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The adventures of Hooman and Vinnie

4 month old Hooman and Vinnie remained in a cage at a local pet store for more than three months. Nobody wanted to purchase these sickly-looking pug puppies.

When Novato dog lover Deidre Shannon asked about their fate, a store clerk admitted that arrangements were being made to send the puppies back to their breeder as the sick dogs were no longer profitable. What would happen to them there was unknown. Could the precious pug puppies be euthanized? It certainly was a possibility.

Deidre bargained with the pet store to allow her to rescue the puppies. They agreed, and the newly named “Hooman” and “Vinnie” were brought to the Marin Humane Society for rehabilitation.

Vinnie tested positive for parvo, Hooman for giardia. But thanks to Deidre’s compassion and quick-thinking, the precious pugs were treated for their illnesses and have successfully recovered.

Studies confirm that people who purchase puppies from a pet store will often end up with a sick dog who originated from a puppy mill. Most puppies in pet stores are shipped at a very young age from states that are well-known for having large numbers of puppy mills. Just last March, the Marin Humane Society transported close to 100 small-breed dogs from Southern Arizona after a large puppy mill raid near Tucson.

If you’re thinking about getting a new pet, remember these lucky pug puppies and consider adoption. Hooman and Vinnie will be going to their new homes this week, but the Marin Humane Society has more than 80 dogs, cats and small companion animals who are looking for forever families.

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