The Dang's: One Year with Chester

We adopted Chester one year ago last Sunday from MN Midwest Pug Rescue.
His mother, Martha, came into the rescue from animal control. It was discovered she was pregnant, and the litter was delivered on July 11, 2010. He's probably not full pug, but we don't care. We love our little guy.

Chester has three brothers (Bubba, Max and Albert) and one sister (Gertie). Martha and Bubba were both adopted by their foster mom, Ginny, so we get to see them at rescue events.

In honor of Chester's one year of being adopted, I thought I would chronicle the past year with him in pictures written from his perspective.

September:
My new mom and dad brought me home. I was scared at first but quickly got used to my new house and new family. I love to play, explore, nap and snuggle.

Are you my momma now?

They keep saying that I'm sooo little.

Why do they keep trying to get me to go to the bathroom outside?

Me and my new dad!

October:
Mom got me a shark costume for Halloween. I pretty much hate it. I got to see my pug mom Martha and brothers Bubba and Albert at the rescue Paw-a-ween party. I was kind of scared of all the bigger dogs though and stayed by mom and dad most of the time. I won third place in the costume contest! Mom said I would have won if she hadn't been holding me because nobody saw my cute costume. I was too scared to run around and be on the floor by myself though.

I tried to tell mom with my eyes that I wasn't happy being a shark.

Mom and Dad, especially mom, like to watch football. Mom got me another costume to wear for football games. I don't mind it too much because there's nothing on my head.

They call me "Footbaaalllll Puppy!"

November:
My first snow! It's kind of scary and weird at first, but now I like to play in it.

What is this stuff?

Mom got me a coat so I wouldn't be too cold and get snow on my fur.

Stylish vest, no?

For my first Thanksgiving. I got to meet dad's side of the family AND mom's. I love meeting new people.
I don't normally get people food, but mom and dad both snuck me some turkey. It was way better than kibble.

December:
My first Christmas! I love all the attention and new toys. I even have my own stocking at grandma and grandpa's house!

This is mom's parents and sister. They like me a lot.

The family is complete

January:
The New Year wasn't my favorite. I had the "snip snip" according to mom on New Year's Eve. Mom and Dad said I looked so pathetic when they picked me up at the vet. I hurt all over, but I was sure glad to see them.

The cone of shame is scary. I just freeze in place with it on.

I got to see my pug mom Martha and brother Bubba again at the Santa Paws holiday party for the rescue. Bubba got really big and now I feel small. Now that I've grown, I wasn't too scared of all the other dogs. I really liked running around and sniffing butts. Mom says it's gross though and she won't let me kiss her until later.

That's my brother Bubba and me with my momma! We don't really look alike.

February:
Mom and Dad got me my own bed. I don't really like it though and try to dig through the bottom.

March:
My favorite toy is my blue elephant. I like to chew on the tail and trunk even though I'm not supposed to.

April:
Mom and Dad got a new big camera. Now they take lots of pictures of me and it's kind of annoying...

Ugh. No more pictures!

I like to snuggle on the couch with my mom. I can't be bothered to be interested in a photo.

I also started Obedience Class. I was really stressed out the first few classes, but now I'm more comfortable and I'm learning a lot. Mom and Dad say it's good for me to be around a lot of other dogs.

May:
I hate going to the bathroom in the rain. Mom got me a shiny new raincoat so I won't get wet!

I look pretty good in my ducky raincoat, if I do say so myself.

Dad and I like to snuggle.

June:
I graduated from Obedience 1 class! Mom and dad were really proud of me. Even the instructor was impressed with my improvement. Don't they know that I was always good and knew what to do, but all the other dogs made me so nervous I couldn't focus?

See, I did it!

I signed this card for dad for Father's Day all by myself. He liked it a lot!

Dad took me swimming at the cabin. It was kind of cold and scary but I liked paddling around. Mom got me a life jacket just in case I fell in or couldn't swim well. Silly mom, I'm a pro at swimming!

I'm swimming!

July:
Mom and I both have our birthdays in July. I loved my new toys and pupcake, especially the frosting! Mom made it just for me.

I hated the hat she made me wear. The only time I didn't try to get it off was when I was eating my yummy pupcake.

We celebrated the fourth of July at the cabin. I decided that I like boat rides afterall.

Dad even let me help drive!

August:
Mom and dad left me for a long time when they went on vacation without me. It was okay though because I stayed with Grandma, Grandpa and Aaron. They paid a lot of attention to me. I even got to hang out with Fidel at the cabin. He was big but nice.

Me and my bud Fidel.

September:
For Labor Day, we went up to the cabin for the weekend. We also went to see mom's family at a cabin by Heyward. It was kind of stressful for me to be in a different cabin and boat.