“Oh Loki, not another one!” Sigyn said dejectedly. “Aw, come on Siggy! This one was hurt and left by her former owners!” Loki retorted as He held a small odd-looking dog in His arms. The dog was black with big brown eyes. Her face was pushed in, and her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth. She was a pudgy little thing with a curled tail and short legs. She snorted happily in the god’s arms. Loki held up the little dog at Sigyn “Aw, come on Siggy! How can You say no to a face like this! Look at her cute little nose!” Sigyn crossed Her arms and looked away with a small smile on Her lips. She directed Her gaze at Her sons playing with a group of similar looking dogs. Loki brought the little dog back to His chest and patted the dog’s head. She signed and uncrossed Her arms and turned back to Loki “I’d love to keep her…but we just don’t have any more room around here.” She smiled at the little dog and reached to pet the dog’s head. Loki looked disappointed “Angie said the same thing…” He said sadly. “Well, maybe one more won’t hurt I guess, but You need to find somewhere else to take them, we have so many pugs!” Loki looked back to Sigyn with a childlike smile on His face. He kissed His goddess on Her cheek “I knew You’d come around.” Loki sat the pug on the ground, and she took off toward the two boys and the other pugs. “Her name is Anna.” Loki said, Sigyn smiled “well she is cute.” Loki turned to leave and Sigyn took a hold of His wrist to stop Him “I mean it Loki, You need to find another place, a bigger one if You intend to bring more of them home.” She spoke. He sighed “I know, I know. But first I need to deliver a little payback.” He said darkly “what they did to that poor little girl was horrid. Time to get even.” Sigyn let go of Loki’s wrist and sighed “Ok, if You must. But remember what I said.” “Yep, promise, gotta go, love You.” He said quickly as He disappeared in a puff of colorful smoke. 

    As Loki finished up delivering some much-needed karma to Anna’s former owners He happened upon another little pug wandering the street. “Oh, you are an old one, aren’t ya?” He said to Himself. The pug was an old faun, its face all gray and walked slowly. It came trotting up to Loki trying to wag its stubby little tail. Loki knelt to pet the pug and the pug snorted happily as Loki scratched its ears. “So little one, what is your name?” A sound caught His attention, Loki heard sobbing not far from where He was. The little pug started walking in the direction of the sobbing and Loki followed. Not long after Loki and the pug came upon a family of a young man and an older woman, crying outside of a car. The young man in a wheelchair was holding something wrapped in a brown blanket and was sobbing mournfully. The older woman was doing her best to console him. “Winston! My Winston! Please wake up!” The young man’s cries were heartbreaking to Loki. He looked down at the old pug “so your name would be Winston then?” The pug tried to paw at his owner, but the crying man didn’t react. Winston tried barking but his barks fell on deaf ears. Loki walked over to the mourning man and stroked his head gently. The young man looked up only to see that there was no one there. “Come on, honey. Put Winston in the car and we’ll take him to Dr. Smith. We’ll have his ashes in no time dear. I promise.” The young man nodded as he laid the blanket in the back seat of the car. Loki picked up Winston and held him close, they watched as the woman helped the man into the car and then get in herself and drive off. Winston’s cries and whimpers made Loki tear up. The little pug wanted to be with his owner but was not able to anymore. Loki smiled sadly “Well little guy, you want to come home with me?” the pug looked up at Loki and tried to lick His face. “Heh, I’ll take that as a yes.” Loki and Winston vanished in a puff of colorful smoke. 

    Loki and Winston appeared in front of Angrboda’s home in the Ironwoods. “Ok, Winston, just act casual and let Me do the talking, ok.” Winston barked happily. Loki walked up to the door and before He could knock the door opened. Angrboda stood at the entrance with crossed arms and a stern look on Her face. “Hey, Angie. I see You are looking particularly beautiful today.” He said smoothly. “I see that pug hiding behind You. What did I say about bringing more here?” She said sternly. “Last one. I swear! Siggy already said I had to find another place. I just don’t know where.” Loki shrugged. Winston came trotting out from behind Loki and looked up at Angrboda with a hint of loneliness in his big brown eyes. Angrboda returned the look stone-faced. The pug continued to stare back. Loki found the staring contest amusing and chuckled. Finally, Angrboda’s face softened, and She sighed “oh fine! He can stay. But this is the last one!” Winston slowly but happily pranced passed Angrboda and into the house. “Well, come in. We have some things to discuss.” Angrboda went inside and Loki followed Her in.  

    Angrboda seated Herself in a chair next to the hearth and Loki flopped down cross-legged on the floor. He whistled and then braced Himself. What sounded like a hundred wolves running turned out to be a few dozen little pugs! Pugs of various sizes and shapes; colors ranging from faun, black and the occasional brindle and white. Some missing eyes or some had scars and patches of fur missing. Dozens of button-nosed pugs came galloping into the room where Loki and Angrboda sat. They swarmed Loki pushing Him to the ground licking and pawing at the Trickster. The cacophony of snorts, grunts, and happy yelps made Loki laugh; they even drew out laughter from the Mistress of the Ironwood. Loki finally managed to sit back up and move some of the pugs around. Winston sat nearby watching the mob and made a sad whimper. Loki looked to Winston and motioned with both His arms “come here, come here Winston. Come meet your new family!” Winston barked happily and went over to meet the other pugs. After the swarm of pugs calmed down Angrboda spoke “Loki…I do not have any more room here to care for more pugs.” Loki looked downcast as one of the pugs walked into His lap and made itself at home. She continued “You need to either stop bringing them or find somewhere larger to keep them.” As much as She hated to admit it Angrboda loved having the little pugs around and hated seeing Loki looking so depressed. “Well, what about Hel? Have You asked Her if She can take them? She has more than enough room. Which She should be receiving them anyhow.” Loki chuckled nervously “Well there is a teeny problem with that though.” Angrboda raised an eyebrow “I kinda talked Her into letting me take the pugs instead of Her getting them.” Angrboda rubbed Her forehead “I’m not even going to ask how You managed that.” A smile spread across Loki’s face, and He looked up to Angrboda and exclaimed “We can build a bigger place! A hall just for them! I’ll call it Pughalla!” Angrboda chuckled “Really? Pughalla? Do You really think that Old uptight Aesir will let You?” Loki moved the pug that was in His lap off and got up off the floor. “No worries, I’ll convince the Old Man to let us build it, no problem.” Angrboda chuckled again “As long as it does not turn into another fiasco like The Wall.” Loki stuck His tongue out at the giantess and mockingly said “it’s not gonna turn out like the wall.” Loki scooped up Winston “Come on Winston, how about you be the ambassador for all pug-kind?” Winston snorted happily and Loki kissed the pug on its head. “Well Angie, I’ve got a plan and now to see Ol’ Grimmy about it.” Angrboda walked Loki and his companion to the door and seen them off “Be careful and take care of Winston.” She said while waving. 

    Loki and Winston arrived in Asgard “let’s see, hopefully the Old Man is here, and didn’t decide to wander off again.” Loki said to Winston smiling. He turned His sight to the Great Hall “Let’s try there first.” Loki strode over to the Great Hall with little Winston in His arms. He got to the doors and could hear talking which He found odd. Valhalla is usually filled with the revelry of warriors, singing and music of the skalds but all He heard was some quiet talking. He opened the doors and found just who He was looking for; Odin and He was in the company of Thrud: Thor’s Valkyrie daughter. The two were talking quietly when Loki entered the hall. Loki made His way over to the Asgardians. Thrud gave Loki a scowl and He purred at Her like a cat, and She groaned in disgust. She bid farewell to the All-Father and left, marching past Loki and the pug. “Eh, so moody.” He said blowing a raspberry at the Valkyrie. Odin cleared His throat “What is it You want Loki?” Loki turned His attention to Odin. “Ah, my favorite King of Asgard. You’re looking quite…worried actually. What’s going on?” Loki asked looking at the empty hall. Odin stroked His long white beard and sighed “it seems that Heidrun has gone missing.” “So that’s why the hall is so empty?” Loki asked. Odin put His arms behind His back “I have the warriors and Valkyries out looking for her. Now what is it You want Loki.” Odin asked with a hint of annoyance in His voice. Odin turned and walked to His seat and sat down. “Ah, well I was coming with the intent of sharing something fantastic with You.” Odin looked unamused; then His eye was drawn to the animal that Loki was holding. “What is that?” Odin questioned. Loki looked down and a happy Winston. “Oh, this is Winston.” Loki said holding the pug up to the All-Father. “Winston?” “Yes! He’s a called a pug.” Loki said excitedly. “Hmm, Your new pet, I am guessing.” Odin said. “Odd little creature.” He added. Loki put Winston down and the pug hopped up one step to Odin’s feet and sat there looking up at Him. Odin looked down at the dog curiously, observing the features of the dog. Loki crossed His arms and had a smile on His face “Come on Winston, win Him over! Use that charm!” Odin turned His eye back to Loki “You want to construct a new hall for these little creatures?” Odin said sternly. “Were You spying on Me again?” Loki said annoyed. “Anything You bring here will be nothing but trouble, the answer is no.” Loki’s mood soured “Oh come on! You let Freja keep all those cats!” Loki said angrily. “Freja does not bring chaos to Asgard. Need I remind You of the llama incident?”  Loki crossed His arms and pouted “Oh, please. Sven was already missing those fingers and besides they grew back, he’s just a whiner.” Loki retorted. Odin rubbed His temples “Loki it ate Thor’s mushrooms and began to wreak havoc across Asgard! It took all the Valkyries, Tyr, and most of the warriors to rein it in!” Loki shrugged “Well she was hungry. Thor should have put them up.” Odin pounded a fist on the arm of His throne “My answer is still no!” 

    Winston pawed at the grumpy ruler and whined. Odin looked down at the face of the pug. His big brown eyes staring back at the divine ruler. “What is it little one?” Odin asked. Winston tried as he could to hop into All-Father’s lap but was struggling. Odin felt a tinge of guilt watching the old little pug trying to jump. Odin leaned down and brought the pug into His lap. Winston snorted happily in the god’s lap. Odin observed Winston’s face. He noted how gray his face was, how wizened his eyes seem to look. Odin stroked His beard “You are an odd little beast. Your eyes are big, and your nose is pushed in. Your tail curled.” Odin patted Winston’s head. “Loki, what is this animal’s name?” Loki grumbled out “Winston.” Odin chuckled “Winston.” Winston sat tall and proudly in Odin’s lap and snorted; this elicited a chuckle from The High One. “Hmm he is quite the charming beast I must admit.” He took Winston off His lap and sat him down. Winston seemed disappointed at this and whimpered sadly and walked back to Loki and Loki still pouting knelt to pet Winston. Odin’s two wolves entered the hall and made their way to their Master’s side. “Ah, Geri, Freki, you’ve finally returned.” He said patting Freki’s head. The wolves sat at Odin’s side, they had seen both Loki and Winston and snarled. Winston not wanting to be bullied barked back. As he barked, he also bounced and was not willing to back down. Loki worried that the wolves might attack, scooped Winston up in His arms, but the little pug still barked. Odin laughed heartily “That Winston has the soul a wolf! Enough Geri, Freki.” He commanded the wolves to cease, and they obeyed. Loki put Winston down and he proudly trotted over to Odin’s feet. Odin leaned down and scooped up Winston and put him in His lap. “Well, Winston, would you like to stay with Me here in Valhall?” Winston barked and yelped happily, wagging his curly tail. Odin chuckled. “Loki, I’ve decided to change My mind.” Loki looked up in surprise at a smiling Odin. “What was that?” Loki asked. “You may build Your hall! If all pugs are like Winston here, then…they are not so bad.” Loki jumped in excitement “Yes! I guess I don’t have to burn down Thor’s Hall after all!” Odin stopped and glared at Loki “what was that Loki?” Loki stopped and laughed nervously “Oh nothing, I gotta get going, lots to do! See ya later Grim, Winston!” and at that Loki disappeared in a puff of smoke. 

    Loki reappeared out front of His and Sigyn’s home. He rushed inside excited to tell Her the great news. As He stepped inside Loki was mobbed by a herd of happy pugs, snorts, and happy grunts greeted the elated god of mischief. The pugs brought a laughing Loki to His knees, He grabbed at whatever pug was closest and hugged it. The pug returned the affection with happy snorts and face licks. Sigyn came in from another room to find Loki on the floor laughing. Sigyn smiled and clapped at the pugs “Okay, come on, off, off, get off Loki.” The pugs dispersed and Loki was left laughing on the floor. He looked up at Sigyn with a huge grin on His face. He jumped to His feet and grabbed Sigyn by Her waist and dipped Her. “Loki! What is this about!?” She asked smiling and giggling. Loki kissed Her and brought Her back up. “You’ll never believe it! We’re gonna build a hall for the pugs!” Loki exclaimed. Sigyn hugged Loki “That’s wonderful! Angrboda told Me what Your plan was. I guess it worked.” He broke from Her and picked up a pug “Yes! We’re going to build Pughalla!” Loki danced with the pug in His arms “Oh, it’ll be a grand hall! Fluffy beds! Lots of toys! All the snackies they could want!” He said gleefully. Sigyn smiled as She watched a joyful Loki dance around the room “Uh, Loki I also wanted to tell You something as well.” Loki stopped “Hopefully good news…right? It is good?” She giggled “Yes, Sif came by and wanted to take a pug with Her! She fell in love with one that had three legs.” Loki cocked His head to the side “Well did You give Her him? Sigyn clasped Her hands together “Well I did, I was hoping maybe if Thor liked him, it might help sway Lord Odin’s decision.” Loki put the pug down and went over to Sigyn and hugged Her tight “You are one amazing goddess.” She smiled “well it was that or Angrboda was going to set fire to Thor’s Hall.” Loki snickered and whispered to Himself “Oh, Angie…You beautiful, clever, witch…You know me so well.” Sigyn crossed Her arms and rose and eyebrow “Please try not to destroy any more halls.” Loki stuck His tongue out at Her “Fine!” “We have so much work to do!” Loki exclaimed. 

    Several months later: “This is a grand hall! Fit for the mightiest of beasts!” Thor bellowed happily as He held a small brindle pug with three legs. “Indeed, it is. I love these little pugs they’re so cute and playful.” said Freyr as He knelt to pet a faun pug. Freja smiled kindly as She held a small white pug puppy in Her arms. Loki was inside inspecting the new building with Angrboda accompanying Him. “I have to say Arvid, you and your company do great work.” Loki said happily as He walked through the new enormous hall. “You know it.” Arvid said proudly. They stopped at a large pedestal at the end of the room. On top was a bronze statue of pug that resembled Winston. Loki looked up at the statue with big grin on His face. “Seven hundred and ninety rooms, each that can easily hold six hundred animals!” “Luxury cooking space, so that there is adequate room to prepare meals.” Arvid said explaining the details of the hall, he motioned for Loki and Angrboda to follow him. They stopped at a very large room outfitted with different play equipment and littered with toys “And as requested a “playroom” for the dogs.” Angrboda wrinkled Her brow “This is nice but what about the field I requested, the dogs need room to run outside too, you can’t just keep them cooped up inside all the time.” Arvid put his hands up “I’m getting to that, follow me.” Arvid led the couple to large double doors that were in the kitchen, he opened it and led them to a sprawling field filled with green grass, a plethora of shady trees and a shallow, clear as the sky lake with never ending fresh water. Angrboda put Her hands on Her hips “good, very good. And the barrier?” Arvid nodded “The All-Father Himself put up the barrier, so I’ll take that off Your bill.” Loki looked shocked “Odin made the barrier Himself?” Arvid nodded “yep, He just showed up, kicked the other shaman out and took over.” Arvid shrugged “I’m not gonna argue. Your dogs will be safe from any predators or stray weapons” Loki chuckled “the big old softy.” He said quietly to Himself. Arvid took out a paper from his bag and handed it to Loki. “One hundred pounds of silver and thirty pounds of gold! This is outrageous! How am I supposed to pay you?!” Loki slapped His forehead. “Wait why are you charging anyways?!” Arvid put his hands on his hips “well I had to get the materials from somewhere! Do you know how much I had to pay the dwarves to come here, at night I remind you to construct the statue and most of the kitchen!” “I was looking all over Asgard for people that have up-to-date knowledge on Midgard that are not in Hel!” Arvid exclaimed. “Need I remind You I died in nineteen ninety-six, I’ve been out of the loop, do You know what year it is on Midgard?! Two thousand twenty!” Arvid was fuming now. Loki threw His hands up in defeat “fine, fine, you made your point I’ll pay.” Loki said. Arvid nodded “good, I’ll be going now.” Loki watched as Arvid left the field. Loki looked around “This is perfect Angie! They’ll love this place!” Angrboda nodded “it is very nice. Well, I should be returning home now.” Loki pulled Angrboda in for a kiss She returned it and then parted. She vanished in a purple aura leaving behind black rose petals. Loki left the field and returned to the main part of the hall where He was greeted by the other gods and a swarm of pugs. The pugs knocked Loki to the floor and bombarded Him with licks. The god was overwhelmed and eventually succumbed to His slobbering fate and the other gods laughed at the loveable attack. Loki finally managed to sit up; Odin approached with Winston in His arms and observed the hall. “A fine hall for these little ones. Let it be known that all the dogs known as Pugs, will be brought here by Loki son of Laufey after they have passed. You, Loki are now ruler of this hall: Pughalla.” Odin declared Loki laughed and cheered “Yes! Pughalla!”