by PDWRA | 12 Aug, 2026 | Rescue Stories
We first heard about the PDWRA through the Aberdeen City and Shire Pug Facebook Group. We originally joined the group after spotting a post about them in the Evening Express (one of the local newspapers) and went along to a meetup with our first pug, Millie. The group held a fundraiser for the PDWRA, which was our very first introduction to the incredible work the charity does.
Since Millie had come to us as a rehome from a family friend, we knew we wanted to adopt rather than buy a puppy when the time came. After we lost Millie, the house felt far too quiet and we realised just how much we missed having a pug around! We wanted to offer a loving home to dogs who, through a change of circumstances and no fault of their own, could no longer stay in their previous homes. Knowing that bonded pairs can sometimes be harder to rehome, we decided we had the space and heart to wait for a pair who needed to stay together.
In January 2025, we got the news we’d been waiting for. The moment we met Frankie and Winnie, it was genuinely love at first sight!
They are absolutely crazy in the best possible way, they are so full of life, completely adorable, and such deeply loving little dogs. They also love each other so much, they are inseparable! And one will get jealous if the other gets the slightest bit more attention than the other! The adoption process itself was surprisingly straightforward once we found our match, making the whole experience smooth and reassuring.
If you’re thinking about fostering or adopting, our biggest piece of advice is simply to give your new furry friends plenty of time to settle in. You don’t always know what a pug has been through before coming into your care, so they might take a little longer to come out of their shell. In our case, Winnie took a bit longer than Frankie to build that trust with us. But with patience, they are both now completely calm, relaxed, and happy around everyone. Seeing that trust grow is the most rewarding part of the journey.
Life since adopting Frankie and Winnie has been wonderfully hectic in the best way possible. Going from an empty, quiet house to welcoming two little bonkers pugs means we now have double the trouble and we wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Thank you PDWRA,
Scott & Sam
by PDWRA | 12 Aug, 2026 | Rescue Stories
Day 1 – Our first impressions of Enzo were a mixture teddy bear and male lion. He was all head, ruff and shoulders with a narrow body small hips and of course a very curly tail. He was pleased to meet us and our own pug Bella. She gave him the once over, and having checked him out, a prod turned into a lick. A little nudge became a game and before long they were doing zoomies round the garden.
First thoughts – He is such a little dear, finding a home for him will be no problem. Sort out his neutering, get his vaccinations up to date. No problem, he’ll soon find his forever home. How wrong could I be!
We went for a walk, perfect. He even made Bella behave well on the lead. As I’m going along behind them, I notice his back left leg has a strange action, going round in a circle rather than straight forward. Made mental note must ask vet to check.
Back home, food and then garden. More play and I see he is on three legs. Games had to stop and he was on the lead.
Day 2 – The following day the vet investigated his leg and said his kneecap was moving side to side not staying in place. There are grades of instability, his was a 3 or 4 and required surgery. The vet sent a report to Dee who was able to get agreement for the charity to fund his operation. The following week we met Jamie the vet at the animal hospital. He confirmed the diagnosis, went through the options and explained what was to happen. As well as the knee surgery, Jamie agreed to carry out Enzo’s castration at the same time. Poor little dog, he was going to need lots of TLC after this lot.
We collected him at midday. He was a bit bewildered but was already using the leg which apparently is a good sign. We were given an A4 page of discharge instructions. Buster collar for 10 days or until the wounds have healed. Painkiller for 14 days. Rest and confine, ideally in crate or failing that small room with no furniture. No jumping or climbing, 4-5 short toilet breaks on a lead. After 2 weeks 10-minute lead walks, after 4 weeks 20-minute lead walks.
We also had post-surgery re-habilitation exercises. Gentle massage – much enjoyed because the harness came off for a while. Cold compressing to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. He was not sure about this cold ice wrap, quizzical look? For the most part just lay back and closed his eyes.
The night after surgery, the crate was interesting. I do have one photo of him sitting in his crate – I think he was probably still under the influence of the anaesthetic at the time. Later that night he would not settle in the crate – I think the buster collar was the final insult. He became very distressed. Back on the lead, I spent the night in the chair with him in a bed beside me. In the next days we did some crate training. The Lickimat was useful, kept him occupied and happy to be in the crate. With more time we could probably have got him used to the crate, but we didn’t have time, we had to deal with the immediate situation.
Room with no furniture, kitchen was the answer. We took it in turns. Ross would sit with them and read the newspaper, I would settle down to do my sewing and thus we camped in the kitchen. At least here he could be off the lead although he still wore his harness – something to grab if necessary.
Night times were a problem. I made myself a bed on the settee and slept there for 3 or 4 days. Ross and I were both getting tired and needed a better night’s rest. So, we all slept on the bed, Enzo in the middle wearing his harness. Lead attached with our arm through the handle, so we’d know if he moved. We got quite expert at leaving poo bags and keys strategically placed so we could make speedy exit into the garden “one armed” with Enzo under the other arm.
The 6 weeks stretched before us, but we broke it down into chunks. First target 10 day wound check. All fine, no longer needed Buster collar – hooray.
Day 14 – Start ten-minute walks. Enzo gets very excited before a walk and becomes very noisy – I’m sure the neighbours wondered what on earth was going on. These first walks were very slow walks, making sure he’s putting his weight evenly on both back legs.
We tackled the next two weeks a day at a time. It’s amazing how creative you can be working one handed with a dog on the lead in the other hand. Some tasks were impossible so were abandoned. (Catch up on the housework later.)
Day 28 – Extend to twenty-minute walks – more to explore. The weather didn’t help us here with temperatures of 30+ during the day. Quite enjoyed our 5am walks, good excuse to curl up on the settee in the afternoon for a nap.
For the last week of Enzo’s convalescence (week 6), we were on holiday. Dee arranged for Sharon to look after Enzo for 6 days. She did a wonderful job looking after him as well as her own pugs. He came back to us full of fun and vigour ready to go back to the vet for his re-check.
We are now on day 42, 6 weeks exactly from his operation. We took Enzo back to Jamie for his post operation check. X-rays showed that all was in place and had healed well. All that’s left is to get Enzo to use the leg so that the muscles can develop.
Back home, Enzo is off the lead, we are in the garden. He looks bewildered, not sure what to do. No harness, no lead, can he really just go where he wants? Well yes and no, I have got a long training lead on him just to prevent an attack of the zoomies with Bella.
We have exercises – sit,stand,sit,stand,sit,stand,sit. He’s become quite adept at doing this, we just have to make sure his back left leg is kept tucked under when he sits.
Holding him in standing position rocking him forward and back to flex his muscles.
Up and down the stairs with one hand on his collar to make sure he’s using all four legs and not the easier (more familiar) three-legged option.
Thirty-minute walks, weather dependent.
Sort out vaccinations and he’s ready for his for ever home. He is quite a character and will bring much joy and laughter to some lucky pug home. He will need to carry on with exercises to build up his strength.
We wish him all the best,
Hilary, Ross & Bella
by PDWRA | 12 Aug, 2026 | Rescue Stories
We lost our two Cavalier spaniels in 2015 and were absolutely devastated, so much so that we said we would never have another dog. In 2020, just before lockdown, our daughter and family welcomed their pug puppy into their home. Once we met her, we were smitten and realised we really needed another dog in our lives. As it was lockdown, all adoption sites were paused, but we had already decided that a pug was for us. As soon as adoptions reopened, we registered and were accepted. We didn’t want a puppy but thought one about 5 would be best. Very quickly, we had a call to say that there was a dog available, but he was nearly 8. It only took a few minutes for us to reach the decision to say yes!
Bobby came into our lives in June 2022, a few days before his 8th birthday. He had had a troubled past and when he arrived, he was very quiet. That changed once he realised he was staying. He loved walks and went everywhere with us. We soon discovered that he hated vets and would try to bite them, very embarrassing!
In the last 18 months, he has become much less mobile, though he is not in pain and very happy. Walks are very slow and short and he can’t jump onto our laps any more. He makes it very plain when he wants to come up as he stares at us and cries until he gets his own way. We intend to give him the best, most comfortable life in his senior years. He has brought so much joy, fun and fulfilment into our lives and we can’t thank PDWRA enough for giving us this opportunity. The adoption process was simple and we are so glad that we said yes to an older dog.
Beth xxx
by PDWRA | 12 Aug, 2026 | Rescue Stories
When we first decided to get a dog, we discussed a few different breeds and should we get a puppy etc. Initially, my partner Antony wanted an English Bulldog, and he wanted to call it Wu Tang. We decided to speak to my Uncle Robin, who works closely with the PDWRA and spends a lot of time with 2 pugs (one of them a rescue) that we also love dearly, Lilly and Bee. So, we started the adoption process, and a few months later we got the call about Oreo. Oreo was described as a lovely dog, whose owner got too ill to care for her, 5 years old and currently in foster care with the amazing Jackie. We saw her photo and immediately agreed, next question…when could we get her?!
We made plans to meet Jackie that very weekend and we decided to call Oreo ‘Wu Tang’. This quickly changed, as it was immediately apparent, we were calling her The Pig, as she communicates solely through honking and pig noises – happy, annoyed, excited all honking pig noises. So, she quickly became Pig and worked her way very quickly into our hearts.
Pig is my first dog as I have always had cats. Antony has always had dogs and he warned me it’s a big change as she will need training and it won’t be easy – but as it turned out, he was wrong about The Pig. Pig came a fully formed Angel, and we bonded from day 1. Immediately she came everywhere with me and it was like she popped into our lives at the perfect time and was the perfect fit. She became a part of our family instantly, she could go anywhere, loves everyone and has no reaction (or really even acknowledgement) of other dogs and animals – she lives on planet Pig!
Pig has had some health issues with her skin and her ears, but we put her on natural food and all those seemed to melt away. She has become my whole world and my best friend and life is filled with cuddles, snuggles and I sing to her every day and replace all the lyrics with Pig so she knows the songs are for her. Pig is very tolerant of my songs and she lets me dance with her. 🙂
Over the past year we have moved with Pig to a cottage in the country and Pig so enjoys her new garden, and just up the road we have the woods and fields. We do music and take Pig with us to the local pubs where we perform and she is the biggest hit, everybody loves the Pig – she even gets shout-outs on the mic by the other musicians. She gets “Pig Sat” by our new friends while we perform and loves to watch Mum and Dad play. When we say “Pig go Pub?” her face lights up to go see everyone and get extra treats!
Pigs has 2 things she really dislikes; one is not being on a lap in the car – she hates being in the backseat in her seat belt and it’s the only time she gets very upset. Pig also doesn’t like when I have to go into to the London office two times a month. We are very blessed since we moved to the cottage as our neighbours on both sides are home to check on Pig multiple times a day when I go in, she gets lots of visits and is quite happy watching her Pig cartoons and YouTube.
Adopting Pig has been one of the best things I have ever done. The joy she brings to my life every day and how much she has enriched our lives is indescribable. I am grateful for her every day and couldn’t imagine life without her. She has been such a blessing, and I am definitely a pug convert for life. She’s not just a dog to me, she is family. Pig also has a PigTok where I share her daily adventures and our walks, she loves the camera.
If you are thinking about getting a Pig of your own, I couldn’t recommend it more, she has brought only love and light into our house and brings joy to whoever she meets. Like I said, everybody loves The Pig!
by PDWRA | 12 Aug, 2026 | In Memoriam
We remember the day of 2nd March 2019 when volunteer Clare and Winnie waddled (Winnie not Clare) up from where she had parked to our front door. Winnie was on her way to us to foster until a new home was found for her.
Winnie walked with sass from that very second and nothing changed. Within no time at all myself and Steven had decided she wasn’t going anywhere, and on 11/03/2019 we had officially adopted her (Again, Winnie not Clare).
In just under a month Winnie had her first seizure with us and I can only describe it as horrendous, on a 10/10 scale. I thought we were going to lose her then and there. Luckily, we saw the vet who placed her on medication and over a short time the seizures went down in scale to eventually not having any at all.
From then on she ruled the roost and our other puggies, as well as Bruce the roughty-toughty English Bulldog. She took no messing and they all respected her and loved her, all snuggling up together.
In particular, she had a beautiful relationship with Olive Nelson. Winnie let her get away with murder and in turn Olive would snuggle up next to Winnie at most opportunities. As Winnie got older Olive would very much care for Winnie and it was lovely to see.
Sadly, over time, Winnie lost a lot of the use of her back legs but loved to be in her buggy, being pushed round the streets of Wickford like the Queen she was. Winnie loved to play ‘boo’ with her dad and gave us so many giggles.
We will miss the way she would ‘mug’ us for any piece of fruit we had and when she discovered Stroop Waffles there was no stopping her wanting a bite.
Sadly, on 30th June this year aged 13 and 5 months, we had to say our goodbyes. Her final day was spent with lots of cuddles, a lovely walk in her buggy with her brothers and sisters and a Biscoff ice cream.
The vets at Wylies in Upminster, Essex did us proud. Her passing was in their lovely private garden, in my arms with all her family around her, as well as Clare, who was there at the beginning of her life with us and on her final day.
Winnie is now back with us where she belongs. Thank you to the PDWRA for allowing us the privilege of having Winnie in our lives. She was one in a million and we loved her very much.
Sally, Steve, Bruce, Hugo, Maggie, Olive and Barry
