Bug's Craft Corner

This is a special feature dedicated to the charity of a mother-daughter duo living in South Korea since July of 2018. They have dedicated their time to making beautiful pieces of art and helping local animal rescues. Their generosity has helped us rescue more pugs for two months in a row!

Today, we're talking with the star of the craft corner: McKayla. Otherwise known as Bug, she is a military child from Texas. She raised $360 for Pug Rescue Korea in December and went on to raise another $600 in February!

Tell us about your business— what do you offer, do you handcraft all your goods yourself?

I started doing this business because I love arts and crafts. I’ve been doing projects with my mom since I was little. I offer a variety of things. It changes often so I don’t get bored. I really like to do custom pieces so I don’t have to have a bunch of inventory. I make things like resin keychains, stickers, painted pieces, stuff using traditional Korean Hanji paper, etc. I try to make my own stuff like paints and glue. Since we don’t have a garage in Korea we can’t have a lot of tools so my family can’t make some things. I have to purchase the boxes and trays I work with.

How did you get started?

I wanted to start a business because my best friend in Texas started one. Her family is a lot like ours, they use some of the money they make to purchase dog toys, cat toys, treats, and food for the Killeen Animal Shelter. Leyendeckers Creations & More!

"We call her the cat whisperer" -Bug's Mom

What inspired you to give a portion of your sales to nonprofits?

I was inspired to do charitable stuff for animal rescues here in Korea because of my best friend Laeyanna and my mom. My mom has been doing animal rescue stuff since I was a baby.

What other groups have you supported?

Some of the rescues that we have helped are Nabiya Cat Shelter, EFL (Empathy For Life), Homeward Bound Osan, Grace Stables, Pug Rescue of Korea, and Rebel Rescue. I started raising money in July once I launched my business by making many different types of items to sell. Many of my things are no profit; 100% of the money is given to the charity I sponsor that month. I’m able to do this because my mom helps and supports me so much. Now my brother and dad are helping a little too.

What are your favorite crafts to make?

My favorite thing to do for crafting is to paint. I love painting so much. I paint often with my cat snuggling near me. It’s very calming.

Do you have any funny or interesting stories about crafting or your business that you can share?

Some funny things that have happened since I started my business involved slime. I gave my mom‘s rug a...haircut. That happened because my slime mix spilled all over it. It wouldn’t come off so I thought cutting it out my mom wouldn’t see it…She did.

Another time my mom smelled something really strange. It happened to be slime in a cup in my room that was not a good mix. Now I’m banned from making slime anywhere other than the kitchen counter!

Do you have any pets yourself?

Yes, I have pets! If you know me, you’ll already know I am a cat person. A major cat person! I love dogs too, but cats are life. I have 2 cats that are each 9 years old. We rescued them when they were a few weeks old. My mom bottle-fed them. We adopted a small dog here from a shelter my mom was helping at who is so cute and very spoiled. We are lucky to have found her. She is a good girl.

How did you learn of Pug Rescue of Korea & how did we get so lucky to be chosen by you twice to support!?

We found Pug Rescue of Korea because my mom reached out to Jessica and got it all set up. We were just starting out and looking for rescues that my mom liked on Facebook that we could help with. I wanted to work with your rescue more than once because you’re very nice to me, and I like how you wanted to tell me about the pugs and share pictures with me. Plus, they’re super cute!

Note: At the time of publishing in Korea 03/08/2022 -- it's Bug's 13th birthday! A very Happy Birthday to Bug's Craft Corner from the entire Pug Rescue Korea team !

Bug's generosity raised $960 for Pug Rescue Korea, allowing us to start the new year off with many new pug rescues. Support Bug here on Facebook or Instagram!

🌈 In Memoriam: Ziggy 2013 - 2021

We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Chris and Joshua on the loss of their beloved pug. On July 9, 2021, after a long battle with cancer (small cell lymphoma in the intestines), Ziggy passed away peacefully and joined Mr. Pnut over the rainbow bridge. Ziggy was adopted in 2014 and is survived by her humans Chris and Joshua, along with their three pugs Genova, Gizmo, and Hyesook (aka Pumpkin).

Gizmo in Korea

In Kim’s words:

“Ziggy was rescued in July 2013 at 2 years old. She was at the official stray shelter in southern province of Korea.

She is suspicious dumped by someone (owner? I am no sure). A lady who helped to get her out of the shelter said she expressed her anger when she was out from the shelter. Maybe she did not like the situation of the shelter :) At that time, I did not feel free to drive on highway, so I asked that lady to help.

The right that day she was rescued I got her. I was with her around a week in my room. She was bossy and playful.

During the weekend I visited my mom and she said, “leave her at my house.”

She was so loved by mom and dad.

Mom walked her every day and wanted to give her good experiences.

Having time at the park with flowers.

Many people said her 'how pretty!'

Yes she was so bossy at mom's house also.

In December 2013 she flew to the US and was adopted by Chris and Joshua in 2014.

Sending our thoughts and prayers. - Pug Rescue of Korea 🙏

📣 Introducing Kayla Stephenson, our new Projects Coordinator!

We are so excited that Kayla has joined the Pug Rescue of Korea team 🤩.

As a nonprofit rescue group with operations in two countries, we face different challenges than other groups-- such as the obstacles that come with shipping live animals across the globe.

Based in South Korea, Kayla will be assisting and spearheading various projects—a current one is establishing us as an official private organization with the US military to host events and fundraisers on post. She’s also handling tasks like shuttling our dogs to/from foster homes and the vet, corralling supplies, and fundraising.

Kayla brings balance and levity to our team as well as experience in managing databases, writing, and communications.

Reminder: All of us are volunteers. That means Pug Rescue of Korea pays out ZERO dollars in salaries, and your donations go to saving pugs 🤗.

Kayla also fosters for us—and was also a foster fail after adopting Bingy from us last year.

More on Kayla below, as well as our interview:

With a BA in English from Arcadia University, Kayla has worked in various fields, including Make a Wish, public libraries, and office administration. A fan of world travel, she is currently living in South Korea for several years and dedicating any free time to fostering, assisting, and writing for PRK. Kayla enjoys hikes with foster fail PRK alum Bingy, playing roller derby, and running too many D&D games. She has volunteered for animal rescues since she was 14 and loves having a house full of animals.

Where are you originally from?

We've both moved around most of our lives, but I'm from the Virginia Beach area, and my husband is West Virginia-born.

Galbi and Gimbop, August 2020

How did you get involved with Pug Rescue of Korea?

I saw a post from your previous foster coordinator, Mel Mort, on the local pages looking for fosterers. I think it was Galbi & Gimbap. After that, I looked into PRK and saw that you were an established non-profit with a wonderful history. By that, I mean I definitely creeped through pages and pages of pug pictures.

Being able to help animals in any small way is worth it for me.

What inspired you to want to foster?

I've worked with animal shelters since I was young. We knew we would be overseas here for a while, and I wanted to foster since I missed being around dogs like crazy (we'd both been in no-animal apartments for a while).

Ohmygah, gimme dat -- Bingy

Do you have any pets of your own?

Currently, our foster fail, Bingy. I've had a beagle, a corgi/Boston Terrier mix, and all manner of little creatures. We hadn't intended on keeping any permanently because of the shipping worries, but we couldn't give her up. And by that I mean my husband fell in love and bullied me for months 😉.

3.5-year-old Dozer

What dogs have you fostered for PRK?

Just Bingy and Dozer so far! We plan on continuing to foster until we leave for the States. Both because I love fostering -- and so Bingy doesn't get only child syndrome, haha!

Note: Dozer will be available for adoption in November after surgery to repair his luxating patellas. Props to Kayla for bringing down his weight so he can be ready for surgery!

What do you like about fostering?

Being able to help animals in any small way is worth it for me. The best part is a few weeks (or months) in when you can see their personality emerge. Most dogs will be on extreme ends of one mood (hyper, depressed, etc) when they first get rescued, and to see their "actual" personality emerge is amazing. Bingy didn't make a peep for months, and hearing the first bark when she was playing was so startling and hilarious!

Bingy was a puppy mill rescue.

The last two pictures are of her malnourished body nursing her pups in the mill

Tell us about any funny/fond foster experiences.

Bingy was spayed last summer, and we were warned to keep her as still as possible -- she probably wouldn't want to do anything anyway. The following day, she was trying to parkour up the stairs, off the couch, on the bed—mostly just bouncing her radar cone off everything. We had to turn the couch around to face the wall to keep her from jumping!

Dozer and Bingy

What would you tell someone who is considering being a foster parent?

If you're not sure about adopting a dog permanently or don't know what kind of dog is a good fit for you, I highly recommend fostering. Not only are you helping save a dog’s life, but you're able to test out how a dog might fit in your home. Just be prepared to be patient. Foster animals can go through wild mood swings, and even the most well-behaved dog can be highly stressed and act out at first. Patience, persistence, and a consistent schedule!

Anything else you'd like to share?

Even if you can't rescue or foster or donate, please spread awareness in your social circles of how important rescuing is. Even if you're not in a place to help personally, you can turn other people to volunteering or rescuing instead of purchasing dogs. Working as a volunteer for so long can make you lose faith, but there are just as many folks out there saving and loving these dogs!