PUG LIFE: A SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN HAS RESCUED MORE THAN 2,500 OF THE LOVABLE ‘CLOWNS OF THE DOG WORLD’

Expect a lot of shedding, endless entertainment, and a never-ending invasion of your personal space – that’s the reality of having a pug, according to Cheryl Gaw, who’s encountered more than her fair share of these adorable squashed-nosed dogs.

Gaw has rescued over 2,500 pugs in South Africa after she and her husband made a life-altering decision to sell their home, live in a trailer for a while, and completely overhaul their lives to help as many dogs as possible.

In 2010, they founded Pug Rescue South Africa in Johannesburg due to the overwhelming number of dogs they had taken in. Gaw, now 63, says it “was never part of the plan” when they looked ahead to retirement. “Of course, the pugs won,” she adds with a smile.

Today, the center houses nearly 200 pugs – each with their own story of hardship. Some were abandoned, others are ill, and many were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them.

Gaw’s journey with pugs began in 2008 when her husband, Malcolm, gifted her one. At a pug club event, someone asked if they’d be willing to foster “a couple” of pugs. In their first year of fostering, the Gaws took in 60 pugs and, at one point, had 19 living in their home – a bit too much fur for such a small space.

“They’re the clowns of the dog world, always making you laugh,” says Gaw, sharing her own guide to the breed. “They’re constantly in your space, but they’re just an amazing, lovable breed. And you’ll always have hair on you!”

The rescue center’s team does their best to maintain some order. The daily routine begins at 5:15 a.m. when the dogs wake up and come out of their cottages, where they sleep in groups based on their “age and personality,” according to Gaw. Then it’s breakfast, followed by medication for those who need it, bath time, playtime, grooming, midday snacks, an afternoon rest, more playtime, dinner, more medication, and finally, all the pugs are back in their rooms by 6-7 p.m.

Occasionally, fights break out among the pugs. The center’s veterinary bills total nearly $40,000 a year, and it’s a never-ending cycle of rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming, with new pugs arriving constantly.

“The operation doesn’t stop,” Gaw said.

There’s a reason so many pugs need new homes. Their distinct short muzzles, characteristic of the breed, lead to breathing issues and other health problems, such as eye and ear infections, she explained. The cost of veterinary care for a pug is not insignificant, and Gaw advises potential owners to do their research and invest in solid pet insurance: “You’re going to need it.”

Many of the pugs at the center have been surrendered because their owners could no longer afford the vet bills. Gaw stresses that potential owners need to be ready for their health issues, as well as the constant shedding.

“They shed an enormous amount of hair,” she said. “You can brush them all day long, and they’ll still shed.”