by Yasmin | 14 Apr, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Sam Harrington-Lowe is Director, Founder and Managing Editor of Silver Magazine, an edgy, exciting online magazine for the 50+ market where she examines what your Midlife Coming of Age is, why it’s so amazing, and how you can get there!
Sam is a volunteer for PDWRA who fosters occasionally as well as transports whenever she can and there’s a need for it in her area. In March, Sam had an article published talking about how she has recently fostered a blind, deaf 15-year-old pug. She says that whilst this has made life a little more complicated it’s also been rather magical…
Miss Bones was Sam’s new arrival. She says that “Her owner died. Imagine being fostered out at 15 after a lifetime with one family. When she arrived she was frightened and in flight mode.
Incumbent Alice in front of Miss Bones.
Sam already had a pug, Alice Pickle, who we all knew could be a little diva and was fussy about fostering other pugs so Sam had to be careful offering sometimes! So, although Alice Pickle wasn’t a huge fan of Miss Bones at first, especially not understanding that Miss Bones is blind and why she bumps into her, it wasn’t too long before they starting to sit closer together.
“As for Miss Bones, she barely knows Alice is there. It’s very hard for a pug that can barely even see if it’s day or night. After a day or two crashing around trying to escape, the pheromone diffuser and industrial strength hemp oil kicked in and she settled, found her stride, started to trust us, and we formed some routines.”
“Miss Bones is amazing. She’s mapped out the ground floor of the house, doing laps over and over, touching things with her nose to test the boundaries, and walks around it without hesitation now.
We have to be careful of not ambushing her by leaving things lying around where she’s not expecting them. Added bonus is that my daughter now has to be tidier, or Miss Bones goes a cropper…”
As you can tell, with time and adjustments to help each other, Miss Bones found a very happy, secure and loving home with sisterly companionship in Alice Pickle. Thanks Sam!
Read Sam’s full article here
You can find out more about Silver Magazine here
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If you could Foster and make an enormous difference to lives, please see our webpage & apply there:
Fostering
by Yasmin | 13 Apr, 2025 | Pug Home Appeal, Blog, News, Rescue Stories
👏 THANKING ALL APPLICANTS! 👏
We are delighted to say that Oscar & Milo are comfortably in their Adoptive Home!
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APPEAL INFORMATION:
Bonded boys Milo and Oscar are keen and ready for their Forever Home together!
Due to long working-hours changes at home, this delightful pair of boys, who can live with children and other sociable dogs are looking for their adoptive home.
We’re informed, No cats though!
Oscar is four years old.
and Milo is five.
Both boys are neutered and vaccinated.
They are affectionate and love a cuddle.
They are crate and housetrained.
If you have any specific questions about them, please email Jane at: central@nullpugwelfare-rescue.org.uk
Our Guidelines for Adopting, including Bonded-Pairs, are at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
Thank you!
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To see the difference adoption can make to your life and theirs, see some of our heart-warming Rescue & Adoption Stories for Bonded-Pairs at:
Perfect Pairs | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
by Yasmin | 4 Apr, 2025 | Blog, News, Fundraising
👏 ** THE PRIZE DRAW has been made – Raffle Closed ** 👏
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It’s looking like the Most Popular Raffle Prize we’ve had so far, this year!
Brand New in the box, the latest model, NINJA WOODFIRE PRO CONNECT XL ELECTRIC BBQ GRILL AND SMOKER.
RRP £449. It could be yours, for just £2 per raffle ticket.
The future of outdoor cooking – controlled by your phone this will make your Summer entertaining!
From the UK’s No.1 BBQ brand, Pro Connect app controls your BBQ & monitors cooking progress from your phone.
It burns natural wood pellets for authentic smoky flavours & the large grill fits up to 10 burgers, 40 hotdogs or 2 whole 3kg chickens
Electrically powered & weather resistant, for year-round outdoor use.
This fantastic prize could be yours if you join our Raffle in PDWRA’s Facebook Mega Auction Group: (6) PDWRA Mega Auction For Pugs In Need | Facebook
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The Draw will take place by video, at:
7pm on Wednesday 9th April
with free delivery to the Winner’s UK home address.
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For full Prize details and to buy Tickets, please join our Facebook group if you are not a member yet.
Ticket acknowledgements will be made within the Mega-Auction Facebook Group only.
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For more information about Fundraising, please see our webpage: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fundraising-events/
by Yasmin | 2 Apr, 2025 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Hello everyone. My name is Esme and I first came to PDWRA a few years ago.
I’ll start with the day I was told I had a new Furever Home. I was transported from my foster home to another lovely volunteer’s home, and from there I was collected by Myra and her daughter, Melissa.
I was taken to my new home where I met my new brother, Rupert (a Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross). As I explored the house, I found that there were dog beds in each room, one for each of us, (but sometimes Rupert and I like to share together) and a large garden, which has lots of birds visiting. I love to chase birds!
I also checked out the most important room, the kitchen… I found that the menu was quite delicious!
It didn’t take me long to find the best spot on the bed that night, with my own pillow, and I must say I slept well. Two days later though, I did not feel good, and my new family realised that I had a problem with my eye, so off I went to the vet. Apparently,
I had an ulcerated cornea, and when the standard treatment didn’t work, I was referred to a specialist, who told me that I needed expensive surgery imminently, or I would lose my eye. As it was a pre-existing condition, the PDWRA agreed to pay the costs. I was then forced to wear the cone of shame for weeks, but thankfully, with the swift action from my humans and help from PDWRA I have been able to keep my eye.
A little while later I began to take interest in Rupert’s toys and so Melissa gave me a toy of my own, and I love it. I don’t play with it very often, but I love to give it a chew from time to time.
When I first came here, I was not used to walking and I had a terrible fear of traffic, but both Myra and Melissa were very patient with me and slowly built up my walking distance, and took time to let me get used to traffic.
I still have a go at big vans if they are too close to me but I can now walk by the road without having to be kept on a short lead. I do still have occasional night terrors but even they have got better the longer I’m here.
Sadly, Myra became ill, and so Melissa took over our care as well as looking after her Mum, who we then sadly lost. Melissa has now become our sole Human and she has made sure that Rupert and I lost nothing but also gained so much, as we now go on doggy adventures to the forest and other local spaces and we’ve been on holidays to the New Forest and Cornwall.
I can now walk up to 7 miles in a day, not bad for a Pug who had never been walking before! Melissa is an actor and film maker and I have actually appeared in a couple of her films, and have even appeared in a travel show for Korean TV!
Thank you PDWRA for all you have done for me and others like me, and I hope that you continue the good work for other Pugs.
For more stories like Esme’s, please see some of our rescue stories at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 31 Mar, 2025 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Spring is here!
We’re all glad for the drier, brighter, warmer days bringing with it NEW temptations for our furry friends indoors and out. So as usual we need to be vigilant, for them!
Outdoor hazards:
We’re likely to be keen to be outdoors with winter behind us. Springtime activities such as gardening and picnicking can expose pugs to potential hazards like pesticides, fertilizers, and sharp tools/objects.
So, keep a close eye on your pug when they’re outdoors to ensure they’re not exploring things they shouldn’t be, and are in a safe environment.
Toxic Bulbs & Plants:
Many different plants & bulbs commonly found in the home, gardens and outdoor areas can make your dog ill. Some of these are highly poisonous, such as lilies, tulips, and daffodils, if ingested. while others may only cause a mild tummy upset. Incidents of poisoning from spring bulbs are most likely to occur from dogs eating the bulbs in spring when they begin to flower and autumn when they are planted.
It’s best to keep your pugs away from these plants, to prevent accidental poisoning. Please see more examples of harmful and harmless plants the bottom of this webpage.
There’s a whole array of OTHER hazards, including: weed killer, pesticides including slug pellets, compost bins, even grass cuttings!
Allergens: Just like humans, dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies triggered by pollen, grass, and other allergens that are more prevalent in the spring. Symptoms may include itching, scratching, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Please see: Atopic Dermatitis (Itchy skin!). | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Ticks and fleas: Warmer weather means an increase in ticks and fleas, which can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and tapeworms. Pugs, with their wrinkled skin, can be particularly susceptible to flea infestations if proper preventive measures aren’t taken.
Indoor hazards:
With Easter, it may be worth reminding visitors or children who may not be as aware of the hazards, as we are, so everyone can enjoy this time of year, safely.
Chocolate poisoning: Easter often involves chocolate eggs & treats, which are toxic to dogs if ingested. Make sure to keep all chocolate out of reach of your pug and be cautious about where you hide Easter eggs if they contain chocolate.
Most of us know about keeping Easter chocolate away from temptation but our dogs will endeavour to seek things out with their highly sensitive sense of smell.
Theobromine found in chocolate is a stimulant. It may cause excitability or muscle twitching, tremors, even fitting, or they may have an increased heart rate. They may initially be sick, but you must never try to make them sick.
– If vomit is frothy and foamy it could get into their lungs, making matters worse.
– Other signs might include drinking a lot, drooling, not walking in a straight line and fast breathing. If enough is eaten then the effects can be severe or even fatal.
Some sugar-free chocolates contain Xylitol, also branded as Birch-sugar, which is an artificial sweetener especially poisonous to dogs. It can cause a dog’s blood sugar level to drop to dangerous levels, also possibly liver failure.
Also, while chocolate foil wrappers are not poisonous, they can cause an obstruction if eaten. This can be dangerous enough to require surgery.
Signs of an obstruction may include being sick, being tired, they may be be off their food, or finding it difficult to go to the toilet!
If you suspect your pet may have eaten chocolate, keep the packaging and call your vet immediately. Help them regarding the type of chocolate that’s been eaten (dark, plain, milk, white etc.) and how much has been consumed.
If you suspect your dog may have eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately, keep the packaging to help them regarding the type of chocolate that’s been eaten (dark, plain, milk, white etc.) and how much has been consumed.
To learn more about chocolate toxicity and the signs and symptoms:https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/chocolate-poisoning?
Overeating Easter treats: With Easter celebrations often come feasts and treats, which can lead to overeating and digestive issues for pugs. Be mindful of the types and amounts of food your pug consumes to prevent obesity and gastrointestinal problems.
Food Hazards.
– Traditional roasts where cooked bones can easily splinter.
– Stuffing, gravy, anything which may contain onion, chives, garlic.
– Fruit or Simnel cake, Hot-Cross buns, anything with sultana’s and raisins (grape family).
– Other foods, such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty foods.
For more on Easter dangers: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/easterdangers?
Spring Cleaning.
If you are Spring-Cleaning, make sure that products are inaccessible to your dog and that they are kept away from areas while being cleaned, or have recently been cleaned.
For more information, please see: Poisons | Dog health | The Kennel Club
Including a comprehensive list of poisonous plants: Poisons in your garden | Dog health | Kennel Club (thekennelclub.org.uk)
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On a sunnier note, here are some, from many, that are regarded to be safe for our dogs:
If you suspect your dog might have ingested anything that is appearing to make them ill, contact your vet immediately.
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Seasonal Hazards for Pugs
