Geena’s story

by Janet | 4 Oct, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Geena was surrendered earlier this year. Due to family circumstances changing she wasn’t able to receive the care she needed, and although we weren’t made fully aware of her health conditions, it soon became apparent that Geena had very poor vision. We conducted a prompt, vet health check, and her limited vision was confirmed, though we believed she could see shadows. It was also found that she had a grade 5 heart murmur.

Walter and Millie’s story

by Janet | 27 Sep, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Walter and Millie’s story

Walter and Millie, a lovely pair of bonded 10 year olds, were surrendered when one of their elderly owners sadly passed away.

They came from one side of the country, where they were placed in experienced foster care to help them adjust emotionally and medically. Then when the time was right, some great, cross-region team work co-ordinated the transfer of the pair to the other side of the country to their excited forever home!

Walter and Millie just couldn’t get enough of looking out of the car window, it seemed to be a new experience which they absolutely loved!

It’s only been a matter of weeks since Walter and Millie arrived at their adoptive home. Mum says, “it’s like they’ve always been here. The nicest part is that they have settled in with our other three dogs and really are now a much loved part of our family. Their sweet personalities are coming through and they’re great to have around. We are very lucky to have such a gorgeous pair. Walter thinks the TV is an alien being when it’s on, which is a lot, and they’ve tried every dog and human bed in the house but decided mum and dad’s king-size best suits them, though they do allow mum and dad to share it!”

We all know these two are going to have the best life!

Billy’s story

by Janet | 6 Sep, 2020 | Rescue Stories

This is young Billy (on the right), en route to his adoptive home. Billy’s rehoming requirements were quite simple; space to run, and ideally other male canine companions to play with.

He actually now has thirty-five acres to run in! He has two pug friends, and a speedy Lurcher to keep up with!

We know young Billy’s going to have so much fun in his new home, thanks to all who helped him to get there. We are delighted to have played our part and wish him a wonderful life ahead!

Penny and Poppy

by Janet | 24 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Penny and Poppy’s story – written by their adopter

I’d just like to say how lovely and rewarding it has been watching the girls settle in and getting them into a good routine, even teaching them the simplest things, such as waiting nicely for dinner and how to catch treats (most important).  They’re really good girls who want nothing more than a full belly and a comfy bed.  They all have a love hate relationship, but who doesn’t with their family?

It’s lovely to see them all snuggle down after a hard day doing nothing and watching them play together.  When they first came into foster it was said that they weren’t interested in playing.

Of course we have had challenges to face but we wouldn’t be without them and their hilarious ways (like Penny can’t stand still for more than 10 seconds without falling asleep, and Poppy who tries to eat every cigarette end she passes whilst out walking).  The best thing is having 3 waggy curly tails following me everywhere and 3 happy faces staring back at me instead of 1.  I’d love to say a big thanks to my first baby Luna for sharing everything she has had to herself for the last 5 years and not moaning once … well maybe a little bit!

Little Jenny – new update!

by Janet | 16 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Little Jenny – snug and safe in her adoptive home.

But wind the clock back six months, and dear little Pug x Pekingese Jenny’s life was as far from her ideal as she could imagine.

PDWRA were alerted to Jenny’s plight by a kind and concerned neighbour.  A neighbour who found Jenny living outside in a pen by the rubbish bins.  No roof, filth, little food and water – a tiny wooden rabbit shelter that offered little refuge from the weather.  An owner who could not be persuaded to make the right choice.  This was Jenny’s life all day – every day, and every night.

Every day the kind neighbour would give Jenny food, water and affection – telling her the same positive words “Never give up – life will get better.”

Fast forward six months and PDWRA receive a call from a lady who has purchased a pug cross from a local selling site.  Concerned about Jenny’s health, she turned to us for help.

We are happy to report that little Jenny has been adopted, and is now in remarkably good health. Her character – testament to the little dog that knew she deserved better.

And here is Little Jenny, happy and healthy after months of loving care in her safe and warm forever home.  She’s at the heart of a wonderful grumble, too.

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And this is Jenny and her gorgeous grumble, being so good for Mum’s camera that we just had to share this update!

Jenny is a stunning pug/pekinese mix who, unbelievably, started her life living in a back garden, outdoors, on her own!  We shan’t dwell on that as we think you’ll agree she’s in pug heaven now, all thanks to concerned neighbours, PDWRA, and her wonderful forever family.

Betty’s Story – Part 2

by Janet | 14 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Still overweight, Betty, originally surrendered to us by an elderly couple who purchased her on ‘Gumtree’, was losing weight gradually and safely while in foster care. She has since been adopted by a loving family committed to continuing her healthy regime. They also had a rescue labrador called Blake.  He too was overweight when they adopted him. Our Betty seems to have given Blake a new lease of life too!

Their adoptive Mum updates us on how they’re getting on:

“Betty’s now going to bed when Blake does and stays downstairs to be with him, even though all the doors are open and she’s free to come upstairs. To be fair though, Betty is always first to come up and give us our wake-up call in the morning.

She’s turning into a proper little snuggle bunny now! Blake, who had all our attention before, doesn’t care if she’s getting fussed over and he isn’t, or that Betty’s on our laps. He’s even started to pick up and play with some of her toys, which isn’t bad for a grumpy old bloke of a dog, who had just turned 14!

He spends a lot of time looking completely bemused by Betty – Labradors have the ability to raise one eyebrow in a “What the actual heck was that?…” kind of way. But he lets her in his bed, also waits patiently at her side when she eats, in the hope that there may be some extra scraps left in her bowl…. So far, he’s been very disappointed on that score, but he waits just the same.

Betty has successfully shed nearly all of those 3kgs, and is thrilled with her new found energy, enabling her and Blake to have a wonderful, healthy life together.”

Betty’s Story – Part 1

by Janet | 10 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

This not-so-little lady, Betty, was purchased by a retired couple who saw her advertised on ‘Gumtree’. They thought taking her for walks would help their own failing health, as well as with her weight – but sadly this wasn’t the case.

6 months on, Betty had gained about 3kgs (probably the equivalent of us gaining about 3 stones). The couple knew they had made a mistake and weren’t helping her – they hadn’t researched the breed. They were feeding her human food along with her own, and they lived in a flat so there was no garden to explore or exercise in.  A family member contacted us to see if we could help – and of course we could.

Betty was only 3 years old, but moved like a pug 3 times her age. She was panting heavily and struggling to breathe but was keen to kiss me all over whilst I talked to her owners when I collected her. They were genuinely fond of Betty, who was bursting with personality, and I told them all about the bootcamp she would soon be starting.

This was Betty after a half-hour drive to her foster carers house. Her amazing foster carers soon started to whip her into shape with a steady, nutritious diet and regular walks, along with another pug to play with, which always helps, of course!

Betty has been adopted by a loving family, who will tell us in Part 2 of her story, how she’s getting on.

Sid’s story – update

by Janet | 3 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

This was written by Liz, who adopted Sid recently:

Our family have had the great pleasure to be the parents of a rescue pug again. We cannot express the enrichment this has had to a family, learning how to accept this beautiful pug in different ways. As a family it has made us all work as a team to make the pug feel loved and wanted, in return the pug gives you unconditional love, making the whole family calm and complete.

For me personally I am not complete without a pug. I have owned one, or more, for fifty-four years and I would not have it any other way. Our family’s new addition this year, Sid, has made me unbelievably happy and complete. He is exciting, loving, clever and trains me every day to what he wants and what is acceptable.  I cannot tell you how much love there is between me and my pug but it is amazing!

I am thankful every day to the Pug Welfare & Rescue for always being there to fill the gaps for over twenty-five years. Rescue pugs have more love to give than anything I have ever witnessed. Thank you again PDWRA!

Read the first part of Sid’s story below:

This is Sid, adopted by a wonderful couple, Liz and David, 15 years after adopting their first pug.  They then went on to adopt a pair of pugs from us 5 years later.

Sid had been lovingly cared for in foster during lockdown, and instantly made himself right at home with Liz and David.  He has been learning how to get treats from Mum and Dad who really adore him, unsurprisingly.

Liz also supports PDWRA by making craft items to fundraise for pugs in need, via our auction group.  We are delighted to have them all as part of our PDWRA family, and Sid couldn’t have found himself a more perfect home.

Morris’ Story – Part 2

by Janet | 1 Aug, 2020 | Rescue Stories

Morris’ story – Part 2

It was unusual that PDWRA couldn’t find an interim foster home or an adopter for Morris. Meantime after collecting the timid, toothless gent, we enjoyed making him feel at home with my other 3 pugs too. He came with little but now has his own bed, bowls, harnesses and toys to call his own.

Since having him, Morris has slowly come out of his shell. He follows Minnie pug around everywhere, and they can often be found in the garden together chasing after the birds. He loves on occasion to play with a squeaky toy or a ball and chases it around the kitchen. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think he would want to play with toys, he was so anxious. He learnt to bark at the TV along with Minnie, which is so funny, as Morris has a strange bark, due to his tongue always hanging out.

Well, Morris was my mum’s maiden name, so I suspected I was meant to have him, that it was meant to be? PDWRA agreed so he’s going nowhere. I certainly wouldn’t be without my Morris now, who I love dearly.

On warm afternoons, once they have all had lunch, my nearly blind Percy and Morris can be found on the bed in the warm conservatory sound asleep side by side, so lovely, two old boys together in their retirement home! Roly is my other boy who can’t control his rear legs or functions, so commands a lot of my attention which is why I wasn’t planning to increase my grumble, but I’m glad I have, and Morris can at least have some fun and mischief with his puggie family for the rest of his days.