This morning I felt that I could finally sit down and put my thoughts of Alfie into words. At this time, the thought that he is gone from my arms hurts beyond belief.  His portrait hangs on the wall and I look up at him and find myself thinking that I can almost hear his bark. He had the most unique bark and he liked to tell you when he wanted your attention.

Alfie came into my home as a foster. The moment I saw him at the shelter, I knew he was special. Not because he was beautiful (he was skinny, filthy and smelled awful), but he had a peace about him that made you want to be near him. I carried him outside and put him on the seat of my truck. He was so happy to be free that it took me several minutes to calm him down so that I could drive. He got a bath as soon as we got to the house. I wrapped him in a large towel and there he fell asleep in my arms. I must confess that this is where he spent most of his time for the next three months. The day that he was neutered and had his teeth cleaned, I made my husband stay on the cell phone so that I could hear him snoring softly until he arrived back into my arms. I sat up, holding him, all night so that I would know that he was OK.

I got the call that he had a forever home waiting for him. I told the adoption coordinator NO. She told me they were perfect. I told her they better be or I was not leaving him. I met Richard and Robbi on the day that Alfie joined their home. October 6th, 2006. Robbi was waiting at the curb for us when we arrived. They were perfect. I knew that Alfie was home and placed him in his mother’s arms. We stayed as long as I could hold myself together and then left. I cried for the next 5 days. No one in my home could say his name or ask how he was doing. I knew that Alfie was where he was meant to be, but that did not make it feel any better. I watched the webcam every day and read the blog so often that my husband started to worry. It took 3 months before I felt I could see him and not be overwhelmed with sadness. So I called. Robbi was great and spent about 45 minutes catching me up on how he was doing. Richard agreed to meet me at a local park and bring Alfie. I was so glad to see him and he looked so beautiful and content.  His feet never touched the ground; I could not put him down.

It was during this meeting that I asked Richard what it took to run a website. We discussed that I wanted to start my own pug rescue in Houston and he agreed to help. This was the true beginning of Pug Hearts. Alfie was the link that brought so many of us together around this purpose. He was sent to us for a specific purpose and he accomplished this with grace and love. I cannot begin to tell people what he means to me even now. He will be with me every time that I think of Pug Hearts, go on a rescue run or finalize an adoption. He is in my thoughts always and will have a special place in my heart for eternity.

The PugHearts rescue team (those that go out to get the pugs) are now “Alfie’s angels” and the alerts that come to the board members regarding pugs in danger/pug to surrender now come as “Alfie alerts”. This is a small way to keep him with us and remind all involved that he is with us still.

Alfie was with us for less than one year, but he will never leave our hearts. I love you baby. You are the true founder of Pug Hearts and I will never forget you.

Cindy www.PugHearts.com