Hospice & Retirement Pugs

Gracie came to PROS on September 17th when her owner did not have the financial means to provide her medical care. Gracie is a 3 year old, fawn, female pug. The initial information we received when Gracie came to us was that she had a lacerated hernia and needed to be spayed. We knew that Gracie needed medical care but we had no idea the extent of the care she would need.

After x-rays and an ultrasound it was apparent that Gracie had three masses inside her chest; one covering 75% of one lung. One of the masses was aspirated and it appears to indicate lymphoma. There is a small chance that the masses are a fungal infection for which we are seeking possible treatment.

Gracie is weak from her spay surgery and doesn't have much of an appetite. Gracie's breathing is labored and she coughs during the night because the mass is pressing on her lung. Gracie's foster parents are trying to provide her with liquids and calories to keep up her strength. Occasionally she wags her tail for them and she always looks at them with the warmest eyes.

Please keep Gracie in your thoughts as she struggles to recover from her spay surgery. Thank you.

10/3/11 Update: Gracie went back to see the doctor today. She is struggling to breathe and is coughing more. We will wallop the mass on her lung with some Prednisone to see if we can buy some quality time with her. Her foster family treated her to a burger patty from In-N-Out and she has the lion's share of a king sized bed to snuggle in.

10/30/11 Update: Gracie is doing well on the prednisone. She is on a maintenance dose, which has improved her appetite and energy level while decreasing her coughing and general discomfort. Gracie is a sweet pug and her foster family enjoys her company. The prednisone has been so effective that its hard to look at her and comprehend her prognosis. We hope she is with us for many months to come. Gracie and her foster family are so thankful for all the positive prayers and healing energy that everyone is sending their way.

11/20/11 Update: Gracie is still responding well to the prednisone. Her foster family finds her love of toys to be quite amusing as she can't stand the toys that squeek and makes it her mission to silence them. Gracie's doctor believes that we may begin to see the side effects of her cancer return in the coming days and weeks.

Hi, You can call me Jasmine or Jazzie for short!
I am a beautiful 14 yr old spayed black female pug. I was surrendered to PROS when my owners split up and my dad didn't want me and my mom couldn't keep me. I have no health issues now, I did have a bad cold when I was surrendered but I am much better. I am feisty and spunky, I do not like the vacuum cleaner, I am house-trained, I enjoy my walks and I truly like taking car rides. My eyes and ears are great for my age, I have no food allergies. In fact I am a great eater. However I love my humans so much that I am a resource guarder with my humans, but I am okay with my food. I don't like other dogs getting into my space when it comes to my humans. I am very sweet and very, very smart.
I am current on my vaccinations, I am micro-chipped and I was negative on my heart worm test.
Due to Jasmine's resource guarding of her humans, it would be best that Jasmine be the only dog in the household.
Jasmine has been a PROS retirement pug since January 2011.

Hi, my name is Denny. I am a 10 yr old neutered fawn male pug. I was found as a stray on the side of a rural road sitting next to a deceased pug. It is our assumption that these two got out as strays when the one was hit and killed by a car. When the officer responded to pick up the dogs the officer said that Denny went over and would not leave his friend's side; this broke the officer's heart.
I am a real sweetheart, I have some weakness in my hind quarters this is consistent with my age. I am still very mobile but prefer to be lying on a soft comfy bed. I am very loving, I am good with other animals and I am house-broken. I have a very hearty appetite and I can be a little clingy as a constant shadow.

Denny has been a PROS retirement pug since January 2011.

Thank you to ♥ Mary Bova for her donation towards Denny's care

Hi, I'm Milton. I am also called Uncle Milty. I am a 7 to 8 yr old neutered male fawn pug. I was found as a stray and taken to the Antioch shelter, where they took out a zillion fox tails from my fur. Hum, where had I been? Well no one came to claim me so I was surrendered to PROS, yes my saviors! I have limited eyesight and limited hearing but these small short comings do not detour me in any way, I get along just fine. I have no arthritis, hip or spine problems. Just due to my other problems with hearing and eyesight the vet determined that I was not well taken care of. I am a very happy boy, and I have a beautiful thick double coat of fur. I get along with all the other dogs in my foster home. My house training is being re-enforced and I'm glad to say I am doing better.
I am current on all of my vaccinations and I am micro-chipped. I am very excited to find my forever family who will pay attention to me, and give me mega bunches of love.

Thank you to Milton's sponsor, Melanie Cary, for her support.

PROS wishes to thank each donation that was received for Milton's care. A long time PROS member and dear friend, Sharon Tracey passed away earlier this year. The family requested instead of flowers that donations be made to PROS in Sharon's name. Heartfelt thanks go to Ellen Byers, Carol Hartman, Helen Freeman, Jan and John Grover, Al and Carol Feuerstein, George and Mary Hartman, Don and Deborah Ciucci, James and Darcy Fields, Nancy Hussted, Denise and Michael Pagan, Linda Fossum, James & Susanne Reed, Victoraine Benedetti, Earl & Cynthia Asato, Shigeo, Sumiko and Earl Asato and Wellings & Co.

Milton has been a PROS retirement pug since June 2010.

Hi, my name is Brando! I am a 6 yr. old neutered male black pug. I was found as a stray and taken to a shelter, and then rescued by PROS. I get along well with other dogs, and children. I have a big assortment of toys and none of them get neglected, but the ball is my favorite. I will chase it forever. I have a softer side to me, don't tell anyone but I like to be held like a baby. I like to eat, I like to go on walks which I need because I do love to eat, I like going for rides in the car. I like to go into shops with you, I behave well and I am a perfect gentleman. I really need to be with my human companions. I tend to be closer to women; I like men but I need to warm up to them first, then their my friend for life. Because of my severe seperation anxiety, I will be staying with PROS in hospice care. Brando has been with PROS since July of 2008.

July 2011 Update: Brando will be 8 this month. He would be the perfect pug if his separation anxiety were more manageable. He never leaves his foster Mom's side; even if she has to go to church or the store, he howls and cries. Brando is starting to go blind and the little guy can't stand the heat. Other than that he is perfect..and we love him to pieces.

Brando and PROS send hugs and kisses to Delmar Orrell and Alfred for their donation, in memory of Miss Sally Bobbin, to help pay his medical bills. And thank you to Red i Studios for sponsoring Brando!

Sponsor Brando:

Hi, I'm Wesley. I am a 9 yr. old neutered male fawn pug. I was a stray and rescued by PROS. I am up to date on all of my shots, and I am micro-chipped. I am an adorable boy with some old age medical problems. I have arthritis in my back legs that I take medication for, so I can't walk too far. I am partially blind and I have to have medicine placed in both my eyes on a daily basis. Lately I am having a little trouble hearing, but I manage. I am a big food eater, I will eat anything I'm not picky. I really like treat time, and my other favorite thing to do is sleep with you. I'm not much into playing with toys, I am house trained, and I like to go for rides in the car. I tolerate other dogs, I guess I can take them or leave them. I'm not sure how I am with a cat since my foster family doesn't have any of those. I am a wonderful companion, and will make the best shadow you have ever had.

Update 10/26/08: It has been determined that Wesley has limited eyesight and has arthritis.

Update 9/19/11: Wesley's arthritis is severe and he cannot walk. His foster family carries him everywhere. However, he is very alert and has a very good appetite. He is a dear even with all his problems.

Wesley has been with PROS since May of 2008. Thank you to his sponsors Stephanie Temples and Laurie Buckley.

Sponsor Wesley:

Pansy is a big, 13 year old girl who loves to bask outside in the sun on her Coolaroo bed; sit at the window, watching for squirrels or be out and about, taking a walk. When she sees the harness, her tail wags and she does her happy dance - going out for her walks are her favorite moments of the day. She's showing her age, with a little arthritis and a bit of vision and hearing loss, but she comes when she knows you want her there. While she isn't a cuddler, she loves to be close and to have some lap time in front of the TV. She'd be happiest as an only pug, but if introduced properly, will get along with adult females.

July 2011 Update: Pansy is a big, approx. 16-year old girl who has slowed down considerably over the last few years, since she came into the PROS family with a huge tumor on her rear end. Now one of the "retirement" pugs, she still loves breakfast, dinner and treat times (salmon jerky treats are her favorite), loves to go for walks in her stroller and especially now loves to sleep on the bed, usually snuggled up close to her foster mom. With advancing age, she is much more eager to cuddle than she used to be, walking over anything (newspapers, other pugs, laptop) to push her way under her human's arm to nestle up close. She's lost most of her sight (with the exception of peripheral vision, which she uses extremely well to navigate around the house and yard), but it hasn't slowed her down as much as her arthritis has. With supplements and exercise, she is maintaining her muscle. She is a complete "velcro" dog, always underfoot (or under chair in the den), wanting to keep tabs on her human "mom". Thank heavens for her PROS tags on the collar, so that the musical "tinkling" gives her present location away at all times!

Pansy has been a PROS pug since January 2008.

Pansy and PROS send hugs and kisses to Kerri Lohr for sponsoring her.

Pansy and PROS send hugs and kisses to Delmar Orrell and Alfred for their donation, in memory of Miss Sally Bobbins, to help pay her medical bills. Thank you Delmar and Alfred.

Sponsor Pansy:

Luke is a neutered fawn male Pug 7 to 8 years old. He's delightful and a very happy guy who wound up in the shelter after being found as a stray. The pads on his feet showed so much wear that we are sure he was out on his own for quite awhile and he was also very thin. Luke also has very poor eyesight but can see well enough to get around and he's a very active pug. Luke loves being with people and is not very fond of other dogs who will steal his attention so he would prefer to be the only dog. Luke also has some mild separation anxiety but he's undergoing some behavioral modification for this and has really improved but he can not be left alone for long periods of time. Luke has been a PROS Pug since March 2007.

Pug Hugs and Kisses to Luke's Sponsors:

Luke sends hugs and kisses to Doranna and Steve Grech are sponsoring Luke. Thank you Doranna and Steve.

Luke sends hugs and kisses to Nazzi Shishido for sponsoring him.

Luke and PROS send hugs and kisses to Delmar Orrell and Alfred for their donation, in memory of Miss Sally Bobbins, to help pay his medical bills. Thank you Delmar and Alfred.

Sponsor Luke:

Hope is a 9 yr old fawn 9 lb. female who came from the shelter with 3 other pugs. Hope has bad luxating patellas with her knees locked in place and cannot be repaired. When she was spayed she spent a week in the hospital due to her breathing issues (for which she has had surgery). Hope has been a PROS Pug since January 2008.

Hope send pug hugs and kisses to Elaine LaMastra, Terry Wong-Cook (in memory of Violet), Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin, Nazzi Shishido, Lisa Tanner, Emma Winfield and Ethan Veneklasen for their generous donations to help pay her medical bills.

Sponsor Hope:

Bugsy is a 7 year old male pug who had untreated demodectic mange which is now well under control. Bugsy gets along well with other pugs and is a sweet mellow boy who loves people. Bugsy has chronic demodectic mange and will most probably require intermittent Ivermectin treatment for his skin problem the rest of his life. Bugsy is just waiting for someone to take him home. Bugsy has been a PROS Pug since August 2006.

Bugsy sends hugs and kisses to Kim Buckhout for sponsoring him.

Bugsy sends hugs and kisses to Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin for sponsoring him.

Would you like to sponsor Bugsy?

Camiis a 2 year old fawn female pug that was never claimed from the shelter and was facing euthanasia. She has scoliosis and that creates physical limitations, she tilts her head a little bit and sometimes walks to the left. She is a very loving dog despite her disabilities and is very healthy otherwise. Cami loves to give pug kisses and she loves her human and doggy companions. Cami will receive acupuncture treatments as needed when she gets older as she is expected to have some mobility problems in the future as she ages. Cami has been a PROS pug since September of 2006.

Thank you to Cami's sponsors for their generous support: Joanne Clark, Linda & David Baca, Michelle Trudelle and Remedios Poquiz. Also thank you to Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin for their donation.

Sponsor Cami:

Cody is a 7 to 8 year old fawn male pug who was having cluster seizures and left unclaimed as a stray in the shelter. Cody was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy. He's on a medication regime that is not expensive but he will need to be on them for his lifetime. Cody has break through seizures and requires some medication adjustment. Due to his seizures and also that he has been in foster care for over a year with no interest in adopting him he is staying in his foster home the rest of his life. Cody is really a wonderful, loving, mellow boy who just loves people; face rubs and gets along wonderfully with other dogs. Cody has been a PROS pug since March 2006.

Thank you to Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin for their donation.

Thank you to Greg Mattson, Leslie Devine, Stephanie Temples and Lisa Tanner for sponsoring him.

Would you like to help? Sponsor Cody:

Do you like wrinkles? Well, Zipper has wrinkles a plenty. He's an 8 year old fawn neutered male who loves other dogs and people also. He's always happy and he dances. Yes, he does a little 2 step for you when he's really going. Zipper does have some neurological problems he was born with, he looses his balance at times but he will still just keep going. Now poor Zipper has been diagnosed with a collapsing larynx so he'll be staying on as PROS Pug with all the care and love we can give. His condition is inoperable and any heat or stress can cause his larynx to swell cutting off his air supply. His foster parents just adore Zipper and Zipper is fast friends with his piggy brother. Please help us keep Zipper happy by donating or becoming a sponsor for this sweet boy. Zipper has been Hospice Pug since January 2006

Michael B Barrett, Greg Mattson, Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin, and Remedios Poquiz are sponsoring Zipper.

Scruffy is a 12 year old fawn male Pug. He came to us as an unclaimed stray from the shelter and he was in bad shape. He had a skin condition, ticks and was extremely thin. Scruffy was so badly cared for that he now has chronic demodectic mange which just will not go away. In order to keep his skin under control Scruffy will be staying on as a PROS pug so we can monitor and keep him comfortable and continue medical treatment as needed. He's happy and well loved in his foster home but would love to have a sponsor to help with his ongoing medical care. Scruffy has been Hospice Pugs since August 2005

July 2011 Update: Mr. Scruffy is doing quite well especially for an older gentleman. Scruffy can still walk about half a mile, has put some healthy weight on and now sleeps in his own bed...with lots of pillows, of course. When he first came to PROS, his skin was a mess, he'd been wandering the streets of Modesto, he was shy and had been named "Dirty Harry''. Today he's quite lovable and will guard the bar-b-que with his life. His hearing isn't very good (deaf is more like it) but he sure "hears" his dinner dish! We just love him and he returns the love two fold. Scruffy and PROS appreciate the generous donations to his continued medical care.

Thank you to Scruffy's sponsors Nazzi Shishido, Angela Cordes, Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin.

Sassy is a 12 year old female. She is in very good health but does have arthritis in her back, she requires Glucosamine which has resolved the stool incontinence she came to us with. Sassy just loves everyone and all the other dogs in her foster family. She even loves children. Sassy is so sweet and easy going, loves walks even though her eyesight isn't great given her age and just wants a lap to lie in. Sassy will be staying with her foster family and is very happy there. Sassy has been with PROS since January of 2005. Victoria Ramos,

Greg Mattson, Paige Pullen, Delmar Orrell and Miss Sally Bobbin are now sponsoring Sassy.