by Yasmin | 18 Aug, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Dolly was surrendered to us recently. At 10 years-old, her loving owners felt she wasn’t getting the best out of life, living with demanding younger dogs and wanted to do the best for her.
We found Dolly a dedicated foster carer in Tracey, who described her initial adjustment period; “Dolly slept and had no interest in anything around her for the first week, but towards the end of the second week she became really cheeky and lively as a little bit of naughty puglet was coming through!”. Dolly liked her bed being placed by the front door. It seemed to be a comfort thing for her. She liked to sleep there at night but during the day was happy to lounge on the sofa!
Dolly was included in the local dog group morning walks where she was spoilt for attention and it wasn’t long before she was galloping around the garden and doing zoomies was becoming the norm!
Meanwhile, Dolly’s excited adopters were found on the other side of the country. They already had a pug called Luigi who was to be her companion.
The next step for the PDWRA team was to approach our transportation group plotting her journey on a day that everyone could make. Tracey’s family were going to take Dolly to the first meeting point. Volunteers came forward for the later sections of the route but it still left a gap. So, although not living near that section, Ian stepped forward to complete the chain. Additionally, that weekend, the M25 was closed for Ian to reach Tracey’s meeting point easily so he built in diversions & extra time for it, then everyone was set for a mammoth day.
It was a gloriously sunny day for Dolly, who proved to be such a great, chilled traveller, it couldn’t have gone better. It’s often amusing too when our transporters are trying to find each other especially at large service stations or if occasionally, someone’s at the wrong location. What would we do without WhatsApp, keeping everyone connected!?
Each stop enabled Dolly to stretch her legs and have a comfort break, so Tracey’s family said their goodbye’s, handing over Dolly and all her worldly possessions, to Ian.
Conscious of all the others waiting to set off at estimated times for each handover to happen, Ian was soon on his way to meet Jackie, one of PDWRA’s VACs, who then took Dolly on to meet volunteer Nicky, who finally united Dolly with Adam, her new Dad, all completed by the early evening.
Adam with precious cargo’ Dolly!
Adam updated the group after he got her home, “She’s soooo happy but also she’s absolutely tuckered out! I put her bed by the front door and she was straight in it. š¤£
Then Luigi lay down next to her so I had to put his bed next to hers. š¤£Ā She so owns the house already. Luigi is besotted with her. It’s so lovely to see how she has immediately settled and looks so at home. They are going to make a lovely couple ššā¤
After a week, Adam says “Dolly is absolutely amazing and so happy, she comes to the office every day. She now sleeps in the bed with us which she really loves, and everybody absolutely loves her. We couldn’t be happier with her!
From day 2 she was just staring up the stairsĀ š I put the mattress on the floor and put her bed in the bedroom.Ā First night she was on and off the bed, and ever since she just plonks down next to me and sleeps all night. š„°
The pair are awesome together. They don’t cuddle up or play, but they get along as if they’ve always lived together. Dolly had some teeth removed as was planned, but you’d never know, she’s so content and chilled. She’s bonded with me though, and settled in so well.”
We’re all so happy to see Dolly thriving and really enjoying life with her new family. Here they are a month later having a family day-out:
This is precisely why we do what we do for pugs like Dolly and with thanks to all the volunteers involved on her journey, which also included VAC’s, Lisa who managed Dolly’s surrender and care up to her adoption by Adam, managed by Jane with support from Carol carrying out the home check. Amazing teamwork!
If you would like to provide a forever home by adopting, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you could care for a pug in readiness for their adoption, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
If you would like to volunteer to transport in your area, or perform home-checks for our precious pugs, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
by Yasmin | 15 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Written by Victoria.
I first heard about the PDWRA through looking online at Pug welfare groups after becoming obsessed with Pugs due to looking after my friendās Pug, Pugsley, for her when she went on holidays.
My fiancƩ had always had retired police dogs when he was a child growing up in the Czech Republic, so he thought (foolishly) Pugs were silly little dogs for silly little ladies!(me)
He became a huge fan after meeting and caring for Pugsley. He now has all the usual Pug fan paraphernalia we all have, such as mugs, flasks, socks, t shirts, pyjamas, etc, etcā¦.
I myself was an HM Customs and Excise (now called U.K. Border Force) drugs dog handler, trained by the RAF police and was also used to larger breeds, mostly gun dogs. I had a rescue mixed breed many years ago as a pet and also my retired German Shorthaired Pointer working dog came home and had a lovely long retirement before passing away of old age.Ā
I had recently lost my Mum under tragic circumstances,Ā and was caring, along with my fiancĆ© and other professionals, for my Stepfather who was in the early stages of dementia/Alzheimerās in his home. Iād been medically retired from the Border Force in my early 50ās due to developing Epilepsy and was feeling like my life wasnāt too great, to be honest. Seeing Pugsley used to cheer me up immensely and the affection he gave us was such a comfort.Ā
Iād been a member of the charity for a while and saw on the newsletter that they were looking for fosterers. I had a chat with my fiancĆ© and told him what I was thinking to doā¦ he rarely disagrees with me!Ā
I completed the forms and to my utter surprise I received a response very quickly, a home check was organised and after a whirlwind of activity to tidy the house a video chat and a check of the house was undertaken.Ā The home checker said everything was fine and that we might hear in time about a foster.
In a matter of maybe a day or so I was at home when I received a call from Helen, the PDWRA Vet Advisor, who was about to go on holiday asking if I could take a Pug who needed immediate placement! I said yes, texted my fiancĆ© and told him we would be getting a Pug that day!Ā
The forms were sent hastily while Helen was en-route to Heathrow and off we set in the fog and rain to collect Ted from a car park 40 miles from where we live. He was in bad shape, very overweight, quite smelly and stressed, as you can imagine. I sat with him in the car and I just knew instantly he wasnāt going anywhere! I was keeping him!Ā
He was grossly overweight, his pads were bleeding and his nails were curled over and digging into his pads. He couldnāt cock his legs or walk up and down our little staircase and he couldnāt walk far at all.Ā
He was on a very strict diet that Helen and our local vet advised and heās now a shadow of his former self, heās lost 3 kilos and can run and walk like a pup! He loves the beach and even walked Sycamore Gap just before someone felled the tree!Ā
Heās made a huge difference to my life, Iām more active myself, more confident to go out and walk him alone (my Epilepsy is well controlled now so Iām not scared to venture out just he and I) and heās helped to heal our hearts.Ā
Heās had 6 teeth out and handled it like a champ, heās travelled to the Czech Republic via ferry and road, where he made āfriendsā with a little Ukrainian Pomeranian in true ādoggy styleā (heās neutered obviously but it didnāt stop him from āacting outā) and his latest triumph is as a huge success at the care home my stepfather now resides at. He has a female fan club who sit in reception all day waiting to get a kiss from him and my fiancĆ© takes him into the lounge in the dementia wing, where he has another huge fan club waiting to say hello to him also.Ā
Some of the staff who work there were nervous at first because they are from countries that traditionally donāt have dogs as pets but heās managed to win them over too! The only fly in the ointment is his āfrenemyā also called Teddy who visits the care home daily tooā¦ they arenāt too keen on each otherā¦ I think itās a territorial thingā¦ To see the faces of the staff and particularly the residents light up when he arrives is pricelessā¦ one of his fans even sneaks treats into her handbag for him from breakfast, two day old sausage which often looks a bit āoffā, so we take her some healthy treats to put in her handbag to give Ted.Ā
I remember the day I got the call from Helen to ask, after a couple of weeks, if I would consider adopting Teddy, she even said āI think I know the answer before I askā and she was right, as I say, I knew the moment I saw him he wasnāt going to anyone else! The process was so easy and just felt right. He was family from the moment we collected him.Ā
Helen has been a Godsend, sheās certainly a force of nature!Ā I think people should know that there will be support should you need it, from the Charity, and that Pugs are unique and can be challenging and stubborn.
TV is quite a tricky situation in our house, no programmes with animals, people in uniforms, people of different ethnicities, adverts with singing on, etc. canāt be viewed without a launch and growl at the TV at great speed, despite trying every kind of training aid and methods possible!Ā
They are natures clowns, people pleasers and amazing pets that make life funā¦ our life can be sad and challenging at the moment but Teddy just makes it all better, easy to cope with. He charms everyone he meets, even managing to get to sit on the sofa in his Czech grandparentsā houseā¦ (lots of Czechs kennel their dogs outside but I donāt like it, my dogs live with me and sleep on my bed, which Teddy did on holiday in CZ!)
Iāve found that Pugs love exercise, can run really quickly when they are off lead and that really surprised me. Teddy is ten but he outruns lots of younger dogs, so they are not the lounge lizards people might think they are!
Teddyās favourite place to be is the beach, and living in Northumberland we are blessed with beautiful ones. My best days are spent with him and my fiancĆ© at the beach, seeing this once overweight, unfit little lad running in circles on the sand!
Victoria.
If you would like to adopt a pug into your life, like Victoria & many others, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 11 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Article by Helen McKee (MRCVS), PDWRA Vet Advisor:
Pugs can be prone to both these conditions (which are linked), and especially if they are overweight.
Interdigital cysts (also known as follicular cysts or furuncles) are inflamed bumps or nodules located between the toes (interdigital area). These painful cysts can rupture and leak clear or blood-tinged fluid. If the cyst becomes infected, it will leak cream-coloured fluid.
Many factors contribute to the development of interdigital cysts, making them frustrating to manage.
How do interdigital cysts develop?
Interdigital cysts develop as a reaction to inflamed hair follicles between the toes. The inflamed hair follicles rupture into the surrounding tissue, creating more inflammation and swollen ācystsā that can open (ulcerate) and drain. This process is irritating and itchy, causing the dog to lick or chew at the area, which further traumatises the hair follicles, continues the cycle of inflammation, and potentially introduces infection. If not treated quickly, cellulitis and scarring may occur.
What causes interdigital cysts?
Allergy-induced paw inflammation is the most common cause of interdigital cysts. Allergic dogs often have itchiness and recurrent skin infections in other areas, such as their ears. Allergy triggers can include pollen, mites, fleas, and dietary proteins.
Other factors that increase the risk of your dog developing interdigital cysts (especially between the outside two toes) are mechanical in origin. An abnormal amount of friction in the interdigital space can cause inflammation of the hair follicles. This is more likely to occur for obese dogs who put excessive pressure on their paws or pugs that have abnormal leg conformation which alters the weight distribution on their pads as discussed below (under False Pads).
What are the signs of interdigital cysts?
If your dog has interdigital cysts, you will see raised red bumps between your dogās toes and your dog may be licking or chewing at their feet more than usual. Your dogās paws may also be discoloured ā especially if they have a secondary infection. You may even notice small blood spots on the floor if a cyst has ruptured. Dogs who are in pain may limp or be reluctant to walk.
How is the underlying cause of interdigital cysts diagnosed?
After a complete history and physical examination of your dog, your vet may recommend testing the skin for Demodex mites, bacteria, and yeast by performing skin scrapings, hair plucks, and/or tape preps of the area.
How are interdigital cysts treated?
Treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying cause, so it typically includes allergy treatments, and anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids (prednisolone) and cyclosporine (Atopicaā¢). Other allergy medications, including (Apoquelā¢)Ā (Cytopointā¢), can help control your dog’s itching but arenāt considered to be effective enough to treat the degree of inflammation involved in interdigital cysts.
Secondary infections may require long courses of antibiotics, sometimes up to 8 weeks. Topical treatments like steroid ointments and antimicrobial paw soaks (chlorhexidine also known as Hibiclens) can be very useful to manage superficial inflammation and infection.
If arthritic changes and/or obesity have promoted cyst formation, these chronic conditions need to be managed more effectively with medications and nutritional therapy. Providing protective boots and controlling the surfaces your dog walks on (soft surfaces best like grass) can help manage the disease as well.
Many cases respond well if an underlying disease is found and treated appropriately. If an underlying disease is not (or cannot be) managed well, interdigital cysts can recur more frequently, causing chronic inflammation, scarring, and pain.
False pads can also result in āinterdigital cystsā and can be seen in dogs where abnormal conformation (shape of dogās legs) results in altered weight bearing on hairy interdigital skin of the paw. Over time, and this can be years, because of the resulting chronic inflammatory changes, the foot tries to form new footpads at the sites; many dogs develop interdigital ācystsā above these areas in the webbing of the pads.
It tends to form on the forelimbs more due to the greater weight bearing load.Ā Because it is conformational, it can be very difficult to manage.
Strategies include weight loss, avoidance of rough terrain (most are better on grass for example), use of little boots out on walks, use of anti-inflammatories (steroids and Atopica can both help in some cases) and in the worst cases, surgery.
Surgery is a very last route to go, and only to be considered in extreme cases of false pads as it involves fusion of toes.
Photos of a case of false pads in a PDWRA rescue pug whom Malcolm and I fostered.
Bella was grossly overweight.
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor
For more useful articles about our pug’s health & wellbeing, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
by Yasmin | 9 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
** UPDATE: Great News, Betty & Belle’s Forever Home has been Found! ** š¤šš¾š¾
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Betty and Belle are a beautiful bonded-pair of young pugs looking for their forever home.
Young Belle (left), has the most amazing baby blue eyes!
Betty is 2 years-old and Belle is soon to be 1. They are both spayed, also house trained and used to living with other dogs.
Their family has sadly surrendered them due to changed circumstances in the home, where they have been truly loved. They are used to living with children, and have been amazing with all of them including 2 with special-needs, so will be fine around those over 10 years-old.
Betty and Belle absolutely adore each other, they play together and sleep together.
Betty and Belle enjoy their walks, but can be reactive to dogs outside the home. Also. both can be nervous and unsure in new situations and just need loving reassurance.
If you feel you could provide a home for the lovely girls, Betty and Belle, or another bonded-pair as we have a number in our care waiting for their forever homes too, please apply, referencing them on your adoption application form.
This can be found at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you are already registered to adopt with us, please speak to your local PDWRA Area Coordinator directly.
Thank You!
For other Happy PDWRA Adoption Rescue Stories, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 6 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
By Kerry, on adopting 2 pugs from PDWRA, Poppy most recently seen here being indulged on her 4th Birthday!
“I heard about the Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association all the way back in 2011, when I was looking at getting our first pug. We chose to adopt through the PDWRA as they are genuine and do everything properly.Ā
There are so many pugs that need homes and they usually adapt quickly. In 2012 we adopted our first pug, our now late Mr Bentley. He was 18 months old back then. He went over the rainbow peacefully just before Christmas. He was nearly 13 š and our best friend that we miss and love so much.Ā
We adopted Poppy this Motherās Day, she was originally a foster but we prayed we could adopt her the moment we saw her photo. Poppy is a beautiful, near tea cup size, fawn pug baby. Sheās a Velcro doggy that sleeps in her bed on my daughter’s bed and wonāt go for walks without her.Ā
Poppy settled in straight away and loves all of the 3 rotties she lives with. When she wakes up for breakfast, sheāll run into my bedroom first for a kiss then runs back off to catch my daughter up for food!Ā
The adoption process happened quickly. Both of us volunteer for the PDWRA, so we were lucky to be offered to adopt Miss Poppy almost straight away. After losing Mr Bentley, my rotties were heartbroken and kept looking for him. We couldnāt live without a pug despite the 3 large rotties. Our home was very lonely and empty without pug smells and noises – pugs are the spice of life and the life and soul of a home!Ā
From first getting Mr Bentley and then Miss Poppy, our life has been filled with fun, joy, happiness and love and through having them weāve met lots of pug people and been to many pug parties over the years.
We would like to say thank you so much again to the PDWRA for bringing another beautiful pug and best friend into our lives. We are forever grateful! “
Kerry does enjoy celebrating her pugs!
Please see previous related articles:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/the-amazing-mr-bentley-rip/
&
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/mr-bentley-goes-on-a-diet/
