PugHearts of Houston

Pug Hearts of Houston is a true non-profit pug rescue founded in the Houston area by dedicated pug owners and lovers. Our mission is the rescue, rehabilitation and permanent placement of needy pugs into loving homes.

To those of you who have generously donated to keep PugHearts running, we say a huge "Thank you!" We are busier than we have ever been and our resources are stretched pretty thin right now. So though you may not get a phone call or a personalized note thanking you, please know that we are truly grateful and do appreciate your support.

You are what keeps PugHearts in existence and our Rescues alive.

Sometimes working in rescue is overwhelming. Sometimes it is so heartbreaking that we question whether or not we can handle any more grief, or stand to see yet another animal in pain. Yes, sometimes this is a very hard job.

And then we see a dog like K.C. and we know that it’s all worthwhile. K.C. came to us back in early August from a local animal control facility. He was in such bad shape that we resigned ourselves to the fact that we couldn’t “fix” him but we could make his last days comfortable. Sadly, we sometimes pick up dogs like this. We know we can’t heal them but we can’t leave them to die alone, so we take them in and place them in one of our Hospice foster homes. There they get all the love and care they need until the day they are ready to leave us. And so K.C. went to live with a very special lady who promised to look after him until he was ready to let go.

When we first picked him up we thought he was an older guy. We were told by the shelter that he was nearly blind. He had also tested severely heartworm positive. He seemed to have trouble moving around and appeared to have spinal problems. Our vet surprised us by telling us that he was probably no more than 4 or 5 years old.

Once he was moved into his foster home, we saw signs that he had probably once been somebody’s pet. He was housebroken and understood “outside.” What on earth had happened? Why was he in such bad shape? Why was he out on the streets? We’ll never know.

But then something magical happened. K.C. started to blossom. With the love and care he received he decided he wasn’t ready to give up. He started fighting to live. K.C.’s foster mom tells the story:

“When KC became my foster several months ago it was with the understanding that I would give him a safe and happy home until he was no longer with us. Well, it seems we neglected to consult KC, because he was ready to give the fight of his life. As sick as he was he fought through everything that was wrong with him and he has come through it all with a wagging tail, perked up ears and bright eyes! He is the greatest joy that I have experienced being a foster. There were several times when he went to the doctor that I thought he wouldn't come home again, but Dr. Hendrix and Cindy wouldn't give up, and neither did KC. KC has undergone aggressive HW treatment, recovered and is now on the road to being HW negative. He does still have a minor cough that is permanent but that is a small price to pay for being so healthy otherwise. He is now strong enough to be neutered and will soon undergo that procedure (though I haven't told him about that yet).

KC is now a normal happy, healthy, playful Pug! I must warn you though that he is just a teensy, weensy bit spoiled. He feels that one side of the bed is his and his alone. He doesn't bark and carry on, he will just sit and make a very soft crying noise until I let him up...hey, it works. He isn't one to get on my lap and be held but he loves to sit beside me and have me pet him. His fur is the softest of any Pug I have ever felt, it's almost as soft as rabbit's fur. He has started playing since he feels better; he likes to play with squeaky toys and the unstuffed animals with the squeakers in them. He is very well behaved in the house. KC is now ready to become your pampered Pug and give you all the love and affection you can handle. KC is a joy to behold; he is a shining example of why there is a PugHearts!”

We are so happy to see K.C. healthy and ready for a new life. And we have you to thank. Your donations and support are what keeps us going and allows us to help dogs like K.C. So, on behalf of K.C. and all of us at PugHearts, thank you for saving his life!

If you have a PUG IN DANGER, or need to SURRENDER A PUG the please call us on 281 968 4958 or click the icon below to be automatically connected. Leave a detailed message and somebody will call you back within the hour.

We received a disturbing email this recently that we feel is important to share. Please be aware of the danger our pets are in with these extremely high temperatures. And please pass these tips on to friends, family and neighbors. You just might save a life.

To all our clients and their beloved pets, "Bauer" was a five year old golden retriever. He had a family that loved him very much. Two little boys that played with him, took him to the beach, played ball with him and were growing up with him.

Bauer's family decided to go away for the weekend and took him to a friend's home for them to pet sit him. The family that was pet sitting put "Bauer" in their back yard and decided to go to the store.

One hour later, "Bauer's" family got a phone call that "Bauer" was dead. I know this story because "Bauer" belonged to my son, his wife and my grandchildren. It is not until something like this happens in your own family, and you see the pain and suffering for everyone involved that you realize how tragic it is and how unnecessary. It could have so easily been avoided.

"Bauer" died from heat stroke on Friday, June 26, 2009. My hope in sending out this email is that maybe one person will read this and have the information available to them that "Bauer's" pet sitters' did not have. In the extreme temperatures we have seen recently in the Houston area, any pet may experience hyperthermia very rapidly with serious and potentially fatal side effects. Please make your friends, relatives, neighbors and children aware of this issue. Pets left outdoors during the heat of the day in excess of approximately 10 minutes (especially for dogs) may have very serious side effects. If you absolutely must leave them outdoors, they need shade, water, and something to help them cool off. A child's plastic wading pool works well if dogs will use it.

I am including some brief information about heat stroke. Please feel free to call our office if you have any questions regarding this issue, and keep your pets safe through the summer months..in doors!

The most common cause of heat stroke or hyperthermia is leaving a dog in a car with inadequate ventilation. The dog's body temperature in this situation can elevate very rapidly, often within minutes. It is important to remember that dogs cannot control their body temperature by sweating as humans do, since they only have a relatively small number of sweat glands located in their footpads. Their primary way of regulating body heat is by panting.

Other common causes of heat stroke include being left in a yard without access to shade or water on a hot day, excessive or vigorous exercise during hot temperatures. Sometimes even just taking an extended walk or run can induce heat stroke. Excited or excessively exercised dogs are sometimes at risk even if the environmental temperature and humidity does not appear that hot.

Dogs with a restricted airway such as the brachycephalic breeds (flat faced dogs such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs) are at greater risk. In these breeds, clinical signs of heat stroke can occur when the outside temperature and humidity are only moderately elevated.

First and foremost, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately! Hyperthermia is an immediate medical emergency. Safe, controlled reduction of body temperature is a priority. Cool water may be poured over the head, stomach, underarms and feet, or cool cloths may be applied to these areas. This should be done as soon as the pet is found!