Gus's Grotto

How do you do? My name is Gus!

Welcome to Gus's Grotto, my web page on my Aunt Pauli's web site.

Some people think that "Gus" is an old or odd name for a brand new pug puppy -- others say I'll grow in to it. I think it's real "manly," and I'm sure I will live up to everything it stands for.

The picture to the left is the first picture my new human parents took of me, and it really does show how I felt when I first arrived at my new home. I mean, besides the humans (who are supposed to be big), even my Aunt Pauli is bigger than I am — plus Dodger and Tasha are really big!

I guess this will take some getting used to.

I was born on June 11, 2003 — not that long ago. There were originally five of us, all black, but one of us didn't make it. The fawn pug in the picture is belongs to my Aunt Hannah. We were dubbed "The Fab Four" (John, Paul, George and Ringo), I was named "Paul," but now I'm "Gus" — short for "Gustav."

I think I'm the second black pug from the left in this picture, but I could possibly be the one whose face you can't see. If so, I probably was wandering off in search of food!

This is my father, Sammo. Wouldn't you agree that he certainly looks like the father of a "Gus?"

When I was just about nine week old, I was adopted by the Datz family, where my Aunt Pauli lives.

We met at the Nut Tree in Vacaville, California, and I was very excited about getting my new life going.

It was bittersweet, though, because I had to say goodbye to Sophie, my kind and beautiful mother.

I also had to say goodbye to the humans who helped my mother bring me into this world. Here I am with Heather and Gretchen.

But I really like my new human parents too. As you can see, it didn't take long for me to snuggle up to Lin, and make her feel welcome.

And before leaving in the motor home for the ride to my new home, my Aunt Pauli took me for a long walk to explain all the "Rules" to me.

I was sure everything was going to turn out all right.

When I got to my new home, I was surprised to see how many toys I had to play with.

I couldn't believe they were all MINE! Maybe some of them belonged to my Aunt Pauli.

And I guess I was right, because. . . . .

.. . . my aunt became a little depressed about it, and it was obvious that we still had a lot of "relationship building" to do. We have done some pug-bonding by playing with each other in the backyard, and by sniffing each other (and other dog stuff). however I think this will take a little bit of time.