Desperate For Your Help

This is it guys. Now is the time. Now is the time to help. 

Summer is the time of year animal rescuers dread. Adoptions slow down, pugs are relinquished by their owners, pugs are left at shelters in high numbers, and foster homes become scarce as family vacations commence.

 

Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue has over 90 pugs in rescue including 14 pugs in clinics this week. Only 5 of the clinic pugs have foster homes waiting for them. Beyond that, we have 6 more pugs waiting to come into rescue. Many of the families who wish to give up these pugs to rescue are waiting patiently while we try desperately to recruit new foster homes for them. 
However, a few are in danger and must be brought into rescue immediately. 

We need fosters. We need funds. We need your help.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Adopt! 
Just look at these precious pugs waiting for their forever home!
And we have a special right now with Senior Pugs: 2 for 1!!!

Foster! 
Please consider becoming a foster for these sweet pugs.
Fill out a foster application here.
If you know someone who would like to foster or is even thinking about it, have them take the first step and fill out the application!

Donate! 
While we are always accepting online donations here,
we currently also have 3 auctions running that will benefit three very special, critical care pugs.
Auctions end Sunday, June 23rd at 7 pm.

Meet Beautiful

Beautiful was found in the home of her owner after he had passed away. Her eyes were in such bad shape, they both had to be removed. 
All of a sudden her life was turned dark and upside down - did she let this dampen her spirit? 
No!
Beautiful has found comfort in the new humans around her and she always has her tail wagging. 
Besides her emergency eye surgery, she will need additional care as she is continued to be evaluated.

Click here to see Beautiful's auction

Meet Veronica Pearl 

Veronica Pearl has had it rough from the beginning. Whether it was the hand she was dealt or early trauma, Veronica Pearl has now been diagnosed with a herniated disk. 

Because of how pug bodies are built, this not only affects the way she walks, sits, or moves in the slighetest, but also affects her bladder and urethra. 

She is on medication but it is recommended she have acupuncture and be reassessed for surgery. 

Click here for Veronica Pearl's auction

Meet Annie Bee
 
Annie Bee is only 8 months old and has been twice rescued: 
Once from craigslist and once by DFW Pug Rescue when her medical needs grew. 
It is suspected that Annie Bee had a troubled and dangerous birth resulting in trauma to her frontal lobe. 
She needs an MRI and further assessment for her seizures.

 Click here for Annie Bee's auction

We are also holding a garage sale!! 

You can donate to the garage sale on Saturday, June 22 between 8 am and 3 pm.

Then you can shop at the garage sale on Saturday, June 29 between 8 am until 4 pm.

The address for donations and for the garage sale is

629 Post Oak Drive

Hurst, Texas 76053

Please help us anyway you can.

Mike really wants you to.

"Help us now so Sarah McLachlan doesn't have to sing that song again."

 

OUR LARGEST RESCUE YET

Major Pug Rescue Effort Under Way

Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue conducted its biggest rescue campaign in the history of the charity organization on Saturday, bringing in 37 pugs. Volunteers, techs, and doctors worked around the clock for three days to provide immediate care for these little ones, some with chronic health issues and one 3-year old named Tia, whose intestines are partially outside her body and who needs emergency lifesaving surgery.

"Sometimes opportunities present themselves and you have to take a leap of faith," said DFW Pug Rescue Director Sue Chapman. "A few days ago we were presented with the possibility of rescuing up to 75 pugs. The directors made a rapid decision - We would do this. Our Crisis Team traveled on short notice, and now we are waiting on heartworm tests. Then they will all be spayed and neutered."

Most of the pugs are young, under 5 years old, shy, and somewhat fearful, but curious about this new world that awaits them, she said. "We have over 31 pugs that need foster homes quickly. We need your help. We need donations. We believe every one of these lives is precious and worth saving," Sue said. "Thank you so much to Joanne Meriwether, Debra Hutchinson, and Jen Umbright who traveled day and night to bring these precious pugs to us safely."

Fifteen males and 22 females, some pregnant, are being boarded while we try to find foster homes. With spring break coming up, we have been asked to move most of these pugs out of the boarding facility and find foster homes as quickly as possible.

Our veterinary costs just to vaccinate, provide immediate critical care, and board these rescues is significant. Please open your hearts and help us to nurse these young pugs back to health, and give them the happy, healthy lives they have always deserved.

Our veterinary costs are 
over $12,000 
for their most immediate
medical needs, and for Tia
who needs lifesaving surgery

PUG EMERGENCY DONATION LINK

Here are 4 of the 37 rescued pugs:

 

Harry Potter

 

Pocahontas

 

Humphrey

 

Beverly 

 

To Be Named

 Stay tuned for more information, more pictures, and more pugs!

PLEASE DONATE HERE IF YOU CAN

4TH ANNUAL PUGAPALOOZA

Pack up the puggies and join us THIS Saturday, March 2, from 10:30am to 2pm for Pugapalooza, our biggest spring event! 

Our fourth annual Pugapalooza will include all sorts of fun stuff for you, your family, and your pugs, so bring your lawn chair, camera, picnic basket, and some cash for the silent auction and join us at

 Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park

7804 Davis Blvd.

North Richland Hills, Texas

Lunch is $5 and includes your choice of a hamburger (veggie burgers available too!), along with chips and a cold drink. Check out our bake sale for dessert! 

Schedule of Events & Contests:

11:00 am - Curliest Tail
11:20 am - Longest Tongue
11:50 am - Best Kisser
12:20 pm - Sassy Senior
12:50 pm - Spring Bonnett
1:20 pm - Clean Your Plate
1:40 pm - Best Trick

And don't forget to dress the part! 

Visit our Pugapalooza t-shirt order page!!

AND YES! We will have fosters and adoptable pugs!! Come ready to fall in love!!! 

 You can RSVP on our Facebook Event Page

All proceeds will benefit our rescue pugs!

 

Instagram? More like InsPUGram!

Do you use Instagram? You know, the free #1 photo sharing app for your phone? Compatible with Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter? 
You do!??! SO DO WE!

If you want to be kept up to date with available pugs and learn the heartwarming stories of our adopted pugs, follow us here:
http://instagram.com/dfwpugrescue


Who wouldn't want a lovable, adorable pug mug popping up on their phone or in their news feed throughout their day??

Della Comes Through Surgery With High Spirits

Della, age 9 months, is doing well following her first surgery on Friday

The following account is from our volunteer Debra Drzich, a surgical nurse by day, and a volunteer for DFW Pug Rescue in her free time. Debra is the nurse who also helped our rescue pug, Boca, recuperate following multiple surgeries after Boca had suffered a shattered jaw from an abuser. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Debra for all of the care and the hours and the compassion she gives to our most special needs pugs. Without volunteers like Debra, we could not do what we do - take in all pugs, regardless of age or medical condition.

Dear DFW Pug Rescue:

Della the 9-month-old puppy came through today with flying colors following her first major surgery today. I met the specialist, Dr. Perkins and his wife, Nancy, and was impressed by the work he did on Della. She had two surgeries today. But there is both good and bad news with her. Two times today she had more Xrays and it was discovered that her injuries are more extensive than originally thought. She had the femur fracture and altogether it was determined that there are at least six pelvic fractures of varying degrees.

Today Dr. Perkins fixed the major right pelvic fracture with a couple of screws that helped to bring the whole pelvic area back into better alignment. When he opened the left thigh to repair the femur fracture a large hematoma was discovered with muscle bruising and he was surprised that she hadn't bled out. But the left femur was plated and screwed and should heal up nicely. It was determined, after a little over four hours of surgery, that Della had had enough for the day. When I left at 2:30 this afternoon she was waking up from anesthesia well and had some pain meds on board. He said that more than likely she got run over not hit by a car. Her whole pelvis was crushed. There is a major pelvic fracture on the left side and the bones are out of alignment and will probably require surgery but that will be determined after more xrays next Tuesday. There seemed to be no bladder or other internal injuries which is a blessing but we have to be on the look out for some nerve damage that may or may not develop.

On a more personal note, I went into the clinic at 9 am this morning with the idea I was going to be just a casual observer so I would understand better what I would be dealing with when I got to bring her home to recover. And figured I would be gone by noon. Well... I just can't keep my hands in my pockets. It was a rewarding day for me. And Dr. Gumfory, Dori, and Dr. Perkins and Nancy are to be recognized for putting up with my questions.

Dr. Perkins was very patient as he was explaining about her injuries. I ended up donning sterile gloves and such and helping him to fix the fractured femur. He needed the extra hands and Nancy was busy getting supplies that he needed. Plus this way it didn't tie up one of the staff from Westcreek. I also helped Dori with getting Della ready preoperatively for surgery and helped Dr. Gumfory with Xrays on her. The staff was laughing when they saw me in the or helping Dr. Perkins saying it was bound to happen. Nancy is a retired or nurse also so we found common ground on which to connect with. Dr. Perkins told me it was refreshing to have a knowledgeable, somewhat detached person to explain everything to. Don't tell him I cried all the way home this afternoon for her.

I will be going over every morning to help in her care and so that she is very familiar and comfortable with me when I finally get to bring her home. I will also be there on Wednesday morning when she has her second surgery if it is determined that it should be done. There is the possibility that the smaller fractures will heal just fine if the major pelvic fracture on the left can be fixed. Della is scheduled for more Xrays next Tuesday.

From my experience these kind of injuries on a human would require multiple surgeries with different specialists and months upon months of recovery and rehab. And lots of pain and pain medications. But Della is a trooper and even though she whimpered a couple of times when waking up she was very calm and responsive to my touch when I was there.

I will email regular updates about her condition. I'm not sure how or why she got to us because as bad as her injuries are I'm surprised she wasn't euthanized. I'm glad she wasn't but her recovery will be a slow process.

Debra

Della suffered multiple fractures, including a broken pelvis

DFW Pug Rescue, No Pug Left Behind

No Pug Left Behind - DFW Pug Rescue from Nancy Medina on Vimeo.

Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue celebrates 12 years and 4800 pugs rescued in our annual video tribute.

You can learn more about DFW Pug Rescue at www.dfwpugs.com

Directions for Pugapalooza - The Biggest Pug Event for Spring!

Photo of Libby courtesy of http://www.abstractsbyrobin.com/

Join us for Pugapalooza!

Saturday, March 30

10 am to 4 pm
Villages of Bear Creek Park
1951 Bear Creek Parkway
Euless, TX 76039

Click here for a Map (SEE DETAILED DIRECTIONS BELOW!)

Mark your Spring Puggy Calendars for a day of fun at Pugapalooza from 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, March 30. Things to bring: Chair, camera, pugs, your hat, your pug's hat, and money!

Schedule

10:30 am Silent Auction opens

11:30 - 1:00 Lunch

12:30 - 12:50 Longest Tongue

1:00 - 1:20 Curliest Tail

1:30 - 1:50 Best Kissser

2:00 - 2:20 Best Trick

2:30 - 2:50 Cutest Bonnet/Most Creative

Silent Auction Closes at 3 pm

$5.00 donation for lunch (Choice of Hamburger or
2 hot dogs, chips, soda and cookies.)

All Pugs must be fully vaccinated and leashed.
*No females in heat. No pugs under 5 months admitted.

Detailed Directions for Pugapalooza:

Villages of Bear Creek Park

Texas Trail Pavillion and Amphitheatre

1951 Bear Creek Pkwy at Ash Ln

Euless, Texas 76039

Bear Creek is off Mid-Cities road, and it looks like you are turning into some apartments (Fountain Wood/Oak Mont) but just keep going and you will seea sign for City Park and then pass the dog park on your right and then you will see a big sign that says "Amphitheatre" on your right

We will have signs and balloons

Coming North on 360 you will exit Mid cities and go back over 360 and the first left is Bear Creek Parkway

Coming South on 360, just Mid Cities, go right at light and the first left is Bear Creek Parkway

An Alabama Puggy Earns His Wings

Flubber with Ken and Julie Volk

of Pilots N Paws

Flubber

Hi, I'm Flubber. I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!

I may look earthbound and slightly round, but I earned my wings last week! My personal pilot Ken Volk and his wife Julie gave me first class accommodations to the Lone Star State last week on their plane thanks to Pilots N Paws. Southeast Pug Rescue was getting a little full to the gills with puggies needing homes, so their peeps called the Dallas pug rescue peeps and well, now I am a Texas Pug!

The president of pug rescue in Dallas, she's a real upstandin lady, said I was a perfect gentleman in her house, and she couldn't believe why anyone would ever want to give me up. I am four years old and I enjoy other dogs and I love kids. I'm going to be the perfect addition to your home, especially if you have an open refrigerator door policy.

Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful folks at Pilots and Paws for everything they do to help rescue animals across the U.S.!

UPDATE ON FLUBBER

Mister Flubber has been adopted by a loving family who adores him. Craig, his new dad, reports that Flubber knows some tricks. He can sit, high five, play dead, lay down, and bark for treats. It is hard to imagine how anyone could give up a wonderful little guy like Flubber. We are so thankful to have found the perfect home for him!

Ony the Pug - One Step at a Time

Ony and Melissa, his foster mom

From Melissa, Ony's Foster Mom:

"Ony grows stronger every day and makes me realize that

hope is always there and to never give up.

I'm not giving up on him no matter what

because he has not given up on me."

Ony the Pug is 7 years old and has a hard time walking and standing up. Ony's family said they were moving and could not take him with them. He came to Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue about a week ago and was taken to our neurologist's office for a myelogram and a CT scan Wednesday. This will tell us if surgery will help him.

Dr. Ducote and her staff were encouraged with the progress Ony has made under his foster mom Melissa's care. He is now standing and walking - or trying to walk. Previously, he was incontinent and now is letting Melissa know when he needs to go out. She carries him out to the grass and he will relieve himself and walk over to the edge of her patio to be let back in. Melissa says he can maneuver on grass better than floors or concrete.

Ony is another little soul who gives those around him courage. We are going to do everything we can to help him get back his quality of life and find a loving home. We are so thankful to Melissa for the love she is giving him in his foster home.

Ony the Pug - One Step at a Time

Ony and his foster mom, Melissa

Ony has difficulty standing and walking

With love and care, the sparkle in his eye is back!

Melissa: Ony makes me realize hope is always there...

Ony the Pug is 7 years old and has a hard time walking and standing up. Ony came to rescue in October after his family said they were moving and could not take him with them. Ony was taken to our neurologist's office for a myelogram and a CT scan on Wednesday. He will need surgery to fix the discs that are pressing on his spine and preventing him from walking.

Dr. Ducote and her staff were encouraged with the progress Ony has made under his foster mom Melissa's care. Previously sad and nonambulatory, Ony is now able to move around a little bit and the sparkle has returned to his eyes. Before, he was incontinent and now he is letting Melissa know when he needs to go out. She carries him out to the grass and he will relieve himself and walk over to the edge of her patio to be let back in. Melissa says he can maneuver on grass better than floors or concrete. Daily at-home physical therapy and special exercises are just part of Ony's success, thanks to the love and care of his foster mom.

Ony's progress is good but he needs your help! Please donate to the Ony Fund so we can help Ony to walk again. He deserves nothing less.

From Melissa, Ony's Foster Mom:

"Ony grows stronger every day and
makes me realize that hope is always there
and to never give up. I'm not giving up on him

no matter what because he has not given up on me."

Rowdy Has Gone to the Bridge

Rowdy the Pug

A Brave Girl and

Heaven's Newest Angel

We are heartbroken to report that Rowdy passed away this week while in the care of our dedicated veterinary staff. Rowdy was hit by a car and subsequently abandoned by her owners before she came to rescue. Our medical team has given her around the clock care for over 2 weeks, and she has had two surgeries. We were all hopeful she was going to recover and find the perfect, loving home. Our vet was devastated when he shared the news. He reported that Rowdy never complained about any treatment she received, and was always happy for a kind word or touch, and wagged her tail whenever you spoke to her.

Today our hearts are broken. We will never, ever forget her loving spirit and her will to survive. Through every treatment and exam she was a love.

Please remember Rowdy in your prayers. She is the newest angel in heaven.

Joshua - A Miracle Rescue

Joshua -- May 2009

Joshua -- June 2009

Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue takes in all pugs regardless of age or medical condition. Our volunteers work tirelessly to save every little pug we can. Here is the story of Joshua in the words of his foster mom, Joann. As you will see, Joshua won her heart and Joann eventually adopted Joshua into her own family.

From Joann

In May I received a call to foster a pug in need. He had demodectic mange, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms ~ the poor little guy. His name was Joshua and he looked awful. He had no hair, he had scabs everywhere, and he smelled really bad.

When I went to Westcreek and they brought him out, he was so sad looking. All I really saw was the most amazing, beautiful amber eyes asking for love! I took Joshua home and started making him welcome there. He was just a little shy at first, I think he knew how bad he looked and smelled. We did not not care, we started him on his meds and then baths.

He was not making a whole lot of improvement at first and then I thought, because he had developed some secondary infections on his skin, maybe I should just scrub him like a burn patient, so I did. After several scrubbings, the yeast and staph were gone. It left his skin really dry, so we started to bathe him with baby shampoo mixed with olive oil scalp treatment. We were amazed that after two shampoos his hair just started sprouting in so fast that in less than a week he was solid black again. He now has the softest skin and the shiniest coat.

Joshua has turned out to be the most beautiful black boy we had ever seen. He never once fussed about any treatment. He was always laid back and I think almost enjoying the baths and being showered with constant love. Of course, during all this treatment, we fell in love with little Joshua and chose to adopt him and make him a huge part of our family. He will be loved and taken care of like he deserves and will never have to go through all that again.

After many trips to the vet he is the best pug ever! We want to thank DFW Pug Rescue for saving Joshua and so many other poor pugs. If it were not for them many, many pugs would not be saved.

Larry & Joann Meriwether

Pug Rescue Cards

Pug Rescue Sympathy Cards
Available on our Web Site

I remember a few years ago when we would get one or two pugs into rescue a week. Times have changed and now it is not unusual for us to receive five to 10. Many of these babies are in such poor physical shape, but once they are in our care they respond with amazing resilience. Once you give a Pug unconditional love, they begin to bloom and grow and give love back in the most delightful ways.

We have lost some of our rescues already this year, even very young ones, when they were brought in too late for medical care. This card was created especially for Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue to commemorate the little wiggley jiggley pugs in heaven who are playing in the clouds and enjoying all the kibble their hearts desire.

For every pug rescued and lost, there is an indelible mark on our hearts. Someone held them, someone loved them fiercely and comforted them, even if it was only for a few days or weeks or months. We miss them terribly.

Rescued Hearts - Why We Rescue

Thank you to our amazing and tireless volunteer, Rita, for sharing this poem - it really captures the reason we work so hard to rescue these precious pugs. For those who have fostered and spent nights, and sometimes weeks, sleeping in the floor to console a frightened, sick pug, and nurse him back to health and happiness; for those who have experienced the joy of hearing from a family, years later, who adopted one of your fosters, just to let you know how well that baby is doing - this is for you.

Rescued Hearts

Taking care of rescue dogs is something I do best
I know because I've done it, and I've surely passed the test.

The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed, the vacuuming I've done
And all to watch a frightened soul, sit dreaming in the sun.

My own dogs I've neglected, but I tell them every day,
That I love and cherish each of them though new dogs come to stay.

I know they understand this, for in their eyes I see,
The love that I have given them come shining back at me.

Some people think I am crazy, some others think I am great,
But very few can understand what really is at stake.

If you can love and help a dog to find a better way,
My own life is much richer, I look forward to each day.

So now you know my secret, it's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save, I do it all for me.