As I sit here at my desk writing this, Denny & Charlie are curled up at my feet snoring away. Nobody could deny that they are well cared for puggies. They are happy, healthy and I believe they know that they are loved. They certainly seem to be content with their lot in life. Knowing this gives me a warm feeling inside. The same feeling I have when I wake up each morning to find them sprawled about the bed. Or when they come to give me kisses after they have devoured the breakfast I've cooked for them. We love them dearly and take pleasure in knowing that they have a good life.

Yesterday I saw a thread on www.Pugstories.com about SEPRA needing help. They are a fabulous organization and we knew that we had to do something to help out these people who have done so much to make sure other little puggies find out what it means to be loved and cared for. We made a donation and posted their plight on this website to help spread the word.

Today a friend of mine wrote to me and showed me a link to the Alabama Pug Rescue site. She mentioned Summer's story and told me I needed to read it. I hesitated - not because I didn't want to read it, but because I knew I would end up crying. I knew I would cry because Summer's story is very upsetting. I also knew I would cry because I would feel helpless and frustrated. But I clicked the link and read the story anyway. I did cry. I did feel upset. And mad. And frustrated.

As most of you know I am American. I came to the UK to be with Richard. I love England for many reasons, but I am very proud to be American. I am looking forward to coming home next month and settling permanently. I find it most upsetting, however, that in this land of plenty so many beautiful puggies are treated like so much garbage. The incredible need for rescues breaks my heart and angers me. Especially when I see that rescues in the UK are few and far between because there is little need for them.

Richard and I have donated to rescues in the US in the past, and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, there are so many rescues that need our help and so many heartbreaking stories that one could feel overwhelmed. For each one story that I read at a particular rescue there are hundreds more at other rescues scattered throughout the country. It's hard to know where to start when wanting to help - especially when nobody I know has unlimited funds. That is why Richard has decided to go ahead with the rescue calendar. That way, when a person buys a calendar (or several) their money goes to help several rescues. A person can feel better knowing they have contributed to several rescues and not had to choose one over another. I remember when I was a child asking my mother which one of us she loved the most. She always responded that she loved each one of us equally - she didn't have a favourite. By creating a rescue calendar that helps all rescues that have submitted their names for assistance, we are in effect loving each one equally. It's a small step towards making sure no pug goes unloved.

Robbi

Posted by Robbi at 01:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We made a donation to SEPRA yesterday, they need all the help they can get. But Robbi was sent an email this morning... pointing us in the direction of the Alabama Pug Rescue organisation... Summer's story caught my eye... it pains me that we cannot help every single rescue out when we read these things. I would be a poor and broken man if I dipped into my pocket each and every time I saw these stories. It makes me want to get the Rescue Calendar up and running more and more....

Here is the story, taken from the Alabama Pug Rescue Site - please visit them - please try and help!

Summer was one of two Pugs abandoned to the outside world when the child came, and the dogs no longer were important. They became "toss aways" left to fend for themselves, yet possessions not to be relinquished to a better life. The owners would deny the neglect, and they would convince themselves this was "responsible."

In the past few weeks, several people began to notice the dogs' deteriorating health, and began to inquire about, and become concerned for their condition. The turning point occurred when one of the Pugs appeared to be lying near the street in the front yard of the house where they were living. As the dog was approached the reality was horrid; this Pug was dead. The family was confronted, and stated they "cared for their dogs" and that she probably died due to her "asthma." No big deal to her, "it's just a dog." A plea was made to convince the owner to let the other Pug go with her, as it was apparent she was in need of immediate medical care. The owner refused. The authorities had been contacted. The definition of "cared for" takes on a whole new meaning when people don't want to get involved.

The details leading up to Summer's rescue are lengthy, heart wrenching and beyond one's comprehension that this type of cruelty exists on a day-to-day basis. We will tell you that the owner did give her up. She gave her up by saying "she ran away" when what she really meant was that she took her to an industrial yard and "dumped" her. She then became "a stray" so there was no connection to her, and she would deny it was her dog. We will be forever thankful to some very special guardian angels who had made Summer their mission, began a city wide search, and with the help of some very special Good Samaritans, she was found, and was immediately transported to rescue.

Her condition is guarded as every organ in her body is failing due to malnutrition. She literally had so many fleas that documentation of "thousands" was made. She is critically anemic and is so weak that standing is hard for her. She has so many problems, and so many needs, but we believe this suffering can be reversed, and we are doing all we can to bring her back to a world she can trust. She will never get her sight back and most likely both eyes will need to be removed as soon as we can get her strong enough to face the first of several needed surgeries. However one of the things we have learned in rescue is that dogs do not need their eyes to see, they do not need their ears to hear; what they need are arms to hold them, and a commitment to their life, for "the life of the dog." She has that from us. Forever.

Please consider making a donation and help us continue to help those whose lives we hold as precious as the "days of Summer." As with Parker, we are only asking for a $1.00 donation per person who visits this website or reads this story. We know how to make it count, and we will. There is never a donation "too small" and every dollar leads to the next.

A very special thank you to Melissa and her Mom, and all of those who recognized that time was running out for Summer. You are the reason she now sleeps on clean bedding in air conditioning, free of fleas, with continuous nourishment, and every attempt is being made to save her life. She would never have made it to us without all of you caring enough to reach out to her, to get involved, and to recognize the need for rescue.

As far as the "persons" who let this happen to this dog? Life goes full circle.
You will never, ever walk away from this.

The original story can be viewed here: Summers Story

Posted by Richard at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago I wrote about an idea I had to generate funds for Pug Dog Rescue. Well unfortunately the response was dire to say the least, in fact - out of 50 rescues I contacted only 3 replied. Those that did reply were very enthusiastic about the idea. Now whether this lack of response is due to disinterest or being bogged down with rescues I have no idea, but I really did need a few more people to "sign up" for this to make it a viable project to dedicate my time to. Needless to say, the project in the previously described form is cancelled I am afraid.

But, the Calendar to help rescues is going to be created as the... Rescued Friends of Denny and Charlie Calendar 2007 ...It's going to be a similar layout to the original idea, but submissions will be taken directly from individuals who have given forever homes to rescues.

Any funds generated by the calendar will be equally split and issued to all rescues nominated by submissions. I know this could be small rescues and large rescues - so the logistics of this still need to be worked out.

The bottom line is this, I want to do this - and I need your help. Please pass on the word - post a link to this on any forums, news groups and mailing lists you are a member of. Mail your friends and colleagues. We can make a difference you know… a couple of minutes at your keyboard can make a massive difference.

Just remember, the first time I did this I managed to raise over $900 - not bad for something that was not massively advertised. We can do this bigger and better this time with your help!

Please email me at richard [at] dennyandcharlie [dot] com if you want to help, or require any more information.

I will be producing a link banner in the near future to put on your websites; this will hopefully spread the word.

I have faith in you all; don't let me or those needy Pugs down!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Robbi found a thread on PugStories today.... it just goes to show that all is not well in the world of Pugs!

Sepra is in desperate need of donations. I'm posting the plea Brenda's made on the Sepra website so you all will understand how dire it is. I know all rescues are in tight spots right now but I felt compelled to do this since Sepra has always been the "go to" rescue for other rescues when they need help or have pugs with medical issues that they can't handle themselves. Sepra is also not limited to just taking in pugs from the southeast and has taken in pugs from as far away as Utah. Mike's own Puggy Sue came to him through Brenda and Sepra.

The complete thread is here... SEPRA Needs Help

Please head on over to SEPRA's donation page and give a little if you can, every penny helps and it will give you a great feeling to know you are making a difference to the life and happiness of the little furkids.

Go on.... feel good about yourself!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You know, it only seems like a few weeks ago that we were in Texas choosing our new home. In reality though, it was a few months ago, and the time has fast disappeared.

In exactly three weeks time, we shall be saying so long to our current home in Berkshire and heading to the port of Southampton to board the QM2 for our epic trip to start a new life in the USA. And what a trip that will be.

We have 6 days at sea, eventually arriving in New York on Monday the 24th July. We then have to drive over 600 miles to North Carolina to meet up with Robbi's brother and sister in-law, Mark and Amy.

The journey of course does not end there, we still have over 1200 miles to cover in the remaining two days. Road trips I have done, but never anything on this scale.

Along the way we will be maintaining a diary and photographic records of the trip. Perhaps we can even update the site from the road if we find suitable internet connections.

Not long now.... a new home in Texas is waiting for us!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thursday the 22rd June 2006 was the day that Denny turned 4!

He looks so much like his dad, our dear departed Samson, that there are times when I find myself calling him by the name of the dearest Pug he has survived.

Denny has the same super smooth coat, the same little tail and his bark is so similar its uncanny.

Our little furry fella gives us so much happiness, and he carries on the memories of the sweetest Pug I have ever had the pleasure to share my time with.

Denny is a thinker, you only have to look at his cute little face to realise that he understands all that he surveys.

We love you Denny. Happy Birthday fella.

Richard

Posted by Richard at 01:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

As anyone visiting this site must know by now, we have purchased a new home in Seabrook, TX (just outside Houston) and are planning our move next month. Many of you will also recall that we had some "insider" help from a fellow Pug person (Winston's Mom) in acquiring our new Denny & Charlie Towers. However, we have been very remiss in our duties and have neglected to adequately shower her with public praise.

Kim is not only a fabulous realtor with Coldwell Banker, she is also a devoted Pug Mom to her beautiful pugs Gracie, Snazzy, Precious and Ladyhawk. We had the pleasure of meeting Ladyhawk when we were in Houston this March. She's a sweet girl and it was such a treat to have a "pug fix" while we were missing our boys so much. Kim not only had a bright & shiny new Cuz and Egg Baby as gifts for our boys, she also brought Ladyhawk in for us to visit with on the day that we went house hunting. That is just the kind of person that Kim is - thoughtful and caring. She has repeatedly gone out of her way to help us out whenever we have needed her.

Unfortunately (for her) we've needed her a lot! As everyone knows, moving can be quite stressful. When you're talking about a transcontinental move, the stress is astronomical! So many details, so many loose ends. At each turn Kim has been there to lend a helping hand.

We've always known that Pug people are very special people indeed, but we felt we needed to let everyone know just HOW special this lady is! So from all of us at Denny & Charlie Towers:

THANK YOU KIM!

Posted by Richard at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Since we changed over from www.OnePug.com to www.DennyandCharlie.com and also changed the blogging software, we have seen a major drop off in comments. It would be really nice if visitors dropped in to say hello now and again, and perhap even send us an email with some photos of their own furkids.

Anyway, it is REALLY easy and secure to leave comments on here - but you need to register first. This is not so we can harvest email addresses, its a way of filtering out comment and trackback spam that is now so prevelent in the world of Blogging.

So please, if you get the time, drop on over to TypeKey to read about how it all works and then if you would like to contribute create yourself a commenters account by registering here. Once you have created an account you can comment on www.DennyandCharlie.com and other MovableType Blogs by simply entering your credentials when you click on the Comment link on any of our entries.

Go on! It would be great to hear from you!

Richard

PS> You can email us at richard [at] dennyandcharlie [dot] com

Posted by Richard at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have created a new section called OnePug Archives. This section will contain some of the better entries from the original Denny's Diaries site before little Charlie was on the scene.

Please drop by and have a look. We have started it off with the famous Paranormal Pug storie that caused such a riot! Unfortunatley I have had to delete the comments from these posts as they are not compatible with this version of the blogging software.

OnePug Archives

Enjoy!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 08:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have more photos from friends of Denny and Charlie to share with you.... this time from Erica Noble who just happens to be the addicted one from American Greetings!

Erica wrote...

"We take turns watching, and as soon as one of us sees a pug, we shout 'he's there!' and we all click on the camera to watch! It's a riot."

Stuart

Tiny

Stuart and Tiny

Stuart and Tiny

Thanks for the emails Erica! Keep them coming, we love to hear from you all.

Richard

Posted by Richard at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We got an email the other day, from Rayna and Biskit from Canada.

Rayne write:

Hello Gang,

I have been a fan of your site for over a year.

I hope you will enjoy the attached photos of my little Puggers…Biskit.

Have a safe journey!

Cheers,

Rayna

Thanks for the email Rayna and Biskit. We always love getting emails from visitors to the site. And thankyou so much for the good wishes for the trip!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yesterday I was opening mail, which is one of Charlie's favourite activities. You see, he LOVES paper. All kinds of paper, all kinds of paper products. Envelopes, cards, letters, cardboard, magazines... well, you get the idea. Anyway, as I began to open a packet I noticed Charlie sitting below me with unbridled anticipation. I couldn't disappoint him so of course I let the empty packet fall to the floor. He immediately pounced upon it and began happily rolling around on the floor biting the bag. He was just too adorable and so I had to grab my camera and get a couple of snaps.

This made me start thinking, why do we even bother buying these guys toys? They have every toy imaginable and yet it seems their favourite things to play with are ordinary household objects! The same is true of Munchkin, nothing makes that cat happier than a twist-tie from a loaf of bread. In fact, here's a picture from a month or so ago of Denny & Charlie:

It's Mum's mascara!

Posted by Robbi at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have been noticing a lot of activity on the web-cam lately..... with one big hitter being in Cleveland, OH.... American Greetings to be precise..... HELLO!!!

Drop us an email if you like, perhaps share some photos of your furry friends..... richard [at] dennyandcharlie [dot] com

Richard

Posted by Richard at 01:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I AM YOUR DOG
Author Unknown

I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me. So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of other of my kind, passing.

Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land. I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week.

Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me.

Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart.

Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet" -- I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

Posted by Richard at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We were introduced to a new and wondeful site called PugStories this weekend. Thank you Kim!

Please come on over to www.PugStories.com when you get the time, these people are so friendly. We have recieved such a warm welcome and their aim is to pursue the well-being and welfare of our little furry friends.

Pug Stories is going to be our regular haunt now that we have left the PugVillage for good. Pug Stories looks like it fulfulls our need for a forum that caters for discussions on everything Pug.

Richard

Posted by Richard at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday I was looking through all the artwork files and came across the original artwork for the 2005 Calendar I produced which was promoted by the PugVillage. It got me thinking...

This year I want to produce another calendar in the same vain, but this time I want to produce something that can aid each and everyone of the Pug Rescues around the world. The Forever Home Pugvillage 2006 Calendar went a little way to doing this, but I think we can do a 2007 version on a bigger and better scale in turn providing more benefits along the way. The downfall with the 2006 calendar was that most of the promotion was only done through the Pugvillage Forums which although it has a reasonable sized membership is still a fairly small platform for advertising.

What I would like to do, if rescues are willing to participate, is to produce a new Pugs in Forever Homes Calendar that can be customized for each and every rescue. The main content of the calendar would be the same for each and every rescue, but the front cover would be customised for each individual rescue organisation. This would enable a "branded" style to be produced.

Content would once again be images of Pugs that have now been placed in the Forever Homes along with their name, the rescue organisation involved and a date. We could easily achieve 24 images per page - which allows for a reasonable amount of photos from each and every organisation that gets involved.

My time is, as always, given freely. No costs whatsoever will be incurred by anybody taking part in this project.

Comments would be appreciated on this. My move to the USA will mean I have some spare time on my hands when I arrive - and this would allow me to get my teeth into something worthwhile.

Other parts of the project could include the setting up and branding of CafePress stores for individual organisations who lack the knowhow. We need to generate revenue desperately for these people, they do a wondeful and worthwhile job.

You can contact me at richard [at] dennyandcharlie [dot] com for more information.

Pass the word around.... the more organisations we get involved, the more that will benefit.

Richard

Posted by Richard at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just remembered the video we created last October after a trip down into Sonning with Denny. It's a shame not to have it online too, it shows the cute expressions that Denny presents us with on a daily basis.

Also available on Google Video

Richard

Posted by Richard at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, I managed to get some footage this weekend of the boys playing in their new pool. I also took the opportunity to knock together a quick video for you all to see them in action. It's not in High Definition as I need to obtain some software to handle that - so for now its just plain old standard resolution.

If you cannot view it, then try here on Google Videos.

Richard

Posted by Richard at 07:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a couple of weeks we shall be receiving pet passports for the little ones, and we thought that it would only be fare to make sure that Denny, Charlie and Munchkin have the same level of pampering as myself and Robbi on the Queen Mary 2 trip. And to that end we decided that they should also be able to show off their status in the four legged community.

We have ordered these fantastic Lila Paws Pet Passport Covers which I found online at FabStuff.net. They are £15.95 each and made from real leather. Of course it has to be blue for the boys and pink for Munchkin.

Well, it is a trip of a lifetime for all of us! And they deserve only the best!

Richard

Posted by Richard at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)