by Yasmin | 17 Jan, 2025 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Alison and John have rehomed 3 pugs including PDWRA adoptee Winston, who joined the family a year ago. Apparently, Winston thinks he’s the boss but really he’s at the bottom of the pack, being a sort of joker!
While not initially looking for another pug, they came across Winston’s story of being quite a feisty pug who wasn’t easily finding a new home so decided to apply for him!
Alison believes that they were chosen by fate! They definitely had the space, support and big hearts to train him and give him the restart to life he needed and knew that he could learn how to be a proper dog in their family and be lead by his new brothers.
Here’s Alison’s interview:
My husband John and I are the parents of Winston, we have rehomed 3 pugs Winston being a PDWRA adoption and we also have Marley & Bruno. I think a suitable title for the story would be Winston and the Barkers. He thinks he’s the boss but really he’s the bottom of the pack being a sort of joker.
- How did you first hear about the PDWRA?
10 years ago we bumped into a member of PDWRA walking their pugs and John has known her from a young age living in the same village, of course we spoke about her grumble and the PDWRA. This led us onto following the socials, reading about the stories and the great network of caring volunteers for the pugs in need out there.
- How did you come to make the decision to adopt through the PDWRA?
Only by chance to be honest as well as already being followers of the PDWRA on Instagram and Facebook. We fully noted how much love and support was in this organisation and we trusted them. We are very caring for dogs, to have space in our lives and support from our parents who love dogs too.
We are also very fortunate that we can bring our pugs with us to work and everyone cares dearly for them. The very start of our love for pugs was when we had our dear George who sadly passed away with cancer aged 6, with the knowledge of his health declining we rehomed Marley. When the time came and George left us we had a very sad Marley and it was too hard to bear therefore we rehomed Bruno for company.
Without knowing, John’s sister was talking to her neighbour (the member of PDWRA) and they came on to the subject of Winston who needed a home and had not been successful in his adoption so far. Being a feisty puppy, he needed a suitable forever home and I believe we had been chosen by fate! We definitely had the space, support and big hearts to train him and give him the restart to life. Winston needed to learn how to be a proper dog and be lead by his brothers.
-
- What made you decide to adopt?
We weren’t initially looking to take on another but hearing his story and knowing he needed to be shown the ropes, we knew we could take him on. We really feel the family that originally owned him thought he’d be a sweet, cute little puppy but he’s quite the opposite! We have a suitable home with a big garden, and we can give them human presence 24/7 taking our pugs to work where they can run in the yard, snooze in the office, or get fussed by the team. Winston is similar age to Bruno so they hit it off straight away playing and snuggling.
- Can you tell us a little bit about Winston?
So funny, cleaver and very naughty, always up to some sort of mischief. Picked up basic commands within a few months of adoption following his brothers settling in easily. He will pull all the stuffing out of the bed, run off with crocs, steals pencils, chewing them to pieces, barks at anything with 4 legs, always wants what the other two have, extremely noisy with tug of war and will play fight all the time. When it’s time for bed he is very sweet though being very cuddly and super soft and first thing in the morning he dances about in joy patting you off the end of the bed in flirty manner. He did have a fear of bridges on walks so much so he would avoid them and go the other way but recent times has succeeded this fear.
- How did you find the adoption process?
Relatively straight forward. We followed the process and answered all the question etc. It helped that we had been involved with dogs our wholes lives and understood the importance of giving them a safe & secure forever home.We also had a huge experience with the sad decline of George and he also very nearly had an ulcer on his eye through a scratch but with intensive round the clock care we managed to save his eye, so have learnt how to be better prepared in the future if needed
- Anything you think prospective adoptive or foster parents should know?
Be open minded and not all pugs are cuddly and calm. Our Marley and Bruno are very sweet but Winston is like a bull in a China shop. They are a grumble but they are extremely different characters.
Time – pugs are social and need constant company.There’s a fact out there that some dogs spend a huge part of their lives waiting for their owners to come home which is totally unfair, they only want to be in your company and only live about 12-16 summers so spend time with them. They love you unconditionally.
- What has life been like since adopting Winston?
Brings a lot of noise and personality. Not just him, also family, friends and co-workers laughing at him or telling him off. He has put his stamp on our hearts and we all love watching and playing with him. He can be completely crazy and then someone will pick him up and he with go dead calm, its uncanny.
We’re very grateful to have Winston and he’s living his best life!
Lots of Love,
The Barkers.
If you would like to adopt a pug like Winston, please go to:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
For more joyful stories like his, please see our rescue stories at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 8 Jan, 2025 | Blog, News, Pug Health
The Big Chill is definitely here! ❄️
We’ve been warned by the Met Office that it was coming; temperatures dropping, snow and icy conditions as well as storms and flooding!
Here are our regular tips and advice to help your pug brave the cold, safely, to remain happy during the wet & cold months, ensuring it remains a fun and enjoyable time with your best friend!
– Beware of salt on roads & paths which can burn their paw pads.
Check once home and rinse them if necessary.
– If it snows, ice and snow can stick to the fur between their pads and build up. This will be uncomfortable for your dog and increases their risk of frostbite.
If they raise their paws, stop walking or whine it could be a sign that their paws are too cold.
– When cold, a dog’s body will limit blood flow to their extremities (paws, tail, ears etc.), in order to keep their vital organs functioning safely. This can put their extremities at risk of being damaged by the cold.
– If you’re spending time outdoors, it’s a good idea to get a coat for them. Ensure it fits well so that it doesn’t prevent them moving normally, either by being too tight or too loose.
– If your dog starts shivering, or appears very tired (lethargic), then get them home as soon as possible. If they continue to seem unwell, contact your vet immediately.
– Take care when using antifreeze. It tastes sweet so is tempting for dogs but can be lethal if ingested.
– Watch for dogs drinking out of puddles too as they may be tainted with antifreeze chemicals from spills or leaks.
– Also, beware of thin ice & frozen puddles.
Here are some Body-care tips:
– Additional to well-fitting warm outerwear, use paw protection if needed, this could be in the form of dog dry skin creams/ balms, or doggy booties.
– Inspect pug paws regularly to check for cracked pads, broken nails or snow/salt damage.
– Brush your pug’s coat regularly to distribute natural oils to the skin and prevent dry patches.
– If it’s windy, don’t forget to protect their eyes, by extra lubrication gels and especially if on a beach, where wind & sand can scratch them causing lasting damage without urgent treatment.
Please check this very useful guide to see if it’s wise to take your pugs out! :
If your pug shows signs of hypothermia, which includes, shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums and loss of consciousness or collapse, get your pet immediately out of the cold & contact your vet straight away.
Dry & warm them up gently, never intensely & too quickly as this can be dangerous.
For further information, please see:
Hypothermia in Pets – PDSA
Also,
Keep your dog safe during winter | The Kennel Club
And for our Seasonal Hazard webpage, please go to:
Seasonal Hazards for Pugs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Have fun while staying safe!
by Yasmin | 3 Jan, 2025 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
PDWRA Pug Adopter and Fundraiser, Shirley has her pencils ready again after a short break this Christmas, to provide her wonderful portraits of Your Favourite Furry-Friends!
Inspired, upon adopting Daphne from PDWRA, artist Shirley has been generously using her talent to donate funds directly to PDWRA. Over £2,000 last year!
Shirley’s Inspiration, Beloved Daphne!
If you would like to own a unique and personal portrait of any four-legged animal please don’t hesitate to place an order to Shirley’s growing list.
All you need to do is provide an accompanying photo. Each portrait costs £15 only, where Shirley donates £10 directly to PDWRA, and £5 covers post, packaging & materials.
Please do so from within our Facebook Mega Auction Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/242845766241493/permalink/1899302960595757
You can private message Shirley from there.
We can’t thank Shirley enough for her generosity, as well as the joy she has brought to all those who have ordered already.
Here are a few examples:
Thank you for your support!
Interview with Adopter & Fundraiser Shirley | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
Interview with Adopter & Fundraiser Shirley
by Yasmin | 31 Dec, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
It’s New Year’s Eve and this year we have a combination of the usual potential hazard of Fireworks to our pugs, plus a combination of storms or snow across the country.
The Met Office has weather warnings in place for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland between now and 2 January, even Edinburgh Hogmanay has been cancelled!
For some of you, it could be the first time you’ll be experiencing how fireworks affects a new pug in your home, so here are our regular tips for pug parents.
Sufficiently in advance, you may have considered:
• Desensitising your pets to noise: Playing fireworks noises quietly using sound CDs, while rewarding calm behaviour, can help them become accustomed to the noise. Play them in the run up to firework season, to help them see they need not be afraid.
• Anxiety relief products: A variety of anxiety relieving products contain pheromones, and can be an effective way to help your pet stay calm. Comforting jackets also are like a big hug! There are so many products around so do research them.
• Check that their microchip registration details are up-to-date.
Otherwise:
• Walk them before it’s dark or if the weather is bad, skip it once they’ve toileted, maybe just in the garden.
• Feed your dogs before fireworks are expected to begin, as they may be too stressed to eat.
• Make sure your house or garden is escape-proof, as they can bolt or go missing.
• Keep windows and curtains closed, the lights on and turn the TV on to play music to help drown out the noise.
• Create a safe, cosy place for your dog to settle before it gets dark. Dogs enjoy cosy dens.
• Keep them entertained to take their mind off the noise.
• Comfort and reassure them.
• Do not leave them alone at home or elsewhere unsupervised.
Further Advice & tips can be found at:
• https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/fireworks
&
• https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/keeping-pets-safe-in-stormy-weather?
Also,
• https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/seasonal-hazards-for-pugs/
by Yasmin | 17 Dec, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Pictured are Arlo & Nora with co-stars Gabby and Matt.
Location photos courtesy of History Hit.
PDWRA had a request from a film company, History Hit, for a pug to take part in a scene they were filming, so Arlo and Nora sprang to mind for Jackie, one of our VACs who had placed them for adoption earlier this year with Jayne, an artist who kindly fundraises for PDWRA through her greeting cards business.
Arlo and Nora were invited to spend a morning at Oxford’s Castle and Prison museum to take part in their filming.
Mike Loades, the film’s Director filled us in on some fascinating details:
“Bright and early on a chilly November morning, Jayne Cooper, the proud owner of pugs Nora and Arlo (and passionate supporter of PDWRA), turned up for some filming at Oxford’s Castle and Prison museum. It was an unusual assignment.
Oxford’s medieval Castle had been largely demolished during the English Civil Wars (1642 – 1651). What was left became a prison. This was extended and enlarged in the late 18th century, much of it remaining in its original condition. It is now a visitor attraction. What could two self-respecting pugs possibly be required to do in an old prison?
History Hit is a streaming channel (available online and via smart TVs) that specializes in history documentaries. Coming soon to the channel are two documentaries in a series about dogs in history – ‘Dogs of the Tudors’ and ‘Dogs in the Age of Revolutions’. It was for the ‘Dogs in the Age of Revolutions’ film that a pug was required.
During the Reign of Terror (1793/1794), which followed the French Revolution, Josephine Beauharnais (later to marry Napoleon) was imprisoned. It was usual for political prisoners to be allowed the company of their dogs –prison guards in such turbulent times were quite easy to bribe – but Josephine’s dog (a pug by the name of Fortune) was given the special privilege of being able to come and go at will. In fact he was able to carry secret messages to and from her children.
Naturally Jayne did not want either dog to wear a collar (they were used to harnesses) but she was happy for Nora to wear a blue ribbon, tied in a bow. Such a fashion accessory looked entirely in keeping for the period. It was also useful to incorporate a secret compartment in which a folded message could be stowed.
Historical performers Gabby Monet and Matthew Howarth played Josephine and her jailor, respectively. Gabby is a professional period seamstress and both she and Matthew had perfect period costumes. It was a very authentic looking setting.
Nora pipped Arlo in one final test to play the role of Fortune. Being slightly slimmer, she was able (just) to squeeze through the prison bars. Nora determined and brave scampering down the grim prison corridors before arriving at the bars to Josephine’s cell. Possibly with the encouragement of a hidden biscuit (we can’t give all the secrets away) Nora wriggled through the bars, like a slow-motion champagne cork popping, time and time again. You always have to do things over and over for filming, so that the cameraperson can get different angles.
There is no doubt that Nora was taken with gabby. They bonded quickly. Once Nora had shimmied through the bars, she twizzled and danced at Gabby’s feet with such excitement that she should be awarded a BAFTA. Dogs are such natural actors of course. Gabby scooped her up, cuddled and kissed her, and Nora looked back adoringly. It was beautiful and touching scene.
So – thank you Nora, and thank you PDWRA (you found her) you are a true action hero!
Do look out for the films being released on History Hit sometime in late January or early February.
Jayne reported back about their special day:
“What an adventure Arlo and Nora had!
We took the park and ride bus into Oxford – I wasn’t sure how they would get on with that, but they loved it! We were introduced to Drew from the film company who managed the days’ filming and the Pug’s co-stars Gabby and Matt at the Prison. The idea was to have a scene where a Pug visits Josephine (Napoleon’s wife) in Prison. Apparently she had a Pug who would visit with notes secreted on it.
They were keen to get the pug to slip through the prison bars – so that ruled Arlo out as he is a bit bigger.
However, Nora was perfect. She soon learnt that if she popped through she would get a treat, so she decided that she would do it whether it was asked of her or not! She is a little diva anyway so she was in her element!
They also filmed Arlo sitting in a chair and both Pugs running down a corridor. Everyone fell in love with them, and they were very pleased with how well behaved they were. What an adventure! I think it was a great experience for Arlo and Nora. They have come such a long way over the last 10 months.
I have attached some photographs capturing the details of that time, with the permission of History Hit, which I hope you enjoy!
Best wishes,
Jayne (proud Mum), Arlo & Nora”
Please also read more about Jayne’s fundraising at:
Fundraising & Events 2024 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
