Pug Rescue, One Mile At A Time. We Want To Save 26.2.

July 2, 2014

Max The Pug

This is our pug Max, a rescue. 

I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for pugs in need.  While I was in graduate school, I got involved with the Northern Illinois Pug Rescue and got to foster a sweet little pug named Ralph. He was an older dog, whose family had a baby and they didn’t want him anymore.  In May of this year, we lost Ralph to cancer, but were happy to also have adopted Max, our 6 year old little guy who keeps us company.

Of course, since Ralph’s passing, I’ve had a yearning to do more.  I’ve had a Ralph sized hole in my heart, and I let the pug rescue know that when the time was right and a pug needed a home who was a good fit, that we’d be ready to adopt again.  Pugs don’t always come to the rescue on a regular schedule, I knew that getting a pug could take months or even a year.  Little did I know that it would happen soon.

Last week, while browsing Facebook, I saw a post from the pug rescue.  10 pugs, all over age 10 had been given up by various families in the same week or so, all needed foster homes.

I was floored.  10 pugs all over 10 years old- many of which wouldn’t get adopted, but would still need a loving foster home to live out the rest of their days.  I called the pug rescue, and found out that some had been placed, but even more had come in needing homes- a total of 12 pugs would be processed by the rescue in under two weeks.  Some pugs came in pairs which are harder to adopt, some were older- two were 14 years old.

These pugs had been given up for a variety of reasons- financial hardships, bad behavior, or simply not being wanted anymore.

Honestly, it astounds me that so many people would give up pugs over age 10.  One pug, who we might be taking in, was given up due to the fact the family had a baby and the dog is marking in the house.  When an older dog starts to mark in the house, it usually means they have a physical or emotional reason for doing so, not because they’re a bad dog.  We had a problem with Max and Ralph marking in the house- we were working on correcting it and yes, it was stressful, but I cannot imagine giving them up.

I’m not here to judge.  I appreciate the families relinquishing the animals instead of simply abandoning them, but it breaks my heart.  On average, an animal costs $500-$1000 to get healthy, or more, if a dog isn’t up to date on shots, needs to be neutered or has a neglected condition.  When Ralph was my foster pug, the rescue reimbursed me for $800 in clearing up his ear and skin infections, getting his shots and tending to a bad tooth.

While it costs more to rehabilitate a pug, it costs $300 to adopt a pug.

 

Chris, my groom-to-be, is running his first marathon this October, the sold out Chicago Marathon.  While I won’t be running, I’m going to be his cheerleader and now, his fundraiser.

Pug singlet {source}

After a friend of ours discovered a hilarious pug singlet and things came together. Originally, our friends bought it for Chris as a joke, but we soon realized that something fun like this could lead to something greater.  We felt called to raise funds for pug rescue because it’s impacted our lives and is so desperately needed, we want to dedicate each mile of his marathon to saving one pug.

26.2 miles to save 26 pugs. A Ridiculous Outfit.

Each miles saves a pug, each mile costs $300.  In total, we would hope to raise $7,860 and my fiancé will run all 26.2 miles in a ridiculous yet awesome pug singlet.

I’m excited and nervous for his first marathon.  I know he can do it. Let’s hope WE can do it- his running and my fundraising. Keeping up my end of the bargain, raising $7,860 is what’s making me antsy.  I haven’t raised this much money on my own before.  In 2012, I gave up my 26th birthday to raise $2,601, but this is nearly triple and it was quite a miracle to pull that off.

I’ve seen other bloggers, like my friend Dani, raise funds doing a virtual run to support their marathon fundraisers.  Chris is hoping that people will pledge money just so he’ll run in costume, but I know that a little extra something, maybe some bling, would get us to this big $7,000 goal.  I have no idea how to manage a virtual race but I know I’ve done a few myself to help other bloggers.

 

Virtual Run Fundraisers

These are just a few of the medals I’ve run for with virtual runs to raise money for charity.  Each was about $25-$40. If we charged $35 per entry for the pug rescue, with medals, we’d need to sell 225 entries to hit our goal.

I’ve never done anything like this.  But honestly, I can’t think of a more fun way to raise money for a great cause, but also, as my groom and I plan our wedding and lives together, to embark on something like this to kick it all off.  We’re getting married next June, and this is going to be a challenge which will prepare us for married life- his running, my projects and working together to hit impossible goals as a team, while trying to utilize each other’s strengths.

26.2 miles. 26 pugs.  $7,860 to raise. One Virtual Run.

So, now I need your wisdom- how would you approach this goal?  Have you creatively fundraised or seen it done?  Have you ever run a virtual run before?  I need advice on how to execute this and have reached out to some friends but could use some advice or links to check out.

I know that this is crazy, but maybe, crazy would work.  TOMS shoes did things differently and I’ve been inspired by new ways to get folks to participate in a good cause.  Would you get excited about running for a pug medal for $35?

I need ideas- how can we make this happen or am I totally out of my mind?  

13 comments so far.

13 responses to “Pug Rescue, One Mile At A Time. We Want To Save 26.2.”

  1. I would be SO IN for anything to help you guys out! Pug medal would just be a huge bonus 🙂

    • Becca says:

      I WAS JUST THINKING THAT! if you did a pug head as the medal or a pug sitting with the head tilt! and cmon girl, yknow im in! 😀

  2. You have a great tool here in your blog! Set up an account where we can donate and let your blogging community help spread the word!

    Personally I don’t need a medal, I am totally all over costumes and am donating just so your fiance runs in the awesome pug singlet.

    We have three pugs, one we bought as a puppy and two we took from others as they gave them up because they had a baby and because they just didn’t want her. I think you guys are doing something amazing and would love to support you.

  3. jackie says:

    these poor puggies! it makes me so sad to see older dogs surrendered, but especially pugs since i have two of them. we’re hoping to adopt another, probably a senior, when we have more space. i think posting the fundraiser on your blog is a great idea and i would definitely donate. this is a great cause and your fiance running in that singlet is AMAZING. i seriously want to save all the puggies in the world. let me know when you set up the fundraiser and i will help spread the word!

  4. I second the comment about using the blogging community! Maybe ask for fellow “co-hosts” who would have the challenge of gathering a team of runners and offering an incentive to the co-hosts or maybe a prize for the person who creates the biggest team! I also am willing to just donate without a medal because pugs are my favorite and this is a beautiful thing. Plus that onesie is just too much!

  5. I’d totally be interested and I’m sure my sister would be too (she’s a HUGE Pug fan!)

  6. Kelly says:

    What a great cause. Being an animal lover (and runner) I would like to contribute, no medal needed. Please keep us posted on how we can donate. Thank you!

  7. Kat says:

    I LOVE PUGS AND I WANT IN!

  8. Erika says:

    I have never been involved in a virtual run before, but I work in the film industry and know a lot of people who have raised money for various projects using Kickstarter. I’m not sure if this is a platform that would work for you, but a lot of different types of projects and causes have been funded using it. I would definitely be willing to help out!

    Kickstarter is also useful because it allows you to give prizes for various donation levels.

    Good luck!

  9. I’ll post and share for sure!!! Don’t need the medal, but I do want many photos of fiance in the singlet!!! LOL!

  10. Brenda says:

    How about http://www.crowdrise.com? I am sure that NIPRA can help you promote it! 😉

  11. Julie says:

    I would totally support this, what a great idea! Publicity is the key. Can we post something on the NIPRA sight and NIPRA Facebook that will allow everyone to “Please Share” to their own timelines? Add a link to where they can sign up & pay?

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