by Yasmin | 7 Aug, 2025 | Blog, In Memoriam
The life and times of Little Lottie, aka Crazy Girl, aka Stinky Minky.
It was the 23rd of August 2018 when I pulled into an Asda car park in Newmarket to collect “the goods”, aka Lottie, an approximately 3–5-year-old fawn pug. She was my second pug adopted from the PDWRA, and I had driven halfway between my house and her foster’s house to collect her. At this point, I had a 4-year-old fawn boy called Branston, and a 10-year-old black boy, Archie, who was my first PDWRA pug, whom I adopted 2 years prior. I was ready for a girl, and 3 is the magic number after all, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how unique and absolutely bonkers Lottie was.
I first noticed on the way home that she just would not lie down like a normal dog. She was on my lap (don’t worry; I wasn’t driving), with her blanket, but she kept pushing back on her front legs and lifting her head up. I realised later that this was the beginning stance for her classic ‘back drop’ move, which happened whenever in the arms of someone capable of rubbing her belly – which it turned out she was practically addicted to.
Lottie settled in fine with the boys. She was getting lots of attention from Archie, and I later ended up calling her his ‘sister-wife’ as they were obsessed with licking each other. Archie was especially partial to chewing- or gumming- on Lottie’s ears.
Despite settling in well, it wasn’t long before Lottie’s past caught up with her in terms of her health. On her first day with me, she had stitches from her spay and BOAS surgeries and was completely bald from her chin all the way down to the underside of her tail, and on most of her feet because of demodectic mange. Her claws were thick and overgrown, and she was missing a couple of toes. When I adopted Archie, the extent of his health problems were bad teeth and an ulcerated nose crease, so it was quite a shock to realise just how much the girls suffer after having been bred. I quickly noticed that Lottie’s eyesight wasn’t the best, which turned out to be advanced pigmentary keratitis, and she spun around like the Tasmanian devil whenever she was excited – this could have been from being crated for most of her life, or potentially some brain damage from lack of oxygen during labour, something we would later decide was the most likely (for all her cuteness she didn’t have the most powerful brain) but it was the onset of her recurrent UTIs that really became her biggest hurdle.
She had investigations done after nothing seemed to clear her UTI’s up, and it was concluded that in her short life, being bred and not cared for properly meant that her bladder wall had thickened, and her urethral sphincter was weak. A bucket load of medications and specialist food later though – and she was cured. Hurrah!
This is when we had a few great years with a bouncy, super fluffy, mad as a box of frogs Lottie. She struggled in the cold weather with her front foot that was missing a toe, but nothing that inventive boot manufacture couldn’t solve. She even managed to learn a couple of tricks, one of which was running and jumping into my arms using my slightly bent legs as a springboard. She had incredible speed, and her back legs were built like a sprinter, she definitely had a tush on her!
In the later years of her life, some of the problems of the past came back. A couple of years after losing Archie to cancer in 2021, Lottie started getting a little bit wobbly in her back legs, the once sprinter and thick-legged girl was now stumbling. It didn’t stop her though, even when she started leaving poopy nuggets around the house (which she had no idea she was doing!).
The pug myelopathy took its toll though, and despite absolutely loving her pram walks and sniffing the air, she became doubly incontinent in 2024, which started with another UTI, her first in years. But as Lottie had the privilege of almost complete ignorance, she was still happy as Larry, so we began expressing her bladder, and even though the UTI took a long time to clear up and at one point we thought it might never go away, it cleared up and we carried on in this routine for a whole year with no more bladder issues. (She did have a spell of colitis, which I’ll spare the details of, but as you can probably imagine, an incontinent pug who drags her legs and spins in circles and has NO idea she is doing it was… an experience. My partner now has PooTSD.)
In the last six months of Lottie’s life, she slowly deteriorated. She developed another UTI, just over a year after her last, and her breathing became very bad. She seemed to be less ‘with it’, and after trying a few different medications, we decided it was time to unite her with Archie and send the crazy girl over the rainbow bridge. We don’t know how old she was, probably around 12 or 13, so after nearly seven years with us, she won the hearts of everyone with her quirky and bonkers personality, and often quite baffling habits. Branston is back to being an only pug, which I’m sure he is fine with, as neither Archie nor Lottie ever wanted to chew on his ears anyway!
by Yasmin | 7 Aug, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
How did you first hear about the PDWRA?
We hadn’t heard of the PDWRA until a few years ago, they had a stall at a dog show raising funds.
How did you come to make the decision to adopt through the PDWRA?
We contacted several charities hoping to adopt a small dog in need of a loving home. Many charities stated we had to be within a 45 minute drive of the rehoming centres, the PDWRA website did not state this on the request form, so we got in touch.
When did you adopt Soks?
We adopted Soks when she was 8 weeks old, in September 2022.
What made you decide to adopt?
Our daughter and her dog moved home, the house felt empty without them. We were searching for a small dog that required re-homing and would enjoy walks.
Can you tell us a little bit about Soks?
Soks is a female Chug. Her mother is a pug and her father Chihuahua. Sok’s mother was taken in and homed by a PDWRA foster carer, at the time they were unaware that she was expecting 4 puppies. Soks had a temporary name of ‘Gloria’ due to all the puppies being named after ‘Madagascar’ characters and Soks having the rear end of a hippo! Her name was instantly changed once adopted to Soks, due to her white paws. She has an underbite that turns into a huge smile when she’s happy and a menacing grin when mischievous. She loves everyone, is extremely sociable with humans and other dogs, and well known locally to all that have met her. She often spends holidays with Mia the Chug and adores playing on the beach and running in the sea. Every evening before going to bed she goes into the garden, looks up at the neighbour’s windows and barks, waiting for them to waive goodnight to her. Her favourite TV programme is ‘The Dog House’ on Channel 4!
How did you find the adoption process?
We filled out the online form to adopt or foster, had an online interview that required us to give a brief tour of our home, then we waited (dogs were still in demand due to COVID 19). We received a phone call asking if we would consider adopting a puppy as we’d requested an older dog. From there, we visited the foster carers home to meet the puppies, Soks chose us, and we returned to collect her when she turned 8 weeks old. The process was easy, with ample support and guidance (Huge thank you to all the foster carers and all involved with PDWRA).
Anything you think prospective adoptive or foster parents should know?
If taking on a puppy, be prepared for sleepless nights and a hive of activity, followed by short naps and mischievous behaviour. We were extremely lucky that Soks required very little to no house training. Chugs aren’t lazy and Soks enjoys long walks, socialising with other dogs and daily zoomies. She can recognise all food and social locations that sell pup cups or have gravy bones. Don’t expect a Chug to forget any of these locations, walking pass is not an option!
What has life been like since adopting Soks?
The first 6 months can only be compared to a 2yr old mischievous human baby. The following years encourage you to explore the outdoors, enjoy the snuggles and the love a dog gives, meet other dog owners and give up 70% of your bed, as a chug takes up far more room than a herd of sheep when it comes to having personal space!
by Yasmin | 6 Aug, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
In April’s newsletter you may have read the article about Laura & her pug Ethel and how her pug story began 40 years ago. Well following on from that, as Laura is my daughter, here is my story of how I discovered Pug Welfare and my pug journey.
Having bought from a breeder, our first pug Honey in 1984, during a chance meeting while out on a dog walk with Honey a fellow pug owner told me about PDWRA and the annual Pug Days at Crowhurst. We sadly lost Honey in 1994 and after her loss we decided to go down the rescue route as PDWRA seemed such a great organisation to adopt through. Over the past 30 + years I have had the pleasure of adopting :- Hanky Panky, Millie, Lily, Mabel and finally, our precious Black Betty, who has been with us for the past 10 years.
I found the process of adopting through PDWRA quite straight forward and it became easier for us as time went by, after each adoption we didn’t have to wait too long to receive a call from Pug Welfare with our next adoptee. Over the years, all our girls were taken to almost every Welfare Day at Crowhurst from 1987 until 2016, when sadly they became no more. They were a great day out, games for the pugs, raffles and various different stalls, plus the much loved auction to raise money for pug welfare. Another not to be missed PDWRA occasion were the Pug Tea Parties that were held once or twice a year during the summer months, the pugs and the humans always had a great time!!
The pugs I have adopted have always enjoyed a holiday away with us, over the years they have been to Yorkshire, Norfolk, down to Devon and to West Sussex, and nearer to us on the Kent coast. I must say, although the girls have always enjoyed a change of scenery, running on the sand – definitely not in the water! or enjoying a new walk and smells in the Countryside, they always loved getting home, back into their comfort zone! This goes especially for Betty, she’s a real home pug and loves her daily routine.
We adopted Betty in 2015, she was a little over 5 years old and my most vivid memory of her is arriving at 2pm on the 26thMarch. Judi and Andrew pulled onto the drive and out jumped the prettiest, bright eyed little black pug, who promptly breezed into our lives as much to say “well I’m here”! She had a quick look around, made sure she had no opposition and everything met with her standards and approval, checked out the garden, christened the grass and decided she’d stay!!!
Betty has been a joy to have in our lives, as an elderly lady now she has become even more feisty and stubborn, aging ladies do have that privilege. Her sight is not so good now and Betty has arthritis in her back, but she copes well with her eye drops and her regular injections at the vets and she still retains the loveable character she has always been blessed with. Due to Betty’s advanced years, she has just celebrated her 15th Birthday, her favourite pastimes now are eating, sniffing lampposts, barking at anything and sleeping, in any particular order!!
Obviously over the past 40 years there have been ups and downs with looking after a pug, the sheer overwhelming sadness when one of the girls have passed away, but such happiness when a new little pug arrives, full of enthusiasm to start a new life in their forever home.
If I was ever asked “would I pursue the adoption route again after over 30 years?”, I would answer a resounding yes in a heartbeat. Young, middle years or an oldie, each pug brings their own character and rewards you with love and the trust they give you, is such a beautiful thing.
I feel so grateful to have shared such a large part of Betty’s life, and parts of all the other girls who have gone before, and also my 35 years of being part of such a wonderful pug charity. Plus, the added assurance that you are always able to contact PDWRA if you need any medical advice or support, the members are always there to help and advise.
Hopefully PDWRA will continue their brilliant work rehoming our lovely breed for another 50+ years!
*****
If you could provide a forever home by adopting a pug in need, please see latest details for applications at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you would alternatively like to help a pug along its journey by fostering, please see:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 20 Jun, 2025 | Blog, News, Pug Health
As temperatures have been rising to above 30°C in parts of England for the first time in 2025, we are expecting further very warm or even hot conditions into the weekend with maximums over 30°C, before cooler and fresher air returns from the West.
This transition may also bring some thunderstorms in places.
So, here is our regular advice & tips for keeping your pugs, so sensitive to heat, cool, comfortable, and safe.
- Make sure your pug has constant access to fresh water – day and night.
- fresh fruit, chilled or frozen, make ideal refreshing & healthy treats to help keep them hydrated.
- Make sure your pug has constant 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!
- Particularly if they are overweight, have health issues, are elderly or very young.
- The Seven Second Test
- Tarmac /pavements even artificial grass can get very hot in the sun – hold your hand on it for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paws. DO NOT walk your pug as they could burn their paw pads.
Temperature guide for deciding whether it’s safe to walk your pug/s.
- Below 12°C: Perfect walking weather! Your dog will be comfortable and ready to explore.
- 12-19°C: Safe for most dogs, but keep an eye out for signs of overheating if they’re running around a lot.
- 20-23°C: Start to take precautions. Stick to shaded areas, keep walks short, and bring water.
- 24-26°C: This is risky territory. Only take your dog out if it’s absolutely necessary, make it a quick, shady stroll, early in the morning or later in the evening.
- Above 27°C: It’s too dangerous to walk your dog. Stay indoors or let them relax in a cool, shaded area instead.
All dogs are individual & different, so always monitor how each of yours reacts to the heat and adjust their activity accordingly.
Here is a quick-glance, useful guide, regarding temperatures & risks.
REMEMBER: NEVER leave your pug unattended in a car on a hot day – even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, even if you have left the windows open.
Pugs can die in hot cars in minutes!!!
******
HEATSTROKE.
This is an extremely dangerous condition that can develop if your pug gets too hot with limited ability to sweat and little or no nose/muzzle, they will struggle to lose heat through panting alone, more-so if they are overweight or have other health problems. Very old and very young dogs are most at risk.
Normal body temperature for a dog tends to be between 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F), this can rise a bit if they are unwell with a fever.
Heat exhaustion typically occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises above 39.4°C, then they are at risk of heatstroke which can cause seizures, organ damage, internal bleeding, coma and be critical for them.
Nearly three quarters of heatstroke cases develop while playing and exercising though it can also be caused by simply sitting somewhere too warm, or being trapped somewhere hot, such as a car, conservatory or room without proper ventilation.
Signs of HEATSTROKE to look for, include:
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- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing (fast, heavy, noisy)
- Increased heart rate
- Drooling / Foaming at the mouth
- Diarrhoea (may be bloody)
- Vomiting
- Weakness / Collapse
- Stupor / confusion
- Drowsy & uncoordinated
- Lethargy (low energy)
- Shaking
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
If your pug experiences any of these symptoms, please seek the advice of your Vet immediately.
Heatstroke is more dangerous the longer it lasts, so the quicker your pug is cooled down and treated by a vet, the better their chance of a full recovery.
In an EMERGENCY:
1) Immediately move your pug to a cooler area, a cool, darkened room or into the shade
2) Cool them down straight away
- Calmly and quickly use cold water (water from the cold tap is fine) over their whole body, or use wet cloths or towels
- Be extremely careful they don’t inhale any water by keeping it away from their nose and mouth
- Offer them a drink of cold water but don’t force them to drink if they don’t want to. Wet their tongue with water instead.
- Create a breeze by opening doors and windows or turning a fan/air-conditioning on
- Put them on top of a cold wet towel.
- Don’t cover them with a wet towel or cuddle them as this will make them even hotter
3) Go to your Vet as soon as possible
- Transport them in an air-conditioned car or with the windows open (ensuring they can’t get out)
- If possible take someone with you to keep cooling them down while you travel
For more advice about heatstroke from PDSA including first-aid, please see:
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/heatstroke-in-dogs
******
For latest seasonal advice about hazards & tips, please see our webpage:
Seasonal Hazards for Pugs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
by Yasmin | 10 Jun, 2025 | Blog, Pug Health
Article by Helen McKee (MRCVS) PDWRA Vet Advisor.
How can I tell if my pet still has a good quality of life?
All pet owners want their companion to have a good life. As your pet gets older, or if they’re diagnosed with a serious illness, you may worry that they’re suffering and have more bad days than good.
It can be easy to tell if your pet has a really good quality of life – they’re still playful, active, comfortable and enjoying their food normally. Sometimes, it’ll be very noticeable that your pet is in pain and is suffering after an accident or a sudden illness. But it’s more difficult to notice problems when your pet’s quality of life gradually changes over time.
As owners, we get used to the ways our pets slow down as they age and the extra medications they might need to take. It can be difficult to tell when things start to deteriorate and, emotionally, we might not want to admit that they’re struggling.
It’s important for us to be aware of when things might be getting too much for our pet. It means we can start to prepare ourselves and ensure that our beloved friend won’t suffer.
Measuring your pet’s quality of life
Quality of life isn’t measured by just one thing; it takes into account all of the parts of your pet’s mental and physical wellbeing. This means it can be difficult to measure.
Your vet can help you measure your pet’s quality of life. But your vet only sees your pet during an appointment, and they know you are best-placed to understand how they are getting on day to day.
If their quality of life is getting worse, this doesn’t always mean that it’s time to say goodbye. It’s always best to visit the vet if you notice a change in your pet, even if they already have a diagnosis of a serious illness. There may be other medications or management techniques to help your pet. If other options are not right for your pet, then your vet can give you guidance on when it might be the time to say goodbye. It is particularly important if your pug has a terminal disease and medication cannot keep them comfortable.
You can use the pointers below to regularly check on your pet’s quality of life. It’s good to do this regularly as it can help you spot when things are starting to change.
- Are they in pain?
- Do they shake, tremble or pant, even when they’re resting?
- Do they hide away and not want to be touched or stroked?
- Does it seem to you that their pain medication has stopped working?
- Are they struggling to get around?
- Do they struggle to get up without your help?
- Are they unable to exercise, even just gently?
- Do they lie in the same place all day?
- Do they often fall over or lose their balance?
- Do they pant more than usual or seem to be struggling for breath?
- Are they eating and drinking normally?
- Have they lost interest in food, even turning down their favourite treats?
- Are they being sick or suffering from diarrhoea?
- Are they losing weight?
- Are they going to the toilet normally?
- Is your dog struggling to let you know when they need to go outside?
- Is your pet pooing and weeing where they rest?
- Can they keep themselves clean?
- Do they smell of wee or can’t keep their bum clean?
- Does their fur look duller and less healthy than it used to?
- Has the way they behave changed?
- Have they stopped greeting you when you come home?
- Are they hiding or sleeping in strange places?
- Have they stopped being interested in what’s going on around them?
- Does your pet seem unhappy or unwell in themselves?
- Do they seem confused in normal situations?
- How are you coping with looking after them?
- Do you feel overwhelmed by caring for them?
- Are you worried that you can no longer meet their needs?
- Is it becoming more stressful to give medications to them?
- Are they coping overall?
- Are they having more bad days than good days?
- Is your pet finding being medicated very stressful?
- Put yourself in your pet’s position – how do you think they would rate their quality of life?
If the answers to many of these questions is yes, it’s a sign your pet is struggling. You can use these questions as a guide to see if their quality of life is changing. You may feel like you’re able to help them through the changes for a while longer or perhaps that it’s time to consider having your pet put to sleep.
You also need to consider what is important from your individual pet’s point of view. If, at their best, they love to chase their ball, then it will have greater impact on their wellbeing if they can’t do this anymore. Other pets may be fairly happy as long as they’re comfortable and not in pain, even though they can’t race around as well as before. As well as considering the questions above, make a list of your pet’s favourite activities. Think about whether your pet is able to do those activities as normal, less than normal but still acceptably, or not at all. It can help to keep a diary or a log to track changes over weeks, or even months.
What should I do next?
Now is the time to speak to your vet. Talk to them about your pet’s quality of life and what your concerns are. The vet will be able to guide and help you make the right decision.
In Summary
Unfortunately, it is rare for a dog to die peacefully at home without some intervention.
We have to decide if there are more bad days than good, and also ask ourselves, are we doing the best by the pug, or are we being selfish.
For me, I feel it is a gift that we can give our beloved companions, so there is no suffering (unlike humans!) and I personally would rather say goodbye a little earlier than leave later when they could be suffering.
Wishing everyone the strength to make the difficult decision we all need to make at some stage as an owner of a pet.
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor.
*****
For other informative pug health articles, please see our web section: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
