; she will make any pug lover an absolutely outstanding companion and she deserves a warm loving home where she will be treated with great gentleness and kindness.