T?his past August I was investigating the world of pet-rescue volunteers and met a 6-year-old pug that stole my heart. 

Patti Cake was an “owner surrender” female pug transported to Yee Haw Junction by Carolyn Sanislo of Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida. The “Junction” is the unofficial rendezvous drop point for rescue groups across the state.
  
On this day, members of Central Florida Pug Rescue were taking Patti to super-volunteer Ann Colby, a Seminole County attorney and one of the founders of Central Florida Pug Rescue, Inc. A foster mom to roughly 20 pugs of all ages, Colby admits it’s easy to get attached. “There’s quite a few of us who become foster parents,” says Colby. “Some of [the pugs] are adopted right away, and [for] some of them it takes months.” 
 
In Patti’s case it took about one week. I brought a video of the feisty, fawn-colored pug to my family, and got a resounding Yes! We applied for and then met Patti at Colby’s home, and arranged a meeting at our home. 
 
My wife, Lisa, had instant rapport with Patti. “She’s great. She just cuddles next to one of us, and she really is part of the family.” My daughters Madison and Emily couldn’t imagine life without Patti now, despite the snoring and shedding that comes with this pug. Emily, 11, calls Patti “the greatest dog ever!”

Madison, a freshman at Lake Brantley, says Patti is “really funny, and has a great personality—I’m glad we have her.”

Pugs are a popular holiday gift, but Colby says that while “everyone wants cute pug puppies,” by April and May “the pet rescue foster homes will be full.”

Pugs are companion dogs that need lots of love, she says. People must understand that owning a pet isn’t like owning a toy: pugs need care. But for those who do understand the responsibility, Colby says, “Prepare to be smitten.”

She’s right. We are. We are all enjoying our pug’s life. S

For information: centralfloridapugrescue.org.

Mike Holfeld is a reporter for WKMG Local 6 News, and a regular contributor to Seminole magazine.