We here at PugSlope consider ourselves innovators in the realm of dog bed design. In Sid’s two and half year’s with us, he’s gone through probably 30 different bed designs. However, we actually only really purchased like 3 beds, as the 27 others were various combinations of the real dog bed combined with other household objects.

Today I’d like to feature a progression from December 2009 of what we referred to as the Mega-Bed.

Stage 1: The original concept started with a piece of finger-foam from a drum case that I had laying around. I didn’t actually propose Sid use it as a bed, he just noticed it one day, starting nesting, and then just plunked down on it.

Stage 2: A “Snoozzy” bed was added under the foam to create a bolster around the perimeter of the bed. As you guys are probably aware by now, Sid loves to rest his head on bolsters, so this was a well-received upgrade. We also added a pillow case on top because we were worried the direct contact with the foam might bother our bubble-dog‘s already allergy-sensitive skin.

Stage 3: Yes, we kept going! What’s better than a Snoozzy? Why, two, of course! Another Snoozzy, larger than the first, was added to the bottom to create an even more pronounced bolster around the bed’s perimeter. It also added more overall loft to the bed and reminded Sid of powdered donuts. And yes, that is a nyla-bone that Sid is snuggling with in that bottom photo. He considers them his children.

Stage 4: You thought we were done? Guess again. It was time to “go vertical”. We ditched the bottom Snoozzy and replaced it with a rubbermaid bin (very similar to Sid’s current Ela-bed!). Sid’s room-mate, Elly, was also a fan of the Mega-Bed at this stage.

Stage 5: Add a laundry basket? Wait, what?! Okay, we admit we may have lost it at this point. We ditched everything but the foam and pillow case, filled our laundry basket with various pillows and blankets, and then put the foam pad on top. You can also see one of Sid’s blankies peeking out. It is most definitely pink and the patch says “I Love You“. Sid wants me to be clear that we picked that out, not him.

So there you have it. Innovation or sheer lunacy? We’ll let you decide.

So, remember when we asked you all if Sid was a Dweeb Extrordinaire or an Evil Genius? (part 1 and part 2 should refresh your memories)

Well we now have photographic evidence to prove he is an evil genius.

I’m sure you’re all familiar with C. Montgomery Burns (a.k.a Mr. Burns) from the Simpsons. He’s a ruthless, wrinkled man who will do anything it takes to get what he wants.

Well, here’s your ruthless, wrinkled pug who will do anything it takes to get what he wants (and he usually succeeds!).

I know in his head he’s whispering “Excellent!“.

Somebody’s feeling all depressed and left-out because he discovered we’d spent the last year writing a blog about him without letting him join in on the fun…

We let Sid read and comment on his friend’s blogs, like Noodles’ pug-poetry jam, or Minnie Moo and Lincoln’s southern adventure stories, or Payton’s journal of pug perseverance, but we never told him about Pug Slope.  Sid already thinks the world revolves around him – we worried that if he knew we were spending all of our free time writing about him and his antics he’d totally forget who’s in charge around here.  And now, with him knowing that all of the pugs he’s been humbly following on the web are also following him? We may as well just put out an endless supply of dinner and toys, never take him on a walk again, and surrender to complete anarchy here at Pug Slope headquarters.

Well, whatever.  The cat’s out of the bag, and now somebody has insisted on having his own commenting account so he can reply to his friends’ comments and clarify anything Brian and I “got wrong” in our accounts of his daily mischief and mayhem.  And, if he’s really well-behaved and stays off my new pillow, he may even get to contribute a post every now and then.

Sid is anxiously awaiting your comments…

Sid always gets a treat (or three) when he comes inside from his walk.  His post-walk treat is his top priority when we come inside, meaning he won’t go straight for the water bowl no matter how badly he needs to refresh and cool down.  This lack of regard for his own health and safety is slightly terrifying to me; he gets soooo absurdly pumped up about food that I’m pretty sure, someday in the near future, the combination of extreme treat anticipation with his high body temperature and mild dehydration is going to cause him to have a heart attack before I can even open his pouch of venison jerky.  So, I’ve been mulling over various plans to provide him with a treat that is both deliciously satisfying and cooly refreshing.

And thus we present to you Pug Slope’s Famous Frozen…Pump-sicles?  Pumpkin-Pops?  Frozen Pumpkin Cubes?  Whatever!

Completely organic and additive-free – perfect for the dog who’s allergic to everything!!

A refreshing and healthy treat for ravenous pugs and their panda-bear friends!!

Helps promote regularity!!

Your dog will get crazy eyes for this ice-cold pumpkin surprise!!

But…pumpkin cubes are not an instant-gratification-type of treat.  They’re currently in the freezer, slowly solidifying in their custom compartmentalized tray.  One must be patient to enjoy frozen pumpkin.

Lucky for Sid, the most impatient pug in all the land, the whole can of pumpkin wouldn’t fit in the ice tray.  So Sid got to test out some room-temperature pumpkin in order to ensure that this orange goo was up-to-snuff, treat-wise.

Apparently pumpkin is so lip-smacking good, it’s worth storing a few morsels on your muzzle.  You know, for later.

Tomorrow: We unleash the pumpkin cubes!

After a non-stop string of daytime temps in the high eighties, it’s clear that we’ve hit the dog days of Summer. Those of you who’ve been keeping up with us for a while know that, much like a chef planning a menu at a Park Slope restaurant, we keep our masthead seasonal. And now it’s time for the debut of our Summer 2011 Masthead! Woo hoo! (In case you missed them, here’s Spring 2011 and Winter 2010).

Here’s how the photo shoot went down:

This time we came armed with plenty of tastey potato & venison morsels to ensure Sid would hold his poses. We made it plain and simple for him: If there was trick, there would be treat. 

He was skeptical about this agreement as unfulfilled promises of treats at the Spring masthead photoshoot left a sour taste in his mouth – well, um, actually make that no taste. We also had some problems getting the exposure right. Determined to get our shot, we thought that perhaps a new location might perk the little guy up and provide us with better lighting conditions.

“OK, buddy, we know you’ve got places to go and pugs to see, but can you give us a little less ‘tude and a little more cute & cuddly?” I think he was also tapping into his sass reserve that was left over from Flap-Flip Friday.

“There we go! That’s more like it. We know you had it in you.” OK, yes, we only got the adorable smile because we offered him double treats.

“That’s a keeper! Good work, Sid!” Triple-treats got us a coveted smile-with-full-tongue-exposure. He may have a high compensation requirement, but Sid sure can deliver.

Forget belly rubs.

Move over back scratches.

According to Sid, the chest rub is where it’s at.

This is his new procedure whenever Jenn and I are sitting on the couch:
1.) Jump up onto couch, preferably directly on top of one or more humans.
2.) Flip completely onto back, and hold front arms in a cute floppy fashion (a la T-Rex).
3.) Stretch head back to allow for maximum pectoral and neck region exposure.
4.) Receive extensive neck and chest rubbing.

Just like bath time, a good chest rub puts Sid into a peaceful zen state and he usually starts pug purring.

What is your dog’s favorite place to be scratched and/or pet?