by Yasmin | 3 Jan, 2025 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
PDWRA Pug Adopter and Fundraiser, Shirley has her pencils ready again after a short break this Christmas, to provide her wonderful portraits of Your Favourite Furry-Friends!
Inspired, upon adopting Daphne from PDWRA, artist Shirley has been generously using her talent to donate funds directly to PDWRA. Over £2,000 last year!
Shirley’s Inspiration, Beloved Daphne!
If you would like to own a unique and personal portrait of any four-legged animal please don’t hesitate to place an order to Shirley’s growing list.
All you need to do is provide an accompanying photo. Each portrait costs £15 only, where Shirley donates £10 directly to PDWRA, and £5 covers post, packaging & materials.
Please do so from within our Facebook Mega Auction Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/242845766241493/permalink/1899302960595757
You can private message Shirley from there.
We can’t thank Shirley enough for her generosity, as well as the joy she has brought to all those who have ordered already.
Here are a few examples:
Thank you for your support!
Interview with Adopter & Fundraiser Shirley | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
Interview with Adopter & Fundraiser Shirley
by Yasmin | 2 Jan, 2025 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Written by Anna, on Monty & Poppy.
We fell in love with pugs when we met our boy, Monty, who we got from a puppy. He’s the love of our life and led us to meet so many other wonderful pugs and their owners. We’d always talked about getting a companion for Monty, even though he seemed perfectly content being an “only child”!
Monty is the gentlest and most kind-hearted pug, food is life for Monty, and he is most content curled up in the crook of an arm. As he was getting older and he slept more and played less, we thought it would be nice for him to have a full time snuggle buddy, and maybe even someone who could keep him young at heart.
We met someone at our local dog park who had rescued their pug from the PDWRA, so we Googled the charity and filled in the application form. We knew we wanted an older dog, to match Monty’s tolerance levels; he definitely would not have enjoyed living with a young dog!! He was 12 when we adopted Poppy, he’s now 13.
We were more than happy to take on an older dog and didn’t mind if there were health issues – every pug needs love and care. We went through the application process, and because it was during Covid, we had our home check via Zoom, walking our laptop around the house and into the garden!
We didn’t hear anything straight away, but a few months later, we got an email about a 7-year-old pug called Poppy, who was looking for her forever home. We spoke to the PDWRA about Poppy, who explained she had been surrendered, and her fosterer felt she needed a male dog to look to for guidance.
We exchanged messages with Poppy’s foster parents, who were absolutely wonderful, and arranged a time to meet and introduce Monty.
When we first laid eyes on Poppy, it was love at first sight. She was the sweetest little thing, with huge, bulgy eyes and a worried look on her face (standard pug really!).
We went for a nice country walk, and Poppy followed Monty everywhere he went. It was adorable. We chatted to her foster parents, who explained that it seemed Poppy hadn’t been walked at all, and when she arrived with them, she had muscle wastage in her back legs, and they had worked with her to build up her back legs. It broke my heart because Poppy LOVES walks, they are hands down her favourite thing (she loves them even more than food!).
As Poppy and Monty got on so well, we quickly made the decision to adopt Poppy.
Monty had SERIOUS only child syndrome when she first arrived. He loved playing with her, but equally enjoyed sulking because he wasn’t getting ALL the attention. Poppy, in typical younger sibling style, followed Monty everywhere and copied everything he did.
It did take Monty some time, a few months maybe, to fully embrace his new sibling, but now they are true siblings. They spend their days snuggling together, sharing their favourite chew bone, and living the luxury life only a pug can. Poppy enjoys a morning belly rub to wake her up and get her out of bed, and established her favourite foot stool. Monty and Poppy trick us into thinking they haven’t had their dinner, and tag team licking the dishwasher when we’re loading it. Poppy chases shadows and barks at the pigeons, while Monty watches on with a long-suffering look. Monty lost his hearing a few months ago, and Poppy is now his ears. He knows when something is going on when Poppy moves or responds.
Poppy copies everything Monty does, as well as pushing his buttons in the way only a sibling can!
We always wonder what really happened to Poppy before she came to us, but what we do know is that all Poppy wants is to be loved, which is definitely something we give her in unconditional bucket loads.
I think for anyone looking to adopt, it’s important to remember things can take time, especially if you’re introducing a new dog to your resident dog. I found myself feeling guilty at first, when Monty looked at me with a “why have you brought this new creature into the house permanently?!” look, but with time, love and patience, anything is possible.
Monty and Poppy are now bonded, and I can’t imagine life without Poppy as part of our family!
Anna & Stuart with Monty & Poppy
My other advice is to trust the PDWRA and the fosterers, they know pugs so well, and know exactly what is best for them. They are true heroes!
By Anna.
If you could provide a forever home by adopting a pug in need, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you would like to help a pug along its journey by fostering, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 31 Dec, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
It’s New Year’s Eve and this year we have a combination of the usual potential hazard of Fireworks to our pugs, plus a combination of storms or snow across the country.
The Met Office has weather warnings in place for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland between now and 2 January, even Edinburgh Hogmanay has been cancelled!
For some of you, it could be the first time you’ll be experiencing how fireworks affects a new pug in your home, so here are our regular tips for pug parents.
Sufficiently in advance, you may have considered:
• Desensitising your pets to noise: Playing fireworks noises quietly using sound CDs, while rewarding calm behaviour, can help them become accustomed to the noise. Play them in the run up to firework season, to help them see they need not be afraid.
• Anxiety relief products: A variety of anxiety relieving products contain pheromones, and can be an effective way to help your pet stay calm. Comforting jackets also are like a big hug! There are so many products around so do research them.
• Check that their microchip registration details are up-to-date.
Otherwise:
• Walk them before it’s dark or if the weather is bad, skip it once they’ve toileted, maybe just in the garden.
• Feed your dogs before fireworks are expected to begin, as they may be too stressed to eat.
• Make sure your house or garden is escape-proof, as they can bolt or go missing.
• Keep windows and curtains closed, the lights on and turn the TV on to play music to help drown out the noise.
• Create a safe, cosy place for your dog to settle before it gets dark. Dogs enjoy cosy dens.
• Keep them entertained to take their mind off the noise.
• Comfort and reassure them.
• Do not leave them alone at home or elsewhere unsupervised.
Further Advice & tips can be found at:
• https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/fireworks
&
• https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/keeping-pets-safe-in-stormy-weather?
Also,
• https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/seasonal-hazards-for-pugs/
by Yasmin | 17 Dec, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Pictured are Arlo & Nora with co-stars Gabby and Matt.
Location photos courtesy of History Hit.
PDWRA had a request from a film company, History Hit, for a pug to take part in a scene they were filming, so Arlo and Nora sprang to mind for Jackie, one of our VACs who had placed them for adoption earlier this year with Jayne, an artist who kindly fundraises for PDWRA through her greeting cards business.
Arlo and Nora were invited to spend a morning at Oxford’s Castle and Prison museum to take part in their filming.
Mike Loades, the film’s Director filled us in on some fascinating details:
“Bright and early on a chilly November morning, Jayne Cooper, the proud owner of pugs Nora and Arlo (and passionate supporter of PDWRA), turned up for some filming at Oxford’s Castle and Prison museum. It was an unusual assignment.
Oxford’s medieval Castle had been largely demolished during the English Civil Wars (1642 – 1651). What was left became a prison. This was extended and enlarged in the late 18th century, much of it remaining in its original condition. It is now a visitor attraction. What could two self-respecting pugs possibly be required to do in an old prison?
History Hit is a streaming channel (available online and via smart TVs) that specializes in history documentaries. Coming soon to the channel are two documentaries in a series about dogs in history – ‘Dogs of the Tudors’ and ‘Dogs in the Age of Revolutions’. It was for the ‘Dogs in the Age of Revolutions’ film that a pug was required.
During the Reign of Terror (1793/1794), which followed the French Revolution, Josephine Beauharnais (later to marry Napoleon) was imprisoned. It was usual for political prisoners to be allowed the company of their dogs –prison guards in such turbulent times were quite easy to bribe – but Josephine’s dog (a pug by the name of Fortune) was given the special privilege of being able to come and go at will. In fact he was able to carry secret messages to and from her children.
Naturally Jayne did not want either dog to wear a collar (they were used to harnesses) but she was happy for Nora to wear a blue ribbon, tied in a bow. Such a fashion accessory looked entirely in keeping for the period. It was also useful to incorporate a secret compartment in which a folded message could be stowed.
Historical performers Gabby Monet and Matthew Howarth played Josephine and her jailor, respectively. Gabby is a professional period seamstress and both she and Matthew had perfect period costumes. It was a very authentic looking setting.
Nora pipped Arlo in one final test to play the role of Fortune. Being slightly slimmer, she was able (just) to squeeze through the prison bars. Nora determined and brave scampering down the grim prison corridors before arriving at the bars to Josephine’s cell. Possibly with the encouragement of a hidden biscuit (we can’t give all the secrets away) Nora wriggled through the bars, like a slow-motion champagne cork popping, time and time again. You always have to do things over and over for filming, so that the cameraperson can get different angles.
There is no doubt that Nora was taken with gabby. They bonded quickly. Once Nora had shimmied through the bars, she twizzled and danced at Gabby’s feet with such excitement that she should be awarded a BAFTA. Dogs are such natural actors of course. Gabby scooped her up, cuddled and kissed her, and Nora looked back adoringly. It was beautiful and touching scene.
So – thank you Nora, and thank you PDWRA (you found her) you are a true action hero!
Do look out for the films being released on History Hit sometime in late January or early February.
Jayne reported back about their special day:
“What an adventure Arlo and Nora had!
We took the park and ride bus into Oxford – I wasn’t sure how they would get on with that, but they loved it! We were introduced to Drew from the film company who managed the days’ filming and the Pug’s co-stars Gabby and Matt at the Prison. The idea was to have a scene where a Pug visits Josephine (Napoleon’s wife) in Prison. Apparently she had a Pug who would visit with notes secreted on it.
They were keen to get the pug to slip through the prison bars – so that ruled Arlo out as he is a bit bigger.
However, Nora was perfect. She soon learnt that if she popped through she would get a treat, so she decided that she would do it whether it was asked of her or not! She is a little diva anyway so she was in her element!
They also filmed Arlo sitting in a chair and both Pugs running down a corridor. Everyone fell in love with them, and they were very pleased with how well behaved they were. What an adventure! I think it was a great experience for Arlo and Nora. They have come such a long way over the last 10 months.
I have attached some photographs capturing the details of that time, with the permission of History Hit, which I hope you enjoy!
Best wishes,
Jayne (proud Mum), Arlo & Nora”
Please also read more about Jayne’s fundraising at:
Fundraising & Events 2024 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
by Yasmin | 15 Dec, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
By Natalie.
As an owner of many a pug mug, key ring or phone case, it was no secret to family, friends and colleagues that I was mad about pugs and loved the breed and their fantastic characters. So when my colleague explained that her friend was fostering a pug from PDWRA that needed a home, I was immediately interested! I saw a video of Chubbs, a 2 year old pug, slightly overweight and with a few health issues and it was love at first sight!
We arranged to meet Chubbs in his foster home. His friendly demeanour was obvious to see straight away. He was so well socialised with the other dogs and his foster family. He was extremely keen to introduce us to his toys ‘Froggy’ and ‘Bear’ that he had brought with him from his previous home.
We asked lots of questions to find out as much as we could about Chubbs to fully understand what he required and make sure we were best suited to him and him to us! Chubbs suffers with epilepsy managed by medication and this was also explained to us in detail.
The team at PDWRA and his foster home gave us space and time to make our minds up (which included some gentle persuasion of my partner!) after which we decided to go ahead!
The process included a home visit by a PDWRA volunteer to confirm our home was suitable and the completion of some paperwork and within two weeks Chubbs came home to his forever home!!
We were offered lots of support by the charity and we knew that Chubbs would need time to settle into his new home and way of life.
Fortunately Chubbs settled quickly into life with us. He loves walks, cuddles on the sofa and socialising with other dogs and adults and with a strict diet, he wasn’t so Chubbsy anymore!
Whilst Chubbs was the first addition to our family, when our two children came along Chubbs embraced them and six years later the kids love playing with him, taking him for walks and indulging him in his favourite activity after eating….cuddles on the sofa.
Chubbs has had his fair share of health issues over the years but he has always loved a trip to the vet-we joke that he thinks of the vets as his own spa retreat! He is very popular with all the staff due to his loveable ways and fantastic temperament.
I have always continued to follow the work of the charity and I would say to anyone looking to add a pug to their life to consider PDWRA. I wouldn’t think twice about rehoming another pug from the PDWRA and would love to in the future.
As with rescuing any animal, I would say do your research, ask questions and make sure you are in a position to meet the pugs needs before saying yes. I would definitely advise investing in some comprehensive pet insurance and a decent vacuum for all the extra pet hair!!
In our case it has been a wholly positive experience. Chubbs has changed our lives for the better and we couldn’t imagine our lives without him in it!
For more stories like Chubbs’s please see our rescue stories at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
