Do your pugs love to dress up? Do your pugs HATE to dress up but you make them do it anyway? Here is a great excuse to break out the bunny ears: The Homeward Bound Easter Pug Parade. Email me with your name, pugs names and Easter photos. All photos will be published in the April newsletter.

Help make the April issue eggcellent by entering your pug's Easter photos today!

Chester Jones, formerly known as Frodo, came trotting into our lives on September 15th 2008. He has been in my heart and on my lap ever since. Chester goes everywhere with me, whether it is Lowe's or Garden Ridge. He nestles down on his blanket in the basket and people watches, (unless I shop too long and he's asleep). When we vacation he is always with us. He has a special bed up on the dash of our motorhome, it is his favorite place to chill on a long trip. He is also a flying ace. My husband is a pilot and when we go to fly-ins or airshows Chester is always there in the backseat buckled in wearing his mutt-muff headsets. When we get to our destination he jumps out and runs down the wing, he thinks everyone is there to see him. He is such a ham, I call him my pig-pug! He is very special to us and I am so thankful to Homeward bound pug rescue for giving us the opportunity to adopt such a wonderful dog. ~ Audi Jones

Roger, with healed corneal ulcer on right eye

Admit it, one of the reasons you fell in love with the pug breed is their big, brown eyes. Well those cute, buggy pug eyes can present a problem. One tiny scratch can spell disaster for your pug. If not diagnosed early, even a small scratch can develop into a painful corneal ulcer. An ulcer is a tear in the cornea caused by trauma and can be very painful and slow to heal. If the affected eye does not heal properly it can lead to loss of vision or it may even be necessary to remove the eye.

Signs of a possible ulcer include; rubbing the eye, squinting, discharge or an eye that is watery, cloudy, swollen or red. If your pug is showing any of these signs it is best to take them to the vet right away. To better visualize the ulcer the veterinarian may apply a fluroscein stain to the eye that will appear green where an ulcer is present. Treatment of small ulcers includes topical antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication to keep the dog comfortable. The vet may also have them wear an Elizabethan collar so they cannot rub or further injure the eye. Deep ulcers may require surgery to stitch the cornea. Healing is a slow process that can take several weeks. You may need to return to the vet periodically to make sure the eye is healing properly. 

There are a few simple ways to help make sure your pug doesn't end up looking like a cast member of Pirates Of The Caribbean. First, keep your pug's nails trimmed. If you have other pets, trim their nails as well. Keep any prickly plants such as holly, roses or cactus pruned high, kept in containers or behind a fence where the pug cannot get to them. Male dogs need to be watched closely as they tend to brush up against bushes and other objects while going potty. Lastly, supervise when other animals and people play with your pug. Be especially vigilant if you have small children as they tend to poke and prod. Even the most well behaved, gentle child can cause an accident due to their poor coordination and quick movements.

As you can see by visiting our website, we take in pugs with injured or missing eyes on a regular basis. These pugs are a good example of how common eye injuries and corneal ulcers are, and while pugs with permanent winks are as cute as can be they are also a reminder of how important it is to take special care where their eyes are concerned.  While corneal ulcers can't always be prevented, steps can be taken to minimize your pug's chances of becoming Popeye the Sailor Pug. Remember to keep an eye on those eyes!