But if I have somewhere to be, and clear directions, I get lost. I warn all the people whose home visits I’m doing for pug rescue that they WILL get a call when I miss the street and end up on the other side of town. They laugh, “Oh no, these directions are fool-proof!” Yes, but I’ll mess them up, trust me. And inevitably, they get the call, “Where the heck am I?” But I think it breaks the ice. They are nervous about me inspecting their home and being one of the deciders on whether they will get a rescue pug. They realize I’m so easy going and human and it’s all good.

But I digress. . .
I work in a HUGE building. I’ve gotten lost a number of times. I can’t even find half the conference rooms sometimes and end up following coworkers. It’s pretty pathetic, but it’s known. (And this place is like a damn maze.)

Today I lost my ATM card. An hour after I called the bank to cancel it, Kenny, the guard at the front desk called to say he had it. I haven’t been to the front of our building since my first day here. That day is a hazy memory because I was nervous, we were led around and I haven’t had to park in front since that day. (It’s mostly for visitors - we use the service entrance har har har.)

So I had to trek down to see Kenny and get my card. I asked a coworker how to get there. I had a general idea. He told me to turn right, go down this escalator, etc. Of course as soon as he told me how to go, it was lost in the abyss of my brain. But I felt confident that I could do it. So off I went.
I didn’t get turned around once! And I even made it back without second guessing my turns. Sure, it’s nerdy, but I’m pretty proud of me. It’s a small victories for the directionally challenged.

And no, please don’t ask me to do it again. Let’s not tempt fate and lady luck.

One More Saved …….

I look around the shelter and desperately try to sort your life, Male, Female, Mix, friendly, sad, healthy ….

I make mental lists and descriptions then search the internet for rescues, hoping that somewhere close there is a town or county that does not have the problem we face and maybe, by chance have room for you.

The days, hours, and minutes go by. With the help of loving people I find that I can help you. One more pet that didn’t matter to the people who had the blessing of you being in their life.

What joy to see this fellow rescuer, a complete stranger that we meet somewhere along the highway, smile and laugh when they first lay eyes on you. Only knowing and trusting what I have told them, which isn’t much.

Underneath the dirt, bugs, mats and small, they see the same thing I’ve seen;

A breathing, living creature, deserving of much better life than what they were dealt.

A stranger with a heart and hope as big as mine. No one understands why we do what we do, but we really don’t care.

We know we do what we do because animals are not judgmental; they are forgiving, loving, and appreciative.

Unlike people, they don’t have to understand the whys; they just love you for being there.

And we always hug each other before parting. Someone who is now your friend, even though you may never see them again.

Because we know the pain that each of us goes through on a regular basis.

Losing one to illness, not being able to save one in time, and I watch as they gently lead you away, and patting your head, telling you all of the great things ahead of you.

And your tail is tentatively wagging with hope while you turn to look back at me unsure of the change but still wanting to trust.

Tears well up when I read the email they sent about how sweet and trusting you are, and they told me of the illnesses and health problems that may be involved. But they say it nonchalantly because it doesn’t matter. All will be taken care of, regardless.

Then they start talking about the tricks you know or something cute you did.

Thanks to this rescuer ……

You will be loved, you will be cared for, and you will know what a good life really means no matter how short or how long it is.

Thank you for the honor of being a part of your new life!!!!

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN,

Murphy was a good boy at the vet’s saying hello to the Llasas and the hound and the nervous collie and spaniel. He did want to just sit in my arms once we got in the exam room, but he did let Dr. H examine him. (I think he knows that when he’s a good boy, he gets liver treats.)

Last night he and Duke snuggled with The Mommy while Daddy and I watched a movie. Then he threw up - in the bedroom. He had a fit on the bed, rolling around, rubbing his face on the comforter. Jeff and I comforted him and told him he was a good boy and he did sleep soundly through the night. He ate this morning but was a little mopey.

A friend said her pug did the exact same thing this weekend and it turned out he was bitten by something. I’m going to take a closer look at him tonight. Poor smoosher!

I told him he needed to get better because on Sunday he gets to introduce his new little brother and Daddy to his friends Reggie, Brutus and Buddy and their families. And Uncle Mike promises dehydrated chicken and carrots. He’s excited about all of this weekend’s festivities - expect for the carrots. Like a good big brother, he’s going to let Duke have all of his allotment. LOL

He was a little “quiet” last night and his tail was down. But again, I’m probably panicking for nothing. He was probably tired from the heat and running around at “Grandma and Grandpa Holly’s” house. (Jeff’s parents - they adore our boys.)

Keep my smooshie boy in your thoughts.

On another note, the new love our our lives, Duke, is settling in just great. We’re reinforcing the potty training and he’s getting it. We feel so lucky to have the “Duke of Earl” in our lives.

Today was a shitty day. It all started when I took the boys out for their morning walk. I had intentions of taking them to the park. Until my neighbor’s yellow lab came upon us. She was loose again. Grrrr. . . .  I was in such a mood already I just wanted to ignore her (is it my fault her owners are idiots?) but I thought, “No, because I can’t go to the park anyway, because she’ll follow me, off leash, across the busy road. So I attempt to get her. Nope, not gonna happen, or so I thought. I was able to grab her collar.

I’m now guiding her by the collar and my two eager pugs back to her house. I thought about unleashing Murphy and clipping his leash on her, but I don’t trust Murphy enough. Then I thought about taking her into my house so I could grab a leash, but my boys needed to pee and I didn’t want to risk it (we’re in the process of reinforcing potty training for Duke and I didn’t want to confuse his routine). So I decided to walk her back.

Until she slipped out of her collar. OH NO, I thought. I have her collar in my hand with her i.d. and she’s loose. Now I have to catch her. I look at her collar. There’s no i.d. tag. IDIOTS! Their dog gets loose all the time and she has no i.d. on her? Sigh.

So I’m calling her, all the while my boys are play attacking each other, I’m getting caught up in the leash and she’s mocking me. We finally get to her house and I’m wondering how I’m going to catch her to get her tied up. There is only a light coming from the kitchen of her house. Looks like no one’s up. Screw it, they deserve to be up. Let them chase their dog in their PJs, half asleep instead of me. But just as I’m about to ring the door bell, she gets on the steps and sits. Perfect.

But now there’s no time for the park. Fortunately Duke pees and poops but Murphy only pees. We come in, I feed the boys, and take my post at being the meal time security guard. I have to make sure Duke doesn’t bug Murphy’s dining and vise versa. Murphy dines ok, but Duke decides that his bowl has the plague and he can’t go within four feet of it. I decide he doesn’t like the garnish. I try putting a cookie on it. Nada. I paid $200 for Murphy’s vet visit on Saturday (check up) so I’m praying he’s just being a butthead. But I’m worried.

I make him a new breakfast. Nope, not having it. Fine, I put it up. I’m late at this point and I still have to iron, hop in the shower and make lunch and breakfast for me. I do it with no time to spare. I get in the car, head to drop Murphy off and realize I forgot my sunglasses. Damn! No time to turn around, I must have time to speed through Dunkin’ Donuts. I can do it in the blinding dun. So I squint all the way to work.

I come in on the second floor and my dept. is on the fourth. You have to take this series of escalators up. The first one wasn’t working. I realize it as I step on it. Too late to cop out and take the elavator. So I have to haul my fat ass up a whole flight. A monstrous flight. I huffing and puffing, man what the hell is in this workbag that’s slung over my shoulders, flight. I suspect that there are bricks in it. Nope, I’m just that out of shape.

The rest of the day was no better. First off I was craving frozen yogurt and the station was closed today. WTF? But it’s ok, frozen yogurt I can get over, coffee is another story and I had the perfect cup this morning.

The afternoon was nuts. I’m working on this project at work that my mentor, who has been in Cancun for the week, has handed off to me. It was supposed to small, and easy. Nope, it’s been long and difficult. And I’m working with one of the toughest managers on it. And I made every dumb mistake possible at work today, including sending an email to one of our medical directors first without a subject line and second without the damn attachment. Both of which the manager caught. I was able to recall all botched emails. “Did you get the message that they were successfully recalled?” He said over IM. “Yes, all except yours,” I type back. I swear he was sitting there, waiting for all my horrific emails to come through. But apparently I wasn’t his only victim today. Another fellow coworker was ready to tell him to take a long walk off a short pier. I have a headache over my eye at this point and I have cramps. (Yes, I AM PMSING, but so far, this day could piss anyone off.)

I got home for work and took the boys for a long walk in the walk. That wasn’t bad except I threw my sneakers on with no socks. Apparently while I’ve had them a while, they aren’t that broken in. I have nice new blister on the side of my foot. But, both boys did their business, is it was almost worth it. Almost. (Owie, owie, owie!)

The evening was capped off by me having a total mental blank on this project I’m doing for a birthday present for Jeff’s sister. I have NO inspiration and I had hoped to bang out a bunch of pages. I got five done. Looks like my Saturday will be full of scrapbooking. (I have to give it to her on Saturday night.)

And finally, Duke was more preoccupied by the kids hanging round the condo, the neighbors’ dog and Murphy than peeing. I got a poop, but no pee. At least I think so. He’s hard to see in the dark. I did see if he was wet down there and he was. Maybe he was a ninja pee-er tonight. (Shut up, when you have a kid or an animal, nothing will gross you out and you’ll do anything for peace of mind.) Now Sir Duke is whining and barking at Jeff. He wants up in the bed and he has yet to realize that he’s quite agile and with enough umph, he could hurls himself up there.

And I just got an email about a pug I rescued last week because her idiot owners didn’t have time for her and they were ignoring how sick she was. It doesn’t look good. I’m absolutely pissed about this because it could have been prevented. She’s a sweet little thing who doesn’t deserve this. I’ll never understand how heartless people can be with it comes to animals. They aren’t things, they are living, breathing, beings!

I’m ready for bed. Whine, whine, whine… pass the cheese.

I love my Starbuck’s indulgences. They make life great.

Incidentally, my Uncle Bill thinks I should seek help for my caffeine addiction. Nope, I refuse. If loving coffee is wrong, I don’t want to be right. All hail Starbuck’s and any other establishment that helps me abuse coffee!! (Dunkin’ Donuts and Tim Hortin’s included!)

You’re in my prayers Lori. 

Also, Duke, Murphy and Manny hung out at Grandma’s today. They all get along great. Manny is training Duke on how to keep the house safe by barking at visitors. Manny said he has a great future in law enforcement like his daddy.

Oh, and Uncle Bill? I have both of Jeff Dunham’s DVDs. I’ll bring them over. You’ll laugh your arse off-fah-fah!

That precious little paw wore that bandage like a proud battle wound. But he’s no worse for the wear and I kissed that paw extra tenderly. Then I smelled his Frito feet. There was a hint of grass. I pulled him close and nuzzled his soft ears. Then I kissed his moosh as tears fell down my cheeks. He, like always, licked them away. I was grated for those licks and the snort in my face.

I held Murphy extra close today and whispered how much I loved him in his ear. He cocked his head to the side and I looked in his eyes. And was as if he understood. I pulled my new boy in for a kiss. I’ve only had him for a few weeks, but I never imagined I could have so much love for another pug. My heart overflows with love for them. And today I took the time to appreciate the pug love I’m surrounded by.

Lori, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Pugsley. You’ve both been so brave, so inspirational, so puglike. We surround you with pug love. You’re our heroes, not matter what.

Please keep Lori and Pugsley in your thoughts and prayers. And to all the pug lovers and dog lovers alike, hold your babies tight tonight and tell them you love them.

Today I had the worst cup of coffee I’ve ever had in my life. It was awful. I didn’t even finish it. It was THAT bad. I bought it in our company store. Yes, I should have known better, but I was running late, and I didn’t have time to get one earlier. And they serve Starbuck’s in the company store. I thought it was a no-brainer.

I’m not sure how you can mess up Starbuck’s but they did. They ruined it. It should be a crime. That pseudo, wanna-be, company barista should be thrown in jail for coffee abuse. It was that bad. So while I’m awake from the caffeine I did drink, I’m disappointed from the coffee experience. It was enough ruin my day.

But it didn’t totally ruin my day. My day was redeemed in 9 a.m. “team meeting” (I’m rolling my eyes at corny corporate America. GO TEAM!) I learned we’re not transferring to the home office until at least the end of 2009 or better yet, probably a lot later. This makes me happy because my current commute to this office is great. The commute to the home office will SUCK. I did that commute for seven years before. But now, I have an easy 15-minute commute. I have plenty of time to wake up, walk the pugs, feed all the babies, get showered and ready for work and make my lunch. And usually I have time for coffee on the way.

Usually. Yup, back to my whine about the bad cup of coffee. Hack… Blech.... GROSS!

I will make up for it at lunch with a “real” Starbuck’s beverage. I see a venti, nonfat, raspberry, no foam latte in my near future. It’ll be a perfect way to start my afternoon. And the best news is that my Starbuck’s (yes, I put a claim into it) is not one of the ones in the state closing.

I so have a problem with coffee. I’m embracing my addiction. We all have to have our vises. It could be worse, right?