As it’s New Year’s Eve and as many as a third of all dogs will struggle with the noise and unexpected loud bangs from fireworks, please prepare and protect them as you would for bonfire night and other similar, human celebratory periods!
Here are some tips to remind you, and help your dogs have a Happy New Year too!
Walk them before it’s dark and parties/activities may begin.
Feed your dogs before fireworks 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. (Check their microchip registration is up-to-date!)
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.
Desensitise 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.
Consider anxiety relief products: Anxiety relieving products containing pheromones are an effective way to help your pet stay calm also comforting jackets are like a big hug!
Watch out for spent fireworks in the following days/weeks.
Further Advice & tips on your pug’s welfare can be found at:
This was Lucy. As you can see, she has sadly been neglected and starved!
Fortunately, we were called upon to rescue Lucy.
It’s quite shocking and upsetting to see a pug in this state of neglect and suffering. Lucy is unsurprisingly a complex pug at present and needs time and space to decompress.
It has given Lucy possession and aggression issues, hence she requires minimum stress around her in the form of other pets or children.
Lucy has been placed in a very experienced foster home able to provide behavioural support to her and she’s already looking so much more comfortable in her new haven.
She has also put on half a kilo which is great progress, and she will be feeling the benefits already. Here she is looking particularly peaceful and content!
Pugs like Lucy, need experienced foster carers, willing to invest time and whatever support it takes to give them the best prospects for a normal life.
No doubt a significant number of you (myself included!) will have had the misfortune to have had experience of a mast cell tumour (MCT) with one of your pugs.
Unfortunately, pugs are very prone to MCT’s, and since the tumour can take the guise of so many different lumps and bumps, it needs to be addressed promptly.
If you find a lump, either on the skin or under (sub-dermal), it is worth taking your pug to the vet and having it assessed. I would strongly advise that your vet does what is called a Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA), to either eliminate or confirm whether it is indeed a MCT.
Since their appearance can vary hugely, I would definitely recommend that a FNA is done straight away. Some vets are unaware as to how common these tumours are in pugs and may dismiss it as something else, but I would strongly advise that the vet take a sample. An FNA can be done with your pug awake at the time of the consultation; a needle is used to suck up tissue into it, which is then looked at under a microscope. If the lump is a MCT, granular cells can be seen clearly and are very distinctive of a mast cell tumour.
If the FNA reveals that the mass is a MCT, then it will need to be removed with a good margin (depending on its position on the body). Your vet will also recommend histopathology; this will give a guide as to how aggressive the tumour is, which ranges from one (low grade) to three (high grade).
The tumour grade will also indicate the likelihood of both local and peripheral (metastasise around the body) spread.
Confusingly sub-dermal tumours have a different grading system (Kuipel) and can be more difficult to predict their grade; further tests can be done to get a better idea but are only worth carrying out if you intend to follow through with more intensive treatment such as chemotherapy (if indicated).
Normally, if a tumour is grade one or two, then no other treatment is needed other than removal (excision) with a good margin. However, new MCT’s can arise elsewhere on the pug’s body once they have had one.
If the tumour is classed as Grade 3, it means it is cancer that can potentially spread around the body. Chemotherapy can be used for dogs with Grade 3 MCT’s but has mixed results and can in themselves make your pug ill, so needs careful consideration. It also involves expensive tests to ascertain spread, such as CT scans, which may also need to be taken into account.
The other treatment you may be offered (and is still in its early stages of use) is a drug called Stelfonta. Its use is specifically for mast cell tumours that cannot be removed with a good margin because of their position (eg. lower limb). Before its use (it is injected directly into the tumour), scans of the body and samples of certain organs are undertaken to ensure the tumour hasn’t spread round the body. The drug can cause extreme pain and the treatment can occasionally be fatal, so if you are offered this, ensure you ask as many questions as possible so that you can make an informed decision. I personally would not put my dog through it.
So, in summary, by far the best way of dealing with MCTs is to catch them early and remove them with as good a margin as is possible.
We’ve shared Delilah’s journey since she was surrendered to us, due to fighting among the dogs in her home. You may recall that it wasn’t disclosed or apparent, that Delilah was pregnant until she became unwell. Although a natural delivery could have been problematic due to BOAS issues and everyone was expecting a supported delivery, she did so well, delivering 4 beautiful, healthy puppies, naturally, only weeks later.
Her puppies are all in their new, loving homes and Delilah is fully recovered from her most recent BOAS and spay.
We’ve seen her getting along famously with Doug her foster carer’s pug. They’re quite inseparable!
Neither do they have to be, as Delilah is now adopted by them and going nowhere, other than showing off her sprinting with no more breathing problems, to Doug when they’re out!
Another successful rescue story, courtesy of all the wonderful PDWRA volunteers involved!
It’s that time of year again where potential hazards to our furry friends are brought into the home. As well as the festive greenery that may make your dog very ill, tempting foods which we may think are a treat for them can actually cause a great deal of harm.
Vets will treat 75% more cases of dogs eating foods that are poisonous to them in December so it’s important to be aware of what to avoid:
FOOD
– Chocolate, boxes lying around, coins on the tree,
– Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding
7 year-old, Roxie is an entire bitch who came into the care of the PDWRA a few months ago requiring urgent surgery for a large vaginal prolapse.
It was so severe that the vet was not certain that surgery to repair it would be viable. After much discussion it was agreed that the right decision for Roxie was to try, she deserved a chance.
Roxie had her prolapse surgery the day after arriving with her PDWRA foster carer. The initial surgery went well however, overnight, she prolapsed again. Thankfully, a further operation was successful, and she is now recovering well from that.
That, however, is not the end of poor Roxie’s health concerns. While in foster care it became evident that her eyes and skin are also a cause for concern. She has mild skin atopy and also dry eyes and eye ulcers. The eye ulcers in particular are requiring repeated and costly vet visits and dedicated care from her wonderful Foster Mum.
Many of us know very well, the worry especially about pug’s eyes, and we’ll update you on how she progresses through it all.
While many of us will be busy shopping online this festive season, please remember to use Easyfundraising, to raise funds for The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association! 🐾
With over 4,600 retailers to choose from, “Thanks to all of you” already using Easyfundraising while you shop online to support Pugs in Need! 🐾💝
Retailers include M&S, Boots, John Lewis, Tesco, Argos, Boden, Tu clothing, eBay, notonthehighstreet, & so many more!
Donated by generous volunteers of ours, in aid of our pugs in need, the hamper is filled with festive fayre to share with those special in your life. 💝
This Luxurious Willow Basket Hamper, seen here, contains 2 bottles of Prosecco, Red & White Wine, Luxury Mince Pies, Savoury, Sweet & Chocolate Biscuits, Fudge, Assorted Chocolates and much more…
Any monies received after the 2pm deadline for issuing tickets, will not be included in the draw but will still benefit pugs in need. 🤗💝🐾
UNFORTUNATELY, Amazon have since announced that their Smile charity programme will end on the 20th February 2023. Your purchases will accrue donations to PDWRA until then.
Whether it’s Black Friday, Super Sunday or Cyber Monday or ANY Day, when you’re shopping on Amazon, please remember to always use the link to AmazonSmile: https://smile.amazon.co.uk or PDWRA’s unique charity link, at just one click is: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/276067-0
It costs you nothing and we’ve just received our latest quarterly Donation from AmazonSmile of £932.47!
Imagine what it could be with all Your Christmas shopping included next time!
If you haven’t already, but want to donate to pugs in need, please set us up as your nominated charity.
From ‘Your Account’ go to ‘Your Amazon Smile’ which allows you to select: The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association.
Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programmes & Features
3. Select The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app.
Louise is a blonde/apricot pug and Paul is a black pug x dachshund.
Personalities:
Louise is charismatic, confident and cuddly – she’s a big kisser, too. She’s never happier than when she’s got a lap to sit on. Paul is a little more cautious when he meets someone new, but he’s incredibly cute with a long body and a big smile. Paul quickly bonded with my husband who calls him his ‘wingman…’ It’s a proper bromance.
Origin story: 🖼
They were surrendered aged two years, due to a change of work circumstances. They were fostered by PDWRA volunteers, joining a grumble of three and were extremely happy. Then they were matched with us and as soon as I saw a photo of them, I just knew they were for us. We had to wait until we came back from a holiday to get them and were beyond excited when we finally met them.
A pug’s life: 🏡
They settled in brilliantly. We sensed they had previously been well cared for because they were so trusting and relaxed with us. I also think the transition was probably easier for them because they had each other. My husband and I work from home and our daughters were on holiday from college, so the pugs had constant care and companionship while they adjusted and joined us on every outing. I think that probably helped them feel secure, I just kept hoping that they would know that this time it was their forever home and that they wouldn’t be moved again.
What they need and like: 🐾🌊⚽️
They absolutely love walks and set off like a pair of huskies. Surprisingly for pugs, they even don’t mind the rain. They will both merrily hurl themselves into a puddle, pond or the sea. Louise loved a pamper session and enjoys a bath, Paul likes to play in the water but does not like getting his feet dried afterwards! Louise brings anyone and everyone a toy when they come to the house. They both like toys and balls and have already ripped their way through plenty!
Personality traits: 💅🏼🚁
Louise mothers Paul and he will often look to her for reassurance and she’s always on the lookout for him. If she stops and sniffs when we are out walking, she will double back for him. They regularly groom each other, which is really heart-warming to see, like a little married couple and when they curl up together, they look like the yin-yang symbol. They’re quite territorial at home and if an aeroplane or helicopter dares fly over our garden, they will be sure to make it known. They are definitely a double act when it comes to barking!
PDWRA receive many pairs in need of their forever home and are never separated then if they are bonded. If you feel that you’d like double-the-love in your home, you can apply at:
Another SUCCESS STORY! The adoption of Edward.
We speak to his adopted owner about their new life with a PDWRA pug.
Pug name: Edward
😊 Personality: He is an absolute lover of all things cheeky. He is incredibly playful, energetic and loving. He’s an absolute joy to share our home with, a best friend to my daughters and a much-loved family member.
📖 Origin story: We adopted him at two years. He has been with us for just over a year.
🐾 A pug’s life: He is just so happy. When he came to live with us, he was at first very verbal when meeting other dogs on a walk, which sometimes wasn’t well received. We now have daily walks on a lead and a daily visit to a secure walking field where he can run off the lead and we’ve found he becomes a little cheeky if he doesn’t have daily exercise.
🐓💅🏼 What he needs and likes: He loves lots of cuddles, roast chicken, walking in new places with new smells, particularly visiting family in London, where there are so many dogs he can smell. He is incredibly good at his grooming appointment every two months, where he has a wash and blow dry along with his nails trimming and teeth cleaned.
❤️ Personality traits: Just the BEST dog ever, we love him so much.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
