This Xmas I got a puppy. I was bewildered, thunderstruck and totally astonished when a four month old Pug appeared in his enchanting puglette way from around the back of my son’s couch with a big red bow tied around his neck. When I came to my senses, it was love at first sight. I was immediately willing to perform the imminent puppy duties.

Since I was in San Diego for Xmas it only seemed appropriate to name the little guy Diego. It was a name that perfectly fit him. He was quite socialized with the large dogs at my son’s home, having lived there for 5 weeks prior to Xmas. Diego and their cat were fast friends. We traveled home to the Monterey Bay area and Diego proved to be a wonderful traveler. Arriving home, Diego couldn’t comprehend why Princess, my cat didn’t just love to romp with him.

The cooler climate of the Monterey Bay dictates that he has warm clothing. For the “no neck” husky shouldered pug, I found there was little available that fit the boy. This launched the beginnings of a new business catering to couture puggie threads: PETITAMICOUTURE.COM.

Diego seems to have a built in routing system. We travel everywhere together and if we don’t make the appropriate turns to visit some of his favorite people, he begins to whine and whimper. He has chosen to travel on the center console of my Xterra, so a lead line between the seats attached to a harness keeps him safe while he tends to his navigation duties. When the road is long he rests his head on my shoulder and catches a little snooze. All the while snorting and snoring in my right ear.

Being bright and eager to please Diego is easy to train and quick to learn. One of his favorite non-instructed actions was to bring all his stuft toys and dump them in the open toilet while I was taking a shower. Whatever makes this idea pop into a puggie head? No matter, everyone went into the drink.

When I sit at the computer, he methodically brings all his toys to my feet. Then I move to the sewing table and one by one he drops all the toys again where they are again underfoot. There’s a lot of moving toys about in this household.

A healthy and bright 9 month old, he thrives on love and attention. Now Diego believes he’s 90 lbs and prefers to play with the Big Dogs at the doggie park. The Aptos Beach is a regular on our walk. Diego will retrieve his favorite hooded fleece cheetah sweatshirt when he knows it’s time to head out the door. There is a lot of dog in this little pup; Diego’s the BOMB!

By Marilyn Luma