Mattias & John’s story of adopting Willow & Vera
We have had pugs in our lives for over 30 years and they have always been part of the family. Over the last 10 years though, we made the decision to rescue exclusively. It just felt like the right thing to do. There are so many wonderful dogs out there who need a second chance and we knew we could offer a loving stable home.
That is how we came across the PDWRA. We had followed their work for a while and really admired the care they take in matching dogs to the right homes, especially those with more complex needs.
Willow was the first to join us and she has now been with us for 9 years. When she arrived, she lacked confidence and was clearly nervous, particularly around hands, which suggested she had not always had the best start in life. With time, patience and consistency, she has grown into a much more confident dog and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch her come out of her shell.
Vera joined us 6 years ago and brought her own set of challenges. She has complex health needs. She has very limited sight in her one remaining eye, along with multiple allergies and ongoing skin conditions. But despite everything, she absolutely loves life. She is full of character and joy and her resilience is something we admire every day.
The adoption process itself was really positive. It was thorough, but that gave us confidence that the PDWRA genuinely cares about getting the right match for both the dogs and their new families. We felt supported throughout.
Life since adopting has not always been easy… particularly managing Vera’s health needs, but it has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing both dogs feel safe, settled and loved makes it all worthwhile.
We now have five pugs in our grumble and they bring constant noise, chaos and laughter into the house. Each one has their own personality and story and together they have made our home feel complete.
For anyone thinking about adopting or fostering, our advice would be to go in with an open heart and realistic expectations. Some dogs need time, patience and understanding, especially if they have had difficult pasts or ongoing health needs. But the reward of seeing them thrive and become part of your family is something truly special.
