Article by Anna on Monty & Poppy.
We fell in love with pugs when we met our boy, Monty, who we got from a puppy. He’s the love of our life and led us to meet so many other wonderful pugs and their owners. We’d always talked about getting a companion for Monty, even though he seemed perfectly content being an “only child”!
Monty is the gentlest and most kind-hearted pug, food is life for Monty, and he is most content curled up in the crook of an arm. As he was getting older and he slept more and played less, we thought it would be nice for him to have a full time snuggle buddy, and maybe even someone who could keep him young at heart.
We met someone at our local dog park who had rescued their pug from the PDWRA, so we Googled the charity and filled in the application form. We knew we wanted an older dog, to match Monty’s tolerance levels; he definitely would not have enjoyed living with a young dog!! He was 12 when we adopted Poppy, he’s now 13.
We were more than happy to take on an older dog and didn’t mind if there were health issues – every pug needs love and care. We went through the application process, and because it was during Covid, we had our home check via Zoom, walking our laptop around the house and into the garden!
We didn’t hear anything straight away, but a few months later, we got an email about a 7-year-old pug called Poppy, who was looking for her forever home. We spoke to the PDWRA about Poppy, who explained she had been surrendered, and her fosterer felt she needed a male dog to look to for guidance.
We exchanged messages with Poppy’s foster parents, who were absolutely wonderful, and arranged a time to meet and introduce Monty.
When we first laid eyes on Poppy, it was love at first sight. She was the sweetest little thing, with huge, bulgy eyes and a worried look on her face (standard pug really!).
We went for a nice country walk, and Poppy followed Monty everywhere he went. It was adorable. We chatted to her foster parents, who explained that it seemed Poppy hadn’t been walked at all, and when she arrived with them, she had muscle wastage in her back legs, and they had worked with her to build up her back legs. It broke my heart because Poppy LOVES walks, they are hands down her favourite thing (she loves them even more than food!).
As Poppy and Monty got on so well, we quickly made the decision to adopt Poppy.
Monty had SERIOUS only child syndrome when she first arrived. He loved playing with her, but equally enjoyed sulking because he wasn’t getting ALL the attention. Poppy, in typical younger sibling style, followed Monty everywhere and copied everything he did.
It did take Monty some time, a few months maybe, to fully embrace his new sibling, but now they are true siblings. They spend their days snuggling together, sharing their favourite chew bone, and living the luxury life only a pug can. Poppy enjoys a morning belly rub to wake her up and get her out of bed, and established her favourite foot stool. Monty and Poppy trick us into thinking they haven’t had their dinner, and tag team licking the dishwasher when we’re loading it. Poppy chases shadows and barks at the pigeons, while Monty watches on with a long-suffering look. Monty lost his hearing a few months ago, and Poppy is now his ears. He knows when something is going on when Poppy moves or responds.
Poppy copies everything Monty does, as well as pushing his buttons in the way only a sibling can!
We always wonder what really happened to Poppy before she came to us, but what we do know is that all Poppy wants is to be loved, which is definitely something we give her in unconditional bucket loads.
I think for anyone looking to adopt, it’s important to remember things can take time, especially if you’re introducing a new dog to your resident dog. I found myself feeling guilty at first, when Monty looked at me with a “why have you brought this new creature into the house permanently?!” look, but with time, love and patience, anything is possible.
Monty and Poppy are now bonded, and I can’t imagine life without Poppy as part of our family!
Anna & Stuart with Monty & Poppy
My other advice is to trust the PDWRA and the fosterers, they know pugs so well, and know exactly what is best for them. They are true heroes!
By Anna.
If you could provide a forever home by adopting a pug in need, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you would like to help a pug along its journey by fostering, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
