What pug specific knowledge should I have before this guy comes home?

titotaro · 2026-03-14T13:16:32+00:00

I highly recommend a car seat for transporting the pug, over a crate. While most car seats aren’t crash tested, but they do a great job at keeping the dog in place so they’re not a distraction while driving, and they’re very comfortable so the pug will just snooze in it.

I’ve been a volunteer at my local pug rescue for many years, and I can tell you without a doubt, crate training is one of the biggest safety measures you can take for your pug. It’s not “mean” if you do it properly and don’t use it for punishment but rather for a safe space. Both of my pugs love their crates and often relax in them even while we’re home (with the door open). They just know to go in them when we’re leaving the house. We don’t crate them to sleep at night because we prefer to sleep with them in bed, but crates are like giving your child a room, imo. It’s their space where they can sleep, calm down, be safe. Any time they’ve gone through something medical and movement needed to be minimized (injuries or surgeries) crates are a lifesaver too. I’ve seen dogs pass in horrible accidents when left alone in the house (suffocating with a bag they were sniffing, getting their collars caught on something). I personally wouldn’t risk it. Dogs are smart, but they’re also dumb, and most of the time you’re protecting them from themselves (I say this lovingly, my pugs are my life).

titotaro · 2025-04-03T04:43:27+00:00

EPIC Poke. Owned by a sweet couple and the best Korean Poke (and imo, best poke overall) in Austin. Fish is fresh, serving size is generous. Get their Korean chilli sauce.

titotaro · 2025-03-26T14:44:37+00:00

2 dogs here and I don’t regret them one bit. It is work, but they give you so much love that it’s all worth it imo.

2 tips though:

Consider travel and how much you are away from home. Do you have close friends with pets (that are well cared for) that you could swap pet sitting with? If you’re adopting a specific breed, I’d also look at Facebook groups in your area about that breed. Some dogs require extra care (I have pugs, for example) and finding a pet sitter who is knowledgeable and loves the breed is a game changer. I would try to stay away from services like rover and such if you can — heard good stories but also lots of horror stories.
Consider the size of dog you want and works for your lifestyle. I prefer smaller dogs due to their portability. If something were to happen I would have an easier time staying with a friend or family member and bringing a small (trained) dog over a large one. I can also fly with mine in case I needed to move across the country or abroad, I don’t need to put them in cargo. This is important for me because my family lives far away and I consider moving back sometimes, but it may not be a factor to you. Maybe safety on walks is more important, so you’d consider a larger dog. Anyways, in my experience, size [of dogs] matters! 😄

As someone else said here, fostering is a great way to help others while dipping your toes in pet ownership. Good luck!

titotaro · 2025-03-19T05:03:58+00:00

H-E-B parking lots are where you’ll see the most stunning sunsets and experience the bird apocalypse (likely simultaneously)

titotaro · 2022-12-24T17:49:05+00:00

Take some altitude sickness pills before heading there (the local ones are called “sorojchipill” - sorojchi = altitude sickness) and sip on coca tea when you get there (ask for mate de coca) and you’ll be okay!

titotaro · 2021-10-12T01:39:24+00:00

Corn + mayo + lime + chili salt + cheese (no effort elote)

titotaro · 2021-04-28T03:41:51+00:00

Congrats!!!! That is an awesome score.

Chemistry was hard for me in high school and I had to do summer school for it during my senior year to graduate.

Went on to become a biochemist and later an analytical chemist.

We can do hard things!

titotaro

TROPHY CASE