by Yasmin | 11 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News
Today is National Pet Day, April 11th. Although if you’re a pet owner, you know there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t celebrate your animal companion.
So perhaps hug your beloved pets just a little more, today (as if you need an excuse!).
We all know that apart from stealing our hearts, they also contribute to our overall cardiovascular health by lowering cortisol, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Our pets help us to cope with every day, life stresses.
National Pet Day was founded in 2006, by Colleen Paige, an animal welfare advocate and pet and family lifestyle expert, to celebrate the joy pets can bring to us. But she also wanted to bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets of all kinds waiting in shelters to be adopted.
She encouraged people who wanted purebred dogs and cats to contact rescue organisations instead of going to a breeder. “Don’t shop! Adopt!” became the holiday motto.
Though started in the US, it soon expanded internationally. Pet lovers now mark the day in many countries across the world and celebrities help to spread the cause from their highly visible platforms.
Here’s a small selection of our beloved companions who illustrate why they mean so much to us:
by Yasmin | 9 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
1 week since our Appeal for homes for puppies’ Alvin & Simon, they have found their forever homes.
Along with their siblings they will all be enjoying a very special EASTER with their new families!
We thank everyone for their interest in them, plus the applications we received. There are many pugs who still need homes, so please consider applying to us:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 7 Apr, 2023 | Blog, Rescue Stories
I first heard about the PDWRA when I went to a nail salon and we all got talking about our dogs! One of the members of staff mentioned her mum fosters pugs for the charity, and without a second thought I applied to adopt!
Having a 7 year old puggle at home I knew I would have to wait a while before finding the perfect pug to suit us, and a few months later I got a call from the PDWRA about a little lad named Teddy who was in need of his forever home.
Teddy was only 11 months old when I adopted him, but had already been moved from four different homes, with his 5th being with his wonderful foster mum Rebecca and her family. After two days of hearing about Teddy I was on my way to London to meet Rebecca and bring him to his new home.
Whilst waiting for Teddy, I started my research on the best ways to introduce another dog to Molly the puggle, and the PDWRA said that if I needed help or guidance, they would be there for me as Teddy settled in. Some of the best practices included:
- Introduce the dogs outside where they can sniff, play, and get to know each other on neutral ground
- Praise positive behaviours
- Make sure you enter the home first, don’t let the dogs go in first as they may become territorial
- Watch for signs of stress in the home, recognize when the dogs might need their own space
- Establish a safe space for the new dog
I was really lucky with Teddy that he was already crate trained so it didn’t take long for him to realise where his bed and safe space was, but the other advice really helped me get him settled in with his new grumble.
When he arrived, we went straight into the garden for him to see that was where he would go to the bathroom, amongst other things, although not unexpectedly we had a couple of rug poop mishaps in the first couple of days, which is to be expected when the dog is getting over the stress of settling into a new environment.
The introduction between him and my dog Molly went really well and I’m so pleased I looked into the best practices!
Molly certainly tells him who is boss when he gets too excitable, but has welcomed Teddy into our home brilliantly. He is definitely part goat, I often find him sat on my work desk, on the dining table and even sat on the toilet seat (yes there has been an open toilet incident…he was fine, and hasn’t learnt his lesson).
I can’t thank his foster mum Rebecca enough for getting my boy ready for his forever home and for doing such a great job taking care of him. He’s stolen my heart, and the hearts of my family and friends! He’s such a great character and keeps me entertained, on my toes, and full of joy!
3 months later, since Teddy came into our lives, it’s June and it’s like he’s been here forever!
He has discovered his love for the garden and has claimed the comfy chair as his own! Teddy loves to play with his big sister Molly, and he has brought back her puppy energy; they love chasing each other around the house (often when I am on a work call!) and they bolt around the common on our walks.
Teddy loves every dog and person he meets, and he’s made some friends in the local park. His recall is fantastic, and he is often by Molly’s side. Adopting Teddy was definitely one of the best things I have done and I couldn’t be happier with my little family!
by Yasmin | 6 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Written by Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet.
For this month’s health topic, I’m writing about seizures, which I suspect a significant number of you have had the misfortune of experiencing.
The conformation (shape) of a pug’s skull has been altered compared to non-brachycephalic dog breeds, such that it can alter brain function through both physiology (normal working of brain) and actual physical boundaries.
Since the brain is compromised because of these factors, it can result in a variety of brain conditions, the most common being seizures, which we see all too commonly in pugs.
A seizure can be a very frightening thing to observe, especially when it is your own dog. They can vary from what is known as a ‘Petit Mal’, when the signs are very mild, to a full blown ‘Grand Mal’ with severe signs such as shaking, rigidity, frothing of mouth and involuntary urination and/or defecations.
Pugs can have seizures for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is ‘idiopathic epilepsy’, that is, epilepsy of an unknown cause, however it is important to rule out other conditions before coming to this diagnosis.
If your pug has a seizure, make a note of time, date, length of episode and severity (seizure diary). A video of the episode is really helpful for a vet, though easier said than done when witnessing your pug having a seizure which can be very distressing.
If the pug comes out of it quickly and appears normal after, it may be a one off. I have seen pugs have one off seizures as a result of some ‘stress’ on the body, such as a change in the environment (a new puppy!) or it’s body (an infection like cystitis).
It may be a one-off event, however if it happens again, you will need to take your dog to the vets to be examined. The vet will likely take blood to look for metabolic conditions that can cause seizures, such as liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). By far the majority of times, these blood tests come back as normal.
There are rare conditions of the brain such as Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis (GME), Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) or a brain tumour, but these conditions are progressive with other clinical signs including head pressing, circling and behavioural changes, and it will soon become apparent that it is not epilepsy. Unfortunately all three conditions tend to be terminal.
Your vet may suggest carrying out an MRI scan in these cases and where medication is not controlling the symptoms, however, if you can’t afford a scan, then MRI won’t alter the outcome; it will just give a diagnosis. GME can be confirmed by taking a sample of the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain (CSF).
However, the MAJORITY of cases of seizures in a pug, are caused by idiopathic epilepsy, a condition they have for life, but is normally able to be controlled through anti-seizure drugs such as Epiphen.
Depending on the frequency of your dog’s seizures, it may not need medication, for example, if they occur every 6 months it won’t warrant being on medication for a life time; It’s all about symptoms vs medication and its side effects.
Having been in contact with a specialist veterinary neurologist, who has a specific interest in idiopathic epilepsy in pugs, the drug of choice is Epiphen (phenobarbital). The dose is altered depending on therapeutic blood levels of the drug, so regular blood tests will be required initially.
Most pugs will respond to Epiphen only, however if the medication isn’t controlling the dog’s seizures, other anti-epileptic drugs can be added, such as Pexion.
Your vet can refer you to see a specialist neurologist at any stage, or if you’re concerned about the treatment.
This is by no means exhaustive, but merely an overview to enable some understanding of seizures and their potential causes.
I hope you find it helpful.
Helen.
PDWRA Vet.
by Yasmin | 6 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Why you should let your dog sniff as many lamp posts as they want?
While such behaviour may be frustrating for owners and dog-walkers, experts say you shouldn’t yank your curious pet away.
Article by Joe Pinkstone
SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT
26 March 2023
Dogs should be allowed to sniff as many lamp posts as they want when out on a walk and not be yanked onwards by bored owners, a canine expert has said.
Walks are often perceived by owners as being solely for exercise and to keep a dog physically fit but veterinarians say they also play a vital role in mental stimulation.
Some dogs, especially as they get older, walk with less vigour and for shorter periods of time, preferring to plod slowly and investigate the scents around them.
This should be embraced by owners, even if it is frustrating, counter-intuitive and boring for the walker, veterinarians believe.
In a talk on how to adapt to living with a geriatric dog at BSAVA Congress 2023, experts spoke about the value of ensuring a dog was still fulfilled, active and stimulated even as its body slows down or it develops age-related health issues, like osteoarthritis.
‘Sniffing is really, really important’
“I think you have to make a mental switch when you’ve got a dog with osteoarthritis; instead of it being you and your mate going out for a really nice walk wherever you want, there has to be some walks that are for the dog,” Zoe Belshaw, a veterinary surgeon working on the BSAVA Old Age Pets project, said.
“As most dogs age, they become increasingly motivated to sniff, irrespective of whether or not that’s what they wanted to do before. I think it’s a massively important part of their quality of life, being able to sniff.
“[Older] dogs don’t need to be marching for the whole ten minutes of a walk.
“If you have ten minutes and they go ten metres but spend nine and a half minutes sniffing a lamp post; for that dog that is probably so much better than you trying to drag it around a circular walk around the block.
“Sniffing is really, really important. You just have to reframe what the point of that walk is so that you don’t get driven berserk by the fact that you’ve been standing by a lamp post for nine and a half minutes.
“Vets should tell owners to get a podcast or do something that makes the time go by to make it not frustrating for them because you see so many dogs being yanked because the owner thinks either the walk is for the dog and it needs to move, or because they themselves are so fed up of the sniffing – but embracing the “sniffari” is really important.”
Other adaptations people can make to ensure life is as easy as possible for an ageing dog include putting down soft, grippy mats to stop them falling over; playing in different ways; feeding them in an innovative manner; and not changing their home environment.
Pug Health & Wellbeing
by Yasmin | 6 Apr, 2023 | Blog, Pug Health
If you’re walking your dog or holidaying in new, particularly grassy areas, you may want to be extra vigilant regarding ticks. They can be present all year round & are not just a warm-weather hazard.
Ticks are 8-legged parasites, related to spiders, that lurk on grass to attach to your dog (mammals) & feed on their blood.
They rank second to mosquitoes in spreading infectious disease to both pets and people. So please regularly check your clothing & your dog after walking in potentially high-risk areas.
There are many ways to avoid & prevent you or your dog from getting them, including safe repellent, or tick-control products.
Although very tiny, they can swell up to the size of a pea after feeding on your dog. If you identify one on your dog, your vet should be consulted to ensure safe removal and no further consequences.
For more detailed information please see:
by Yasmin | 5 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Pug Health
It’s officially Spring and Easter is upon us already, so it’s worth remembering the potentially dangerous hazards that are around to our furry friends.
Temptation will be indoors and out, so please be vigilant, and know what to avoid, reminding visitors or children who may not be as aware as we are, so to enjoy this time of year, safely:
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 don’t 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, 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.
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.
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?
For more on Easter dangers: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/easterdangers?
FURTHER FOOD HAZARDS include:
– All chocolate, lying around, discarded or forgotten out on Easter hunts!
– Fruit or Simnel cake, hot-cross buns, anything with sultana’s and raisins (grapes)
– Traditional roasts where bones can easily splinter
– Stuffing, gravy, anything which may contain onion, chives, garlic.
– Other foods, such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty foods
Although 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 off their food, or finding it difficult to go to the toilet!
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.
There’s a whole array of OTHER hazards, especially outdoors, including: poisonous plants & bulbs, weed killer, pesticides including slug pellets, compost bins, even grass cuttings!
Many different plants commonly found in the home, gardens and outdoor areas can make your dog ill. Some of these are highly poisonous, 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.
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)
On a sunnier note, here are some, from many, that are regarded to be safe for our dogs:
However, if you suspect your dog might have ingested anything that is appearing to make them ill, contact your vet immediately.
by Yasmin | 2 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News
Paul O’Grady MBE – 14/6/55-28/3/23
We very much wanted to express our great sadness at the recent passing of Paul O’Grady. As well as his glittering TV career, he was also incredibly active over many years with dog rescue and rehoming causes and will be particularly remembered by animal lovers for this. He has left five rescue dogs of his own.
From 2012 to 2023 Paul presented ‘Animal Orphans’ and ‘For The Love of Dogs’, the latter being centred around the incredibly important work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Apparently, Paul had wanted to work on a show like this for years and it was a role he took to with great passion and enthusiasm.
Over the 11 years of shooting ‘For The Love of Dogs’, Paul brought the importance of rescuing dogs right into our living rooms and helped to raise awareness of this issue to unprecedented levels. In each episode he interacted with members of the Battersea staff, highlighting a selection of dogs in their care and following their stories through to successful adoptions. It’s reported they have received over £100,000 in donations since Paul’s passing earlier this week.
Although originally only scheduled to last for 6 days, Paul ended up staying on as a volunteer for 6 months and at the end of the 1st series was invited to become an ambassador for the home. As a mark of thanks, a bronze statue of his late dog, Buster, who ‘co-hosted’ the Paul O’Grady show, was erected on a plinth at the centre.
Ultimately, the show was so successful that it won several awards, including ‘Favourite Factual Show’ (5 times) and ‘Most Popular Factual Entertainment Programme’ (twice). It was also nominated for a BAFTA for ‘Best Features Programme’ in 2013.
Also in 2013, Paul took part in the ‘Pedigree Feeding Brighter Futures’ campaign which aimed to give a million meals to rescue dogs nationwide. In September 2016 he was recognised for his work with animals when he won the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare’ at the RSPCA’s Animal Hero Awards.
From Olga Productions PAUL O’GRADY’S FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS November 2019 on ITV
Pictured: Paul O’Grady and Pancake the Pug at Battersea
Paul died unexpectedly but peacefully, on 28th March 2023 at the age of 67. His death was announced by his husband Andre Portasio and tributes quickly came in from his many high-profile friends. We’d like to express our sadness and best wishes to all of his family and friends and also express our deep gratitude for everything he did to publicise and help the cause of dogs in need.
ITV will broadcast a tribute show titled For the Love of Paul O’Grady on Easter Sunday, 9th April, 8pm and have confirmed that the 11th series of Paul O’Grady For the Love of Dogs will premiere on Thursday 13th April at 8.30pm.
by Yasmin | 1 Apr, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
UPDATE: 1 week on, Alvin & Simon have found their forever homes. Along with their siblings they will all be enjoying a very special EASTER with their new families!
ORIGINAL POST:
We are looking for 2 suitable forever homes for puppies, Alvin and Simon!
They are nine-week-old male pug puppies who came from a litter of four. We have already found homes for their siblings.
*Alvin and Simon require homes with plenty of time to give, and have given serious thought to taking on, potentially a 15-year responsibility.
*More suited in a home with children of 8 years plus.
*They are typically playful, confident pups, who are both healthy, busy, cuddly, and love attention.
Alvin is the more boisterous of the two!
If you feel you can provide the right, dedicated, forever home for either Alvin or Simon, please apply here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
Quote Reference: Alvin 23062 or Simon 23064 on your application form.
If you are already on our waiting list & are interested in adopting one of these delightful pups, please contact your PDWRA Area Coordinator directly.
by Yasmin | 28 Mar, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Doug is one of those special pugs who needed a particularly calm environment to settle into.
He was reactive and anxious but there was a gentle, loving pug seeking reassurance under his potentially problematic reactivity and barking.
Dear Doug has found his desirable countryside home where he can thrive, and we couldn’t be happier for him and his new family who will benefit from his loving companionship too!
Dear Doug needs a countryside home!
by Yasmin | 27 Mar, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
We are thrilled to be able to give you an update on Oswald!
Ten days ago, we put out an appeal to find a forever home for this lovely boy whose requirements weren’t met by our existing waiting-list of adopters. Well, a perfect new applicant came forward and within this timeframe the lovely Oswald is settling in his new home in the countryside with the bonus of a new pug companion, that he can get-along with, Miss Freeda!
Here’s Oswald enjoying his morning walk looking very handsome in his harness!
A few words from the man himself via his new Mum, Sarah:
“My new home in the countryside is great! I have a huge room with loads of floor to ceiling glass so I can bark at, and chase the birds that I can see!
I pugging luffs my walks and we’ve gone for miles down the country farm tracks and I even go off lead all the way now as I know where we’re going and I can chase the geese or ducks but they then get in the big lakes and my new mum says I can’t pugging swim!! The cheek!
My new pal Freeda is a senior lady with these silver streaks. She has a red chariot my mum pushes her in for most of our walks as mum says her legs get more tired than mine but I like it as that’s where all my treats are kept for walks.
I’m trying to make friends with the neighbour’s dog Herbie but he’s a bit big (Sharpei x American bulldog) and I need to show him I’m the boss round here he rolls on the floor and I chase him and yesterday we went on 3 mile walk together and I loved chasing him down the lanes and in the fields so think in time I might allow him to share my garden and sofas …… just not quite yet!
Anyway, I’ve been here a week and my house, new fur sister & pawrents are all really nice and ….. I’m liking my routine and sleep well all night.
So, my paws are well and truly under the table here, I’m the boss and I likes my new role as CEO Pug, my amazing chilled home in the country and family are alright too!
Got to go bark at some more birds, check in again soon, much wuffs, luffs, Oswald ”
We couldn’t be happier for you Oswald, and your new family.
Oswald urgently needs a forever home!
by Yasmin | 22 Mar, 2023 | In Memoriam
We lost Winston last October after 11 great years. This has left a great hole in our home and our hearts!
We miss you, Winston, every day.
With love from your Mummy, Michelle.
To pay tribute to your sadly lost and beloved PDWRA pug on this dedicated web page,
please email your story, or whatever you would like to say about them, with photos, to: yasmin.t.pdwra@nullgmail.com
by Yasmin | 20 Mar, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
** GOOD NEWS UPDATE – DOUG HAS FOUND THE HOME OF HIS DREAMS! **
Doug is definitely home! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
***
Doug is a 4 year-old boy, who can be anxious and fearful.
Doug expresses this by random reactivity such as barking, lunging and ‘flipping’ (when on lead) at anything that passes him such as bikes and other dogs.
He appears to be especially scared of men he doesn’t know, and can go to nip, but has never bitten.
However, when Doug’s in a calm environment with people and dogs he knows, he is a gentle and loving pug that likes nothing more than sitting on a human’s lap, enjoying cuddles all day if he could, seeking reassurance.
Doug needs a calm home, preferably in the countryside, so that he isn’t faced with the daily stress and noises of urban (or suburban) living. It’s likely he could become a problem barker if he was in this environment.
Doug would be happy to potter outside, off lead with his owner and would particularly suit someone with land.
Doug will need an owner who is dog experienced, firm and understanding of his quirky behaviour, and knows how to deal with reactivity.
He would be fine as an only dog, or with other dogs in the household.
Doug randomly reacts to cats. He either ignores them or chases them and is fine with children. He was very gentle and protective of them in his previous home, though usual supervision advice applies.
In the right home, Doug will be happy and settled and give someone so much love and companionship.
If you feel you can provide the right home for Doug, please apply here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
Quote Reference: DOUG 23012 in your application form.
If you are already on our waiting list, feel you may fit the requirements & are interested in adopting Doug, please contact your Area Coordinator directly.
by Yasmin | 19 Mar, 2023 | Blog
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is Harry, one of our PDWRA pugs, very happily rehomed and adored there.
To see many of our Rescue stories, go to: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 17 Mar, 2023 | Blog
Wishing everybody a Happy St Patrick’s Day from all of us at #PDWRA
To see more of our beautiful rescue pugs be sure to browse our other pages and sign up in time for our next newsletter due out in April.
by Yasmin | 15 Mar, 2023 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
** 10 DAYS ON, A GOOD NEWS UPDATE – OSWALD is SETTLED in HIS PERFECT FOREVER HOME! **
See: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/oswald-already-in-his-forever-home/
Oswald is a 7.5 years old neutered, male pug who is looking for his forever home with humans who understand him.
Oswald is an anxious boy and hyper vigilant, so needs a home where his humans can comprehend and accommodate this little pug’s world.
We would like to find someone who is very calm and understanding with experience to know how to make this little man feel secure. The right person would need to show him behaviour boundaries and know how to work with those, and consistently carry them out.
Oswald is responsive to his foster parents’ commands most of the time, as with them he is in no uncertain terms confused as to who is in control. 😊
His foster mum tells us he is friendly with other dogs in the house, however if they are bossy with him he finds it hard to forgive and does not like to be around them. He has never shown aggression in this foster home only his form of anxiety.
Oswald would very much need a home away from traffic and too much noise as it can trigger his anxiety. A farm or smallholding or house in the country would be perfect for him.
He would prefer a home where he has company most of the time but he can be left for a couple of hours. He is good in the car and well behaved at the vets, and has shown no food aggression at all.
He is a very fit and active pug and loves long country walks where he can be off lead, obviously once there is that bond with his new human/s.
At home, he loves to sit with his people and chew is bones/antlers whilst they are nearby and would prefer to have no young children in residence and he loves a routine.
We feel Oswald would do well as an only dog or possibly with another placid dog, if the human has the experience needed as described above.
Oswald will make a wonderful companion once you understand his little issues, and has no known physical issues or medical needs, and is in very good shape.
If you feel you can offer a sensitive pug like Oswald or any other, a loving home like this, please apply here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
