Pugs: A different sort of recall (just kidding)
By Gina Spadafori
May 27, 2007
The satirical Web site The Onion made me snort ice tea with this breaking “news” story:
Citing centuries of quality-control issues that have resulted in chronic unreliability, cascading system failures, and even total unit shutdown, the American Pug Breeders Association announced a recall Monday of all pugs produced between February 2006 and the present day.
“We apologize wholeheartedly to any and all owners of the 2007 pug,” APBA director Betty McAndrews said at a press conference, standing before a table where 10 defective pugs were displayed. “While pug owners are accustomed to dog malfunction, the latest animals are prone to more problems than just the usual joint failures, overheating, seizures, chronic respiratory defects, and inability to breed without assistance. The latest model pug is simply not in any way a viable dog.”
[...]
For Mason City, IA pug owner Lee Kraus, the APBA’s announcement comes as a complete vindication after years of contending with defective pugs. In the past five years alone, Kraus has attempted to return three of the dogs to his local breeder, and each time has been denied either a refund or an exchange for a more reliable make, such as a Shih Tzu.
Here’s the rest. Note: The sick humor may not be to your liking, so be warned.
As always, the best satire has a ring of truth to it. Pugs have wonderful dispositions, but they’re not exactly the healthiest and hardiest of animals. (More on problems with “pug-nosed” dogs over on Dr. Khuly’s Dolittler blog.)
Pulling the plug on pugs—mean and funny at same time.
Comment by Evelyn — May 27, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
Poor little sweet pugs. Kiss Kissy pug faces!
Comment by Linda — May 28, 2007 @ 5:20 am
Science Breed cows that give skimmed milk???
http://tinyurl.com/2ckhvg
Breeding can produce good results……
Comment by Linda — May 28, 2007 @ 5:40 am
Pugs are just too cute…:)
Comment by Marcy — May 28, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Poor dogs. I can’t believe that they are being recalled.
Comment by Jill — May 28, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
A neighbor just got two “jugs” — they are Jack Russell/Pug mixes. They have beautiful noses —they are colored like Pugs, but longer like a Jack Russell. The dogs seem to be a nice size, short pug-colored coats and good dispositions.
Would it be better for pugs to use them as “stock” to breed new dogs like “Jugs” that can breathe and pass on their great dispositions, rather than continue to breed a dog that can’t breathe?
Comment by Dorene — May 29, 2007 @ 3:48 am
I like pugs - would be nice if through breeding we could help them breathe easier.
Comment by Linda — May 29, 2007 @ 4:42 am
Mini poodle wins best in the show - so cute:
http://tinyurl.com/2t4yvv
Comment by Linda — May 29, 2007 @ 4:46 am
MEXICO CITY — The star of the World Dog Show is not the soulful Labrador, the bulldog with attitude or even the manic Chihuahua. This year, the hairless Xoloitzcuintles (show-low-ee-SQUINT-lees) are stealing the show in their native Mexico.
Sleek with bat-like ears, the rare breed looks more like a cartoon character than a canine.
http://tinyurl.com/2scs5n
This is a great breed and I had the good luck of working with one here in Sacramento. Great dog – great spirit – has a great little soul too.
Comment by Linda — May 29, 2007 @ 10:46 am
Sorry the link at 10:46 is to the Washington Post and you need to register. Sigh!
Comment by Linda — May 29, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Oh I feel so sad. I went on the Drudgereport and there was an ad for supersized Dobermans being sold out of Arizona all had cropped ears and also the names - Nitro. What a shame, I like sweet names for Dobermans - like my Snoopy and Mercy. I don’t like mean names. So sad - selling really kingsized Dobermans with mean names…..oh, pardon me, but that’s just a cruel thing to do - Dobermans are so graceful and agile and they don’t need mean names.
Comment by Linda — May 29, 2007 @ 5:11 pm