Happy Birthday America!

As I sit here on Independence Day I ponder the meaning of independence. To most of us, it is the 4th of July, parades, BBQs, fireworks, and everything we own donned in red white, and blue.

Do we take our independence for granted? Do we embrace our freedom? We certainly know how to celebrate it! I like, that with the help of Facebook, IG, and Linkedin we seem to show more thanks and acknowledge those who made ultimate sacrifices for our independence. Makes us seem like a much more appreciative country!

I bet you already know that independence isn’t just celebrated in the United States.

For instance, in Ghana on March 6, they celebrate their independence from the United Kingdom. It became the first African country to do so and today celebrates annually with fireworks, parades, and marches.

We can’t forget July 14 when France celebrates Bastille Day. You know, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. That day kicks off with a military parade on the Champs-Élysées. As a matter of fact, the tradition of holding a military parade was born in France. Thank you for that, France, I absolutely LOVE me a parade!

On August 17, Indonesia celebrates with a solemn flag ceremony to honor the republic. High School students from all over the country are carefully selected by the government to do the honor of hoisting their flag. Immediately after the ceremony, neighborhoods gear up for street festivals which usually include fun games and concerts.

I could probably go on for a few more paragraphs, but you get the gist of it. Now, how am I going to turn this into a Pug story? Easy!

As I observe my Pugs I see the epitome of independence defined.

.

Independence is defined by Wikipedia: as a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercises self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory.

If that doesn’t describe my Pugs…

...nothing does.

Not only does it describe them, they truly embrace their independence and show appreciation and embrace it every day of the year.

Here at this Pug Mom's home we certainly have a state where the population exercises self-government over its territory.

They each have their own space on the couch and nobody crosses any borders. If they do, it is at their own risk. You know how when you look at a map there are the lines that define each state’s borders? Well, those lines are definitely drawn here at this Pug Mom’s home! Not literally, but those little four-legged bundles of exploding fur sure seem to know exactly where each border lies and will honor those lines with their lives. Well, except for Max. Right now he knows no boundaries.

For the most part, there are well-protected, border patrolled, separate eating areas.

Gus has about a 2-foot square space where he eats. While he is devouring his food his physical body never crosses his border. The food that he is eating is a completely different story. I’m not sure how, but his food seems to cross at least 4 or 5 jurisdictions. I almost need to wear a raincoat or some form of protection if I go anywhere near where he is gobbling up his meal.

Loretta had a spot under the window and she would push her bowl across the floor, past the oven, and towards the pantry. Nobody, not even this pug mom, would ever think about interfering with her traveling food bowl. While her territory is not as clearly defined as the others no Pug in their right mind would ever think of crossing or interfering with her moving border.

Now, Rocco has about 12 eating areas. Once he lets me know his selection for the meal, I usually block him off from the others and become his personal private border patrol. This wouldn't be so bad if he would simply eat his food and continue on with the day. No, he has to stare at the food bowl, stiff the food bowl, walk around the food bowl, stiff the food bowl again, and maybe, I repeat, maybe within 10 minutes or so will FINALLY, eat the food!

Max has a small area right next to the back door. Sounds simple right? While it is a small confined area, he will take a nibble then walk around to the other Pug’s designated eating areas, go back and take another nibble, and then the feeding bowl tour begins again. I almost feel like he is participating in some sort of combination feeding frenzy guard watch. Not sure if it is some noble gesture of border patrol for his fellow Pug brothers or if he is just checking to make sure nobody has gotten more kibble than him…

The bed. Hmmmm. Not sure I should have started this one, but they all sleep on the bed with this Pug Mom.

Oh, did I mention that I haven’t gotten a full night's sleep in over 10 years since I first got Rocco? Anyway, Rocco MUST sleep under my right arm in my armpit. No deviation, EVER. I can't tell you how many nights I have had a cramp but had to endure the pain so as to not disturb his majesty's sleep.

It was always essential for Loretta to have a fuzzy blanket at the foot of the bed where she would complete about 20 turns until she found the perfect fluff. She would then plop down with a very loud sigh and then would sleep the entire night without movement.

Gus, every night, plops down right in front of my pillow and every night I have to move him to the foot of the bed and will not have anything to do with that fuzzy blanket. This is where he will sleep until I fall asleep. As the evening progresses, he will slowly creep up the bed until his chunky Pug body is leaning against my leg.

Max will start the evening at the end of the bed and by the morning I would find his cute little Pug mug facing me on the pillow across the bed. I really think he believes that the pillow was put on the bed just for him! His sleeping regimen is very simple right now but I am sure that will change as he gets older.

The Pugs have the freedom to roam the house as they wish. They get TV or music during the day while I am gone. They have well-balanced meals and lots and lots of luvin! I think it is the life they love. If not, I’m sure they would have let me know by now and they would have bolted out the door with the first opportunity that they got.

The great thing about my Pugs is their appreciation of their independence. They find at least 100 ways a day to let me know how grateful they are to have been rescued. I know they all had very difficult lives before they were rescued, and they look at me with those big brown soulful eyes and I know that they love and appreciate me. I also know that their life before me was the complete opposite of independant.

Remember, the 4th of July is a day of celebration and thanks. Take a moment to reflect on what Independence means to you and be sure to thank a Vet or member of the military service!

So, no matter where you are when you read this and what kind of independence you celebrate remember one of the best ways to offer independence is to rescue a dog (or pet). I am thankful that I can offer my home to these pups, and I always remember the saying…

…who rescued who?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!