by Vanessa Calleja

Created on: September 22, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

We have owned many dogs over the years. Not that they weren't good dogs. They just weren't the dog for me. That was until I saw a Pug. The minute I laid my eyes on one I wanted one of my very own! It took ten years to convince my husband, who is partial to dobermans.

I am not ashamed to say that I was obsessed with pugs. I had calendars of pugs. I had coffee mugs with pugs on them. I named every one of them. This drove my husband crazy. He finally gave in.

Everytime we were near a pet store, I wanted to just go in and take a look. We didn't need a dog. We had a doberman and four cats already. I gave myself this speech every time we walked through a pet store door.

I met many pugs over the years. Of course, I liked every single one I saw. But, some were little demons. I remember one in particular. It was about eight weeks old and it kept untying my shoelace. It chewed on my pant legs and it snorted constantly. I decided I didn't need one at that point. I didn't want to train another dog. I didn't want all of my furniture chewed and I didn't want to have to replace my shoes for another dog.

Then, I met Bella. We answered a newspaper ad looking for a home for a pug that was six months old. I really didn't think I would like one that was older but I was willing to go and look.

When we walked in the door and saw Bella, AKA "Miss Piggy," I knew she was the one for me. Her tongue was hanging out and she was so sweet. She immediately crawled into my lap when I sat down and I was hooked. She was the goofiest thing I had ever seen in my life.

It didn't take long for my husband to fall in love with her either. He says if we would have had her first we would probably have a whole bunch of pugs. Everyone in my family loves Bella.

She hogs the bed. She demands her meals. She loves to steal anything she get her little paws on. She wont take no for an answer when she wants to play. She runs the house.

But she is sweet, comforting, loving and has a personality like no other. When you talk to her she cocks her head to the side and listens to every word. When she gets excited she twirls in circles and blows snot everywhere.

I would never own another breed. I love our doberman, but the pug has been the best pet ever!

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