My name is Lizzie, & I have been happily ‘entangled’ to Terry (known as Terry-Two-Pugs by other dog walkers) for 33 years, 16 years married. For 30 of those years we have had a rescue dog in our lives, of all ages, sizes and breeds. I first fell in love with the pug breed after seeing Ethel’s Little Willie on Eastenders.
We had an elderly Stafffie, Murdoch, before our venture into the wonderful world of Pugs, he was 12 when he came into our lives and had a fun-packed 2 years before he crossed the bridge in early 2022.
I did some research before I started the search on the WWW for a dedicated UK Pug Rescue. Even though I was searching in my county of Lancashire I dropped onto the East Midlands PDWRA.
I downloaded the adoption form and we completed it the same evening. Not expecting an immediate response I was surprised to receive a phone call the following day, to discuss Bella and Gracie, who were in foster with Laura and her family as a consequence of COVID. A photo was sent to us and I was surprised at the lovely colour of Gracie’s coat, as we were expecting a pure white coat and not the scrumptious jersey cream honey colour that she is, and of course the little black shiny pug that was Bella.
Like all our previous rescues, we went with our instincts and our hearts. A remote home check via WhatsApp was arranged for 2 days time, we had our fingers and toes crossed that we would be approved as we were already emotionally invested in them.
After a successful home check, interview and all the relevant admin, we were on our way to meet our little grumble of two from their foster home, Southwards on the M6.
We got back just after teatime, after a peaceful journey home back to North Lancashire, and they’d slept and snored for the whole journey home.
Bella, a little black pug of 3 years old, and Gracie, a larger white pug, 4 years old, hopped out of the car and strolled nonchalantly through the front door and immediately hopped up onto my chair, claiming it as their own. We’ve learned to share it now, usually with me sitting and them both in a heap on my knee or sleeping snugly at my side.
Sitting in front of the fire and the TV with 2 sleeping Pugs, after they had inspected their new and forever home, knowing where they could pee and poo and play safely in our large enclosed quiet rear garden, where their food and water was and where the cosy doggie beds were situated around the house, we were finally together, 6 days after the initial submission of the adoption form! Now we, our family of 4, had all of their lives of love, laughter and fun wrapped up in caring and nurturing our little pug ladies. Terry was now outnumbered 3 to one.
Bella is a lot in a little dog. She is very vocal when barking, but she also chatters to us very softly. She is very confident with people and other dogs without being aggressive, but she has also mellowed beautifully. She loves sitting on her Mama’s lap watching TV and is a proper Star Trek fan. She is as bright as a button and has her Daddy at her beck and call. Gracie, is a completely different personality to Bella. Gentle, cuddly and a ‘licker’, she is grooming Bella regularly and she would ‘groom’ us too given half a chance.
They both love riding in the car and walks. Their first holiday was in March 2023 to the North West of Scotland in a converted bothy, all cosy and warm. They were fab on the 14-hour journey with hourly stops, and 2-days later we woke to a foot of snow which they both found fun, jumping into drifts and running through the snow. Since that first holiday more have followed, either late Spring or early Autumn and generally there are beaches and countryside involved, as well as plenty of dog-friendly eateries and pubs. If the Pugs are not allowed then we don’t go, as we are a tight fit group of 4 and honorary members of their grumble.
When we’re at home they are either lounging/sleeping on the furniture or their ‘hoomans’, or sitting in our large picture window on ‘paw-patrol’. Well known by locals passing and the small children love them. We can honestly say that we are all a perfect fit.
Anyone considering adopting a pug should be aware that they are extraordinary animals. They take their role of ‘companion dog’ seriously, don’t respect the personal space of others and it’s endearing.
The snoring is LOUD! The fur they shed is endless and is known as ‘pug-glitter’ in our house as it gets everywhere. They are extremely loving and affectionate, with gigantic personalities.
We have so much gratitude for the PDWRA. The match between us and our puggie-ladies is perfect. The adoption process was seamless. Laura, their fosterer, and her family did a great job of caring for them and the information passed to us was invaluable in the early days. Gracie was overweight and on a diet when we collected them and with written instructions, we were able to reach her target weight. Both Gracie and Bella have maintained their optimum weight ever since. They are both food-orientated, so lead training was a piece of cake, but they are pretty good at begging when cake is involved. They love their walks and are very well behaved when off the lead in a safe place. They are very sociable with both dogs and people. Bella is a bit more vocal but settles well within a short time.
We love both of them as much as our own children and grandchildren, who love Bella and Gracie equally. I must admit, the majority of my photos on my phone are Bella and Gracie, as they are both so yummy and photogenic. They regularly feature in the Happy Homes Facebook page as well as my personal feed. We are hoping for many happy years together of walks, beaches, holidays and days out puggie-style, wrapped up in love and laughter.
