All about Donald!

Someday I will tell you all about how Donald found his way home with us, but for now, I want to tell you all about him.

He was saved from the streets in Texas, heart worm positive (negative now thank goodness!).  Probably dumped by a puppy mill or back yard breeder is our guess.  He is estimated to be about 5 years old.  He was named Donald because his rescuers at PugHearts thought his "noises" sounded like a duck.

Donald loves his duckie from Urban Hounds!

I think he tries to talk and whines like a baby when he is anxious.  I have heard him say "I want my momma" many times.  Seriously.  He comes close in this video when I left the car to get some food on our drive home from Texas.  I'll try to get a better one later.

He also makes perfect sounding "ruffs" and "arfs" when barking and regularly throws his head back howling "woo-woos".  Check him out at my parents' house.

Donald has one of the most expressive faces and loves to communicate.  I swear he likes to have conversations...and tell me what to do.

So far in only 3 months, Donald has racked up the following nicknames (in order of most frequently used):

• Donald Man
• The Nibbler
• Big D
• Mr Donald
• Little Man
• The Donald
• Benjamin Button

Donald is as cute as a button.  He is a little guy at only 14 lbs, but has that husky pug shape.  He has a handsome golden fawn coloring.  His skin is very wrinkly, and he has a scruffy neck.  And please, don't get me started on the most adorable little pug feet with black hairs by his nails.

With the large wrinkle on his forehead, he reminds me so much of Salinger sometimes.  He has become quite a tail wagger.  His whole back side wiggles when he wags his tail, which has the most perfect curl I've ever seen.

Yes, Donald is a momma's boy.

No denying it, he melts my heart.  He is a pro at cuddling and loves empty laps, especially mine.  Every night he sleeps curled up by my side with his head on my shoulder.  He gives the sweetest kisses.  Donald likes his daddy too, but we have a special bond.  I can't express the joy he gives me, and I hope I am making him happy too.  Unfortunately, maybe because of this bond, I am trying to get him over separation anxiety.  We had to take a break working on this because of the holidays, but we'll get back at it soon.  I'm looking forward to testing out the Thunder Shirt.

Since Donald is so talkative, it's hard to imagine him having a different voice, but I envision his persona to be a combination Scooby and Scrappy Doo or maybe like Chester and Spike from Looney Tunes.  He is scared of many normal household items if he hasn't experienced them before, yet he is dominate and can be very pushy and bossy.  I imagine he wants to be cool just like Sid.  Yes, Donald is an alpha dog (somewhat unusual trait for a male) and loves to act all tough (even though a blow-dryer is his nemesis...ssshhh, don't tell him I said so).

Donald prefers the ladies.  He can get along fine with all other dogs from what we have seen before and after we adopted him, but he seems to want to play with the girl pugs.  And he can't wait to meet a special girl in California - Tiffy!  Donald loves to play.  He's hoping that Tiffy will run around with him on their first date.  Unfortunately Daisy wants nothing to do with him (more on that in another post).  So far Donald hasn't met a toy he doesn't like.  His Nylabone from his second foster mom is his night time binkie.  He loves to chew it in the big bed.  He will bite at the squeakers, but he's not set on killing them or totally destroying the stuffies either.  He likes to bite our hands, nibbling like he's eating corn on the cob (hence one of his nicknames) - just like his buddy Rupert.

He growls viciously when playing but no need to be afraid, it only means he's having fun.  One of his favorite things is to hold a toy with his paws biting at it while on his back.  Adorable.

Donald has his own version of the pug butt run.  He has to be really riled up and he doesn't do it very often.  Sorry this video is a little all over the place but it was so hard to film.  And in all honesty, it really doesn't do it justice.  It's just one of those things you have to see in person to really appreciate.

I'm guessing he doesn't run around a lot because of his bad back/hips/legs.  We aren't quite sure what is up, but he's not in pain.  He has a hard time jumping on the couch and is a bit clumsy while playing sometimes, but he doesn't let those things bother him.  We will likely have it checked out by a specialist soon to make sure there's not anything we can do now to help correct it, or at least prevent further issues as he ages.  Despite that, he has the most regal quick walk, just like a show pug.

He enjoys being outside and going for walks.  Loves all the smells and scoping out the neighborhood.

Donald is an impressive marker.  He has many peeing styles and will even poop mark (with or without leg lifted)!  Unfortunately, I think the grass (more specifically the high levels of mold in it thanks to the Midwest climate) is contributing to Donald's allergies.  They can be bad, lots of itching and scratching.  He is already on a great quality, restricted diet and we haven't found an antihistamine that seems to work for him.  I think come spring we will have to get him tested for the allergy shots so he won't have to be on steroids.

He loves food, is very treat motivated, barks and hops at meal time.  This is good since so far treats have helped him to get over his nervousness of new objects (even the hairdryer).  Here is a video just before breakfast that his foster mom sent me this summer.

If you can believe it, he is even more animated now so I'll have to get an updated video to post sometime.  Despite his passion for food, he doesn't beg when Tim and I eat.  I can even have a snack on the couch with him on my lap and not worry about it.  Now if I were to leave the room with the plate in reach, that is a whole other story...

I could probably go on and on about my boy, but this is plenty for now.  Next up, Daisy!

Love,
Christy