by Yasmin | 15 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Written by Victoria.
I first heard about the PDWRA through looking online at Pug welfare groups after becoming obsessed with Pugs due to looking after my friend’s Pug, Pugsley, for her when she went on holidays.
My fiancé had always had retired police dogs when he was a child growing up in the Czech Republic, so he thought (foolishly) Pugs were silly little dogs for silly little ladies!(me)
He became a huge fan after meeting and caring for Pugsley. He now has all the usual Pug fan paraphernalia we all have, such as mugs, flasks, socks, t shirts, pyjamas, etc, etc….
I myself was an HM Customs and Excise (now called U.K. Border Force) drugs dog handler, trained by the RAF police and was also used to larger breeds, mostly gun dogs. I had a rescue mixed breed many years ago as a pet and also my retired German Shorthaired Pointer working dog came home and had a lovely long retirement before passing away of old age.
I had recently lost my Mum under tragic circumstances, and was caring, along with my fiancé and other professionals, for my Stepfather who was in the early stages of dementia/Alzheimer’s in his home. I’d been medically retired from the Border Force in my early 50’s due to developing Epilepsy and was feeling like my life wasn’t too great, to be honest. Seeing Pugsley used to cheer me up immensely and the affection he gave us was such a comfort.
I’d been a member of the charity for a while and saw on the newsletter that they were looking for fosterers. I had a chat with my fiancé and told him what I was thinking to do… he rarely disagrees with me!
I completed the forms and to my utter surprise I received a response very quickly, a home check was organised and after a whirlwind of activity to tidy the house a video chat and a check of the house was undertaken. The home checker said everything was fine and that we might hear in time about a foster.
In a matter of maybe a day or so I was at home when I received a call from Helen, the PDWRA Vet Advisor, who was about to go on holiday asking if I could take a Pug who needed immediate placement! I said yes, texted my fiancé and told him we would be getting a Pug that day!
The forms were sent hastily while Helen was en-route to Heathrow and off we set in the fog and rain to collect Ted from a car park 40 miles from where we live. He was in bad shape, very overweight, quite smelly and stressed, as you can imagine. I sat with him in the car and I just knew instantly he wasn’t going anywhere! I was keeping him!
He was grossly overweight, his pads were bleeding and his nails were curled over and digging into his pads. He couldn’t cock his legs or walk up and down our little staircase and he couldn’t walk far at all.
He was on a very strict diet that Helen and our local vet advised and he’s now a shadow of his former self, he’s lost 3 kilos and can run and walk like a pup! He loves the beach and even walked Sycamore Gap just before someone felled the tree!
He’s made a huge difference to my life, I’m more active myself, more confident to go out and walk him alone (my Epilepsy is well controlled now so I’m not scared to venture out just he and I) and he’s helped to heal our hearts.
He’s had 6 teeth out and handled it like a champ, he’s travelled to the Czech Republic via ferry and road, where he made “friends” with a little Ukrainian Pomeranian in true “doggy style” (he’s neutered obviously but it didn’t stop him from “acting out”) and his latest triumph is as a huge success at the care home my stepfather now resides at. He has a female fan club who sit in reception all day waiting to get a kiss from him and my fiancé takes him into the lounge in the dementia wing, where he has another huge fan club waiting to say hello to him also.
Some of the staff who work there were nervous at first because they are from countries that traditionally don’t have dogs as pets but he’s managed to win them over too! The only fly in the ointment is his “frenemy” also called Teddy who visits the care home daily too… they aren’t too keen on each other… I think it’s a territorial thing… To see the faces of the staff and particularly the residents light up when he arrives is priceless… one of his fans even sneaks treats into her handbag for him from breakfast, two day old sausage which often looks a bit “off”, so we take her some healthy treats to put in her handbag to give Ted.
I remember the day I got the call from Helen to ask, after a couple of weeks, if I would consider adopting Teddy, she even said “I think I know the answer before I ask” and she was right, as I say, I knew the moment I saw him he wasn’t going to anyone else! The process was so easy and just felt right. He was family from the moment we collected him.
Helen has been a Godsend, she’s certainly a force of nature! I think people should know that there will be support should you need it, from the Charity, and that Pugs are unique and can be challenging and stubborn.
TV is quite a tricky situation in our house, no programmes with animals, people in uniforms, people of different ethnicities, adverts with singing on, etc. can’t be viewed without a launch and growl at the TV at great speed, despite trying every kind of training aid and methods possible!
They are natures clowns, people pleasers and amazing pets that make life fun… our life can be sad and challenging at the moment but Teddy just makes it all better, easy to cope with. He charms everyone he meets, even managing to get to sit on the sofa in his Czech grandparents’ house… (lots of Czechs kennel their dogs outside but I don’t like it, my dogs live with me and sleep on my bed, which Teddy did on holiday in CZ!)
I’ve found that Pugs love exercise, can run really quickly when they are off lead and that really surprised me. Teddy is ten but he outruns lots of younger dogs, so they are not the lounge lizards people might think they are!
Teddy’s favourite place to be is the beach, and living in Northumberland we are blessed with beautiful ones. My best days are spent with him and my fiancé at the beach, seeing this once overweight, unfit little lad running in circles on the sand!
Victoria.
If you would like to adopt a pug into your life, like Victoria & many others, please apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 11 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Article by Helen McKee (MRCVS), PDWRA Vet Advisor:
Pugs can be prone to both these conditions (which are linked), and especially if they are overweight.
Interdigital cysts (also known as follicular cysts or furuncles) are inflamed bumps or nodules located between the toes (interdigital area). These painful cysts can rupture and leak clear or blood-tinged fluid. If the cyst becomes infected, it will leak cream-coloured fluid.
Many factors contribute to the development of interdigital cysts, making them frustrating to manage.
How do interdigital cysts develop?
Interdigital cysts develop as a reaction to inflamed hair follicles between the toes. The inflamed hair follicles rupture into the surrounding tissue, creating more inflammation and swollen “cysts” that can open (ulcerate) and drain. This process is irritating and itchy, causing the dog to lick or chew at the area, which further traumatises the hair follicles, continues the cycle of inflammation, and potentially introduces infection. If not treated quickly, cellulitis and scarring may occur.
What causes interdigital cysts?
Allergy-induced paw inflammation is the most common cause of interdigital cysts. Allergic dogs often have itchiness and recurrent skin infections in other areas, such as their ears. Allergy triggers can include pollen, mites, fleas, and dietary proteins.
Other factors that increase the risk of your dog developing interdigital cysts (especially between the outside two toes) are mechanical in origin. An abnormal amount of friction in the interdigital space can cause inflammation of the hair follicles. This is more likely to occur for obese dogs who put excessive pressure on their paws or pugs that have abnormal leg conformation which alters the weight distribution on their pads as discussed below (under False Pads).
What are the signs of interdigital cysts?
If your dog has interdigital cysts, you will see raised red bumps between your dog’s toes and your dog may be licking or chewing at their feet more than usual. Your dog’s paws may also be discoloured – especially if they have a secondary infection. You may even notice small blood spots on the floor if a cyst has ruptured. Dogs who are in pain may limp or be reluctant to walk.
How is the underlying cause of interdigital cysts diagnosed?
After a complete history and physical examination of your dog, your vet may recommend testing the skin for Demodex mites, bacteria, and yeast by performing skin scrapings, hair plucks, and/or tape preps of the area.
How are interdigital cysts treated?
Treatment is aimed at controlling the underlying cause, so it typically includes allergy treatments, and anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids (prednisolone) and cyclosporine (Atopica™). Other allergy medications, including (Apoquel™) (Cytopoint™), can help control your dog’s itching but aren’t considered to be effective enough to treat the degree of inflammation involved in interdigital cysts.
Secondary infections may require long courses of antibiotics, sometimes up to 8 weeks. Topical treatments like steroid ointments and antimicrobial paw soaks (chlorhexidine also known as Hibiclens) can be very useful to manage superficial inflammation and infection.
If arthritic changes and/or obesity have promoted cyst formation, these chronic conditions need to be managed more effectively with medications and nutritional therapy. Providing protective boots and controlling the surfaces your dog walks on (soft surfaces best like grass) can help manage the disease as well.
Many cases respond well if an underlying disease is found and treated appropriately. If an underlying disease is not (or cannot be) managed well, interdigital cysts can recur more frequently, causing chronic inflammation, scarring, and pain.
False pads can also result in ‘interdigital cysts’ and can be seen in dogs where abnormal conformation (shape of dog’s legs) results in altered weight bearing on hairy interdigital skin of the paw. Over time, and this can be years, because of the resulting chronic inflammatory changes, the foot tries to form new footpads at the sites; many dogs develop interdigital ‘cysts’ above these areas in the webbing of the pads.
It tends to form on the forelimbs more due to the greater weight bearing load. Because it is conformational, it can be very difficult to manage.
Strategies include weight loss, avoidance of rough terrain (most are better on grass for example), use of little boots out on walks, use of anti-inflammatories (steroids and Atopica can both help in some cases) and in the worst cases, surgery.
Surgery is a very last route to go, and only to be considered in extreme cases of false pads as it involves fusion of toes.
Photos of a case of false pads in a PDWRA rescue pug whom Malcolm and I fostered.
Bella was grossly overweight.
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
PDWRA Vet Advisor
For more useful articles about our pug’s health & wellbeing, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
by Yasmin | 9 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
** UPDATE: Great News, Betty & Belle’s Forever Home has been Found! ** 🤗💝🐾🐾
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Betty and Belle are a beautiful bonded-pair of young pugs looking for their forever home.
Young Belle (left), has the most amazing baby blue eyes!
Betty is 2 years-old and Belle is soon to be 1. They are both spayed, also house trained and used to living with other dogs.
Their family has sadly surrendered them due to changed circumstances in the home, where they have been truly loved. They are used to living with children, and have been amazing with all of them including 2 with special-needs, so will be fine around those over 10 years-old.
Betty and Belle absolutely adore each other, they play together and sleep together.
Betty and Belle enjoy their walks, but can be reactive to dogs outside the home. Also. both can be nervous and unsure in new situations and just need loving reassurance.
If you feel you could provide a home for the lovely girls, Betty and Belle, or another bonded-pair as we have a number in our care waiting for their forever homes too, please apply, referencing them on your adoption application form.
This can be found at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you are already registered to adopt with us, please speak to your local PDWRA Area Coordinator directly.
Thank You!
For other Happy PDWRA Adoption Rescue Stories, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 6 Aug, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
By Kerry, on adopting 2 pugs from PDWRA, Poppy most recently seen here being indulged on her 4th Birthday!
“I heard about the Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association all the way back in 2011, when I was looking at getting our first pug. We chose to adopt through the PDWRA as they are genuine and do everything properly.
There are so many pugs that need homes and they usually adapt quickly. In 2012 we adopted our first pug, our now late Mr Bentley. He was 18 months old back then. He went over the rainbow peacefully just before Christmas. He was nearly 13 💔 and our best friend that we miss and love so much.
We adopted Poppy this Mother’s Day, she was originally a foster but we prayed we could adopt her the moment we saw her photo. Poppy is a beautiful, near tea cup size, fawn pug baby. She’s a Velcro doggy that sleeps in her bed on my daughter’s bed and won’t go for walks without her.
Poppy settled in straight away and loves all of the 3 rotties she lives with. When she wakes up for breakfast, she’ll run into my bedroom first for a kiss then runs back off to catch my daughter up for food!
The adoption process happened quickly. Both of us volunteer for the PDWRA, so we were lucky to be offered to adopt Miss Poppy almost straight away. After losing Mr Bentley, my rotties were heartbroken and kept looking for him. We couldn’t live without a pug despite the 3 large rotties. Our home was very lonely and empty without pug smells and noises – pugs are the spice of life and the life and soul of a home!
From first getting Mr Bentley and then Miss Poppy, our life has been filled with fun, joy, happiness and love and through having them we’ve met lots of pug people and been to many pug parties over the years.
We would like to say thank you so much again to the PDWRA for bringing another beautiful pug and best friend into our lives. We are forever grateful! “
Kerry does enjoy celebrating her pugs!
Please see previous related articles:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/the-amazing-mr-bentley-rip/
&
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/mr-bentley-goes-on-a-diet/
by Yasmin | 28 Jul, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Part 2 of Rebekah’s Story – Mabel & Pixie!
We were a household of three pugs who in a short space of time dropped down to one. We lost Bella to old age after a happy 13years with her & our Jasper pup suddenly & too young, in February 2023.
We were left with our lovely Skye, who we introduced in Part 1 of my Pug-Story: Rebekah’s Story – Adopting Skye! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Skye was not at all used to being in a one dog household. But we ourselves felt shell shocked & certainly weren’t looking to grow our pug family just yet.
We saw a social-media post on the PDWRA internal Facebook group for pug-adopters, about a bonded-pair, Mum & daughter currently being fostered. Mum needed some TLC. I remember thinking that they looked like a very sweet pair who would find a home easily. Later on that same evening my husband asked if I’d seen the cute pair of pugs on Facebook? I thought that was odd as he rarely uses social media & he would always err on the side of caution of adopting more pugs (he pretends to be a grumpy Dad but is a softie with them at heart!).
Over the next few weeks I periodically checked for updates on them but saw none. I assumed they had a home lined up.
In mid June, a post went up saying they were ready to be re-homed together, Mum as a long term foster due to health issues & her daughter as an adoption. I remember reading all the comments on that post & feeling surprised that no one was coming forward for them.
I tentatively inquired for some information on them. We were told that the little one was fit & healthy, just needing to be spayed. But that Mum had quite severe vision loss, some hearing loss & damage to her ears due to infections being neglected & a skin condition needing medicated baths. This reply came a few days before we flew out to Lisbon on a family holiday so we were in busy packing mode & didn’t get a chance to absorb it.
Once away, myself, my husband & our then 11 year old daughter discussed the pros & cons of taking on two more pugs. We’d had poorly pugs before & knew the heartbreak it could cause. We were still recovering from the loss of our previous pugs & were unsure if we felt ready for more so soon. We knew that taking on a pug with health conditions is a huge commitment – emotionally, financially & time wise. We think people need to be aware that yes they are very cute & cuddly but the reality can be quite tough sometimes!
However, we kept finding ourselves going back to the Facebook posts & looking at their photos. We would chat about what we thought their personalities might be like, how we thought they would get along with Skye etc.
Whilst away, our lovely pug sitters Roger & Pat were sending us videos of Skye. They look after many PDWRA pugs & always have a house full. Watching videos of Skye playing with others sealed the deal for us. It had been too long since we’d seen her happy like that.
We told PDWRA that we’d love to offer them a home. It was all arranged so easily & quickly. We didn’t at all dread the holiday blues as we knew we were going home to something far more exciting!
The pair had no recognition of their original names at all. So, as Mum was the epitome of an old lady, we renamed her Mabel. I will never forget our journey home with her. She fell asleep in my arms instantly & didn’t once move or make a sound. I had to keep placing my hand on her to check she was still breathing. I was like a worried Mum of a new-born! She felt so underweight & because her coat was sparse I could see her sore skin.
Once home it became clear that she was almost fully blind & she was bumping into everything. We put her out the garden & she span in a left circle 26 times before she did a wee. I remember myself & my husband looking at each other as if to say “we’ve got a right one here!”
I would love to say that was a one off but it certainly wasn’t. Mabel is so perfectly wonky. She loves a left turn & will spin in dizzying circles too many times to count before going to the toilet. It’s not always that fun when it’s dark & wet outside but we’ve learnt to wear a hood. We’ve become a very tidy household who put our shoes away, tuck in chairs & generally keep obstacles off the floor for her. She is amazing & very quickly learnt the layout of the house. She can walk from her bed to the water bowl & to the garden all without bumping into anything anymore. In true pug style she also knows where dinner is served & will sit patiently in that spot from 4pm everyday until fed.
We put her on a good quality diet which has helped her to gain weight, grow a healthy coat & stop the medicated baths. The recurrent eye & ear infections have stopped. She does suffer from the occasional bought of vertigo which makes her walk even more wonky than she normally does. But besides that she’s a very happy little pug with the wiggliest bum we’ve ever seen. She loves humans & if she hears a voice her little face will go up to the air & she will sniff until she finds you. Having Mabel’s face touch your face & watching her bum wiggle when she’s found her human is the sweetest thing!
Whilst she loves us all, Mabel is most definitely my husband’s dog. She waits for him to finish work, knowing the time of day that it will be & walking in her left turns around the hall way until he scoops her up for an evening cuddle on the sofa.
We renamed Mabel’s daughter Pixie, because she was so tiny. The daintiest little feet & a tiny face. Whilst short in size though, she certainly made up for it in weight! She resembled a barrel & could barely walk for 5 minutes without being out of breath & needing to be carried.
She was mistrustful of humans. She would refuse to eat any food that we served her & would eye us cautiously. One day our daughter was so desperate for her to just eat something, she realised that if she rolled small pieces of food from afar then Pixie would eat them. That lasted a good few weeks as the only way we could encourage her to eat!
Pixie would not sit on our laps or be cuddled. When we sat on the sofa cuddling Skye & Mabel, Pixie would sit across from us on the footstool refusing to be drawn in. She would sit upright & stare at us, never really relaxing. Pixie was also silent, never once making a peep. It was like she had no reactions or interest in anything, ever.
One day she climbed from the footstool on to the sofa & snuggled up in the cushions next to me. It felt like a massive breakthrough that she’d sat next to me & relaxed enough to close her eyes. A few days after that she rested her head on my lower leg rather than a cushion. This continued for a few weeks. If I got ahead of myself & stroked her then she would back away. I had to learn to be patient & let her come to me. The first time Pixie climbed on to my lap for a cuddle was amazing & from there the cuddles never stopped! She loves to be picked up & carried around like a baby. She also found her voice – if anything a little too much & she will now boss us around until she is fed or gets a nibble of whatever one of her humans is eating.
With daily walks her weight dropped to a healthy size. Rather than being coaxed along pleadingly, she now loves a walk & asks for one each morning. We have a woodland behind our house which she loves to explore. In September she ran for the first time, something which we captured on video. She had spent months watching Skye run on the fields in the woods but never joining in. She now loves a game of chase with Skye & our daughter.
I also call her my little stalker as she has gone from not wanting any human contact to following me everywhere. If I turn around I can guarantee she will be just behind me, looking at me with her beautiful big eyes desperate to be carried. I’ve become quite handy at being able to do many tasks one handed whilst she’s tucked into the other one.
Mabel & Pixie really have completed our family & brought us all back some much needed happiness at a time that was very sad.
Thank you to them & as always to PDWRA for the amazing work you do!
Rebekah.
If you would consider adopting, please read more about it, at: Adoption | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 25 Jul, 2024 | Blog, News, Fundraising
** UPDATE ** We’re very happy to announce that @onelittlepug and Arlo & Nora raised an amazing £130 for PDWRA from the sale of exclusive illustrations, cards and bookmarks at the end of last week!
We’re incredibly grateful for their support and to everyone who made purchases. The PDWRA wouldn’t be able do the work that we do rescuing and rehoming pugs in need without the generous help of our supporters, it’s very much appreciated!
*************
Pug lover and PDWRA supporter, Jayne, creates handcrafted cards and illustrations. Her inspiration for her online business, onelittlepug, was pug Henry, who sadly passed last year.
Henry – his legacy lives on!
Her lovely range of cards, with many featuring pug illustrations, can be found at her Etsy shop: onelittlepug – Etsy UK
A portion of all proceeds is donated to PDWRA, so you’ll also be helping out Pugs in Need!
Last summer Jayne raised * £150 * for PDWRA in a fundraiser to mark Henry’s 15th birthday.
Since then, Jayne went on to adopt Arlo and Nora from us, nearly 6 months ago already!
So, to celebrate this anniversary, and what would have been Henry’s 16th Birthday, Jayne has added a few new designs to her collection to raise funds specifically for PDWRA.
On Friday 26th July, Jayne is having a sale of exclusive illustrations, cards & bookmarks, none of which are available in her Etsy shop.
All proceeds will be donated to @pdwra to support the wonderful work she feels we do to help pugs like Arlo and Nora.
Everything available will be listed on Friday from 8am, so do take a look at: https://www.instagram.com/onelittlepug/ Please pass on this information to anyone who may be interested.
Jayne is very grateful to PDWRA for helping pugs like hers, Arlo & Nora, to find their forever homes!
We hope you will support us (as well as getting yourselves some original illustrations and cards).
Jayne & PDWRA pugs, thanks you!
#onelittlepug #fundraiser #beamermaid #illustration #cards #sale #adoptdontshop #shopsmall #supportsmallbusiness #lovehandmadecommunity
To find out why PDWRA needs to fundraise, also to see how you could get involved, like Jayne, please see:
Fundraising & Events 2024 | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 21 Jul, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Rebekah’s Story – Part 1: Skye!
We first heard about PDWRA when out walking our two pugs Betsy & Bella 14 years ago. We had bought them both as puppies from a not so good breeder (we knew we shouldn’t but we couldn’t leave them behind, we even went back for her breeding bitch when the breeder was ‘done’ with her & gave her a lovely home with a friend).
Anyway, one day out walking we bumped into a lady who stopped to fuss our pugs. We got chatting about pugs, as us pug people do & she told us about PDWRA. We thought you sounded amazing, but having two poorly pugs ourselves we already had our hands full.
When Betsy was just age 7, she sadly passed away & Bella became very lonely.
We wrote a sincere letter to PDWRA explaining the many health issues we had encountered with our pugs (epilepsy, cancer, vision loss, eye ulcers, food allergies etc) & how we felt that we had enough experience to take on another. We also shared how lonely & withdrawn Bella had become.
We received a phone call from a lovely member of PDWRA who said she would do her best to find us a pug. A little while went by & we didn’t hear anything.
Then on 14th April 2016 I had a dream that we had a new pug. I woke up the next day so sure that today was THE DAY! I kept my phone in the back pocket of my jeans so that I didn’t miss the call. Sure enough, at 4pm, PDWRA contacted me to say that a pug had just come in who needed a home & would we be able to collect her that evening at a half way point between where she was & us. By 6pm we were in our car waiting for our new family member!
I will never forget the lovely Rachel who pulled up with a very scared pug in her car. She told us that the pug was called Skye & that today was actually her 1st birthday. She told us a little bit about her back story, how she had been kept in a crate (which she filled end to end) & was already on her third home. We were told that she wasn’t toilet trained. That she didn’t love a walk or to socialise. That she mostly just loved her crate & considered that her safe space.
We transferred her from Rachel’s car to ours, keeping her in her crate to begin with. On the journey home, Skye became increasingly anxious. Her panting became so extreme that we pulled over & took her out of her crate.
I tried to calm her on my lap but she continued to pant & whine. Eventually, she turned to see our 4 year old daughter sitting in her car seat. She fought to get across to her. I will tell you at this point as parents you are always careful of introducing small children with a new dog! Skye gently sniffed her face, allowed herself to be stroked & then rested her head down on our daughter’s lap & settled down to sleep. She stayed there for the rest of the journey home.
When we got home we put her crate in the living room with the door open so that Skye could enter it whenever she wanted to. She never even glanced at it again.
The settling in period between her & Bella was a bit tetchy. Our Bella was tiny (5kilos whilst Skye came weighing 9kilos) but mighty. Skye had to learn that Bella was the boss but once she’d learnt to ‘ask’ if she could enter the dog bed, play with toys etc all was fine.
Learning to settle with humans was a little harder. Skye was wary. She had a broken rib which had reformed oddly & was (is still) very nervous of roads. We are unsure if there is a link there.
She would allow us to touch her but would cower to the ground. With our daughter however, she was a different dog. They instantly became best friends. With love & careful coaxing from our daughter she learnt to cuddle & be cuddled. We learnt quickly that she was always supposed to live with children. We have a woodland behind our house & we swear she can sniff out children playing in it. She will always go over & sit patiently by them awaiting a fuss.
Skye LOVED a walk from very early on. We just think she hadn’t been walked! Grass was a novelty & she couldn’t get enough of it. She would sit by the front door & ask for another walk multiple times per day. She still loves a walk in the woods daily. There is a little stream in there & she has also been known to jump in & have a swim. She loves to race with our daughter & also learnt to pencil roll on command – something which is now her favourite activity & being the grass obsessed dog she is, she cannot see a patch of grass without dropping into a roll.
She was also toilet trained in a matter of days. We think that no one had previously taken the time or patience to show her. In fact, she is the most trainable, well behaved pug we’ve ever had! Our daughter taught her to jump through a hoop, over a skipping rope & through a tunnel. She is also partial to a bit of fancy dress on special occasions.
Skye has seen 4 pugs come & go through our family home. She is always the biggest & accepts her fate in the ‘pug tower’ as they all climb on top of her & use her as a pug pillow.
We just celebrated Skye’s 9th birthday. The walks are less frequent (now 1-2 per day) & she has moulded the top of our sofa to perfectly squish around her body for her daytime snoozes which have gotten longer.
But once out in the woods she is still like that 1 year old puppy who can run super fast (faster than any pug we’ve known, even keeping up with a local greyhound!).
She loves us whole heartedly & has even slowly learnt to trust strangers & now loves a chin tickle.
Here’s to many more years with our lovely Skye!
Rebekah.
Please see Part 2: Mabel & Pixie!
Rebekah’s Story – Adopting Mabel & Pixie! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 10 Jul, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Written by Malcolm McKee.
PDWRA Vet Advisor.
Pictured above, with his grumble, before the loss of Lily (February ’23) and Missy (May ’23).
Most orthopaedic problems in pugs affect the hind limbs (back legs) rather than the fore limbs (front legs). Fortunately fractures (broken bones) and tumours (cancers) are very uncommon.
The two conditions that most commonly cause lameness and stiffness in pugs are hip dysplasia and medial patellar lunation.
Hip dysplasia
This is an inherited condition that causes the ball-and-socket hip joint to develop abnormally (excessive laxity) and leads to secondary osteoarthritis (also referred to as degenerative joint disease).
Lameness and/or stiffness involving one or both hind limbs may be evident and affected Pugs are often reluctant to exercise and have difficulty jumping. Common features on examination include muscle atrophy/wastage (especially the gluteal muscles around the hip) and pain when the hip joint is extended (limb pulled backwards).
Radiographs (X-rays) are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of hip dysplasia. Typical abnormalities include deformity of the femoral head (ball) and pelvic acetabulum (socket) and changes consistent with osteoarthritis (such as new abnormal bone formation – referred to as osteophytes).
Pugs that are lame/stiff will generally warrant medical treatment. Key aspects include: (1) weight control (2) exercise regulation and (3) analgesics (pain killer medications).
Dogs that are overweight should be placed on a diet, with calorie intake restricted, and their weight regularly monitored. The likes of a piece of cucumber should be given as a treat, rather than biscuits or table scraps.
Exercise should be regulated in a semi-controlled manner. Twisting, turning, jumping and climbing should be avoided. Small, frequent, regular walks, on the likes of a flexi-lead are preferable to long walks tearing around off the lead. Dogs will often have a threshold regarding the duration and type of exercise, beyond which lameness and stiffness will increase. It is important to recognise these limits and stay within them.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medication used in dogs with hip dysplasia and secondary osteoarthritis. If they are effective (less lame/stiff), the dose of drug should be reduced to the lowest possible to maintain the benefit, and if possible halted.
Paracetamol may also be considered in more severe cases, as well an the injectable Librela.
The majority of pugs can be managed satisfactorily with medical/conservative treatment. Those that aren’t may be candidates for surgery. Replacing the arthritic hip joint (referred to as a Total Hip Replacement, or THR), is preferable to cutting the head (ball) off the top of the femur (referred to as an Excisional Arthroplasty). Hip replacement surgery is a very specialised (and expensive) procedure – in experienced hands, it has a high success rate.
Medial patellar luxation
Also referred to as “slipping of the knee cap” (medial refers to the fact that the patella or knee cap dislocates onto the inside of the stifle/knee joint).
Affected pugs typically have a hopping gait/lameness, especially if the patella is slipping in and out of the groove in the femur (thigh bone), within the joint. A careful examination enables the abnormal movement of the patella to be detected. The severity of the condition is graded from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most severe.
The reason the patella luxates (dislocates or slips) out of the groove on the femoral bone is that the femur is deformed (referred to as femoral varus) and the hind limb bow-legged to some degree.
Radiographs (X-rays) are not necessary in order to diagnose medial patellar lunation – as mentioned previously this is based on a thorough examination. The main reason to obtain radiographs is to assess the degree of deformity of the femur bone, in dogs where surgical correction/“straightening” is being considered.
Many pugs with medial patellar lunation may be managed conservatively with weight control, exercise regulation, and if necessary NSAIDs (as low a dose as infrequently as possible). Dogs that fail to respond satisfactorily may be candidates for surgery.
Surgery aims to stabilise the patella within the femoral groove using one or more techniques. In dogs with mild deformity of the femur (and associated low-grade patella luxation), it is not necessary to correct the deformity (straighten the femur). In contrast, pugs with severe deformity of the femur (Grade 4/4 patella lunation), require the deformity to be corrected by cutting and straightening the bone (a bigger and more expensive operation).
All patellar luxation surgeries in dogs are intricate, especially in dogs as small as pugs, however, the success rate is good when performed by experienced surgeons. Following surgery it is important that exercise is severely restricted until bone and soft tissues have had a chance to heal.
Unfortunately hip dysplasia and patellar luxation are not uncommon in pugs. Both conditions are relatively easy to diagnose and the majority of dogs do not require an operation. The outlook in those pugs that have surgery is generally good, albeit the training and skill of the surgeon are important factors.
Malcolm McKee.
BVMS, MVS, DSAO, MACVSc, MRCVS.
Another very interesting article by Malcolm about spinal conditions common in pugs should be read, at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/spinal-conditions-in-pugs/
by Yasmin | 25 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Pug Health
The UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far on Tuesday 26th June, as yellow heat health alerts remain in place for millions around the country.
Temperatures peaked at 28.3C (82.9F) in Wisley, Surrey, and could rise to 30C (86F) in some spots this week, forecasters say.
Scotland and Northern Ireland also recorded their hottest temperatures so far this year – although Wales did not break its previous record set in May.
So here are our usual reminders & tips to help you & your pugs get through it comfortably & safely!
- Make sure your pug has constant access to fresh water – day and night.
- fresh fruit, chilled or frozen, make ideal refreshing & healthy treats to help keep them hydrated.
- Make sure your pug has constant access to shade and cool surfaces.
- Remember to move sources of shade as the sun moves around gardens.
- Provide cooling jackets and shallow paddling pools to enable your pug to cool down, and remember that carpets do not help pugs cool down, so indoors, provide cooling mats and swap them for a spare cool mat regularly to ensure they are cool.
- DO NOT rely on fans alone to cool your pugs down as they are not as effective on pets as they are on us.
- Plan your walks
- Walk your pug in the early morning or late in the evening if the temperatures are cool enough and try to stick to shaded areas.
- If the mornings/evenings are still warm – DO NOT walk your pug!
- Particularly if they are overweight, have health issues, are elderly or very young.
- The Seven Second Test
- Tarmac can get very hot in the sun – hold your hand against the tarmac for 7 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand DO NOT walk your pug as they could burn their paws.
NEVER leave your pug in a car on a hot day – even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, or even if you have left the windows open. Pugs can die in hot cars in minutes!!!
It is important to know what to look for, where HEATSTROKE is concerned, also what to do in an Emergency!
For more information on this, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/seasonal-hazards-for-pugs/
Also, so far this year the grass & tree pollen count has been very high, so this may also be having an impact on allergic pugs.
Atopic Dermatitis (Itchy skin!).
by Yasmin | 23 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Our pugs play such special roles in our lives. And on pug parents’ Stef and Tom’s Wedding Day this week, Frank couldn’t help but share the spotlight!
Congratulations!
It melts our hearts seeing adopted pugs having their best lives in their very best homes.
Frank has happily been part of their lives for years already, overcoming the dreaded cancer through their love and devotion.
Stef adopted Frank from PDWRA after sadly losing her young pug Baby, at the tender age of 6, following a lifetime of illness and complex conditions. She naturally hoped that adopting an older pug who was fit and healthy would be free of the health troubles he previously faced with Baby. However, less than a year after his adoption she noticed a large lump on the side of his leg and so a similar round constant vet trips and sleepless nights began again.
Frank faced multiple operations to remove the tumour that sadly kept re-appearing, leading to several rounds of chemotherapy that were unsuccessful. So, the tough decision to remove Frank’s Leg was made and recovery was slow for him but Frank has proved that she made the best decision.
He is the true definition of a fighter and not once during his countless rounds of chemo and treatments did he feel sorry for himself. Stef has always felt blessed that she was chosen to take care of Frank after he was rescued from his previous life.
Nothing has prevented them from having a full and adventurous life together and they always will.
For other Rescue & Adoption stories please go to: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
If you would like to adopt, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 15 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Volunteering
Our Volunteer Area Coordinators (VACs) are integral to everything PDWRA does. They are each responsible for an area of the UK, managing the surrendering, health care, fostering and rehoming of pugs in need.
Scotland is managed by Sandra, who has been the VAC there for 5 years, after first becoming involved with the charity as an adopter and fosterer. She more recently has been supporting the North of England also.
By Sandra:
I have been a Voluntary Area Coordinator (VAC) for 5 years covering Scotland.
I am a pug mamma to 5 pugs four fawn and one black – having gotten my first pug Olly who is now 16. He’s getting on now and everything is starting to stop working as it should except his hearing which is finally tuned to the doorbell ringing or the fridge door being opened! Their ages range from 16 to 2 years old.
I became involved with PDWRA as an adopter – adopting Elvis seven years ago then becoming a fosterer and have fostered many pugs over the years. Fostering is very rewarding, caring for a pug for a few weeks or for a few months then seeing them go on to their forever home. I have handed over lots of pugs to their new pug mum & dads. This will have been the first time they have met each other. Seeing the instant joy and the love between them is a great feeling.
Currently in Scotland and in parts of Northern England we do struggle to find homes with no other dogs or providing for special needs, behavioural or disabilities.
We also need volunteers to help with transporting pugs.
I have met some wonderful people involved with the Charity and our fantastic adopters, foster carers and transporters who we could not do what we do, without their support.
Sandra.
PDWRA VAC Scotland & North of England.
If you could adopt a pug, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you could foster, please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
If you could volunteer, including transporting pugs occasionally,
please see: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
by Yasmin | 13 Jun, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories
By Lesley – pictured here with Boo & Luna!
My partner James and I both knew that we wanted to get a rescue dog when circumstances allowed. Both of our families had had dogs before, mine all working dogs (collies and spaniels) and James’s family had always had Westies.
We both knew that we wanted to adopt a pug because we loved the breed but really wanted to get a rescue.
I had experienced a period of very bad health and was awaiting surgery in June of 2021. I was due to start a part time job after my surgery so we decided that, when I was healed, we would be in a position to be able to think about getting a pug.
We googled pug rescues in the UK and the PDWRA came up. They seemed like a wonderful charity so once I was recovered from my surgery and my health was starting to improve we applied to become fosterers / adopters!
We went through the application process and home check and waited to hear from the charity, thinking it would be at least a few months before we heard anything. Imagine our surprise when two weeks later we got a message from Annette at the PDWRA asking if we wanted to foster two girl pugs with a view to adopt. We saw the pictures of Boo and Luna and their adorable smiles and couldn’t say no!
They arrived on the 3rd August 2021, and we were a little shocked by how poorly they were! They were both at least 2 kilos overweight and had problems with their breathing.
The first night was very hard. Boo’s breathing was so loud that it was like someone was sawing wood in the same room! I was in tears because I had no idea how to help them and felt so powerless.
Our contacts at the PDWRA were amazing though, and helped us through every day (and some nights) when we had questions and gave us lots of advice on their care. We put them on a diet and exercise regime and, gradually, we started to see a real difference!
They started to show us their lovely personalities. Boo was the first to get cuddly, whilst Luna was the first to get playful and loves back scratches. They both love cuddles, walks, treats and of course teatimes!
Eventually Boo was able to have the BOAS surgery and now breathes so much easier! Luna also had to have a cancerous lump removed from her leg but it hasn’t recurred thank goodness!
Luna and Boo took a long time to get to full health but by February of 2022 they were ready to be adopted, ….. but we weren’t ready to let them go. They had left their paw prints on our hearts – so they stayed with us 🥰
We love taking them on adventures and holidays with us. We introduced them to the beach and Boo got her first non-bath time zoomies, while Luna enjoyed sniffing all the seaweed.
We absolutely adore them and have both improved our lives immeasurably. They seem to love to be by my side all the time, and James can always tell where I am by where they are!
My health still has its ups and downs but they are always there to cheer me up with their cuteness and give me cuddles. I can honestly say that they are my soul dogs and we love them more and more every day.
If you’d like to find out more about their adventures you can follow their Instagram page @ouradventurepugs. We always love to make new friends!
https://www.instagram.com/ouradventurepugs/
by Yasmin | 8 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Naomi’s is another story of wanting to help out the Charity by fostering, and then falling in love with her charge in the process!
Always keen to share photos of her beloveds with us, here are Naomi’s responses to questions we put to her about her experience with PDWRA and Petey pug.
Q. How did you first hear about the PDWRA?
Since owning my first pug Romeo and realising how special the breed is, I have always had a desire to help pugs in need. I’ve been an animal lover since I can remember and had various pets. I think I get it from my Mum!
Q. How did you come to make the decision to adopt through the PDWRA?
My pug Romeo was 10 years old and my Chihuahua 9 years old and I wanted a companion that could walk a little further (although the seniors got pushed round in their doggy pram also). I had bought my home now with a good garden, and knew I had the space and with great work life balance it was something I could finally commit to.
I applied and passed the checks with PDWRA VAC, Ronnie, who now I consider a dear friend through meeting from the charity. Ronnie contacted me and said can you help… I got back to her later that day and said yes. One day later I set off to pick Petey up and his sister also…. I didn’t intend to adopt him at this point just wanted to help and give something back. We still keep in touch with Petey’s sister and send her gifts and chat to her mum online.
Q. When did you adopt Petey?
When Petey came to me, he needed to be neutered before rehoming, so we developed a bond and when he returned from the vets and needed help to recover from his operation I started to think, OMG, can I let this handsome chap go to a new home?
I put this to the back of my mind for a short while but after my precious pug Romeo passed away on Petey’s 2nd Birthday, I just knew that this was a sign to keep him. So, we made the arrangements with the helpful and caring Ronnie, and he has been a valued part of my life and family since then. He is my soul dog and best friend.
Q. What made you decide to adopt?
Handsome boy, big brown puppy dog eyes and the pug head tilt, true to type characteristics. His happy demeanour, loving personality, needy pug personality and the fact that he follows me around all day every day!
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about Petey?
Petey was a misunderstood Pug, he is 100 miles an hour and a bit of a crazy loon but he is such a happy pup and loves his walkies, paddling pool and naps with me.
Q. How did you find the adoption process?
The process was straight forward and I cannot thank Ronnie and the PDWRA enough for lining me up with my best friend <3
Q. Is there anything you think prospective adoptive or foster parents should know?
I feel people need to give it time. Dogs can take different time frames to settle and some have been through more than others… time and love go a long way.
Q. What has life been like since adopting Petey?
Honestly, he makes me so happy and I take him everywhere with me… this year alone he’s been to Northumberland, Scotland, Newquay, Newbury, Newark and more … I love taking him on days out, new walks and adventures with me.
I haven’t looked back at all. He really helped get me through a tough time of losing my senior pug, whilst he hasn’t replaced Romeo he has become a vital part of my life and I hope to foster and maybe adopt again in the future.
He’s become quite the celebrity and is a brand ambassador for ‘All About Dogs Shows’, ‘Dogfest’ events and so much more and is regularly treated from brands alike to; new dog beds, toys, harnesses and much more!
Thank you, for Petey!
Naomi.
Naomi has occasionally volunteered in other areas for the charity when she can. Last year she took Petey to Crufts, to help man our stand at the world-famous event!
You can also follow Naomi’s Petey, and his fur sibling’s adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploreypaws/ , Facebook and TikTok: @Exploreypaws.
by Yasmin | 6 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories, Volunteering, Fundraising
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, where the first week of June, each year, is a period for celebrating the invaluable contribution volunteers make to their causes, and society, every single day!
The PDWRA could not do what they do for Pugs in Need, without OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.
Enormous THANKS goes out to each and every one!
Our Volunteer contributors include:
Regional Volunteer Area Coordinators, who manage the whole rehoming process for each surrendered pug, from counselling those giving them up to ensuring they are thriving wherever they’re placed.
In-house Vets, providing highly experienced, breed-expert, supervision of the healthcare needs for pugs in our care.
Fosterers, who provide immediate, caring homes for each surrendered pug during their transition or rehabilitation.
Approved & trained Home-checkers who visit & assess all potential homes for our precious pugs.
Approved Transporters country-wide, provide the generous & trusted network for our pugs to reach their new homes, safely.
All year round, PDWRA’s Facebook Mega-Auction group raises thousands of ££s to help with pug vet bills. Managed by a trio of dedicated volunteers, presenting an amazing array of unique, donated, auction lots or special raffles prizes, to be won. All safely wrapped & dispatched to you!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242845766241493/
Across the country, Local Fundraisers, through crafts & hobbies or small businesses or events, raise awareness of our charity & provide essential donations for PDWRA.
PDWRA’s small Comms team manages its website & social media daily, emailing regular newsletters to engage with supporters, ensuring they are kept informed about the charity’s work, requirements & achievements. All of our appeals for pug homes have reached new applicants so that ALL of those pugs in need, have found their forever homes.
Every single person that kindly & generously volunteers their time, at Events or behind the scenes, whether it’s administering microchips or paying vet bills, is invaluable in helping our cause: PUGS, that need our help for safe, stable & healthy futures.
Without ALL of YOU we could not do what we do!
If you would like to volunteer, please look at these webpages:
Locally: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
or
Centrally: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteer-opportunities-at-pdwra/
by Yasmin | 4 Jun, 2024 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Written by PDWRA VAC, Jackie.
How heartbreaking a decision it is, to let go of your pug, and then face the difficult task of finding a good home where it can be loved and cared for. PDWRA Volunteers understand how difficult and traumatic an experience it can be, which is why we help surrenderers through it compassionately and without judgement, to minimise the impact of that painful parting. Reassuring them also, that they will go to the best home possible from our vetted waiting list.
We can provide initial feedback on how their pug is progressing in the first few days and assure them they’re in trusted hands, thereafter our focus is fully geared towards the pug’s needs, and forever placement, or any rehabilitation requirements if needed.
When a surrender call is received we take as much information as possible about the pug; whether they’re compatible with children, cats, other dogs, what their diet is, their sleeping arrangements and walk routine. Whether there are any medical or behavioural issues which need to be addressed. All this information is collated to form a picture of the pug so that we may find exactly the right foster placement.
The foster period varies depending upon the pugs needs – some may be ready to move on to their forever home within following a satisfactory Vet Health Check and Fosterer’s Assessment. Others with more complex issues will remain in foster care for longer until they’re pronounced ready to move on to a waiting home. A relatively small proportion will remain in Long-Term foster care, for their lifetime due to ongoing, multiple medical needs which the charity will support.
Foster pugs are treated as part of the family and participate fully in family life, taking into account any special needs they may have. A trip to the beach – the foster pug goes too. Movie night with the children – the foster pug has a front row seat. Just chilling out with the family – definitely. Chicken Nuggets on the menu – no chance!
This is one of our fosters on his way to a tennis lesson with the daughter of the house – Anyone for tennis ?
Hoping you enjoyed these few photos which illustrate well how surrendered pugs are taken great care of!
By Jackie.
Anyone that wishes to discuss the surrendering of their pug, in confidence, please contact the Volunteer Are Coordinator for your area at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/surrendering-your-pug/
If you would like to foster, short or long-term please read more & apply at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/fostering-a-pug/
by Yasmin | 2 Jun, 2024 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
You may remember the special appeal for Luna, the young pug looking for her forever home with no other dogs.
Well, she found one with Faye, and didn’t have to wait too long!
As soon as Faye saw our post, she applied. She has adopted from us before, is an experienced dog owner and was looking for a challenge!
This little lady has been as good as gold (well mostly), and loves being the centre of attention as we knew she would.
Special thanks go to her foster carer Tina, for taking such good care of Luna whilst in foster and preparing her for her forever home.
Luna has been renamed Sandra by Faye, and she says this about her:
” Our beautiful Sandra has been a part of our family for 2 months now & has settled right in. We utterly adore her. She’s our perfect pug princess, pocket rocket!
She is doing really well, still a bit reactive on walks but nothing we can’t handle. She has settled right in & very much ‘rules the roost’ even barking at my eldest son in the morning until he gets out of bed & gives her cuddles.
She spends a lot more time with my Mum who sadly lost her dog and asked if Sandra could be her therapy pet, a role Sandra takes very seriously! ”
Young Luna needs a No-Dog Forever Home!
