By Anne:
When I get a phone call from another PDWRA volunteer that starts with “Helen told me to give you a call”ā¦. I never know whatās coming next!
This time it was to see if I would take a 3 year old male pug with behavioural issues. He had bouts of aggression outside the home and his owners were struggling to deal with him. He had lived with other members of their family for much of his life, and discovering this change in him after he returned, had to think long and hard before deciding to surrender him to PDWRA as they knew an experienced and capable home would be found for him.
So, off I went, as I couldnāt resist a challenge! I arrived at the house to collect him and after standing outside for the best part of ten minutes out came a raging black pug with a full-face muzzle ready to attack the world! I got him in the back of my car and headed for home!
Now Iāve worked with dogs for over 30 years and have seen many things but never have I seen a dog as broken as Gazza. I got him out of the car and removed the muzzle, took him into the garden and let him go, five hours later he was still sitting at the furthest point away from the house barking at any person he could see moving, just wouldnāt come near anyone, or even look at anyone, eventually I got him into the house, he actually tip-toed around the edge of the room, he was so frightened he didnāt want anyone to notice him. For 2 days he refused all attempts to feed him, he was covered in fleas despite being told heād been treated!
On the 3rd day he ate his tea and was brave enough to crawl across the floor to lie at my feet, though still wouldnāt have anything to do with his new Dad, just legged it out of the house to the top of the garden as soon as he walked into the room. It was almost 3 weeks before he could touch Gazza. During this time no pressure was put on him to do anything he didnāt want to do.
Finally, I decided it was time to take him out. He was petrified, even with my very confident pugs around him, he lunged at people, barking all the time. He was fine if dogs didnāt get too close but terrified if they did. I did question if it was worth taking him out as he was so stressed. But I felt he did get some benefit, so we continued. Luckily where I walk, I am well known and everyone was brilliant in trying to build his confidence,. He stopped his barking and just tried to rush past people, huffing under his breath which was actually quite funny!
Just over 2 months later heās been on a caravan holiday, greets visitors both human and canine coming into the house, never ever wears a muzzle, runs free off the lead when itās suitable, has just about stopped lunging at anyone or anything, doesnāt bark or huff! His stress levels are much less though still learning and is by no means a perfect pug, but who wants perfection anyway?! š
I know the owner tried other rescues who refused to take him because of his behaviour. Thank goodness for PDWRA, who knows what would have happened otherwise!? As I sit here writing this, heās stretched out on a dog bed, fast asleep with his little pink pig under his chin, thank goodness for pug welfare, all the wonderful people who welcome the pugs into their homes to get them ready for a new life, everyone who donates towards that care and takes part in all the wonderful fundraising, the trustees for keeping the ship sailing, as without them all, PDWRA wouldnāt exist, neither would the phone calls that start with, Helen suggested I give you a callā¦ā¦” šš¾
We’re getting busier, with pugs being surrendered as owners’ circumstances are changing.
We urgently need more foster & forever homes across the whole of the UK.
If you have already applied or are on our approved waiting list, please remember pugs are matched to homes, whether they be; quiet or active, older children only, dog or cat-free, special-needs’ requiring extra care, plus reasonable destinations for volunteer transportation. Waiting times will vary.
For the richest reward imaginable š please do apply if you can give a pug, or a bonded-pair, a loving home.
With conversations around pug-health, well-being & pug fun, as well as offering another hub for you, our pug-loving community to connect with us.
We welcome followers on all our sites, and very much look forward to your tweets now, too!š§š¤š¾
-Don’t forget to adjust your pugs daily routines, they are 6 times more likely to get heatstroke compared to other breeds, even just from sitting in the heat for too long.
-Walk them very early or late or not at all.
-Never leave them in confined spaces that can heat up quickly, cars or conservatories.
-Know the signs of overheating; excessive panting, confusion, bright red gums, vomiting or diarrhoea and how to cool them down safely.
-Give them cold water to drink (never ice, it may cause shock), space, shade & ventilation. Place then on a wet towel.
-If symptoms persist or deteriorate consult a vet immediately.
A summertime hazard to be aware of, while walking your dog in grassy areas, is grass seeds.
They may seem harmless but as they are small and sharp can become embedded under their skin where they can cause further problems.
Feet, toes and ears are where they are commonly be found, but can attach anywhere on their fur and burrow down to their skin or even get inside their ears, so please check your dog afterwards.
Watch out for excessive licking, discomfort or limping as they do need to be removed as soon as possible and may need vet assistance.
PDWRA was approached by Mike’s owner as he needed advice & guidance on rehoming his beloved dog due to fast-changing family circumstances, but Mike wasn’t a full pug! Though not quite the expectation for a pug home, we felt we could help and drew upon all our resources to get him to the welcoming home we had.
Here’s Mike’s new Mum’s account of him:
“Meet Mike the Magnificent! A 7 yr old, 20 kilo pug x bulldog mix with matinee idol good looks and big loving eyes that say you are his one and only!š
Mike is extremely gentle with other dogs, non-reactive to adults, small children, the bustling city, loud noises and forest creatures. He walks beautifully on lead and off, is good with all basic commands, only ever barks to let you know itās potty time. Mike is a food enthusiast and will happily debate you in his scooby-doo voice over the clock reading āmeal time!ā š
On the whole, all Mike wants is a comfortable lap and an afternoon nap. Every day he becomes brighter and more comical as he discovers toys, treats, play dates, wild swimming & warm baths. He is stage 5 clinger for sure, always at your feet, keeping you in his sights, but thatās because he wants you to know he LOVES you, and he means Foreverš.
Mike has the biggest heart (in a rather big pug body!).” ššš¾
We would like to wish Jelly a very Happy 1st Gotcha Day!
Could she look any prouder here with best bud Bodhi, another rescue through K9focus.
This little girl was found dumped on the streets, 5kg, in a terrible state after being used for breeding. It took over a year in foster to bring her back to good health after which she joined Bodhi. He too was rescued from a sad situation, kept outside and petrified of the wind and rain. They have thrived, being adored, ever since, where they should be – living the dream together!
Jelly is testament to everything the PDWRA does for pugs in need.
We occasionally need to find cat and child free homes for pugs in our care. In rarer cases they may also need to be the only dog in the home! They tend to be few and far between or not at a reasonable distance for transporting a pug to.
These pugs can be extremely anxious or sensitive, or even traumatised from events in their past, victims of more aggressive dogs for example or just not able to live with cats or boisterous children.
“This is Bo who was 14 1/2 years old, but we only had 5 1/2 years to love her and her daughter Hetty, who we also sadly lost, very recently.
Bo was a HUGE character, very intelligent and opinionated about everything. She loved the sun and would sleep on her back for hours in the sun. She could communicate her wishes to us very clearly, and we had better do as she asked as she would nag us until we complied. Her spot was on the couch right next to me and she would not share it with anyone. She came to us as a rescue with her daughterĀ when she was 11.
Bo developed Pug Myelopathy which she fought fiercely loving aqua treadmill. She came to rule the house and we feel the loss of her presence with broken hearts.
Hope this tells you about our beautiful girl Bo.”
Bo and Hetty’s Mum, Lyn.Ā
If you would like 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 a photo, to:yasmin.t.pdwra@nullgmail.com
As a special limited time offer during Prime Day, Monday 21 June to 22 June 2021,
Amazon will apply an increased donation amount of 5% on the first eligible AmazonSmile purchase on Prime Day made by Prime members who enable AmazonSmile
in the Amazon Shopping app from 2 June 2021 to the end of Prime Day.
This is 10x the usual donation. All other eligible AmazonSmile purchases by Prime members will generate 1%, double the usual donation.
We are pleased to be receiving new applications to foster & adopt, however we urgently need more fosterers in the North East & Cumbria, we’re getting busy there!
If you feel you can offer the care & dedication, so that surrendered pugs get a fair chance to readjust, receive any healthcare they need with our supervision,
It all adds up while you shop & costs you nothing!
If you haven’t already, 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.
To shop in the Amazon app, simply follow the instructions below to select us as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. 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.
IanĀ has been a ‘Friend of Welfare’ since first applying to adopt a bonded-pair of pugs 4 years ago. He is always available to transport long or short distances, during weekends or evenings after work, sometimes dropping dogs off and collecting others at the same time. Its not unheard of that the family will transport one day, overnight a dog and then transport the next day.Ā
This happened with their youngest rescue, Bertie, only 8 weeks old! He came from a loving family that really had no idea what they were taking on with a puppy, who really should still have been with his birth-Mum. The family couldn’t cope but loved him very much, so Ian often finds himself counselling surrenderers during those difficult moments. Bertie slept on Ian’s chest all that night, and truly blessed their home (in trickles everywhere!).Ā
Ian has also fostered a few times, but finds it hard to say goodbye. It often helps when he delivers them to their forever homes, and he can see how happy they’re going to be. The last time though, while fostering a pair of bonded boys who required dentals and neutering, he decided with his wife, another dedicated PDWRA volunteer, to adopt them just before lockdown. At that time there weren’t many adopters on the waiting list willing to take pairs, so it worked out perfectly for all of them.Ā
Ian can’t imagine not being available for these innocent pugs in need, and always will be!Ā Thank You Ian!
JackieĀ has adopted through PDWRA and fostered many pugs, short and long-term. We have to put the breaks on though, as she’sĀ always keen and happy to take on more! At one time she had 9 pugs!Ā
Jackie came back from holiday early once, to help with an emergency foster. Her expertise and experience was invaluable. Jack had spinal and mobility issues and has since thrived under her care, now able to move outdoors without wheels! He will remain in his perfect home with Jackie and their gorgeous grumble.
Among them there are a number of healthcare issues to manage, including one totally blind girl. Jackie takes it all in her stride and can’t help loving them all!Ā
Jackie is aĀ willing and regular transporter and home-checker, aĀ generous donator and participant in our ongoing Mega-Auction fundraising. She has rallied her neighbours into getting involvedĀ too!Ā
