Mickey is our pug.

Mickey was adopted from the Animal shelter by my mother on October 11,1996.She named him Mickey because she likes Mickey Mouse.At the time, we did not know how old he was. The vet estimated he was about a year to a year and a half. We think he might have been younger because he didn't lift his leg until several months later. On Oct 11,1997 we celebrated Mickey's second birthday. Shortly after we bought him home, we noticed that he was very calm and liked to sit on laps. So we enrolled him as a pet therapy dog with Bide-A-Wee. (Bide-A-Wee is a non-profit, no kill shelter and clinic) Mickey goes to the nursing home and makes the residents happy. When Mickey is not working, he is at home with Jet our other dog, a Cockerpoo.(Jet passed away August 7, 2000. He was 16 1/2)

These are pictures of Mickey working in the Nursing home. He is taken from room to room in his stroller. If requested, he will sit on the residents laps. The residents look foward to his visits.

Mickey is famous. A picture of him visiting the Nursing home was in the community newspaper.

Mickey was adopted from this animal shelter.

This is what it looks like on the inside. There are many cages and each cage has a little platform for the dogs to lay on.

When a dog becomes a stray, he is picked up by this van.

On April 14,1998 Mickey was Microchiped by his Vet. If Mickey ever gets lost and his identification tags fall off, the microchip will serve as a back-up. If Mickey should end up at a Animal shelter again, he will be returned to me. They scan all animals entering.

Mickey also does fundraising for Bide-A-Wee. He has worked at the The Nature Company in Roosevelt Field Mall and Borders Bookstore.You may also send a donation in Mickey's name (Mickey the pet-therapy Pug) to "Bide-A-Wee assocation Outreach program at 3300 Beltagh Ave. Wantagh, New York,11793-3335"

Bide-A-Wee needs volunteers for dog walking, pet therapy and etc.Contact joan Stoppa manager of the Outreach program.

On Saturday,April 11,1998 Mickey went to Pug Hill in Central Park.He met Pugs from all over New York and became a member of the Central Park Pug Pals. :o)

Links to other sites on the Web

Pu g Dog Homepage

Mickey and my other dog Jet. Last Christmas (1997) Mickey went to see Santa.

Mickey is now enrolled in Obedience school.

Registration was yesterday on February 25,1998. Next week Mickey will begin class. Today (using lots of praise and treats) I practiced heeling and sitting when I stop.I also had Mickey sit stay and come when called.We will practice everyday for 5-10 minutes. Perhaps, next week when he starts he will know what to do. However, Im not sure if he will remember with all the distractions.

3/4/98 Mickey did very well today. The class worked on Heeling and sitting on the left side, when you stop. Homework for this week is to practice the sit stay, heeling and sitting in the heel position. Normally a training collar is used but because Mick is a Pug he uses a regular collar or his harness.

3/11/98 This week in class we worked on heeling, sitting automatically and heeling in a figure 8.

3/16/98 All week Mickey and I practiced the sit stay,heeling to the left and to the right (figure 8)and to come when called for homework. When I call Mick he is supposed to come to me and sit in front of me. Then when I say heel he goes to my left side and heels.As long as I have treats, Mickey does very well. If he runs out the door we still have to call him many times before he decides to listen.

3/18/98 Class was cancelled this week because the teacher was sick.Mickey and I will continue to practice during the week.

3/25/98 This week we worked on the sit stay and down stay,while two steps away for 30 seconds.We heeled making about turns to the left and to the right.Also, we worked on the recall [coming when called].

4/1/98, 4/8/98 & 4/22/98 During these three sessions we continued heeling,making about turns,the recall, increasing the distance and time on the sit stay and down stay.

5/6/98 Mickey Graduated from Dog Obedience. He did very well during his lessons and classes. :o)

On Sunday August 9, 1998 I took Mickey and Jet to Pug hill. We saw the cutest little Black pug named Rosie. Mickey doesn't like to play with other dogs, he is afraid of them. However, he isnt afraid of the other dogs in pet therapy or during fundraising events. Perhaps, when they run around he gets nervous. I don't think he was socialized with other dogs, when he was a puppy.