On Memorial Day weekend of 2018, a family friend called to tell me they’d found a pug wandering around the highway near their home. Attempts to lure the frightened little guy into their car had failed. The temperature was around 102 degrees, so in addition to speeding cars, overheating was an immediate concern. Armed with snacks, I went out to see if I could help. Having a ten-year-old pug, Neeko, at home, I was sure someone was going crazy looking for their lost dog. I imagined a happy reunion.

He wouldn’t get in my car but, shaking a bag of treats out the open door, I coaxed him to follow me. Once I got him into the garage, he collapsed onto the cooler concrete. He was terrified. He refused treats, water, and all human touch. As I watched him panting, I noticed how raw and red his paw pads were. I also noticed something a little more alarming: He had what looked like a livestock brand on his thigh. I snapped a few photos and posted him to the neighborhood's Nextdoor page. Immediately, I started receiving messages pleading with me not to take the dog back to his current owner. There were complaints about abuse and several other horror stories. I called a good friend who works with Pug Rescue Austin and explained the situation. I printed out a relinquishment form and went to the home address I was given. The meeting didn't last long. The owner told me he was allergic to dogs, said I could keep him, and signed the paper without hesitation. He shut the door before I could ask the dog's name.

I alerted Pug Rescue of a new intake, and we were on the road again. But five minutes later, I called to cancel the intake. I didn't know what challenges we would face or if Neeko would welcome a new dog (spoiler alert: Neeko loved him the minute they touched noses), but there was no way I was giving this little guy away.

I knew that pugs come with breathing issues, but I looked over at Phife Dawg on that ride home and could not remember seeing a pug with nasal snares as narrow as his. I don’t know how he survived as long as he did, especially having spent so much time out in the heat. The dollar signs began to add up in my head, but I had already decided that this little guy was going to spend the rest of his days living his best life.

Sure enough, following stenotic nares and airway surgery along with his neuter, Phife Dawg has enjoyed this past year breathing better, getting spoiled, learning to trust people, gaining confidence, and showing us what a goofy, sweet boy he is. Making sure Phife Dawg feels safe has been challenging at times, and gaining his love and trust has been an awesome adventure. There is no doubt he has some stories to tell, but it is my goal to make sure the rest of his stories are much sweeter.