by Yasmin | 27 May, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories
After losing her first pug a year and a half ago due to spinal issues, Lisa’s heart was broken.
A few months passed, and Lisa decided it was time for a new pug to enter her life. After doing some research Lisa discovered the PDWRA, not long after she saw ‘Reggie’s appeal and reached out to our volunteer Area-Coordinator, looking after his case, expressing her interest in adopting Reggie. Lisa’s application was a success and almost a year later it’s like Reggie, who is now 8, has been there since he was a puppy!
When Reggie first arrived, he didn’t even know how to play properly and would tear toys apart. He was cautious around other dogs, likely because he was attacked by a bigger dog in his previous home.
Reggie was also not used to being on furniture, having been kept in a cage overnight. So, with the help of Lisa’s love and patience, Reggie gradually learned to trust and enjoy his new life.
Now, Reggie is a gentle, happy soul who loves getting on the bed and sofa. He’s also become a local celebrity at Cafe Nero and around town. Lisa has done wonders to help Reggie feel safe, especially around other dogs, using treats from his daily food allowance, to reinforce positive behaviour in him.
Lisa feels incredibly supported by the charity and loves the sense of community among adopters and fosters. She says their lives have been so much nicer with Reggie in the house and wouldn’t change a thing. Lisa is grateful for the group and would definitely adopt another pug from the charity in the future.
Here’s to another celebration of “Happily Ever After!” with Lisa and Reggie finding each other in this way.
If you too would like to adopt a pug, please find out how to, at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
You can read other pug rescue stories here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 24 May, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
Would YOU like to own a UNIQUE drawing of any of your furry friends with a generous donation towards PDWRA pugs in Need?
For the £15 charge for each drawing, which includes post & packaging, Shirley generously donates £10 to PDWRA! Such beautiful bargains!
Talented artist Shirley, who adopted from us late last year has kept herself busy since January taking orders from our supporters.
So far this year Shirley has donated over * £1,060 * from the proceeds of her skill-full pencil drawings. She’s still going strong every week with a running total of over £200 for the month of May.
Coming to the end of her Order list, Shirley would welcome as many as she can handle to keep her busy after her early morning exercise each day with her pug Daphne!
We cannot thank Shirley enough! 👏 Recipients of drawings are so happy with their personal artwork of their beloved subjects, unsurprisingly!
To find out more about Shirley and her inspirational drawings, please read:
by Yasmin | 21 May, 2024 | Blog, News
Calling all pug lovers in Scotland and the North of England!
We are always in need of more adoptive & foster homes across the country as we are receiving an increasing number of pugs being surrendered for rehoming.
However, as we receive more applications from some regions over others, we are currently short in Scotland & the North of England to meet the needs of pugs in our care, which naturally vary considerably.
Our amazing volunteer transport network will take them safely to wherever they need to be, though it becomes more difficult when the best matched home when needed, is too far away for a realistic and comfortable journey for the pugs.
Their welfare is always paramount! 😊
So, whether you’re able to offer a loving forever home, add a companion to your grumble or have room for a bonded-pair where others haven’t, or offer the time & care to those with medical or special-needs, short or long-term, we welcome all!
Please read further details on our webpages and apply online here:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
or
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
or, for transporting, or maybe home-checking:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
Thank you!
by Yasmin | 14 May, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Meet 7 year-old siblings, Bruno and Pixie.
They have come to us following changes at home regarding working hours, making it difficult for them to be looked after as well as they had been, and deserve to be.
Both are neutered and are fully housetrained.
Bruno (fawn) is the more reticent of the pair, and can take a while to trust new people. He’s a sensitive soul, who likes attention once he becomes familiar with you.
He responds well to exercise, enjoying longer walks and gets very excited when allowed to run around on the beach or at the woods.
Bruno is particularly loving and also protective of his sibling Pixie.
Pixie (black) is a very tiny bundle of joy. No amount of fuss and attention is too much for her, and she gives little regard to personal space!
She’s also a little less interested than Bruno in walks and is sometimes reluctant.
Rehoming requirements:
We’re looking for their forever home together.
Bruno and Pixie have good tolerance for other dogs, and would probably prefer a home where they are the only dogs, although they should be ok to live with the right resident dog, a relaxed, sociable one.
They are compatible with cats and would suit a home with children of eight years and over.
This lovable pair are used to sleeping together in a dog bed downstairs.
If you feel you have the right home for them, please reference ‘Bruno 24071 and Pixie 24072’ on your adoption application form.
This can be found at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
Thank you!
by Yasmin | 11 May, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
The weather is warming up (at last!), and it’s surprising how soon it can affect our pug’s daily lives, long before summer officially arrives! So it’s a good idea to be prepared for it, replacing cool mats, purchasing cool jackets, changing schedules to supervise them or shifting walking or exercise times.
As a brachycephalic breed, pugs are particularly prone to heat sensitivity as they can’t cool down effectively when they pant due to the reduced space in their noses (narrower airways and shorter muzzle).
It has been found that up to three-quarters of heat-related illness in dogs seen by vets is caused by exercise in high temperatures, so please don’t take risks!
Also, if they are overweight, try to get them trimmer before it gets even warmer as they will struggle more, and likely exacerbate any other health issues they have.
Please see advice & tips on this at: FIT not FAT! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
So, here’s a reminder of our Top Tips to keeping our pugs cool in warm/hot weather enabling us to enjoy the good weather when we have it!
- Make sure your pug has constant access to fresh water – day and night.
- replenish water bowls often so that it is cool, and ice cubes can be added to help.
- frozen fruit is a good natural source too.
- paddling pools will help to cool them down and are fun too!
- Make sure your pug has consistent access to shade and cool surfaces.
- Remember to move sources of shade as the sun moves around gardens.
- Provide cooling jackets and shallow paddling pools to enable your pug to cool down, and remember that carpets do not help pugs cool down, so provide cooling mats to help your pug cool down indoors and swap them for a spare cool mat regularly to ensure they are cool.
- DO NOT rely on fans alone to cool your pugs down as they are not as effective on pets as they are on us.
- Plan your walks.
- Walk your pug in the early morning or late in the evening if the temperatures are cool enough and try to stick to shaded areas.
- If the mornings/evenings are still warm – DO NOT walk your pug!
Remember, no dog has ever died from missing a walk, but dogs die from being walked when it is too warm, particularly if overweight, elderly or very young.
- The Seven Second Test
- Tarmac can get very hot in the sun – hold your hand against the tarmac for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand DO NOT walk your pug as they could burn their paws.
- Avoid travelling with your dog in a car when it’s hot
- If a journey is absolutely necessary, make sure they are in the shade, have air flowing around them and can access drinking water.
- Cooling mats are useful also when travelling on warm days.
- Make regular stops to check on them.
NEVER leave your pug in a car on a hot day – even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, or even if you have left the windows open. Pugs can die in hot cars in minutes if conditions are against them!!!
HEATSTROKE
This is an extremely dangerous condition that can develop if a dog gets too hot. Normal body temperature tends to be between 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F), this can rise a bit if they are unwell with a fever.
If your dog’s body temperature goes above 40°C (104°F) they are at risk of heatstroke, which can cause seizures, organ damage, internal bleeding, coma and even death. Heatstroke is more dangerous the longer it lasts, so the quicker your dog is cooled down and treated by a vet, the better their chance of a full recovery.
It’s important to be aware of the SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE, which include:
- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Drooling
- Foaming at the mouth
- Bright red or very pale gums
- Bloody Diarrhoea
- Mild weakness/Lethargy
- Stupor
- Collapse & Seizures
- Vomiting, bloody also
- Drowsy and uncoordinated
If your pug experiences any of these symptoms, please seek the advice of your vet immediately.
Further information can be found at these useful sites:
Heatstroke in dogs – PDSA
Heatstroke in dogs | Dog health | The Kennel Club
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Pug Health & Wellbeing
