Cover Story

Passion for Pugs

Randi Tucker with Chandler (left) and Willow.

By Ann Marie Quill

Growing up, Randi Tucker never owned a dog. "My father said they are a lot of trouble; you have to walk them even when it's cold or raining" and figure out what to do with them when on vacation.

Randi's pug memorabilia.

Willow strikes a pose.

The dogless years went by, and when Tucker moved into her own apartment, she met her upstairs neighbor who fostered pugs in need of adoption, and was intrigued. And that's how she met Willow, a 2-year-old pug who had been taken in by the Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption (SEPRA) organization. Tucker finally got her dog.

Four years later, Tucker and her husband Kevin still have Willow, and, yes, while she has been some trouble just like any other dog – she suffered from a liver problem that has since been fixed, and also became blind overnight with a condition called SARDS – Tucker is a pug-rescue convert.

"We wouldn't do it any other way," she says.

In fact, she recently adopted a brother for Willow, a 7-year-old stocky, laid-back boy named Chandler. Tucker says Chandler was given up because his family decided to have children – which she finds strange since pugs typically do very well with little ones.

Promoting those qualities in pugs is something that Tucker, a public relations specialist, has been doing pro bono for SEPRA for three years since the group has an urgent need for donations due to lofty vet bills. The non-profit organization takes in any pugs, and even pug mixes, regardless of temperament, age and health, spays and neuters the dogs, and treats fleas and heartworms and any other illnesses.

The qualities that Tucker likes to emphasize in pugs are an even temper, a loving and playful nature, and their small size, which is perfect for an apartment or condo.

These qualities have attracted quite a fanatical pug following. Tucker says pug owners love to dress their pugs in costume, particularly for Pugfest, SEPRA's big fundraising event. Tucker is an example of someone who's crazy for pugs – she wears pug T-shirts and jewelry, and her house is filled with pug memorabilia, such as mugs, coasters, note cards and magnets.

And Tucker's father? Randi says he's found that these small dogs are, indeed, worth the trouble, and he is "completely attached" to his granddogs, even taking care of Willow for a week when his daughter was on vacation.

For more information about pugs, SEPRA, and donating to the organization, visit www.rescuepug.com.