I have had a pug ever since I was 8 years old. It all started when my cat was tragically killed by a stray dog. I was devastated, and I told my mom I couldn't bear to own another cat because I didn't want to experience that pain again. However, my mom ended up reading through the classified ads and decided to adopt a 2-year old pug. His owner was moving away and she could not longer keep the dog and had posted an ad looking for a new home for him.

I still remember going to pick him up. His name was Eddie and he was healthy and rambunctious. My sister and I had so much fun playing with him so my mom decided to go for it and bring him home. We loved Eddie. He was sweet and stubborn. I owned a camcorder and my sister and I would make "films" with our dog as the star.

Eddie developed cataracts just a few years later and went blind. He, like the majority of vision-impaired dogs, quickly learned his way around the house. When I went to middle school we adopted another pug, Sammy. Six-year old Sammy had clearly been the runt of his litter as he was much smaller in stature than Eddie, and his tongue did not fit in his mouth.

Eddie passed away a couple of years after we got Sammy, before I started high school. He had developed cancer. Sammy lived on to the ripe age of 14, when I was halfway through my undergrad program. Losing Sammy was hard for me as he had been there for my transitions to high school and college.

About six months after losing Sammy, I adopted Buster. Buster is the first dog to truly be my own dog and my own responsibility. I love this little dog and his presence can bring me a lot of comfort when I'm struggling. He has such a strong personality and loves being the center of attention.

A lot of people seem to have strong opinions on pugs, whether they love or hate them. There are quite a few reasons I love pugs so much, beyond their adorable little faces and curly tails.

Buster emulating DobbyPaige Ryan

Pugs are great for apartment living. Buster is small enough to live comfortably in the smaller space of an apartment, but he also isn't tiny. He is pretty happy lounging around the apartment with me and a 3-mile walk around the lake is the perfect amount of exercise for him.

Buster in a kayakPaige Ryan

Pugs are also able to adapt to your lifestyle. If you are the kind of person who enjoys hanging out and watching TV, a pug will be more than happy to chill with you on the couch. But pugs also do require a bit of activity. Buster has gone kayaking with me and was very relaxed, sitting as we canoed. He's not the best swimmer, but I've also taken him to a couple of end-of-summer pool events for dogs. On Instagram, I follow the account of Brandy the Pug, who rides surfboards.

Buster in a poolPaige Ryan

Pugs are very social dogs and tend to be friendly with most humans and animals. Buster is eager to make friends with anyone who visits my apartment and gets along with both cats and dogs. Their social, affectionate personalities make it easy to take your pug out into social situations without worrying about their behavior.

Buster and another dog cuddlingPaige Ryan

Pugs are often described as clowns. They tend to have stubborn personalities and will try to get their own way, but overall they are very loving and just want to spend time with their human. With proper training, they can overcome some of those stubborn tendencies. Buster is crate-trained and usually if he sees us putting on shoes or jackets he will walk into his crate without being prompted. Pugs react best to treat-training because they love food so much.

Buster hanging out on the couchPaige Ryan

Pugs are truly my favorite dog breed, and I can't really imagine life without one. One day when I own a house, I would love to foster and rehabilitate pugs before finding them forever homes. My pugs Eddie, Sammy, and Buster all hold a special place in my heart and I would love to help others find their best friend.

Top to bottom: Eddie, Sammy, and BusterPaige Ryan