We thought we’d like to share our story of our life with pugs and how we came to adopt our latest addition, Troy, from PDWRA.
Our first Pug was Archie, who came to us as a 12-week-old puppy nearly 16 years ago. A wonderful little chap, this fawn Pug stole our hearts. We first heard about PDWRA when we joined a local Pug group in Hampshire where we lived, who regularly met up in a country park with all their dogs. Archie enjoyed the meets but truth be told he was definitely there for the possible treats on offer, not the exercise! We also joined and followed PDWRA’s Facebook group.
Fast forward to December 2025, Archie was now 15 years old but suffering a variety of ailments, including a carcinoma tumour that had been steadily growing in size. Sadly, recognising that Archie’s time remaining with us was becoming much shorter and not wanting to become a Pug-less household, we submitted an adoption application for a Pug we had seen on the Facebook group. We were unsuccessful on that occasion, but it started the ball rolling; we completed application forms and got ourselves home-checked. We were very impressed with how thorough the adoption and home-check process was.
A few weeks later we were contacted by Catherine, a PDWRA coordinator. Two Pugs had come up, a boy aged 2 and a girl a few years older. It was thought they might be a bonded pair. We were in the process of trying to move home, Archie’s healthcare had become very time consuming and we also had our daughter’s Cockapoo as a temporary house guest at that time, so we thought that introducing two new Pugs into our home might be difficult. We reluctantly declined. A few days later we were contacted again. It was the fosterer’s opinion that the two Pugs were not, in fact, bonded. Troy arrived a few days later when his fosterer kindly drove him to our home. He had no possessions of his own; with some sadness his foster mum had said that this was the first time she had known that to happen. He had, though, been much loved by his previous owner.
Troy settled in very quickly, socialising well with Archie and the Cockapoo. He was intact when he first arrived and it was clear he was a ladies’ man – our son’s female Frenchie who often visited lived in fear of his romantic attentions! About a month later, with help from PDWRA, Troy was neutered. This did successfully calm down his romantic behaviour but fortunately did not change any other aspect of his lovely personality. He is now best friends with the Frenchie; they play constantly when together.
Troy is best described as a black Pug; however, he has fawn lower legs and a white stripe up the back of his tail – a bit like a skunk! Very handy for tracking him on dog walks in poor light. He is extremely affectionate; we would describe him as a ‘Velcro’ pug. He is a big kisser – his tongue is deadly!
When he arrived, we didn’t have much background information on him. His foster mum was able to tell us what she had learned about him, which was very helpful. We didn’t know whether he’d like to sleep on a dog bed, in a cage etc.
From the age of 2, Archie had slept on our bed – he had managed to scratch away paintwork on the doors of the house, so we eventually gave in to his demands to be on the human bed. Troy joined in more than willingly with the existing sleeping arrangements – the human bed is the only place for him at night-time. We also have two strategically placed dog beds in the kitchen and home office which he will settle on when his humans are busy in those rooms, but as soon as anyone is in the lounge, he will find his way on to the sofa or a chair – wherever the human is sitting!
During the 10 months Troy has been with us we honestly could not say anything negative about him. He fitted in straight away, as if he had always lived with us. Just don’t expect to go to the loo or any other room without him.
We moved to Cornwall from Hampshire in May this year, to be able to look after older members of our families. We now have a lovely country cottage home with a big secure garden that Troy likes exploring.
In August we lost Archie, he was 15 years and 8 months old. Troy misses him as do we. Although Archie couldn’t play much, his personality and TV watching addiction provided company and entertainment for Troy.
We have a large window in our sitting room and Troy takes his neighbourhood watch duties very seriously, boofing at people who may dare to walk past, although he’s not exactly a deterrent to any stranger that may come!
You may have guessed already that we are now once again in the process of applying to adopt pugs from PDWRA.
Thursday 15th October was that awesome day known as National Pug Day. Traditionally, it’s a day where we celebrate our beloved pug companions and everything Pug!
As with last year, we ran a special competition on our Facebook page asking people to share pictures of their lovely pugs. Last year we received around 2,500 beautiful images, which we thought was amazing. This year, however, we were overwhelmed to receive double that amount, with over 5,000 brilliant pictures!
As it was a competition, we needed to pick some winners, which was an almost impossible task as they were all so good. Originally, we said we’d pick ten, but we had to increase this to 12 as it was so hard to choose. The truth is that we could have chosen several hundred as winners, as the pictures were all so fantastic.
In the end, they are all winners though as every picture tells a story, and also highlights what wonderful lives the pugs in our community are living. It’s abundantly clear that everyone loves their pugs so much and it really warms our hearts to see that.
Below are the 12 lucky winners that we’ve chosen, each will receive a selection of gifts from the charity. For those that didn’t make the 12, we’ll be showcasing more of the entries on our Social Media platforms over the coming months, as they all deserve to be seen. We can’t wait to share them with you!
If you’d like to follow us on Facebook and have the chance to enter more of our competitions, just click the link to head over to our page! Facebook/PDWRA
If you’d like to follow us on Instagram to see more of our brilliant entries, just click below… Instagram/PDWRA
‘Hello, I’m Daisy and I’m looking for my very own human(s) who will love and cuddle me. 💖
I think I am about 3 to 4 years old, but I am not sure. I really hope my human will give me a ‘gotcha date’ so I can have a birthday and be spoiled and get new toys like other puggies do. 🎉
My foster mummy describes me as very sweet; I just want to please her. I love my tummy rubs and playing gentle rough and tumble, I can do great zoomies and I have a very waggy tail. I love to see people when I am out on a walk, and I have been told I am very good on a lead. I’m good with children. When I’m out on a walk, people say I am very pretty. 😍
I’m not food aggressive in fact I’m not too bothered about food, and you can take my bowl away with no problem. I’m used to cuddling up with a human at night and find it very hard not to have nighttime cuddles, I want to make sure my human doesn’t go away and leave me while I am asleep. My last human did not want to go away but she had to, and I was very loved.’ 🏡
Note from PDWRA
Daisy is a beautiful girl, sweet in nature and very loving with puppy like qualities and needs someone who can finish her training to learn commands. Daisy is now house trained but may have the odd accident. She’s done really well at toilet training in the short time she has been with her foster mummy but needs patience to continue what has been achieved.
Daisy loves her humans and wants to be with them all the time, including bedtime if she can, (she does snore!). Her separation anxiety is getting better, but needs more work and patience to help her with this and to learn that her human will come back to her and be happy to have nighttime snuggles!
Daisy will thrive being the only pug in the home and being in a family environment with or without children, but the person must have the time and commitment to help Daisy with her training needs.
Daisy will need to be spayed once she has had her season, this will be arranged and paid for by PDWRA.
For this reason, and to ensure that Daisy finds her forever home with a family that has patience and commitment to help her with her separation anxiety, we’re offering Daisy on FOSTER TO ADOPT placement.
Whilst in foster care Daisy will remain in the ownership of the PDWRA, and we will make decisions regarding health and well-being – so it is stressed that there are certain responsibilities and commitments which the adopter will be required to adhere to.
The full extent of these can be discussed with any interested applicants.
Please note that the potential adopter will be required to sign a Foster Agreement form and take note of the Guidance Information on fostering for PDWRA. Full support is provided for all stages of the fostering period by PDWRA Area Coordinator Raffi.
We’ve been told it’s time for us to introduce ourselves because apparently humans are better at finding homes than dogs are. We’re not convinced, but here goes…
I’m Louis, a handsome 10-year-old black Pug, and this is my best friend Bean, an 8-year-old apricot Jug (Jack Russell Terrier x Pug). 💖💖
We’re a very bonded pair and we’re looking for a home together. We’ve been told this is non-negotiable. We’re also told that being incredibly cute doesn’t count as a qualification, which frankly seems unfair. 🏡
We both LOVE children and we’re very happy around other dogs. We’re neutered and, health-wise, we’re doing well. 👩❤️👨
We’re both big fans of attention, cuddles, being stroked and generally being as close to our humans as possible. Bean is the fun one and loves playing with toys and balls. I prefer a slightly more sophisticated lifestyle involving plenty of naps.
We’re also brilliant on walks. We don’t bother about other dogs and are happy just pottering along together.
We’re almost fully house trained too. We’re clean during the day, although we occasionally have a little accident overnight. Bean wears a belly band at night, which does the job nicely and stops him having any embarrassing incidents.
Now, apparently, we need to talk about our waistlines… 🏋️♀️
We’ve been enjoying life a little too much and are currently carrying some extra weight. We’re already on a diet and, as we’re getting older, our new family will need to continue helping us gradually lose the extra pounds through sensible food and regular exercise. Apparently being a chunky boy is not considered a long-term health plan. Rude, but fair. 😯
We’ve both recently had dental treatment and are recovering really well.
I also had a lump removed from my back. Luckily, it was benign and I don’t need any further treatment. I currently have a little shaved patch where it was removed, but we’re assured my magnificent coat will grow back.
So, what are we looking for?
A loving home where we can stay together, enjoy our walks, have lots of cuddles, play, snooze and generally carry on doing what we do best: being best friends.
We promise to bring plenty of love, laughs and companionship. ❤️ ❤️
We just need someone who understands that where one of us goes, the other follows.
Love, Bean & Louis
xxx
If you’d like more information about Bean & Louis, you can message Jo or Rob –
If you’d like to apply to adopt Bean & Louis, click the button below:
The PDWRA is inviting expressions of interest from thoughtful, committed people who would like to join our Board of Trustees. This is an opportunity to contribute your experience, judgement and enthusiasm to a long-established volunteer-led charity, helping us remain resilient and continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming pugs across England and Wales.
Your perspective could help the PDWRA make sound decisions, support its volunteers and deliver lasting impact for pugs in need
What the Trustee Role Involves
Helping to set the PDWRA’s strategic direction and priorities.
Providing constructive oversight of the charity’s activities, resources and risks.
Supporting good governance, accountability and responsible decision-making.
Acting as an ambassador for the PDWRA’s mission and values.
Working collaboratively with fellow trustees and the wider volunteer team.
Preparing for and participating actively in Board meetings and agreed project work.
Who We Would Like to Hear From
You do not need to be a pug owner, or to have served as a trustee before. We welcome people who share our commitment to animal welfare and can bring sound judgement, integrity, curiosity and a collaborative approach. Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly useful:
Charity governance, legal, compliance or risk.
Finance, accountancy, fundraising or income generation.
Volunteer leadership, people development or organisational change.
Marketing, communications, digital engagement or public relations.
Animal welfare, veterinary practice, safeguarding or service delivery.
Strategy, partnerships, technology or data.
We value different perspectives and welcome expressions of interest from people whose skills, experience or lived experience can strengthen the Board and the communities the PDWRA serves.
What You Will Gain
A meaningful opportunity to improve outcomes for pugs in need.
The chance to help guide a respected, established charity through its next chapter.
Experience of strategic leadership and charity governance.
Collaboration with dedicated trustees and volunteers who freely give their time and talents.
Practical Commitment
Time commitment: Approx 4 – 6 hours per week, trustee meetings 1-2 per month
Meeting format: online via Teams/Google Meet
Term: Shadow remit until CIO established then a 3-year term of office
Expenses: This is a voluntary role; there is an expenses policy available for information.
How to Express Your Interest
Please send a short expression of interest of no more than two pages, outlining:
Why you would like to become a PDWRA trustee.
The skills, knowledge and experience you would bring.
Any connection you have to the PDWRA’s work or animal welfare.
Your availability and any access requirements for the process.
Send to: Kay Greene,
Closing date: 15th November 2026
Informal conversation: Please contact Kay on the email above.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal conversation with members of the Board. Appointment will be subject to the charity’s agreed selection, eligibility and due-diligence checks. All candidates will be contacted after the process concludes.
