To Pugsley: Our Dear Friend

When our phone rang last night at an unusual hour, my stomach sank. It was my parents. Larry seemed unusually bright and apologized for not being able to get the time difference straight. The conversation continued, and I was still curious, something was missing.

Finally, after about 10 minutes of "How's the weather" conversation, my Dad said those dreaded words, "I hate the be the bearer of bad news..." After an amazing, and hysterical 15 years, our Dear Sir Pugsley Henri Berg passed away in my Dad's arms eary Saturday morning.

He's been the best friend anyone could ever ask for and anyone who knew Pugsley, instantly recognized his unique, loving, caring and comical personality. We knew him as, "Pugger, Rugger, Pug, Rug-Rug-Rugger, Bastard Dog, Joe-Schmo, Buddys, Puggy; our Pugsley." Pugs was famous for learning how to sneeze and "squeal like a pig" on command. In his youth he'd chase us kids around the house like a mad man with his turbo-boosters. As he got older he slowed down but his heart and his fiesty nature never budged.

Our family will never forget when we were on a mission to adopt a dog, my Dad (after seeing the movie "Milo and Otis") said he would never get a dog who's ass hung out all the time. Well, my brother and I won that battle and Pugsley and my Dad became unseparable companions.
My Dad laid Rugger to rest in our backyard; this also his playground. He was buried with his "boo-scow" a.k.a. his bed, so he may forever sleep in peace.

I'm terribly sad you aren't with us, Pugsley, but you've given our family an abundance of happiness and wealth of laughter that will never be matched. You changed our lives the instant we found you, and you will live on forever in our hearts.

I love you Puggy. I miss you so much.

My new internet series: Life as an Army Wife

For shites and giggles. Episode 2 coming soon!

TEETH

Just a couple pictures from the last show I was in. It's a children's show in basic English written for young Korean's learning English! We will be remounting the show again at the end of April into May.

CW2 Buffham

Pearl, Garbage and a Military Ball

*Pearl*
I still haven't cleaned up the bathroom where Pearl's area was. I was secretly hoping Josh would do it but he's feeling just as lonesome for her as I am. It's amazing how just two weeks of nursing an innocent, stray puppy back to full health can be enough to get ya right in heart. We were really becoming fond of our little, poofy discovery. Determined to find her a loving home, we placed an ad on Craigslist and low and behold a nice lady with another dog at home thought she had found her new addition. She'd just committed to another year of teaching in Korea and said she'd only do it if she found another companion for her Cocker Spaniel. It was love at first sight and this lady gave me good vibes, she was definitely a dog person. The next day, however I got an e-mail that said her Cocker was extremely jealous. We set a time for her to return Pearl and took it as a sign that Pearl was meant to be ours. We got more and more excited as we picked up a tiny collar, some more puppy food and bite-sized treats. But when we got home, there was an e-mail message from our first prospective adoptor that she'd found a wonderful home for Pearl with one of her friends. Although I trust her judgement, Josh and I were ready for a new pupsters to romp around our home. We know Pearl is safe and we pray for her happiness. If you ever have the chance to befriend and foster a stray, do it. What a rewarding experience. "Hi Pearl. " =)
*Garbage*
Koreans (as far as we can tell) aren't in to recycling their goods, be it handing things down to family or donating to orphanages, etc. They're really quick to say "out with the old, in with the new." And by "out" I literally mean, garbage. Or "garba`ge." We live in a brand new high-rise which means we live with Koreans with money. Everytime we go through the gated entrance with our ghetto Kia from 1902, we're always second guessed. But they see Josh's military hair-cut and they get the drift. So one of my favorite things to do is to check out the garbage and recycling room. I'm not into digging for old Soju bottles, or styrofoam kimchi plates I'm into this: (these are actual things I've found) small laptop computer with accessories (I kept the computer case), old school 70's bowling ball with bag (Josh's discovery), big fleece blanket (Chloe's), simple English children's book (for my English classes), hangers tied together with a great silk scarf, and a fleece Columbia-style workout shirt. Some things I didn't pick up: lamps, wall clocks, home-made video game controllers, curtains and curtain rods, comforters, large room plants, etc., etc., etc. It's always an adventure when I take out the garbage. Can't wait to go today!
*Military Ball*
Just a quickie. This past Saturday, we had the Winter Military Ball. For those who are attached to the military in some way, may understand what I'm talking about: just before dinner, you honor the soldiers who eat alone, or who won't be eating ever again because they've given their lives for our freedom. This portion of the ceremony is always the most difficult but is always a reminder of how precious life is. Please, for everyday you wake up, for every laugh you hear, for every smile you see, for every breath you take; give thanks. Find someone to share these everyday miracles with, I cannot stress how amazing life is when you've got someone on your side.

Our little stray.

Korea is known for puppy farms. Unfortunately, it's the type of thing that's just sort of accepted here. Cute little dogs that are bred in very poor conditions only to be sold in the streets. I've seen it and I literally broke down in tears. Typically someone will buy their special pup and two weeks later, their new addition will develop parvo which will ultimately kill them if proper medical measures aren't taken.

I only bring up this point because Josh and I got lucky. We live in an amazing brand new high-rise that has it's own park with flowing streams, trees, playgrounds and windy paths. This is not an area that usually sees stray animals. The animals around here are a family's little royalty, wearing designer dog outfits to fend off the cold weather. So when on a cold Friday night, Chloe and I came across a tiny, poofy stray, I was shocked and saddened.

At first I thought it was a cat so I told Chloe to, "Get the kitty." What a good little pug, she didn't hesitate to follow my command for one second. But when I heard the tiny little yark (a yelp and a bark combined) I knew we were dealing with a puppy. The little stray ran and hid under a set of stairs and had no intention of coming out; but who can blame her after Chloe's attack. Albeit a "pug" attack which is harmless and more funny than anything. So after 20 minutes of coaxing, I said a prayer for the stray and headed inside feeling guilty about leaving her in the cold while I headed for shelter.

This was a difficult thing for me to do being the animal person I am, but in my gut I knew the little stray would be okay.

That evening I told Josh about the adventure and again, said a prayer while I cuddled up under a warm blanket and went to sleep.

The next morning when I woke up, Josh and Chloe were both gone which meant they were outside so Chloe could do her morning duties. About 10 minutes later while I got my coffee, Josh and Chloe came in and I turned around to see the little stray tucked under Josh's arm. His leather jacket was smeared in feces and the little stray shook from fear and the chills, no doubt.

"I found her in the same spot," Josh said. Which meant the little stray had most definitely been out in the cold all night and who knows for how many other nights before.

We washed her and wrapped her up. We gave her warm food, water and let her rest. A couple hours later Josh took her to the vet only to have them tell us that she looked well so there was nothing they could test her for at that time. That, and keep her separated from Chloe for the next week in case she had parvo. For the next week we watched for signs of parvo while the little stray gained her appetite back and energy back. We'd visit her in the bathroom (her new warm home) and play with her. We'd practice picking her up so it wasn't so scary for her. We'd push her around a bit so she knew rough play. We'd make the occasional loud noise so it wouldn't scare her peeless like it once did.

A week later the vet gave her the first series of shots. It's been a week and a half now, and these days she's still really attached to her bathroom, but will venture out to the living room on her own. She still pees a lot, little dribbles here and there but the vet didn't think she was any older than two months so that's pretty normal. She's still very underweight so we're feeding her more than Chloe. The vet expects her to be a medium to large breed.

We've decided on the name Pearl, and she's growing on us. Chloe too. When I was saying my prayers for Pearl when she was still "the little stray" to us, I guess I didn't realize how close to home they would be answered. But there's no doubt that they came true. Pearl now has a safe, warm and loving home just like I asked for. It just so happens to be our safe, warm and loving home.

That Darn Tooth

I have a tiny mouth. I do. Have a tiny mouth. But I have unusually big teeth. I wonder if that has anything to do with the size of a persons bones? Anyhow, I digress...

My mouth is jammed packed with my big teeth which doesn't leave much room for anything else. I grew up with cavities galore because one tooth would get a cavity and then he'd infect the neighbor-tooth (most of my teeth are male). When I floss, I don't really "floss." I can get the floss between two teeth but then I have to string it through or else the floss breaks. That's how close my manly teeth-neighbors live next to one another. These days the majority of my teeth have fillings and there's that one darn tooth that always catches food. Spinach, chicken, apples, he doesn't discriminate. Where there's food, he's there hangin' onto it. Bastard.

No point to my blog today other than to vent. I just thought maybe you'd find it...well, no. I know this post isn't the least bit interesting. I...I apologize for this. But I'm posting it anyway.