Pug Dog Club of america national Specialty

Amy attended, along with Mr. Drysdale, Emma, and Eliza, the Pug Dog Club of America National Specialty in Virginia Beach October 1-8, 2023. It truly was a magical week filled with health seminars, conformation shows, agility and obedience trials, health screening, and amazing PUGS from around the US and Canada. We learned SO much. Mr. Drysdale received a "0" on his BOAS health screening (which is the best score possible ... no indication of any breathing issues such as elongated soft palate). Lecture notes from the health seminars are available on this webpage.

Here's a video with some hi-lites of the week . . . 

And another video compilation from earlier in the week . . .

On Friday evening, I got to visit with Scarlett who now lives with a wonderful family in Virginia Beach. Scarlett joined them last April when she was just over a year of age. When I entered the house Scarlett ran up to me and put her paws on my shoulder to "claim me" and stared into my eyes, then licked my face with kisses. She is SO happy and absolutely LOVES her "sister" Lila. Lila is 9 years old, but still full of life and Scarlett is so loving and kind to her. When Lila has an inverted sneeze attack, Scarlett gently licks her face to comfort her. Here are some photos of Scarlett in her beautiful home with her human 'sister'. In this video of Scarlett with her owner, it's pretty obvious she has a marvelous life with a loving family. https://www.facebook.com/544684001/videos/351712620630536/

Eliza won Best of Opposite Sex in a HUGE lineup of puppies in the 4-6 class. This was truly an honor because there were so amAZing puppies in that ring. Here is her win photo . . .

And Mr. Drysdale also won a ribbon in his Bred by Exhibitor 6-12 month class. Here they are showing off their hard-earned ribbons. 

In addition to the BOAS testing, Mr. Drysdale also completed an eye examination by the visiting veterinary ophthalmologist. 

Emma also competed on Friday in the 2nd 4-6 BPUP and was amazing for her first time in the ring, but the judge preferred another pup this day. To get an understanding of HOW many pugs were in just the 4-6 class, here's a video with some hi-lites. You can also see Mr. Drysdale NAIL his stack on the table which was huge because, just a week earlier in Knoxville, he had a bad experience on the table and wouldn't stand. We are SO proud of Mr. Drysdale and his complete turn around! Thank you to the judge, Joe C. Walton for making it a positive experience for my pugs. These thoughtful pugs like Mr. Drysdale are much more in tune with the judges and react accordingly. If the judge is hesitant or angry, they sense it. Mr. Walton always had a pleasant look for the dogs ... and how he did this when seeing so many 100s of pugs (yes over 300!!) over several days, well that's amazing. 

Eliza, Emma, and Mr. Drysdale participated in the PDE study. They showed no signs of PDE in the examination but they will be a part of the study in helping with statistics in comparison with other pugs who suffer from this horrible disease. The trial is paid for by a wonderful nonprofit, Ethos Discovery, and led by Dr. Rebecca Windsor. With every exam they complete, they are able to learn more about the rate of occurrence of this devastating disease. Additionally, the opportunity to test for the early form of PDE, with the screening exam we participated in, allows them to identify and treat dogs with this early form of the disease in hopes of preventing them from developing the severe and fatal symptoms of PDE. To learn more about this trial, you can visit their website. Ethos PDE trial. To learn more about Ethos Discovery, a 501(c)3 nonprofit incubator of scientific innovation (who covers ALL costs associated with this clinical trial ... which involves stem cell therapy and $25,000 + per pugs with PDE being treated), and their mission to "improve health outcomes for humans and animals with complex medical problems", you can visit ethosdiscovery.org.

Eliza had some fun training with an incredible pug owner/handler/trainer during a break in the show. It's fun watching people who know what they're doing work their magic. Dogs see right through it, too, and respond appropriately ... if their humans know what they're doing and are genuine, the pug is right there engaged in the game.

Of course the pups enjoyed the hotel room and, after a few days, Mr. Drysdale FINALLY mustered up the courage to walk onto the elevator. He was a pro by the time we left ;)