Snug As A Pug

09/06/2026

09/05/2026

While Noah and Willow were out in the yard living their best lives, they each had very important business to attend to.

Willow was playing ball because obviously someone has to keep the ball industry alive.

Noah, meanwhile, was making sure EVERYONE knew he had been there. And then, after each and every deposit, he helpfully offered his ground aerating services.

Because apparently it is not enough to simply leave your mark.

NO.

Noah believes in making sure it really sinks in. 😂

But Winston?

Winston had other priorities.

Winston was on a mission.

A mission that involved absolutely no running, no ball chasing, no ground aeration and frankly, very little effort whatsoever.

His objective?

SECURE THE LAP.

And not just any lap.

Eric's lap.

I looked over and there he was, sitting on Eric looking absolutely pleased and ridiculously proud of himself. His little ears were standing straight up like two satellite dishes locked onto the International Space Station.

"Winston! Why do you have on your treat ears?!"

Because here's something I've learned about Winston over the years.

Those aren't actually "treat ears."

They're his excitement radars.

Normally, Winston's ears are soft and adorably droopy. But when something REALLY gets his attention, those things stand straight up and begin collecting intelligence from approximately seven counties.

And today?

The thing that activated the radar was apparently...

Eric's lap.

Naturally, I questioned his decision-making.

Winston responded by turning around and giving Eric a kiss.

A KISS.

As if to say:

"Ignore her. She simply doesn't understand our love."

OH.

Okay then.

So THIS is how it's going to be.

After more than four years of being Winston's trusted human, personal butt-scritcher, snack provider, emotional support staff and apparently long-term furniture...

I've been replaced.

By a man with a lap.

A NEW LAP.

A NEW FRIEND.

A NEW PERSON TO SCRITCH HIS BUTT.

Apparently four years of service means absolutely nothing when a fresh lap enters the building.

I see how it is, Winston.

I guess I'm chopped liver now.

😤🥺

Enjoy your new relationship.

I'll just be over here.

Alone.

Ignored.

Unappreciated.

Wondering how I can possibly compete with Eric's lap and man hands which cover more b***y for maximum scritching.

Apparently I should have offered a butt scritching loyalty program.

The betrayal.

THE BETRAYAL. 😂

09/02/2026

A combination

The Weekend Crewties (last weekend)
&
The Work Week Warriors

09/02/2026

📢 Where in the world is The Receptionist?!?!

We’ve had a few folks ask lately, “Where is The Receptionist?” And honestly, fair question. He just kind of disappeared from his duties. 😂

At nearly 16 years old, I know what some of you are probably thinking, so fear not! The Receptionist is alive, well, spoiled rotten, and apparently considering returning to the workforce after an extended vacation.

When the “puppy plague” made its appearance this spring, we followed veterinary advice and pulled The Receptionist from the business in case he could be an asymptomatic carrier. He’s been living in the house ever since, where he has thoroughly enjoyed having constant company.

He has two geriatric roommates (18 & 13 year olds) and four annoying frat boys (2 year olds) who spend their days trashing the place, wreaking havoc, and generally reminding us why "puppies" are a terrible idea. 😂

But lately, Receptionist has been looking longingly toward the business building.

I believe he has officially decided that his vacation has gone on long enough and management needs to get its act together and put him back on the schedule. 😂

So we may be trialing a return to work soon, where he can once again greet guests, supervise operations, and serve as everyone’s built-in little friend.

At home, he’s the “big dog” surrounded by mostly tiny fluffs. At the business, he’s the tiny dog surrounded by considerably larger and more enthusiastic dogs. At nearly 16, I do sometimes worry about him out there.

But he truly LOVES his job.

So if he approves of the working conditions, you may start seeing our little Receptionist back in pictures again soon. ❤️

Apparently retirement was overrated. 😂

And speaking of the house dogs...

👀 CAN YOU FIND 6 of 7 DOGS IN THIS PICTURE?

09/02/2026

🎵 Reunited and it feels so good! 🎶

After spending the day separated, Bubba, Bella and Buster were THRILLED to be reunited! ❤️

They ran.
They romped.
They played.
They looked ridiculously adorable for treats.

Basically, all was right with the world. 🥰🐶🐶🐶

And then there’s the background. 👀

You may be one of those rare people who can look past three adorable dogs and notice the absolute disaster zone behind them and think…

🤔 “Wait a minute… are those BUBBLE WANDS?”

Why yes.
Yes, they are.

And that is a LOT of bubbles.

There is, in fact, a story behind this. 😂

Last night, while I was pursuing Walmart with what I can only assume was at least a *slight* concussion, I wandered past the clearance rack and discovered bubble wands.

$0.25 EACH.

And my brain immediately went:

🤑 “IMAGINE ALLLLLL THE BUBBLES I COULD MAKE WITH THOSE!”

All the entertained pups!
All the bubble chasing!
ALL THE BUBBLES!!!

So naturally…

“I should buy a case.”

Okay… maybe two.

OH LOOK! A partial case!

Well, might as well grab that too.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I apparently cleared the Walmart clearance rack of bubble wands. 😂

I proceeded to the self-checkout with my groceries and my completely reasonable quantity of bubbles.

I rang up the bubbles.

One.

Two.

Three.

And then the self-checkout asked the usual question:

“Do you have more of this item?”

I confidently selected YES.

“Yes, yes I do.”

29 more, actually.

I entered 29.

I hit submit.

And immediately received:

🚨 “ASSOCIATE IS ON THE WAY. AN ASSOCIATE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS SALE. WE WILL BE WITH YOU IN A MOMENT.” 🚨

🤔

Wait.

WHAT?!

Are bubbles contraband now?!

Are bubble wands some kind of new illicit substance?

Have I accidentally purchased a key ingredient in some underground bubble cartel?

Did I just alert the FBI?!?

THESE ARE TWENTY-FIVE CENT BUBBLES, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. 😂

The associate arrives.

Me: “Apparently I need permission to buy bubbles?”

She laughs.

“No, it’s just the amount that flagged it.”

Okay.

Fair enough.

Then she pauses.

Looks at my cart.

Looks at me.

Looks at the register.

Looks back to me....

“…You have 32 bottles of bubbles?!”

Me: “Yes.”

Her: 😐

Me: “You’re welcome to count them.”

She runs her card, walks away, and I can only assume she immediately went to find another employee and said:

“YOU GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS.”

😂😂😂

So apparently I was flagged by BOTH the machine AND the employee for purchasing $8 worth of bubbles.

$8.

Of bubbles.

I have never felt so judged for a purchase in my life. 🤣

At this point, I have to wonder if there’s a BLA.

Bubble Lovers Anonymous.

“Hi, I’m Erika.”

“Hi, Erika.”

“I bought 32 bottles of bubbles.”

“Was there a clearance sale?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. We understand.”

And honestly, I probably shouldn’t go alone anyway.

I should probably bring Luna.

Because let’s be honest…

I may have a bubble problem.

But Luna is the REAL addict. 🫧🐶😂

Anyway, back to the important part:

Bubba, Bella and Buster are reunited, everyone is happy, and there are approximately millions of bubbles standing by for future canine entertainment.

Please do not ask me how many bubble wands I plan to buy if I find another clearance rack.

I clearly cannot be trusted. 🤣🫧

09/02/2026

🐾 TWO-PART QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS! 🐾

We keep hearing, "You need to write a book!" 😂 And honestly, the more I think about it, the more I LOVE the idea. Especially if proceeds could eventually help us build an even bigger and better Snug As A Pug. ❤️

QUESTION #1: THE BOOK 📖

Imagine a simple paperback with full-color pictures. Not a fancy photo book, but more of a stories-about-the-dogs book, with our wonderfully questionable cell-phone-quality photos sprinkled throughout. 😂

What would you consider a reasonable price?

$15? $20? $25? More?

And here's the bigger question:

🐶 Would you be more likely to buy it if your dog made the book?

🐶 Would you be disappointed or upset if you bought one and your pup didn't make the cut?

I genuinely want honest answers here!

QUESTION #2: THE COOKIES 🍪

We're also considering carrying Crumbark dog cookies. They're beautiful, oat-based, vegan, wheat-free, and made without artificial colors or flavors. Individually wrapped and shelf stable for 12 months. They're definitely more of a special occasion/splurge treat, though.

We're estimating they'd be around $4 to $6 PER COOKIE, depending on the design.

And here's the important part: any proceeds from the cookies would also go toward our new building fund! 🏠🐶

So... would you actually buy one as a special treat for your pup?

I'm picturing these as something you grab to take home and watch your spoiled rotten dog enjoy, not necessarily an everyday treat.

YES, BRING ON THE FANCY COOKIES! 🍪🐶

OR

NOPE, $4 to $6 is too much for one dog cookie!

Give me your honest opinions on BOTH questions! 👇❤️

09/02/2026

🎬 THE HUNTER: JACKSON

Narrated by Absolutely Nobody Who Was Prepared For This Nonsense

It had been a long day.

A very long day.

And as darkness settled over the Snug As A Pug compound, Jackson ventured outside for what should have been a routine evening potty break.

Ordinarily, Jackson has a simple agenda:

1. Go outside.
2. Do his business.
3. Return immediately for a snackie snack.

But tonight…

Something was different.

Earlier this morning, Jackson had been intensely investigating the fence line. One might have assumed his investigation was complete.

One would have been an idiot.

Because tonight, Jackson returned to the scene.

Only this time, he was on the OTHER side of the fence.

His ears were no longer receiving transmissions from Mission Control.

His attention was locked.

His nose went under the fence.

Then came the paw.

And then…

MOVEMENT.

In one swift maneuver, Jackson's snoot emerged from beneath the fence carrying the spoils of his expedition.

He was proud.

He was pleased.

He was positively GLOWING with the confidence of a man who had just successfully completed a major military operation.

His trophy?

A 13-lined ground squirrel.

The squirrel, unfortunately, had made a catastrophic tactical error.

It had encountered Jackson.

Now, some dogs are casual hunters.

They may catch a critter, briefly contemplate their life choices, and eventually release it to scurry away and file a complaint with the neighborhood association.

Jackson is not one of those dogs.

Jackson is a professional.

He takes his work seriously.

Very seriously.

So seriously, in fact, that he proudly trotted toward the building carrying his prize, apparently expecting to be admitted into the facility with his newly acquired roommate.

I regret to inform Jackson that this request was denied.

Absolutely not.

We had already experienced enough shenanigans for one day.

And with approximately ONE MINUTE remaining before tomorrow officially began, I was not about to usher a live 13-lined ground squirrel into the building and then spend the first moments of the new day chasing a rodent through the halls while the rest of the dogs formed a highly organized search-and-rescue team.

Negotiations commenced.

Jackson was not impressed.

Eventually, however, the hunter reluctantly surrendered his trophy.

The squirrel had played its final game of whack-a-mole with the pups.

Unfortunately for it, tonight it selected the wrong mole hole.

FAFO, as the humans say.

And so concludes tonight's episode of:

“Jackson: Predator of the Prairie.”

Rest in peace, little ground squirrel. 🐿️💀

You lived your life boldly.

You harassed the pups through the fence.

You played your games.

But eventually…

You met Jackson.

And Jackson had other plans.

Well done, Jackson. 👏🏻😂

And THANK YOU for not swallowing your catch whole because I genuinely did not have “retrieve an entire ground squirrel from a Catahoula Basset Hound....Bassahoula… Catset Hound… Catahoula Basset… whatever the hell we are calling this magnificent creature” 😂 on my evening bingo card.

Tomorrow is another day.

Which, frankly, is a little concerning.

🎥 Press play to witness the hunter in his natural habitat.

09/01/2026

🚨 A LITTLE TOY SAFETY PSA 🚨

After the scary toy-related emergency we just experienced, we wanted to take a minute to talk about something that is easy to overlook:

Even toys that seem completely harmless can become dangerous.

This isn't a “NEVER BUY THIS TOY!” post. Toys aren't inherently bad, and dogs are individuals. A toy that is perfectly safe for one dog may be a terrible choice for another depending on their size, chewing style, strength, determination, and general ability to turn an innocent plaything into a personal engineering challenge.

Toys can potentially cause choking, entanglement, oral injuries, dental injuries, or intestinal blockages if pieces are chewed off and swallowed.

And our recent experience brought another potential danger to our attention:

🚨 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TOY GETS STUCK ON A DOG'S TEETH OR JAW?

In our case, the toy became caught around his teeth/jaw and he was unable to close his mouth.

Thankfully, he could still breathe, but that didn't mean we could simply wait and see what happened. Having the mouth forced open for an extended period can potentially cause injuries to the gums, tongue, cheeks, lips, palate, teeth or jaw.

If something like this happens:

➡️ STAY CALM. Dogs pick up on our emotions, and panic isn't going to help.

➡️ Keep your dog as calm and still as possible.

➡️ DO NOT encourage them to yank, thrash, pull or fight against the toy.

➡️ Don't turn it into a tug-of-war. This is NOT the time to find out who has the stronger grip.

➡️ If the toy is caught around the teeth, jaw, tongue or other oral tissue and isn't coming off easily, don't keep pulling on it.

➡️ If removing it requires significant force, tools, cutting, or manipulating the jaw, get veterinary help.

➡️ If your dog has trouble breathing, is collapsing, has pale/blue gums or is in severe distress, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

➡️ If any part of the toy has been swallowed, contact your veterinarian promptly. Don't induce vomiting unless your veterinarian specifically tells you to.

And don't assume that because your dog can breathe and you can see the toy that everything is okay. A toy can cause significant oral or dental trauma even when the airway isn't obstructed.

❤️ NOW FOR A HUGE SHOUT-OUT...

A HUGE THANK YOU to Southwood Veterinary Clinic for getting him in right away and taking such incredible care of him!

From the moment he grabbed the toy until the veterinarians were finally able to get it off was roughly an hour and that included our approximately 25-minute drive to the clinic.

Once it became clear this wasn't something we could safely resolve ourselves, we loaded up, called the owners and called the vet. They were ready for us when we arrived and were able to safely address the situation and minimize potential additional damage.

We are incredibly grateful for their quick response, expertise and excellent care. ❤️

And our big friend?

THIS DOG DESERVES A MEDAL.

He had a toy stuck on his teeth and jaw, couldn't close his mouth, was understandably confused and uncomfortable, and then had to make a trip to the vet...

And he stayed remarkably calm through most of the ordeal.

Seriously. What a GOOD BOY. ❤️

So please, friends:

🐾 Choose toys thoughtfully.
🐾 Consider your dog's size and play style.
🐾 Supervise playtime.
🐾 Inspect toys regularly.
🐾 Retire damaged toys.
🐾 And if something goes wrong, stay calm, keep your dog calm, prevent additional pulling or yanking, and call your veterinarian.

Because we'd all much rather retire a $15 toy than have a veterinary emergency.

For now Bubba is resting comfortably and understandably being extra needy, he has to be constantly touching me. 🥺

08/31/2026

🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING NEWS: KENNEL EMERGENCY 🚨🚨🚨

A kennel has become unexpectedly available for THIS COMING WEEKEND!!!

Yes, you read that correctly. A cancellation has occurred. 😱

Despite having previously talked to a few folks who were interested, apparently nobody is officially on the waitlist. Which means this precious little opening is just sitting here… ALONE… VULNERABLE… WAITING FOR A DOG. 🥺

We cannot allow this to continue.

Someone please come get this kennel. 😂

If you've been thinking about a weekend getaway, this is your sign! Grab it while you can because once it's gone, it's GONE!

Meanwhile, over in the Department of Extremely Important Business…

🫧 MOXIE VS. THE BUBBLE APOCALYPSE 🫧

Moxie has discovered bubbles.

Apparently, this is her FIRST EVER encounter with these mysterious floating orbs of chaos. Her people informed us that she's never experienced them before.

Naturally, being a GSD, Moxie immediately assumed this was a security threat.

Millions of bubbles began invading the premises.

Moxie went into DEFENSE MODE.

🫧 BUBBLE DETECTED.
🐕 TARGET ACQUIRED.
💥 INTERCEPTION ATTEMPTED.
🫧 TARGET NEUTRALIZED.

Repeat approximately 4,782 times.

She may not yet possess the speed of some of our highly trained Professional Bubble Chasers, but she caught on remarkably quickly.

And honestly? Watching her discover bubbles for the first time while simultaneously deciding it was her personal responsibility to protect the entire facility from them was pretty darn adorable. 💜

We're not saying Moxie saved the day…

…but the bubble situation is currently under control. 🫡🫧

Now somebody come claim this kennel before we have to start blowing bubbles into it to attract a customer. 😂

08/29/2026

BOBBER. ON. THE. WATER?!?! 🚨🚨🚨

I repeat…

BOBBER. IS. ON. THE. WATER.

Is this the Twilight Zone?! Has the universe shifted on its axis?! Did someone secretly swap Bob with a Labrador who actually knows what Labradors are supposed to do around water?!

Because BOB IS IN THE POOL. 😳😂

For those who know Bob, you understand the magnitude of this development.

When water is involved, Bob’s normal response is to immediately seek refuge behind me. Not beside me. Not near me.

BEHIND ME.

As though I am somehow a certified water-repelling device.

But last night something happened.

Bob… stood in the water.

And then today…

BOB STOOD IN THE WATER AGAIN.

Y’ALL.

SLOBBER BOBBER HAS DISCOVERED WATER. 💦

Now, let’s not get carried away. He’s not out there performing synchronized swimming. He’s not launching himself into the pool like a furry torpedo. There is no dramatic splashing. No rolling. No Labrador-level aquatic destruction.

He’s just… standing there.

HAPPILY.

And honestly? I couldn’t be prouder. 😂

This is how it starts, folks.

Today: standing in the water.

Tomorrow: one paw actually leaves the ground.

Next week: splashing.

Eventually: I will be standing there wondering why I ever encouraged this because Bob will be cannonballing into the pool at 6:47 AM and bringing me a soaking-wet tennis ball every 14 seconds.

BABY STEPS.

We are finally unlocking the Labrador.

Meanwhile, Betty has apparently decided that Bob is not the only one who needs a personal character-development arc.

I had a bet going on which dog would be the first to successfully pick up and carry the GIANT GOLF BALL.

I had my suspicions.

Betty did not disappoint.

Last night, she managed to get that ridiculous oversized golf ball into her mouth and proceeded to look extremely pleased with herself.

And honestly, I think she expected applause.

She deserved it.

Today, however, Betty has apparently reviewed the situation and decided that while carrying a giant golf ball is an impressive demonstration of strength and determination, carrying a giant tennis ball is significantly more practical.

So she has traded in her trophy ball for the easier-to-pack tennis ball because it has just enough squish to make transportation considerably less ridiculous.

But then…

She looked at the tennis ball.

She looked at the golf ball.

She looked at me.

And I swear she was mentally calculating the logistics of carrying BOTH.

Betty.

You cannot be serious.

For a brief moment, she appeared determined to become the canine equivalent of a forklift.

Unfortunately, even Betty had to eventually acknowledge that there are limits to what one mouth can accomplish.

Physics: 1
Betty: 0

But points for ambition. 😂

So, in conclusion:

Bob is voluntarily standing in water.

Betty is attempting to transport sporting equipment in her mouth.

I am apparently running a highly sophisticated Labrador research facility.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring.

Frankly, I’m a little afraid to find out. 🤣🐾💦🎾🏌️‍♀️