Why the Hollow?

Pug Hollow Sanctuary started with one pug and an epic battle against an autoimmune syndrome that should have killed him.

At three years old Edgar T. Post was a happy, healthy young pug when one day he suddenly wasn't. There wasn't anything concrete about his behavior that made his owner think he was sick but something just wasn't right. A trip to the vet and a full blood panel revealed that Edgar was in massive liver failure.... and had Addison's disease... and was hypothyroid. His immune system had turned against him, and it was destroying vital parts of his glandular system.

The vet cautioned the owner that they could try to treat the pug, but to expect at most 6 to 8 weeks with the dog before euthanasia became necessary. The owner refused to accept that timeline.

Eleven years later. Edgar T. Post is a grey muzzled old man. He suffers from typical old pug complaints such as arthritis, loss of hearing, and limited vision. He eats a very special diet due to food allergies. He has a full blood panel every 6 months. His last blood work was 100% perfect.

Edgar doesn't know he's sick, or that he's lived eleven years past the prognosis for his condition. He thinks he's a pampered, spoiled rotten pug who commands attention wherever he goes. Edgar's huge personality and friendly, polite demeanor draws admirers in flocks. He has visited shut-ins, nursing homes, sick children and even been a spokespug for a theater company during their Shakespeare in the Park productions.

And without the innovative thinking of a wonderful veterinarian, and the dedication of a whole family of crazy dog people, Edgar would never have had the chance to bring so much happiness to so many people.

It is because of Edgar that his owner and his owner's family began taking in small dogs that otherwise would have no chance at any sort of life, no matter how long or short. Eventually they applied for non-profit status and Pug Hollow was born. Whether a dog needs rehab to be adoptable, a home that will provide the medical care needed to keep them comfortable and happy, or just a loving hospice home to make their transition out of the world, they find it in the Hollow.

Most of the small dogs they help are unadoptable, and will live out their lives either on the farm or in a foster home. A few are healthy enough to need a forever home of their own.

Pug Hollow is 100% donation, and fund-raiser funded. Adoption fees cover only the vetting for the animal adopted. Without donations, word of mouth and the help of a few amazing vets, Pug Hollow would be unable to care for the dogs that we do. We hope that you'll become a Friend of the Hollow and help in any way that you can.

Edgar T. Post in 2006, six years after diagnosis

Foggy Morning at the Hollow

Something about our usual rising time of 4:00 A.M. seems to make the Mongrel Horde think that sleeping in means letting us sleep until sunrise on days off.
Of course that means I always get to see some awesome sunrises.

Like today... As I trotted everyone outside for their morning bathroom run I saw this:

 And this:

And these geese looking for a pond or somewhere to forage:

Mornings at the Hollow... More than just a Howling Horde.

Happy Howl-iday

Santa Claws would like to wish you a Happy Howl-iday from everyone at Pug Hollow Sanctuary.

(Santa Claws portrayed by Permanent Resident, E. Trey Pughouser.)

Home for the Howlidays Part 1

Pug Hollow has several adoptable dogs that we are hoping to get settled into new homes for the new year.

Miss Aster is a 3 year old Jack Russell/Daschund mix. Contrary to the usual perception Aster is very laid back and loves a good couch snuggle. Of course she’s also open to walks and spending time in the yard as well. Aster is spayed, up to date on shots and heartworm prevention, house broken and good with kids. She does not like cats.

Aster has good manners on and off leash and would be excellent for an older person with grand-kids.

Her adoption fee is $55.

 

Marvin is one of two wirehaired Daschund/Shi-Tzu mixes currently at the Sanctuary. Marvin is just under a year old, and he’s quite the little love.

Weighing in at around 12 pounds, Marvin loves people,adores children and ignores cats. He does bark at larger dogs but gets along well enough with our few large dogs at Pug Hollow.

Marvin is housebroken, up to date on shots, and heartworm prevention and neutered. Because male dogs often exhibit marking behavior in new territory even when housetrained he will be adopted out with two terry cloth belly bands to help with the transition.

If you’re looking for a small dog who will be great with your kids either of the Wonder Twins would be your man!

His adoption fee is $55.

 

Martin, also known as the Great Martini, is brother to Marvin. He is just under a year old and a very smart little man. He can learn anything you want to teach him in short order. He weighs in at around 12 pounds,adores children, loves people and ignores cats. He also barks at larger dogs but gets along well enough with our few large dogs at Pug Hollow.

Martin is housebroken, up to date on shots, and heartworm prevention and neutered. Because male dogs often exhibit marking behavior in new territory even when housetrained he will be adopted out with two terry cloth belly bands to help with the transition.

If you’re looking for a small dog who will be great with your kids either of the Wonder Twins would be your man!

His adoption fee is $55

 

 

Oddity, also known as the Odd Dog, is a year old Chiweenie. He and five others were taken in by City of Purcell from a hoarding situation. Of the five only Oddity passed the initial temperament testing. Odd is a sweet little man with lots and lots of energy. He's very conversational and loves to clown around making little squeaky noises at you. He's not big on barking though. Odd also loves "zoomies" in the yard. Call out "Oddity. Zoomies!" and he begins to tear around the yard in the fastest circles he can make.

He is learning about cats, loves people of any age and walks on a leash. Odd still has the occasional marking behavior in the house but he is quickly learning. He is up to date on shots, and heartworm prevention and neutered. Because male dogs often exhibit marking behavior in new territory even when housetrained he will be adopted out with two terry cloth belly bands to help with the transition.

His adoption fee is $55

.

To inquire about adopting any of the dogs above, please email Kara at pughollow@gmail.com.

Pug Hollow Spotlight of the week: Portobello and Avocado Enchiladas

It's not a dog treat recipe, but sometimes humans need treats too!
This is a preview from Pug Hollow's upcoming "Treats from the Hollow" fundraising cookbook.

10 white corn tortillas
4 ripe but not overly soft avocados
4 large portobello mushroom caps
1 medium onion
1 medium bell pepper
2 cups pepper jack cheese: shredded
1 28 oz can green chili enchilada sauce
2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup fajita marinade
2 tbsp lime juice
Olive oil cooking spray
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Preheat oven to 375.

Chop avocado, onion, mushrooms and bell peppers. Combine lime juice and fajita marinade, and marinate chopped ingredients for 30 minutes.
Sautee marinated ingredients until onions, mushrooms and bell peppers are soft.
Lightly spray corn tortillas with olive oil, and heat in a skillet until tortillas are soft and translucent.

Place a portion of ingredient mixture slightly off center on the tortilla with some shredded cheese. Roll tortilla around the mixture an d place rolled side down in a 9X13 baking dish. Continue until baking dish is full.
Pour the can of green chili enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas.
Warm sour cream in the microwave until runny. Stir in garlic and onion powder. Pour over enchiladas. Top with any left over cheese.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Serve with your choice of Mexican side dishes.

Pug Hollow's Spotlight Dog of the Week: Bartholomew Cubbins

Cubby, sweater model for Pug Hollow Sanctuary's Fall catalog

There was a train stalled out on the railroad crossing that led to the tiny animal shelter. The woman had a long way to go, and a lot of things to do when she got there but she waited with the animal control officer until the train was repaired and the way was clear. Once the train was clear of the crossing, the pair hurried down the road to the shelter.

"He's really underweight, and he may be old. I haven't been able to get him out and really look at him because he bites." The ACO gestured to a kennel on the second tier. "Good luck."

The woman looked into the kennel at the chihuahua. He was so emaciated that every bone in his body was showing in high relief. She opened the cage, and held out her hands. "Oh, sweetie, are you ready to go home?"

Trembling with the effort of moving across the cage the tiny red dog staggered into her arms and laid his head on her shoulder. "Let's get you out of here, sweet pea."

She cuddled the dog with one hand as she signed the paperwork with the other. Then she took him out to her car. The little blue Scion was gone, blown away in a tornado, but the small white delivery van that had taken its place was ready to receive its canine cargo. Carefully settling the underweight bundle on a blanket laid over a piece of foam mattress pad, the woman made sure he was comfortable before shutting the door and getting in the driver's seat. As she pulled away from the shelter she picked up her phone. Concerned at the extremely wasted condition of the chihuahua she called her veterinarian.
"I'm concerned that we may be close to organ damage. If I bring him over can you work us in?"

Bartholomew Cubbins was more than 65% underweight when Pug Hollow rescued him from the animal shelter. He was literally only days away from dying. Luckily his organ function was not impaired. A gradual weight gain regimen of small meals spaced out over each day put flesh back on his frame at just the right rate.
Emotionally Cubby is one of the most resiliant dogs we've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Now that he's in a home where he's fed regularly and cuddled frequently, all is right with his world. He greets familiar faces and strangers alike with a bounce and a wiggle. Aside from being a bit thin, there is no sign that this little red dynamo of a chihuahua was ever neglected to the point of death.

Cubbins was named for the alter ego of 30 Seconds to Mars frontman, Jared Leto. The band motto "Prohevito in Altum" which can be translated as "Launch forth into the deep" or "Reach for the heights" seemed especially appropriate. Whatever his beginnings, Bartholomew Cubbins has launched himself into his new life with a verve and enthusiasm that we should all envy.

Bartholomew Cubbins the day he arrived in mid June, 2012

Bartholomew Cubbins, October 7th, 2012

Pug Hollow’s Spotlight Dog of the Week is Hugh Blackman.

 

It was December. The sun was setting over the narrow, tree lined gravel road, taking what little warmth the day had boasted with it. A small dark blue Scion left the paved highway and headed onto the deserted track, kicking up a cloud of dust to hang in the air. Far down the road, almost lost in the gloom under the close growing trees, a tiny light gleamed. It looked like the dome light of a car. Perhaps someone in need of a bathroom break was taking advantage of the remote location. Or perhaps they’d had some sort of car trouble. As the little Scion rolled closer, the vehicle’s dome light went off and the vehicle continued on down the road away from the Scion.

 A short distance later, and the driver of the Scion stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt and slightly sliding stop. A woman in a skirt and boots jumped out. “Please don’t run. Please don’t run. I’m not going to hurt you, handsome. Come on. Let me take you home…”

She approached the little black pug who was alternating between looking at the newcomer and staring off down the road after the vehicle that had dropped him off. As she picked him up and cradled him she swore she could hear him mumbling. “But… but… that was my ride.”

 It was obvious he had been neglected, and that he had lived most, if not all of his life outside. Posters were posted. Ads were run. No one claimed the little black pug with the tongue lag, so an appointment was made with the vet. His age was determined to between 5 and 7, heartworm tests were run and found to be negative, vaccinations were given, and a growth on his testicles was biopsied and found to be benign. And so Hugh became a part of the Pug Hollow Horde.

 Two years later, and despite the trauma of surviving a tornado in 2011, Mr. Hugh has come a long way. No longer the scrawny, uncertain little pug, he has filled out and become more confident. His rough, faded coat is now sleek and blue-black. His tongue still lags, and he still won’t give kisses unless you surprise him. But he does sit in laps from time to time, and he likes to cuddle in bed or in the recliner. And most importantly he knows now that his ride left him behind so he could find his forever home at the Pug Hollow Sanctuary.