The Grump and the Chaos: Why No Two Pugs Are Alike (Meet Lola and Mabel – yep)

If you’ve ever met a pug, you probably have a certain idea in your head: the classic, hungry, snoring, velcro dog. But here at Life with Lola and Mabel, my life is proof that “Pug Persona” is so much more!

While my two girls share the same breed, they couldn’t be more different. I get a front-row seat to this everyday, and honestly? It’s a wild ride. If you think your dogs are a handful, let me introduce you to the Grump and the Chaos.

Meet Lola: The Grumpy Queen of the Household

If Mabel is the spark, Lola is the judge and jury. At seven years old, my beautiful fawn girl has well and truly settled into her role as the matriarch of the house.

Lola has had her fair share of health hurdles—from corneal grafts to BOAS surgery, extensive dental work and managing her rickety knees. But she handles it all with a dignified stubbornness. She’s even a total pro with her daily eye drops, sitting there like a good girl without a single fuss.

The Lola “Rules” for Living:

• The Treat Protocol: Lola has standards. If I hand her a Whimzee toothbrush, it’s a hard pass. But if I drop it on the floor? Suddenly, it’s a delicacy! Then comes the real ritual: she spends up to 20 minutes going round and round in circles, searching for the “perfect” place to eat it in peace. She’s convinced Mabel is lurking nearby, ready to pinch her treasure. If I’m sitting down, she’ll plonk herself right next to me to eat it instantly; otherwise, it’s a marathon of scouting until I send her to her crate for some privacy.
• The “Yes” Sneeze: Lola has a unique way to communicate. When she’s excited or agreeing with me, she does this adorable little sneeze as if to say, “Yes, mum, you’re right!”
• The Dinner dance – Lola is always too happy to give us a little dance show – ‘spin, spin’ is her cutest trick.
• A Grumpy Specialist: Beeping is the enemy. Whether it’s the bin lorry, a reversing truck, or an alarm, Lola takes it personally. She’ll let out a huff to let the world know she is highly unimpressed by all this noise.
• The Car Companion: Despite her grumpiness at home, she is the ultimate travel buddy. Once she’s strapped into the passenger seat, she sits as good as gold for the whole journey.
• Beach-Day Lola: At the beach, she turns into a puppy again! She loves having a paddle and rolling in seaweed—much to my dismay—but seeing her that happy makes every second worth it.
• The Secret Cuddler: Here is the truth: her grumpy exterior is just a disguise. Deep down, she is the most incredibly cuddly and loving soul. She is the reason I fell in love with the breed enough to get a second pug. She is my heart, my constant, and the best companion I could ask for.

Meet Mabel: The Chaos to Lola’s Calm

If Lola is the matriarch, Mabel is the whirlwind. She’s a beautiful “platinum” pug—that rare, silvery-grey color that makes her look like a little silver shadow—but don’t let that elegant appearance fool you. At nearly five years old, she is a tiny, 5kg powerhouse who we often suspect might be part cat. As a puppy, she was able to jump up onto the kitchen worktops! A trick we soon managed to stop!!

Mabel barks…alot! But when she barks she jumps up. She cant help it. It is very funny to watch when she istrying to throw a tantrum.

We have been lucky with Mabel healthwise! Touch wood… She does suffer from seperation anxiety but using some great supplements ( Pupps Calming Treats and NatPats patches) we manage to get through most scenarios. I wont say without any fuss, but a lot less than without any help at all!!

The Mabel “Rules” for Living:

• The Shoe Detective: Mabel has a PhD in human behavior. The second we put anything on our feet, she’s analysing: slippers? Fine. Shoes? Which shoes? – Trainers or muddy boots? – Oooh is it walk time? Clean shoes? Absolute emergency. She knows the difference, and she isn’t afraid to let us know. If we’re leaving, she’ll voice her protest with a full-on screaming session—and she’ll sometimes take that frustration out on poor Lola, as if being mean to her sister will change our minds!
• Expert at Laying Down – Mabel has mastered ‘sit’, ‘wait’ and ‘lie down’. My eldest son managed to train her in an aftrnoon and now she is a pro.
• A “Destructive” Playstyle: While Lola cherishes her toys, Mabel disassembles them with surgical precision. Ears, eyes, nose—gone. She loves to fetch, but she plays strictly on her own terms. When she’s done, she’s done.
• The “Half-Cat” Acrobat: Mabel is incredibly smart, until she climbs onto the patio table and realises she has no idea how to get down. She’ll just sit there, looking elegant, waiting to be rescued. And like a cat, she’s not big on traditional cuddles, but she loves to be near. She’ll happily park herself right on top of Lola if it means she can be an inch closer to me!
• The TV Critic: We don’t watch nature documentaries in this house—not since the Great Penguin Incident of 2025. Mabel’s hatred for TV animals is so intense that she literally lunged at the screen and broke the TV while chasing penguins. David Attenborough is now strictly forbidden.
• The Soundtrack of Our Lives: Phone ringing? Bark. Postman? Bark. Rustle in the garden? Bark. She is the official, high-volume security system of the house.
• Sunshine & Sand: Mabel has a magnetic pull toward the heat. She’ll hunt down the single warmest spot in the house, which keeps me on my toes, especially in these heat waves! As for the beach? She loves it, but she’s a bit wary of water after a dramatic “sinking” incident in a deep puddle!

Why They Are the Perfect Pair

So, there you have it. My two girls: one a grumpy, treat-hoarding, beach-loving cuddle-bug, and the other a noisy, penguin-hating, table-climbing adventurer. They are complete opposites, but they are the perfect balance. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you have a “Grump” and a “Chaos” at home? Are they like chalk and cheese, or are they two of a kind? Let me know in the comments below!