TUGG THE BULL TERRIER PUPPY

Left for dead on the side of the road...then rescued, saved, and adopted!

Sasha Levine reports
Photos courtesy of Blake Ovard

Superheroes originate from the most unexpected places. On the night July 6, 2010, a call came into the Fort Worth police dispatch. One little puppy was reported as badly burned on the side of a busy road. When the police officer arrived at the location, he found a blanket that was staked to the ground, and on that stake was a small sign that read “dog.” Waiting for animal control to arrive, the officer sat for about an hour with the future little superhero—an eleven-pound, four-month-old Bull Terrier puppy, who had been tightly wrapped in that blanket.

Blake Ovard, Fort Collins Animal Control Officer, had no idea how much his life would change from just one look at this pup. He describes the dog as having been “almost one big scab because of all the sores and infections. But he was still sweet and cute—in one of those ugly cute kind of ways… He got his name because he tugged at our heart strings sitting all alone in the kennel cage, basically blind, and just wanting to be loved. So, his name became Tugg almost immediately,” he says.

Ovard explains that even though it was first thought Tugg had been badly burned, upon further examination at the shelter determined that he actually had an severe case of demodex mange and secondary infections. Not only that, but the pup had also developed kennel cough and had become lethargic from malnutrition and dehydration. “His eyes were swollen shut from the infections, and he could barely find his way around the cage he was in.” Because Animal Control does not provide the type of medical attention that Tugg desperately needed, the staff searched for any rescue to take him. Over a week went by with no results. But Ovard noticed a spark in Tugg. He describes it as an ‘I want to live’ attitude in every small action he did. So when Tugg’s time was up, Blake and his wife Kim decided to adopt the small Bull Terrier and get medical attention for him that Sunday.

“The emergency vet said he was too far gone and had to be put down,” Blake recalls. But the couple refused to give up. They quickly made another appointment with their regular veterinarian, Dr. Morris, at Southwest Fort Worth Animal Hospital. Dr. Morris told them that there was a chance. “Any chance was all we needed!” says Ovard. It was touch and go for a while. For a few months, the couple was worried that every day might be his last—he was so weak from battling for such a long time. But as the days went by, he got slightly better, and better, and then after weekly vet visits and lots of love, Tugg was a healthy dog.

The Ovards were so happy, they created a Facebook page devoted exclusively to Tugg. They intended to simply update the page so some of their friends could keep track of how he was doing. “Now he is a superhero, with more than 5000 friends all over the world!” Blake says. “He has been invited to [participate] in special events, ride in a fire engine and a helicopter, help teach kids about pets, and be the featured speaker at Lions Club and Rotary Club meetings.” He has also been invited to be the special guest of top tier dog shows and meet state representatives, mayors, and other elected officials. He has been a top story on the local news and has been asked to be a celebrity dog model for a K-9 fashion show for charity. “We never know what he will be invited to do next!”

Tugg is a favorite among school kids in the Fort Worth School District. Blake says, “He goes and tells his story to the kids, and he teaches them how to better take care of their pets.” After each presentation, Tugg allows all the kids come up and pet him. “He does particularly well with special needs kids. Those children seem to share a bond with Tugg when he is in the room, and you can almost sense a peace come over them when he is there.”

When Tugg isn’t working, he likes to share quality time with his new kitty and doggie siblings, play with his toys (especially his Duckie), and cheer on the Texas Rangers with Blake. “This little dog has done so much in such a short time, it just amazes us!” Tugg has single-pawedly changed this wonderful family’s lives for the better.

Become a fan on Facebook at: Tugg the Bull Terrier Puppy

You can also email Tugg at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .