by Yasmin | 16 Dec, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
After adopting Maverick, Elsie, and Frank, we had a pretty full household… but then we offered to foster for the 2024 Christmas period. “What about puppies?” Lisa, our area manager, texted. I think I nearly passed out. I had wanted a pug puppy since my teens, but I have focused on rescuing, and they rarely need homes that young. Lisa sent through pictures of three adorable fawn pups, and I chose Dora immediately. She was tiny and looked like my very first pug, Dolly.
We ended up taking all three puppies at first, with Doreen and Douglas going to a friend and fosterer locally. Dora stayed behind, much to the horror of our other three! She had some worrying traits, including spinning and a domed head, so we popped her to the vet to check her over. Thankfully, she was mostly healthy, although the vet does think she may have suffered some trauma, and we must be vigilant for any signs of hydrocephalus.
I think we’d had her around five hours when I realised I was never going to rehome her… my husband took a little longer, but it was him who went out and bought her a ‘my first bowl’ and bunny-eared hoodie on day three! Dora has a very strong ability to make you love her almost immediately.
Having a puppy has been one of the biggest challenges. Dora is healthy and happy, but she has taken longer to reach milestones, has remained very small (5kg) and is very sensitive to changes in her environment. She doesn’t like particular surfaces, but we’ve taught her to request ‘uppies’ in these situations. She has a pouch she likes to sit in, so we can carry her around when she needs some time out.
When she turned one, we threw a birthday party in our local park, and more people came to that than to any of our human celebrations. She has so many lovely friends, and she got spoiled rotten, as she should be.
Dora is unique. She seems very quiet but is capable of chaos. She’s very cheeky, but I will admit we let her get away with a lot because she had a rough start, and she’s just very cute! You say no to her side eye, I dare you! Our other three have gotten used to her antics. Maverick is by far her favourite, and he lets her chew on his ears. Elsie loves that Dora is brave enough to play tug with her (a brutal occurrence) and Frank likes it when she rolls around on the big bed with him and messes up all the pillows.
We couldn’t be more grateful to the PDWRA for letting us ‘foster fail’. Our family is complete (no, really this time), and Dora is a literal life-changing pug. We can’t wait to see how she grows up.
Link to the previous story – ‘Carolyn & the Hairy Heslops’
by Yasmin | 16 Dec, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
How did you first hear about the PDWRA?
We have always been people to provide a home to rescue dogs and after falling in love with our first pug we came across the charity.
How did you come to make the decision to adopt through the PDWRA?
We contacted a couple pug charities but found the PDWRA to be the most welcoming and friendly team to go forward with.
When did you adopt Padme?
We adopted Padme nearly 2 years ago when she came to us as a foster. We were looking for a bubbly, fun, active pug and that’s what we got!
What made you decide to adopt?
It’s very important to us to give a dog a home that needs one, not to breed more animals when others need homes. The pug breed is one we have fallen in love with due to their kind and loving personalities. We originally were given our first pug due to his previous owner becoming too ill to care for him and he has been the apple of our eye.
Can you tell us a little bit about Padme?
She is a bubbly, bossy, lively, loving little bundle of energy who keeps us on our toes! She loves beach walks and we spend the summer with her and her brother Pasco at our holiday home, where she can run free every day! She loves her dog friends and is extremely sociable, her favourite game is to play tug of war with other dogs.
How did you find the adoption process?
The process was great and our adoption contact, Jane, was very helpful and supported us through the whole process. Padme needed a small operation on her eyes to sort out a congenital abnormality, but the PDWRA were so helpful and supportive on providing her with this care she needed and she’s now in perfect shape! Padme instantly bonded with her new brother Pasco
Anything you think prospective adoptive or foster parents should know?
With any dog it takes time for a dog to settle in, but the charity did a great job with matching us with the dog we were searching for, it definitely helps to be paired with a dog that suits who you are as a family.
What has life been like since adopting Padme?
Padme has enriched our life in so many ways and has been a great companion! She is very sociable and loves to go out walking long distances, which has been amazing. She’s also given a new lease of life to our older pug Pasco, who has found new energy to keep up with her!
She recently walked down the aisle at our wedding, in September 2025, as the flower pug and looked perfect in her tiny bridesmaid dress. She was very well behaved and was accompanied by her brother pug Pasco in his custom suit 🥰
We’ve now just bought a new house and can’t wait to see them run round their huge new garden and have a wonderful life in the countryside, all together!
by Yasmin | 19 Nov, 2025 | Blog, Pug Health
Temperatures are dropping and after unusually warm temperatures for November, snow is scattering around the country!
So, here are our regular tips and advice to help your pug brave the cold, safely, to remain happy during the wet & cold months, ensuring it remains a fun and enjoyable time with your best friend!
– Beware of salt on roads & paths which can burn their paw pads.
Check once home and rinse them if necessary.
– Ice and snow can stick to the fur between pads and build up. This will be uncomfortable for your pug and increases their risk of frostbite.
If they raise their paws, stop walking or whine it could be a sign that their paws are too cold.
– Also, beware of thin ice & frozen puddles.
– Take care when using antifreeze. 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 from spills or leaks.
– When cold, a dog’s body will limit blood flow to their extremities (paws, tail, ears etc.), in order to keep their vital organs functioning safely.
This can put their extremities at risk of being damaged by the cold.
– It’s a good idea to get a warm coat for them, essential when it’s very cold but still safe to go outdoors. See temperature chart below.
Ensure it fits well & is flexible so that it doesn’t prevent them moving normally, either by being too tight or too loose.
– If your dog starts shivering, or appears very tired (lethargic), then get them home as soon as possible.
If they continue to seem unwell, contact your vet immediately.
Here are some Body-care tips:
– Additional to well-fitting warm outerwear, use paw protection if needed, this could be in the form of dog dry skin creams/ balms, or doggy booties.
– Inspect pug paws regularly to check for cracked pads, broken nails or snow/salt damage.
– Brush your pug’s coat regularly to distribute natural oils to the skin and prevent dry patches.
– If it’s windy, don’t forget to protect their eyes, by extra lubrication gels and especially if on a beach, where wind & sand can scratch them causing lasting damage without urgent treatment.
Please check this very useful guide to see if it’s wise to take your pugs out! :
If your pug shows signs of hypothermia, which includes, shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums and loss of consciousness or collapse, get your pet immediately out of the cold & contact your vet straight away.
Dry & warm them up gently, never intensely & too quickly as this can be dangerous.
For further information, please see:
Hypothermia in Pets – PDSA
Also,
Keep your dog safe during winter | The Kennel Club
Have fun while staying safe!
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And for our Seasonal Hazard webpage, please go to:
Seasonal Hazards for Pugs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 29 Oct, 2025 | Blog, In Memoriam
For Erik, Our Pudding!
“I’ll never forget the day I met my little pudding, Erik. A cold night in January of 2015, my parents and I were visiting my grandparents when late into the evening my mam got a phone call – she just had to leave for something, and I couldn’t know why.
Half an hour later she walks up to the back door with a rather podgy thing following behind her. I couldn’t believe it, my very own pug after many years of being told ‘no you’re not getting one’. That night he curled up into a little ball on my bed, finally he was in a safe and loving home.
I could sit all day and talk about all the funny stories we have of our little piggy, but nothing I say feels like it does the justice of describing his quirky little character – for a small thing, he had a huge personality. Instead, I’ve written a poem, and I would say it’s for him but rather selfishly I feel it may be more for me!
So, here’s to you Puddin’…
Travelling in a Taxi alone,
A life of abuse and hurt was all you had known.
Until you came to live with us,
You were always barking, always making a fuss.
But we loved you and your grumble,
Your soft snore, your playful mumble.
Mam’s little Prince,
Life hasn’t been the same since.
For the last time we packed away Lambsy and your lead,
Come back now Puds I plead.
Your goofy teeth that looked like a smile,
Made every moment more worthwhile.
Seeing your tail wag,
Each day felt brighter, like less of a drag.
Dad’s Piggy Wiggy Woo,
We miss you.
That little twinkle in your eye,
The hardest goodbye.
My best boy, my confidant,
A breath so stinky strangers would recant.
From primary school to university,
You brought love and vitality.
My gorgeous Puds,
My tears flow for you in floods.
Through all the days and all the time,
Until we meet again the memories of you will shine.
We love you so much,
The things I would do for one last ‘Cwtch’.
Sleep well our boy,
Our bond is something you cannot destroy.
Our little Pig,
The hole you have left is oh so big.
I’ll never forget the day I met my little pudding, Erik.”
Love from all of us. xxx
by Yasmin | 29 Oct, 2025 | Pug Home Appeal, Blog, News, Rescue Stories
ALBERT’s APPEAL is CLOSED.
Sincere THANKS to ALL his enthusiastic Adoption Applicants.
Within weeks, Albert is well-settled in his loving Forever Home.
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OCT 8th : ORIGINAL APPEAL INFORMATION for ALBERT.
Five-year-old Albert is a placid and easy-going boy. He is neutered, and has lived a very sheltered, apartment-based life with elderly owners, and as a result, can be shy and reserved.
Albert is living with other dogs for the first time in his foster home and has settled in well. It took him about 10 days to relax with them. He can still be wary, and will avoid them if the games get a bit rough. He will always back down when loose in the garden playing with them.
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Albert is wary of strangers. He doesn’t mind seeing people or dogs when out and about but prefers to be ignored by them. On the lead, he’ll pass by other dogs quietly if given a wide berth.
He loves his walks and can be strong on the lead if there is a lamp-post or litter bin to be sniffed at but you aren’t getting there quickly enough for him!
Albert will bark at strangers entering the home, but not aggressively. This is an area that will require patience and further work in his new home but should improve with confident guidance.
We feel that he would benefit from the company of a calm, confident dog for reassurance and companionship.
Albert enjoys a cuddle and being stroked or gentle play. He has reasonable recall in the home environment and will sit, give a paw and pop in his crate when it’s bedtime.
Here, however, you can see his playful side is starting to come out now, which is great progress really lovely to see!
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Albert may be best suited to an adult-only home or one with calm, older children. He hasn’t been tested regarding cats.
It’s important to also read our Guidelines & conditions for Adopting, at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
We are currently on HOLD to new applications, due to a terrific response for Adorable Albert.
If you have any specific questions about him or your application, please email Cara at:
sw@nullpugwelfare-rescue.org.uk
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To see a sample of other happy, successful, Rescue & Adoption Stories, please go to:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
