When I began volunteering with DFW Pug Rescue in early 2012, I purposely signed up for only Transportation because I already had a total of five pets in the house….plenty to handle and properly care for. Then I took on some of the Administrative duties….easy enough….I had the time since I had retired in 2011.
Then, in 2013 DFW Pug Rescue brought in 37 pugs from a breeder release. They needed volunteers to help clean the cages and refill food and water bowls until every pug could be completely vetted and placed in a foster home. I decided I could help with that.
I noticed that every time I walked by one of the upper cages, a small pug would stare at me and trot up to the front of her cage to look at me. I tried not to look too closely at her (because I’m such a softie), but I did have to open her cage to clean and refill food and water, and she would move to the back, always looking at me, though.
Many more foster volunteers were needed for so many pugs. I had never fostered, but filled out the application. I figured I could foster one pug for awhile and asked if I could foster her…she had been named Shania.
And so my story about adoption begins. I am a Foster Failure and proud of it and yes, have the T-shirt! Shania was being treated for demodectic mange, so was on medical hold until that cleared up. At first I thought I was going to have to ask someone else to foster her because Maggie, my female Scottie, did not like having her in the house. But, I kept after it and eventually everyone settled in just fine. As every day passed with her in my home I knew that Shania had chosen me, even though I didn’t think I could add another pet to the house at that time. I took her to the vet for her follow-up appointments, gave her the meds, and when I knew the time was fast-approaching for her to be released from medical hold, I asked about adopting her. I think everyone already knew what I was trying to avoid admitting—–Shania was already home!
She was 2-1/2 years old and only weighed 10.2 lbs. when we took her into rescue. She’s now 4-1/2 years old and weighs 17 lbs. And, yes, I learned that a pug rules the household. She sleeps with me! Two other dogs and sometimes one of my cats will join us. I had never had a pug in my life until now, but I’m pretty sure there will be more as time goes by. I love all my dogs and cats (they’re all rescues), but there really is something very special about a pug! Give fostering and/or adoption a try—you won’t regret it for even one minute.
Shania – Before and After