by Yasmin | 19 Dec, 2023 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Like many of our foster applicants, Paula had recently lost her beloved pug. At this time, she didn’t want to make a long-term commitment to another pug, but she did want to make a difference in a pug’s life.
After consulting with her family, Paula decided to take in Trixie, a 7-year-old pug who had nothing to her name when she arrived with PDWRA. No harness, no lead, no bed, or blanket! Fortunately, one of the PDWRA transporters made a generous donation to ensure that Trixie would have the essentials she needed upon arrival at Paula’s.
Typically, it takes a few days for a pug to feel comfortable in a new environment. However, Trixie took an immediate liking to Paula and follows her everywhere. Paula’s granddaughter, Carla has taken a liking to Trixie as well, and the two are inseparable. Although the family were initially worried about Trixie around Carla, it quickly became apparent that the two had a special bond, with only Carla being allowed to pet Trixie while she chews on her antler.
Trixie was struggling with a host of medical issues, including fleas, infections, and an urgent need for a bath. Caring for a pug with multiple health needs can be overwhelming, but with the help of her vet, Paula was able to nurse Trixie back to health.
In some cases, a full understanding of the pug’s background is not possible. As Paula experienced, fosterers need to be prepared for any eventuality. However, with a willingness to adapt to the needs of the pug and with the assistance of PDWRA, fostering can be a truly rewarding experience. It’s heart-wrenching to say goodbye as they move to their forever home, but knowing that you’ve made a difference in their lives is priceless.
When asked about her experience with first-time fostering for PDWRA, Paula had this to say: “Fantastic! It’s so rewarding to help out a pug in need. I couldn’t wish for a more loving companion.”
If you are able to foster, short or long-term, please see our fostering section, where you can apply also!
Fostering | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 18 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Volunteering, Fundraising
This year, the PDWRA Mega Auction Facebook Group successfully raised an incredible sum of £17,000.
This achievement would not have been possible without the commendable efforts of Pippa, Catherine & Carolyn who work tirelessly behind the scenes to raise these much-needed funds for PDWRA pugs.
Pippa, in addition to volunteering for the Mega-Auction (MA) is also a race marshal and has attended F1 at Silverstone in that role. She travels the country attending many high profile events in her capacity as a marshal.
Carolyn is a pug enthusiast and shows her pugs at professional dog shows. Meanwhile, Catherine creates the beloved Pugtatoes as well as fabulous hand-made greetings cards, to raise funds for PDWRA.
We are very grateful to each of the team for their dedication and labour-intensive efficiency at what they do!
We’d also like to a give a special thank you to Mandy Kiss, who makes regular donations of her highly-sought-after knitted pugs in various outfits, that have raised £3,000 alone this year!
The Mega Auction is closing for a well-deserved seasonal break, RETURNING on 25th January 2024, and it will feature some fantastic antique and vintage collectibles.
Don’t miss out and make sure to join the group if you are not a member already. We have 5,500 members.
Meanwhile Catherine’s Marj, would like to wish all our donators and supporters a Very Merry Christmas!
If you have any items you would like to donate, please contact Pippa, Catherine or Carolyn via the Mega Auction Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242845766241493/
Facebook: Log into Facebook
To see other areas of fundraising or ways you may be able to support us in this way, go to: Fundraising & Events 2023 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 18 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Fundraising
The PDWRA 2024 Calendar is still available. HURRY to GET YOURS NOW for the NEW YEAR!
Last of the stock is available to order for the New Year, Jan’ 2024!
Please Pay via PayPal: https://py.pl/1CrrrV
At Only £12, including 1st class postage, it’s a great way to support PDWRA too!
For further information on Fundraising and why we rely on it, please see:
Fundraising & Events 2023 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 17 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
It’s that time of year again where there are plenty of potential hazards to our furry friends, particularly our foods and treats that are being brought into the home.
As well as the festive greenery that may make your dog very ill, tempting foods which we may think are a treat for them can actually cause a great deal of harm.
Vets will treat 75% more cases of dogs eating foods that are poisonous to them in December, so it’s important to be aware of what to avoid and ensure others know about them too:
FOOD
– Chocolate, boxes lying around, tempting foil coins on the tree.
– Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding.
– Foods containing grapes, raisins, sultanas & currants.
– Traditional turkey, goose & chicken where cooked bones can easily splinter.
– Sage and onion stuffing, gravy, anything with onion, chives, garlic, celery.
– Do check for hidden seasoning ingredients in sausages, a particular Christmas treat from a roast dinner.
– Other foods, such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty processed foods.
– Xylitol sometimes marketed as birch sugar, used in artificial sweeteners and sweeteners of products such as peanut butter, is toxic to dogs.
– Alcohol.
OTHER
– Particular festive greenery and plants may make your dog very For a comprehensive list that are dangerous to dogs, see this poisons in your garden article.
– Oils from pine needles may be irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing excessive dribbling, vomiting and diarrhoea if chewed. Needles are also sharp so could cause physical injury in your dog’s mouth and throat.
– Potpourri is made up of various dried plants and flowers to create fragrant decorations. Depending on their toxicity they may cause, at the very least, vomiting and diarrhoea.
– Take care when using antifreeze (ethylene glycol). 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.
– Some snow globes contain anti-freeze and if broken, are a serious danger to your dogs.
– Salted roads & paths can also burn their paw pads.
Frostbite:
Ice and snow can build up in the fur between their pads which is not only uncomfortable but increases the risk of frostbite. If your dog raises its paws, stops walking or whines it could be a sign that their paws are too cold.
When cold, a dog’s body limits blood flow to their extremities (paws, tail, ears etc.) diverting to keep their vital organs protected. This puts their extremities at risk of being damaged by the cold. If you’re concerned about them having frostbite contact your vet immediately.
So, on very cold, icy or snowy days, try to keep the time they spend outside to a minimum, and consider using a coat or paw protectors to keep them warm.
If you do buy a coat make sure it fits well so that it doesn’t restrict their normal movement, either through being too tight or too loose. If you’re outside in the cold and your pet starts shivering, or appears very tired, then get them home as soon as possible. If they are very unwell, get worse or continue to be unwell, contact your vet immediately.
However, some smaller or short coated dogs feel cold in the winter nip, so it may be a good idea to buy a well-fitting coat that will help keep them warm and dry on walks.
The dark mornings and evenings mean that you’ll most likely be taking your dog out for a walk when it is dark or gloomy, and you should think about how visible your dog is to other people when out walking in low light. Reflective collars and jackets are a good idea, and there are even some bright LED collars and tags available to help make your dog easier to see by other walkers and road users.
Christmas can be stressful for pets. The change in routine, visitors, children, loud music and decorations can all confuse or over-excite them. Planning ahead can help minimise stress for pets and ensure they have a happy Christmas, too.
A few things to consider include:
- Sticking to their routine as much as possible – their meals, exercise, bed and toilet break routines. Consistency helps them feel more secure plus they expect it!.
- Introduce new people carefully, at your dog’s own pace.
- Give them somewhere cosy and quiet to retreat to, away from all the excitement, leaving toys or familiar items to help keep them comforted.
- Don’t leave them alone too long – it’s easy to become distracted at such a busy time.
Likewise, if you’re spending Christmas away with your dog/s take something that smells familiar, like their bed, or favourite toys and chews to help keep them entertained and feel secure. Also, plan for them if they’re not going with you.
- Keep the number of an emergency vet on hand in case of accidents or if your pet eats something they shouldn’t.
- If your pet is on medication, stock up before the holidays so you don’t get caught out.
Most of all, have a very safe, comfortable and very Happy Christmas for All the family!
For a lot more information about pug health please see:
Seasonal Hazards for Pugs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
&
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 16 Dec, 2023 | Blog, News, Volunteering
An Interview with Cara.
Cara has been volunteering for PDWRA for 2 years as a Voluntary Area Coordinator (VAC), supporting a few different regions during that time. She is a dedicated, compassionate, wise and experienced dog lover, such an asset to our team. Here she responds to some questions about her life and times!
- What made you want to become a volunteer with PDWRA?
I fell in love with Pugs completely by accident. An old schoolfriend had bred a litter and had one left just as I was looking for another dog to add into the mix with an elderly, and grumpy, Border Terrier. Percy was the only puppy left and came with a background that meant he would be robust enough to deal with grumpy Angus.
After Percy joined us I started to follow PDWRA and, while relocating from Scotland to Northern Ireland post-Covid, I saw an Ad looking for volunteer VACs. I applied straight away.
- How long have you been with PDWRA?
I’ve been with PDWRA for just over 2 years now. Time has flown!
- Do you own dogs yourself?
I currently have 4 dogs. My original Pug, Percy (6), a PDWRA adopted Pug, Milo (2) who joined us in September last year, an adopted elderly Wire Fox Terrier, Harvey (13) who joined us unexpectedly last October and Lily, a 2 year old Frenchie who we adopted and joined us in July this year.
- Do you have an inspirational/heart-warming story (can be about PDWRA or your own dogs?
I find the teamwork, and the lengths that the PDWRA volunteers will go to, both inspiring and heart-warming. One of the most complicated cases that I have been involved with was that of Delilah. I coordinated Delilah’s surrender in my area and I had arranged for her to be transported to a foster home in Devon. Shortly after her arrival in foster it became clear that she was pregnant, with puppies due imminently!
Delilah’s health was already complicated by severe BOAS and the UK was in the grips of a heatwave. I called upon my colleagues, including PDWRA Vet Advisor Helen McKee and Paula Parke, SE Vac for help. We decided the best course of action was to move Delilah into foster with a volunteer who was experienced in whelping and caring for young litters and their mums. This meant moving Delilah from Devon to Surrey – no small task! Four teams of 2 volunteers each stepped up – one driver and one carer for Delilah in each. Delilah was moved carefully between them all, to carefully selected handover points. She arrived safely and within a couple of weeks so did 4 beautiful Chug (Chihuahua-Pug) cross puppies.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and selflessness of the volunteers involved and the amazing teamwork within the VAC team.
Please see link below to Delilah’s story.
- What plans do you & your dog(s) have over Christmas?
I work as an animal care assistant at a local cat and dog sanctuary so don’t have a lot of time off over Christmas. I am confident that there will be some long, muddy walks on a local estate and plenty of time on the sofa with both Pugs and the Frenchie piled on top of me!
- If you had to describe a pug in 3 words, what would they be?
Only 3! Tiny but Mighty Or Personal Anti-depressant + Dictator…
For Delilah and her pups’ story, please see:
Delilah at home with Doug!
