What Is the Matter with Poor Puggy-Wug? Quiz

Answer: a "toy" breed with a short snout

A pug is a toy breed, which means it is very small, about 10-12 inches high, and weighs 14-18 pounds. A pug has a curly tail, a wrinkly face, and a short snout, too. It is very important to clean the folds in a pug's ears and face. Pugs came from China originally, but they became very popular among the kings and queens of Europe, especially Queen Victoria.

Mary Churchill owned a pug named Punch, nicknamed Puggy-Wug in the poem. Winston Churchill wrote the poem as a song on the spot one day when Punch was gravely ill. Not knowing what else to do, he sang the song with his daughters Mary and Sarah over and over again. And Punch got better! Sometimes love is the best cure.

Answer: Pet him under his chin.

The best way is to pet a dog under his chin. Do not reach over his back or his head. If he isn't your dog, ask the owner if it is okay to pet him. Animals hurt, too, so remember to be careful when you play near a pet. Never run at a pet or pull its tail or ears.

Answer: Only if the vet tells you so

Do not give Puggy-Wug an aspirin or any other kind of drug for pain that is meant for people, unless a vet tells you it is okay. Small dogs like pugs have a harder time than larger dogs breaking down aspirin in their bodies. It could also make their stomachs bleed. But even big dogs can have problems if you give them too much. Only give medicines to your pet that a vet tells you or your parents to give.

And never give aspirin to a cat. Ever.

Answer: Scolding the dog

Take the dog to the vet to see if he has a medical problem that makes him lose control. Clean the rug (ask your parents to help) with cleaners made for removing urine to take away the smell, so he won't think the rug is a good place to go! If you feed and walk the dog at the same time every day, you will give your pet structure, and he will know when to expect to be able to relieve himself. Be sure to praise him when he does! Make the walk last half an hour to an hour to reduce anxiety. If the dog pees because he gets excited, try ignoring him for ten minutes when you come home from school. Scolding will not work; in fact, it can backfire because some dogs will pee when they are scolded to show their submission! Besides, the dog will not understand why you are scolding him, so try these positive suggestions instead.

Answer: No

A dog's nose could be cold and wet for a number of reasons. Dogs lick their noses often to keep themselves cool. They also clean themselves a little after eating. A wet nose also helps them pick up scents better. If they do a lot of sniffing out of doors, they will pick up moisture from grasses and plants. Like humans, dogs have unique traits, and while some dogs tend to have cold, wet noses, others tend to have warmer, drier noses. It doesn't mean they are sick or well; they were born that way!

There is a legend that God gave dogs cold, wet noses as a thank-you for what happened on Noah's Ark. The ark sprung a leak, and a dog stuck his nose into the small hole and saved everyone from drowning.

Answer: Cats

Some people don't agree that cats look down on people, just that they express themselves differently. If a cat paws your face without claws, he probably loves you!

Dogs are naturally playful, and cats tend to be independent. When dogs wag their tails, it means they want to play. When cats wag their tails, it could mean they are angry or irritated, especially by a dog who wants to play. They can be taught to get along, however, especially if you start when they are puppies and kittens.

Winston Churchill really liked pigs. In fact, he raised pigs on a farm. One day he took his grandson to visit, and that's when he made this remark, which he later wrote down in his autobiography. And now people quote it often!

Answer: Basenji

You may not have heard of the Basenji because it is not common as a pet. It is a dog bred in Africa for hunting lions. It cannot bark but it can make a noise that sounds like a yodel, called a "barroo". The Basenji also cleans itself like a cat, and it stands on its hind legs like a meerkat. What an unusual dog!

By the way, do you know what Winston Churchill meant by his remark? Every day, things will happen which will make feel angry or hurt. If we react to each and every one of them, we will be too exhausted and too unhappy to do what we need to do. So only respond if it is something really important! Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of Britain during World War II, and he knew when something was worth fighting for and when something could just be ignored. Learning the difference between the two is an important skill to have in life!

Answer: No

A scientist in America has found that many people believe that black dogs are more aggressive and less friendly than dogs of other colors. But there is no evidence that black dogs behave any worse than other dogs. People who work at animal shelters call this false belief "Black Dog Syndrome", and sadly, many black dogs go unadopted.

Winston Churchill suffered from a mental illness known as depression. He would excuse himself sometimes for being cross with visitors by saying his "black dog" was on his back. It is a very old expression, although it is heard more in Europe than in the Americas. Even the ancient Romans would point to a sullen person and say, "A black dog has walked over him."

Answer: Poodle

Winston Churchill was talking about his second poodle, which he got after Rufus, his first poodle, passed away. Churchill spoiled Rufus terribly. He allowed Rufus to eat in the dining room with his family and guests, and no one else could eat until the butler had served Rufus first. One evening Churchill was watching a movie, 'Oliver Twist', as Rufus sat in his lap. As the villain in the movie was about to drown his dog, Churchill covered Rufus's eyes and ears. He said, "Don't look now, dear. I'll tell you about it afterwards."

Answer: Their hunting instincts make them do this

Dogs are natural hunters, so they tend to chase anything that moves, including bicycles, automobiles, cats, squirrels, letter carriers, and anything else they see. They also tend to be protective of their territories, and people on bicycles can look like a threat. Even a cat can look like an invader.

It can be very hard to keep dogs from chasing things. With a lot of patience, however, it is possible to train them. You can ask a friend to repeatedly ride by on a bicycle. If the dog tries to chase the bike, tug the leash and say "OFF!" Do this many times; it may take several days. (Ask your parents first!)