by Yasmin | 6 Feb, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Wonderful news to announce: The beautiful Mum & Daughter pair, Pepper & Rosie have found their forever home following our appeal a few weeks ago.
Both are already well settled and much loved as you can tell from their adoptive Mum’s expression of pride & love!
Rosie has always relied on her Mum, Pepper, for reassurance and will notice when she’s not around. They love cuddles and kisses and are the most happy-go-lucky pugs.
They will remain firmly bonded, lucky to be in a pug-experienced forever home too, and we couldn’t be happier for them!
Original Appeal:
Rosie & Pepper are looking for their forever home. | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 5 Feb, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering, Fundraising
Can you share a bit about your personal connection to pugs and how it influenced your decision to work with the charity?
I was diagnosed with MS when I was 32 and they told me I would be dead by 50 but here I am at 66. I have been in and out of a wheelchair since the day I was diagnosed but I have never given in. I always exercise everyday. I have also rescued dogs and horses all my life and I am sure that this is what has kept me going . If I made a list of all that’s wrong with me now there would be no room left to take about dogs so I would rather talk about them and my drawings.
I have been an artist forever but the MS makes it impossible for me to keep my arms up for long periods and my hands don’t always do as I like so I started drawing instead. Three years ago I decided to use my drawings to raise money for Bichon care and support and it took off quickly. They have kept me very busy. So far I have raised over £10,000 for them and a few hundred for Blue Cross.
After losing my last dog my dear Ellie “a lovely poodle “ I went through breast cancer and decided I couldn’t have another dog. However, in September last year while looking through Facebook I saw “Daphne“ and after reading her write-up I decided it was a match made in heaven and just had to apply for her. I knew I could provide the best home for her and thank goodness PDWRA’s Jane, who was managing Daphne’s rehoming, agreed!
After reading all about pug welfare and all about PDWRA I decided I needed to help in some way so I decided to spread my time between both rescues and try to now, raise money for you too! I am hoping that I can keep going as long as possible and I have a lovely long list of commissions at the moment.
To contact Shirley or see her work within our Facebook Fundraising group, please go to: PDWRA Mega Auction For Pugs In Need | Facebook
Pugs are the most amazing incredible little dogs I have ever had and I have rescued a lot of other dogs. From Bichon, poodles, spaniels, jack Russell’s and a Chinese crested. The thing my dogs have always had in common is they are usually old and they usually have some sort of problem. I take the misfits, the ones that are hard to home and make sure they have the best rest of their lives. I have always cared for them with everything I have because a lot of them only have a short time left and I wanted them to know that they are still loved. I think if I had been able bodied I would have ended up with a house full over the years lol!
All in all I can honestly say Daphne is amazing and I love her so much. She is so funny and never stops making noise. Living alone, that’s great for me because I always know someone is there.
Can you describe a typical day when you’re working to support PDWRA?
I’m up at 6am, exercise, shower and then off to park at 7.30am. Daphne rides there on my scooter as I have a special crate in between my legs where she is safe and warm. We have an amazing time walking with friends and we get home about 8.30am.
After drying, brushing, washing ears and face, Daphne is ready for breakfast. After that she cuddles up beside me while I do paperwork “ adding people to the list of drawings to do, packing up drawings to send in the post and selecting photos of the days’ drawing“. Once I have selected photos I then set up my lap easel and start to draw normal with an audiobook on in background. Daphne is always beside me and I finish about midday then it’s time for our lunch, to play games and normally by 1.30pm we are both exhausted!
We nap until about 3pm then it’s off for a walk around the block with me in my wheelchair of course. Daphne and I eat dinner about 4pm then we play some more and then settle down for the night. Because of my condition I can only spend about 4 hours a day on drawings so I try and make the most of my time.
What keeps you motivated and committed to continuing your work with charities?
I have always worked for charities, I have worked for Make a Wish when I was in my thirties and I have always raised money for different charities. I also do collections at Christmas for the homeless, my friends donate food. My motivation is to give. I have always found it hard to receive but get so much joy in giving. I believe that even if you don’t have much you can always find something to share with others even if it’s just your time.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering getting involved with the PDWRA or volunteering for a similar cause?
in life you have two choices you can either choose to be kind or not. I believe kindness above all is the most important thing you can do in life. To share something even if it just a small amount with someone else will make your life much richer. My advice would be to give whatever you can. It doesn’t have to be money it could just be time. Whatever it is I can promise you it will make your life so much richer.
Shirley Ball.
Thank You Shirley for your Artistic Fundraising!
Daphne, adopted & completely at home!
by Yasmin | 3 Feb, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Written by Helen McKee (MRCVS), PDWRA Vet Advisor:
Parting from the normal subject of diseases in pugs, I am highlighting a disease which is being brought in to the UK in imported dogs.
The reason for concern about this disease is that it can cause significant illness in humans (known as a zoonotic disease) especially in people who are immune-suppressed.
A recent letter from the Chief Veterinary Officer with regard Brucella canis in imported dogs in the UK highlighted concerns regarding the potential disease risks of importing dogs.
The British Veterinary Association has advised that charities or organisations importing dogs from Brucella canis endemic countries to ensure Brucella canis negative pre-export testing for the dog(s) in the country of origin before importing into the UK.
Currently, there is no requirement to screen imported dogs for Brucella canis either before or after travel.
Brucella canis (B.canis) is a highly contagious bacterial infection. Sadly, despite many studies, there is no guaranteed cure for the B. canis in dogs as antibiotics cannot effectively penetrate the cell to eradicate the bacteria.
- B. canis is endemic across Southern and Eastern Europe. We have seen a marked increase in the number of dogs imported from countries like Romania. This has meant more infected dogs have come into the UK.
- In dogs, B. canis might not cause any signs of ill health and, although the dog may appear normal, it can quietly cause fertility issues and abortion in pregnant bitches.
These carrier dogs can spread the infection in discharge during birth, aborted material, during mating or in semen, blood, urine and saliva.
How does it affect humans?
Brucellosis can cause abortion or infertility in humans so pregnant women or those trying to conceive are at increased risk.
Symptoms are often mild and non-specific. The most common signs and symptoms of human infection include a continued, intermittent, or irregular fever sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite, weight loss, sweating, headaches, fatigue, back and/or joint pain.
If not treated the disease may become chronic and more serious symptoms can arise. Immuno-compromised people are most at risk, as well as children and pregnant women.
Many veterinary practices now have a specific protocol when dealing with dogs imported from endemic countries, which can include not seeing the dog unless it has had a negative blood test.
In a recent communication from the Chief Veterinary Officer to veterinary surgeons, she advised that euthanasia must be considered with dogs found to be positive for canine brucellosis.
I wanted to bring this to your attention because so many of us want to help a rescue animal, including those from abroad, so I thought important to stress the risk of this disease especially from dogs from Eastern Europe such as Romania.
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor.
For other interesting health articles related specifically to our pugs, please go to:
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 2 Feb, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
This is adopter, Shirley’s, drawing of Daphne, who we appealed for a home for, last September. By October they were inseparable!
Shirley is an extremely talented artist also, and has been raising money for other dog breed charities, raising over £10,000 just by drawing people’s dogs. She has now offered her talent to raise funds for PDWRA!
In January alone, Shirley graciously donated a remarkable * £135 * from the sales of eight distinctive and original drawings so we are sending a heartfelt thank you to Shirley for her incredible contribution!
Our pug owners are absolutely delighted to own such personalised artwork featuring their beloved furry companions!
Shirley will draw anything with four legs! 😄
So, if you’re interested in supporting the PDWRA and acquiring these unique personal drawings don’t miss the chance to make a difference with your purchase. Please join our Mega-Auction fundraising facebook group to find out more:
PDWRA Mega Auction For Pugs In Need | Facebook
Here are links to their Happy-Ever-Story!:
When Shirley met Daphne! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Daphne, adopted & completely at home! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 27 Jan, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
** GOOD NEWS UPDATE, Feb’24: Skye has found her Forever-Home and is settling in well! **
COULD YOU ADOPT SKYE?
Skye is the sweetest, most delightful young pug who unfortunately has been kept in a flat, never walked outside or properly socialised.
She really needs an experienced adopter, willing to invest in helping her to understand the world outside especially, and enjoy her life the way she’s only just starting to!
Skye’s fosterer of a few months, says she has no social skills outdoors so barks at every dog and human she sees. She can be encouraged to relax but only for a short spell and will start barking again. She is simply nervous and doesn’t understand normal social cues.
Skye is neutered and has lived with older children, and a cat, and currently in foster, is living with a female pug of a steady nature. She is fully housetrained and used to be crated with toys to sleep.
Skye does love being outdoors though, for good long walks or chasing a ball which she’d do for hours, also acts as a good distraction technique when people are nearby.
She’s very fit and a destroyer of toys, and can be quite growly in her play. She has a good appetite and now sleeps along with her fosterers pug at the foot of the bed.
It takes Skye a while to settle down and feel comfortable with visitors who stay over, so short-term visitors will be barked at a lot! She can growl at people if they are doing something she does not like with her, although she has not nipped at all, however, young children would not be recommended to be resident in the home.
Skye is a lovely, sweet little soul who’s funny and an absolute delight, who enjoys her cuddles and toys. She isn’t a dominant but has a big personality!
So, if you, or anyone you know, could offer this lifeline to Skye, reaping all the rewards pug-owners are so familiar with, please contact your local PDWRA VAC to discuss further if you are already registered with us,
or apply here, referencing Skye 23214 : Adoption | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Thank You! 💝🐾
******
For other Rescue Stories, and Appeals for Homes, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
