The Royal Chef Put On His Tallest Hat and Surveyed the Valley
A tall white chef's hat edged with gold embroidery sits on top of a wrinkled fawn Pug, who stares out with big, dark, slightly worried eyes. His deep green velvet coat is stitched with golden vines and trimmed with a little fur collar. Behind him, a Renaissance landscape opens up with a winding river, rocky blue mountains, and tiny trees under a pale sky. The painting looks like a classic portrait of an Italian duke, except that the duke is a pug and he is in charge of the kitchen.
The landscape in the background is typical of Renaissance portraits, where painters liked to show far-off hills fading to blue, which gives a sense of depth. The soft, smoky blending of the distant scenery is a technique that artists of that time were famous for.
Pugs are small, sturdy dogs with flat faces and a lot of personality. They love people, enjoy food, and can be quite playful. Because of their short noses, they can overheat easily and may snore or wheeze, so keep them cool, avoid hard exercise in warm weather, and take care when traveling. They can gain weight quickly, so a measured diet and daily walks help. Wrinkles on the face should be cleaned and dried gently. Ask your vet about breathing, eyes, and weight.
The royal feast is in safe paws, particularly when it comes to tasting every dish.
