Now that Ezra has taken Olive the Pug and fled for greener pastures, you may have noticed Wm. Steven Humphrey lobbying for a new office pug — and, you know, that's fine! Pugs are good and lovely, if you like undersized asthmatic R.O.U.S.es (and I do!), but I think this pug election is really about change. Olive is gone, and she's never coming back (unless she does, in which case: welcome back, Olive!), and I think it's about time the Mercury got a new furry mascot.

You know.

A dog with life experience.

A dog that doesn't know when to back down.

A dog that has seen a lot.

And, friends, I believe Rudy is that dog.

I mean, look at him! He's described as being a "champion cuddler" (but not elitist!), "good with kitties, although (he) may chase them a little itty bit first" (tough on cat crime!), and "fixed, vaccinated, and microchipped" (not a public health hazard!).

So what do you say, Blogtown? Should we as an office adopt Rudy the One-Eyed Badass Chihuahua Mix?

* and I pose this question without having received any support or approval from the people who don't pay my salary here