Who Rescued Who?

I have been lucky to be a part of a rescue organization for pugs called PugsUGottaSave (P.U.G.S.). This organization receives calls from all over this side of the country from people who need to surrender their pugs from undesirable homes and situations. This spiked during COVID because people were unable to afford food for their animals. 

Sixteen years ago, my family and I discovered this organization. We were going on vacation, and we needed someone to watch our pugs. A friend recommended the owners of this organization, and they happily agreed to watch our two pugs while we were away. When we dropped them off at their house, it was clear they were going to have the best vacation ever and probably wouldn’t want to come home. When you walked in, there were about eight chunky pugs running around the house like it was a zoo. It was comforting knowing our fur babies were in good hands and were about to have the time of their lives. When we picked them up from our vacation, they were happy and well taken care of. From then on, we knew we had to be apart of this organization.

There were a variety of events held around the city that my family and I participated in throughout the years to show off the pugs that were up for adoption. We marched in the illumination parade every year in November, which was televised, and it helped to inspire others to look into the organization if they were interested in rescuing a pug. My mom pushed our two pugs, Buddy and Bailey, dressed in elf costumes in a dual-seated baby stroller, decked out with Christmas lights. People were howling with laughter and jumping out of the crowds to take pictures. P.U.G.S. would also hold events at the oceanfront and even gatherings for pug owners at dog parks. 

After a couple years of helping with the organization, both of our pugs passed away. A few months later, the organization reached out to let us know they had a little four-year-old pug available for adoption named Geli. The picture they had sent us spiked our curiosity, and we decided to meet her in person. They brought her to our apartment, and she arrived in a Christmas dress with a pearl necklace and immediately stole our hearts. We signed the adoption contract right away, and she was ours. 

Knowing how well Geli was loved, P.U.G.S. started asking us to partake in their foster program. Paisley was our first foster and made herself right at home. She and Geli became fast friends. We fostered her for around three months until she was adopted by a couple in Florida. Shortly thereafter, Geli passed away from an aggressive form of cancer. Our hearts were broken, and the house felt cold and empty. Later on, the rescue organization asked us if we were available to foster two pugs from Baltimore. They came from an awful situation where they were kept outside and the owner was forced to surrender them. They were a bonded pair, mother and daughter. Kako, the baby, was very ill with liver issues, and neither of them were spayed. They needed a considerable amount of medical attention.

Thankfully, when fostering with this organization, they cover the costs of all medical care for the dogs. Kako and Kinley spent a lot of time at the vet but finally got back to full health. They quickly settled into our home. They stayed for about two years, and it was about to be a foster-fail situation. When my mom had to make the difficult decision not to formally adopt them, the organization decided to adopt them themselves and give them a forever home. Thankfully, we will still get to have them visit and enjoy their funny personalities. 

By participating in this rescue organization, we were given a new purpose. Through P.U.G.S., we made lifelong friends and were able to adopt another dog whose love fulfilled us. I would highly encourage anyone looking to adopt a dog to consider rescue organizations because giving a dog another chance at a loving home is a feeling that is irreplaceable.