Jenna Bradford
I got my first pug back in 2012. The people giving her up did not know her age or any medical history, so it was a lot of figuring things out as we went. I think she was around six or seven. I named her Pooka. And she was perfect. My sweet girl loved clothes, and she would genuinely get excited anytime she got a new dress, sweater, or costume. I discovered an event called Pug-O-Ween and knew it was made for her. We went, and that is how I found DFW Pug Rescue. I was immediately obsessed (obviously). I went for a few more years before Pooka passed away, after about eight years together. Complete devastation is an understatement and I knew the only thing that would help me is another pug. I had given Pooka the best second half of her life, but this time I wanted to give a pug a full, happy life from the very beginning.
A week later, I got Corbin Dallas, also known as Squeaker, a tiny black 8-week-old puppy with big opinions. We took road trips, and he loved destroying toys just to get to the squeaker inside. He was not as into costumes, but we still took home second place one year at Pug-O-Ween dressed as sPUGhetti and Meatballs. In 2021, I adopted another dog. Cow. He was a seventy-pound boxer and pit bull mix and Corbin loved him. They were BFFs. After losing Cow unexpectedly and way too soon, both me and Corbin felt the loss really hard. I knew Corbin wanted a friend and I knew I was nowhere near ready to adopt again, so in late 2023, I opted to try fostering, something I always wanted to do.
Now, nearly 30 fosters later, I can’t imagine having made any other choice. I’ve loved every single pug who has come through my home, and it’s been especially sweet watching Corbin “mentor” them and teach them proper pug etiquette and all the best behaviors. It has also taught me so much patience and brought so much joy.
Then I saw an email about the Rescue needing a Director of Communications, I really took time to think it through. With 15 years of professional experience in design, communications, and marketing, I knew I had the skill set and passion to give back in a bigger way. Now I’m in the role, and I’m loving every bit of the chaos. I’ve always loved pugs, and I now I love being able to use my talents to help them even more in a big way.
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