Gooey (August 28, 1996 - February 1, 2011)

I first met Mr. Magoo on September 24, 2005 when he was nine years old. We were both nervous as he got into my vehicle -- I, because it was the transport of Pugalug's first ever rescue and he, because his life had just been uprooted and he didn't know what the future held. My heart ached for him and I fell a little bit in love. He must have been in pain because his foster mum's vet diagnosed him with chronic disk disease and at least 15 bladder stones which had to be surgically removed. He was also missing an eye and had impaired vision in his remaining eye. How frightening the changing world must have been! Given his age, health issues and the fact that Pugalug was not well known yet, applications for his adoption were not coming in. Every time I looked at his picture on the website and remembered holding his terrified body in my arms, my heart melted a little more until finally I persuaded my husband that he needed us and I needed him. On December 4th, he became ours. As I held him on the trip home, he insisted on touching his new daddy because he wasn't thrilled with me, a woman, and it took several months for him to become comfortable enough in my arms to stop doing an imitation of rigor mortis. Neither his daddy nor I ever did get a kiss from him although I tried often. Despite this, I know that he gradually became more and more comfortable both in body, as the pounds continued to come off, and in spirit. He and I developed an increasingly close bond as his dependency on me grew and I am certain he loved me. We hadn't realized that when we changed his name from Magoo to Gooey that it would be so descriptive of his personality -- macho on the outside, he was all warm and gooey inside. He learned to love being put on his back among the pillows and tickled. He seemed to smile when I cleaned his eye and he was mostly tolerant when I flossed his teeth. The last few months together were ones of simple pleasure in each other's company as I held him in my arms and sang to him before bed at night and often during the day. He even took to asking to be lifted down from the pillows so his body would touch mine while we slept -- only his bum, of course! In the end, he had to be lifted everywhere and even steadied at the water bowl. He hadn't been able to potty by himself for a long time and, frustrated by his inability to move or do anything for himself, he spent long hours either sleeping or barking. It was apparent his quality of life wasn't good. We decided he deserved better than that and sent him to the Bridge where he can run and play like every pug should. After some last treats and being told how much he would always be loved, he passed quickly with his head on his paws and a very peaceful look on his face as I stroked his crooked back. I learn something from each of my dogs and from Gooey I learned about the rewards of selflessness. I was glad to be his servant. Now the house is so silent, I find myself humming our song to myself:

(with apologies to the composer)

It had to be Goo. It had to be Goo.

I wandered around and finally found the somebody who

Could make me be true, could make me feel blue

And even be glad just to be sad thinking of you.

...

With all your faults, I love you still

It had to be Goo, wonderful Goo

My darling old Goo.

It was a privilege to look after you, my old charmer. I will always love you.

“Gooey” is a very smart boy. He lets us know if he needs to go outside or if he wants to be helped up on the sofa where he snuggles with his dad to watch TV. He also likes to lie on his new Christmas blankie by the fireplace where he can face the front door and guard the house; he takes his job very seriously. He’s a sweet and friendly soul but has let the others know he won’t be taken advantage of. He can work a marrow bone for hours, and heaven help anyone who tries to take it away.

Magoo enjoys the company of his new pug companions.
From the left: Denver, Magoo, Mei-Ling and Kim-Soo

Foster update, November 27

He is happy and recuperating well. We are starting to look through applications now. He will need a place that is a bungalow or has very few stairs. Magoo will not be able to handle the stairs, go for long walks, o or play for long periods of time. A comfortable lap or pillow, kind and comforting words and a massage will go a long way keeping him healthy. Considering how much Magoo has gone through and he still maintains that exhuberant puggy attitude, he is going to make someone a very special person.

Foster Update, November 12

Foster Update - October 20

Foster Update - October 15

Mr. Magoo Update - October 15th He had his vet checkup and here is the report from his foster:

"Now the Magoo news. There is definate disk problems. The x-ray shows two pinched together. Down the road he may have pain and will need mild pain killers.

Now the second part.....the x-ray shows bladder stones!! Don't know how long he's had them. As of now he has no trouble urinating but the risk is there that they are small enough to pass. The fear is they may get stuck it becomes an emergency situation. Surgery to remove the stones was the option given. Unfortunately special diet to disolve the stones will not work. The stones could cause more of a problem if they get lodged. I'm taking him back in a week just to check and see if the prednisone is making a difference. He is moving better than he did when he first came. Loosing just a wee bit of weight has helped. He's just so sweet and not a bother at all. He doesn't even look twice at the cats and would make someone a special boy."

Foster Update - October 8

Here is a message from Mr. Magoo who is currently with his friends in foster care.

"The older, wiser, mature pugs have taught me well. After my first week and a half they have shared their knowledge and I am passing it on. The wooden deck is fine for the younger, less mature to lie on.

The older, wiser and more refined have informed me to NEVER stoop to that level.
The wooden chairs are ours for the asking.
Also demand a pillow, any thing less is not acceptable. I am enjoying my stay here and learning some valuable lessons."

Magoo

Mr. Magoo - Foster Update September 28

I took him to the vet for a weigh in. He's 12.4 kgs and needs to take off weight, Ideally he should be no more than 9 to 9.5. He was eating one meal a day at night in his previous home and we have got him to 2 meals a day with the rest of the gang. I'm in the process of switching his food. He came with a bag that had 18% fat, and I am switching him to Solid Gold. Both are lamb & rice formula and so far he is picking out the Solid Gold with no ill effects.

We go for short walks to the corner to get a paper in the morning. It's a very, very slow walk. He is fitting in very well and curls up with and is accepted into the crew. He can't get up on the couch by himself since his back legs are still weak, but hopefully once he sheds some weight it will ease the pressure on his back end. He has started to feel at ease. The first few days, he was unsure of what was happening. He actually tried to run in the back today and finally lifted his leg to pee. Before he would only squat. He's very quiet but did manage to bark at a squirrel the other day. I will keep you updated on any progress as far as weight loss.

Mr. Magoo - Foster Update September 24

From what I see in the vet records, he's had reoccuring ear problems, could be caused by the food. He is up to date on shots and has heartworm meds. The eye shows signs of PK but he has vision in it. Last vet visit was for the eye and he was given Prednisolone drops to be administered one drop 3x a day for 14 days. This was July 5th and he was to go for a follow up after the 14 days but it was never done. I will keep a close eye on it. He can't do stairs very well. He would need a bungalow or a home with VERY FEW stairs. I'm watching his legs close. It seems to me that both back legs are weak. I've started supplementing him with Yucca.

Mr. Magoo - We get the first notice - September 19, 2005

"There is a 9 year old neutered male pug in Cambridge that needs a home. He only has one eye but gets around just fine. He is otherwise healthy and up-to-date with his vaccinations. His bame is Mr. Magoo. He is housetrained and good with kids. He is pretty laid back, from what I understand. His owner is seperating from her husband and has two children. She is overwhelmed at the moment and needs to find him a home where he'll get the attention he deserves. She wanted to find someone locally so she could stay in touch, but has been unable to do this on her own. She doesn't want him to go to a shelter. So we to need to think about getting him transported to a foster home.

The email list gets fired up as Hugh, who lives in Cambridge, offers to pickup Magoo and meet Hilary for the exchange in Milton. Foster arrangement are discussed and Kim opens her house to our first rescue