All IMR dogs are fully vetted. They are neutered, vaccinated, heartworm-checked and checked/treated for other parasites. They receive dentals, blood work, surgical procedures - if they need it, we see it is done (even if we have to beg for the money to do it). Every dog is an individual, and we assess each adoption on an individual basis. However, we have found some things to be truisms:
Pugs and
Boston Terriers are indoor dogs. In fact, all brachycephalic breeds are
intolerant of extreme heat or cold. Pugs are particularly susceptible to heat
stroke. They need air conditioning in the home and car.
Pugs and
Boston Terriers tend to aggravate larger dogs. We don't know if it's the
snuffling, snorting, spitting or snoring, but they make other dogs mad.
Children in school are generally mature enough to treat a pet responsibly, as
opposed to younger children. We've seen enough adults allow their young children
to chase, sit on, tugs the ears/fur of, and otherwise terrorize animals to be
skeptical of such placements. To make matters worse, if the dog so much as growls in
protest it is
punished or dumped at the local shelter. This is not what we want for an animal
in our care. We have met unusually sensitive young children with very perceptive
parents, and we do occasionally make exceptions.
Should
aggression occur between a Pug/Boston Terrier and another breed, the other dog
always wins. Brachycephalic breeds are at the mercy of dogs with noses.
Pugs are
companion dogs. They are as demanding as children, and must be an integral part
of a family unit to be happy (actually, this is true of ALL dogs). Their feelings and well-being must always be taken
into consideration.
Boston
Terriers are athletic, active dogs who can be a quite a handful.
Adopting a
Pug or a Boston Terrier should be considered a minimum 15 year commitment.
A Pug or
Boston Terrier - any dog, for that matter - will love you no matter what. They will love you wherever you
move, so you cannot move anyplace they would not be accepted. They will love you
if you lose your eyesight, and you must be committed to loving and caring for
them should they go blind. They will love you when you are old and deaf,
crabby, inconvenient, incontinent and arthritic, and they deserve the same depth of commitment from
you. These dogs (and we) want you to know they are not disposable.
We keep these dogs in our homes, acclimate them to humans, feed and medicate
them, truck them back and forth to doctors, and generally spend every waking
hour working with and caring for them. Don't expect us to deliver them. We do
not ship or transport our dogs. The adopter must be able to come pick up the dog
here in Belleville, Illinois within 10 days of approval. If you are not willing
to do this, please do not apply.
If you are looking for the cheapest quality dog you can get, go buy one. Don't
apply here. Although we get some wonderful dogs, we do not guarantee their
health. We and our veterinarians estimate their ages as best we can, and our
vets take care of every problem we find, but no one is foolproof. If a dog we
offer for adoption has a health issue that is not correctable, and we are aware
of it, we classify that dog as "Special Needs" and educate all
potential adopters regarding that handicap.
On the other hand, if you are a compassionate person who wants to offer a wonderful, deserving dog unconditional love and a great home for as long as your pet lives, YOU ARE THE ADOPTER WE'RE LOOKING FOR!! Please apply and we'll do our best to see that both you and your new family member are happy!
