Today we’re talking about something every new rescue pug pawrent should be aware of— the Rescue Pug Honeymoon period. Specifically, what happens when you bring home a rescue pug and they seem unbelievably well behaved or incredibly naughty and you think to yourself, WOW I lucked out or have I made a huge mistake. Our fur-end Jess from Howling Success Dog Training is back to talk about the emotional rollercoaster of those first few weeks/months, and how to support your new snuggle pug as they settle into their fur-ever home.

Today, we’re diving nose-first into the world of pug nutrition but on a more pawsonal level. That’s right, Rosie and Kenji have been working with our fur-end Jackie Gowland from Functional Canine to help with Rosie’s reflux that made mealtimes a bit ruff, and Kenji’s sensitive tummy that made toileting a bit of a challenge for him too. I promised that I get Jackie back on to follow-up on our first conversation with her about pet nutrition and what better way than to share the results of her work with Rosie and Kenji We’ll chat about what wasn’t working, what finally clicked, and how even small changes to what’s in their bowls made a huge difference to their health and happiness.

Today on The Pug Life Show PUGCAST we’re diving into one of the most important journeys a pawrent can take — finding their fur-ever pug love through a rescue, shelter, or pound. But how do you know when it’s the right fit? With the help of force-free trainers Jess and Alex, we’ll be sniffing out the red flags to watch for and the green lights that tell you you’re on the right track. From the legal requirements rescues must comply with, to the health history you should have access to, the environment your pug is being cared for in, and even the adoption process you’ll go through before bringing that bundle of snorts home — we’ve got you covered. If you’re thinking about adopting, or just want to be better informed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

There is nothing we love more than a visit by a Puggie (and their Hooman) to talk about their Pug Life and in today’s episode, we’re joined by dynamic pug duo — Sammy and Sophie! Sammy’s the musical one, always ready to break into song, while Sophie brings the spice as her Pug-mom Mary says, especially when she’s in the mood to play. She’s been known to grab Sammy by the harness and drag him along for the fun of it — but I’ll let Mary tell you what else she does to encourage Sammy to play! These two half-siblings are partners in all things snorty, and nothing makes them happier than adventures at the P.A.R.K. or curling up in the crook of mum’s legs for a snooze.

Sophie Putland was a passionate vet who adored animals, but behind the scenes, she faced pressures no one should face. After her tragic passing in 2021, her family started a movement to “Save the people who save our animals” by improving mental health and work environments within the veterinary profession If you’ve ever had a vet calm your nerves while caring for your fur baby… If your pug has been comforted, stitched up, or saved by a clinic team who went above and beyond… then this episode is for you. Episode Warning: We do talk about suicide in this episode, which I know can be distressing. So if you need resources or support go to beyondblue.org or for 24-hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14. Please take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it

Today we’re digging into a topic that affects every Puggie, every day: what the floof is in our Puggies food bowl. Because let’s face it — what we feed our pugs has a huge impact on their health, happiness, and those oh-so-charming snorts. We’re talking about nutrition with a bonafide Animal Nutritionist Jackie Gowland from Functional Canine — not in a preachy or confusing way, but in a real, practical, “what do I actually put in the bowl?” kind of way. Whether you’re serving up kibble, raw, cooked, or somewhere in between, this episode is all about how you can boost the nutritional value of what you’re already using for your Puggie. We’ll also be sharing real-life examples from two of our resident taste testers: Rosie, who battles reflux, and Kenji, whose tummy can be as sensitive as a Pug caught out in the rain. You’ll hear how small food tweaks and a better understanding of ingredients can make a big difference for them — and I’m going to try it out and report back to you in a couple months to let you know how they’re going. So grab a treat (for you or your pug — no judgment here), and let’s dive into how you can feed your pug with a little more understanding, and even more love.

In this episode, we’re unpacking something that affects more Pugs than we often realise—canine anxiety and reactivity. From sudden reactivity on a walk to the silent worry that plays out behind big, brown eyes, anxiety in our Pugs isn’t always loud — but it is always worth understanding. We’re so lucky to have our fur-end Sarah Rutten, canine behaviourist and author of the bestselling book The Canine Perspective, coming back on the show to help us break down exactly what anxiety and reactivity mean, how they show up in our Pugs, and most impawtantly, how to spot the early signs — like what’s behind that sudden freeze, or why your Pug growls at a stranger they’ve seen a dozen times before. As always, Sarah brings both science and compassion to the conversation, helping us understand what’s really going on in our Pugs’ brains and bodies — and what we can do to help them feel safe again. Plus, there might be a Floyd the 5-month-old Pug bark or two in the mix as well! If you’ve ever worried that your Pug is not coping or behaving strangely then this episode is for you.

Welcome back, Pug Pawrents! If you tuned in to Part 1 of this special two-part series on Pug health and well-being, you’ll know we’ve been diving deep into what it really takes—emotionally, practically, and yes, financially—to keep our squishy-faced companions living their happiest, healthiest lives. One of my biggest goals with the PUGCAST is to give you the kind of information that’s not only helpful, but honest—whether that’s through heartwarming stories from fellow Pawrents or expert advice from the pros. And today, we’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Chelsea the Vet Nurse, who is once again bringing her trademark mix of compassion and clinical smarts. This time, we’re tackling everything from adult Pug care through to their senior and geriatric years—those years filled with extra cuddles, extra naps, and yes… often extra vet visits. From managing dental care to navigating mobility issues, this episode is all about helping you plan ahead and care with confidence—so you and your Pug can enjoy every single stage of the journey together.

One of my biggest goals for the PUGCAST is to give Pug Pawrents like you useful, reliable information to help you live your best Pug Life. Sometimes that means sharing real stories from fellow Pawrents, and other times it means bringing in the pros to chat about topics that are super impawtant — but don’t always come up during playgroup catch-ups. That’s why I’ve been so excited to put together an episode focused entirely on Pug health and well-being — and yes, what it really costs to keep your squishy-faced bestie happy and healthy — from puppyhood all the way to their golden years. Joining us is Chelsea the Vet Nurse, who brings not only expert knowledge but also a love for Squishy faces. She’s here to discuss all the impawtant health and well-being questions as well as share her wisdom to help you be practically and financially prepared for every snort and sneeze. Now, there was so much to cover that I’ve split the episode into two parts, so you have plenty of time to take it all in. Part 1 dives into the early stages: from 8 weeks old through to 1 year — aka the puppy and adolescent phase. Part 2, which drops next week, will pick up from age one and cover adult, senior, and geriatric care.

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome best-selling author and certified force-free trainer Sarah Rutten. If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen that magical bond with your Puggie without ever raising a voice, you’re in the right place. Sarah’s book The Canine Perspective is a treasure trove of compassionate, science-backed techniques—and she’s not just an expert on paper. She’s a bona fide Crazy Pug Lady, too, with over twenty years of hands-on experience wrangling, pampering, and learning from her own lovable “grumble.” In this episode, we’ll fetch you pugtastic behavior hacks, dig into a bit of fun canine science, and swap heartwarming—and hilarious—Pug tales straight from Sarah’s home. So, leash up, settle in, and get ready for a paw-sitively delightful chat you won’t want to snooze through!

And speaking of Buster the Blind Rescue Pug… today’s episode is all about our pawsome foster boy and the incredible journey we’ve shared. 🐶💛 Buster is the first blind Pug I’ve ever had the honour of living with, and let me tell you—it’s been eye-opening in all the best ways. From learning how he navigates the world to understanding his needs, it’s been a truly special and educational experience. In this episode, I’ll share Buster’s story, what it’s really like to live with a blind Pug, and offer some tips for others who might be on a similar path. Because as we all know, every Pug is unique—and the Pug Life is all about living it together, one tail wag at a time. 💖🐾

Call me a big kid, but I absolutely love children’s books—especially ones about pugs! There’s something magical about diving into a simpler world, where I can easily imagine my own pug as the star of the story. PD the Pug (with a little help from his mommy Marilee) has been busy turning beloved fairy tales into pawsome furry-tail adventures. You can just picture PD right in the middle of all the fun and what I love most is that while the stories are playful and full of PD charm, they still hold onto timeless messages that feel just as relevant today. And is why Furry Fairy Tails; PD The Pug's Bedtime Stories is now my favourite PD book

If there’s one thing that gets me every time, it’s a heartwarming ‘Puggily Ever-After’—whether it’s a rescue pug finding their forever family or a lost pug making their way back home. Just the thought of that joyful reunion gets me teary-eyed and makes my heart skip a beat! ❤️🐾 So, when I had the chance to chat with Dr. Doug Black about one of Australia’s largest pet registries, I couldn’t say no! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of microchipping and the incredible role it plays in reuniting lost pugs (and other beloved pets) with their humans. 🎙️🐶

Have you ever considered memorialising your Pug or Puggies by getting a tattoo? I already have one tattoo from my Navy days, and I always thought that I’d get more but life just got in the way and I’m now thinking that it’s time to change that – the big question is, what do I get? I have been a Pug-mum to five Pugs in the last 20 years, not counting the Rescue Puggies I have been blessed to foster, and I’m wondering if I will have enough “body canvas” to fit them and future Pugs in if I choose a particular type or size of tattoo. So, to help me with my decision, I invited Tattoo Artist, Sarah Tavilla to come on the Show and talk about her work and what are the most popular tattoo’s for Pawrents.

World War and Service Animal Day is a couple of weeks away, on the 24 February to be exact, and ashamedly as a veteran myself I didn’t know about this very impawtant day or what the Purple Poppy was until I meet some of the team at the Dog Lovers Show. Needless to say, after that enlightening conversation and the purchase of a couple of Purple Poppies for myself and Andrew to wear alongside our Red Poppies I invited the President of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, Nigel Allsop, to come onto the show and talk to me about what it is AWAMO does, what does the Purple Poppy represent, as well as tell me about the first recipient of the Australian and New Zealand Distinctive Animal Distinguished Service Medal to be awarded this year on 24 February at the Australian War Memorial.

🎙️🐾 Season 4 of The Pug Life Show is here! 🐾🎙️ We’ve got some tail-waggingly pawsome guests lined up, and we’re sniffing around for more! 🐶✨ Tune in to the first PUGCAST episode of the season to find out how YOUR Pug can shine like the superstar they are by becoming a guest on the Show. 🌟🐾 Because every Puggie has a story worth sharing, and we can’t wait to meet YOU! 🎧💖

Dear Santa Paws, all I want for Christmas is endless belly rubs, tasty treats, and a cozy lap to nap on #PugmasWishes ❤️ 🐶 🎄 🐾 In our last PUGCAST for Season 3, we wanted to share with you the Top 5 most downloaded episodes, our plans for 2025, and our personal PUGMAS wish for you this year.

Last week I spoke to Jo from Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria about the work they do and the Puggie lives they save … not to mention the puggily ever after stories they get a front row seat too when a resuce puggie gets their wish of being adopted by a loving family. So this week, Jo kindly agreed to pop back on the PUGCAST and talk about the Christmas wishes three rescue puggies have asked SantaPaws to grant, and how you might be able to help SantaPaws grant those wishes

Many years ago, when I rescued my first pug Winston a.k.a Fatdog through a local Vet who was doing everything they could to save the life of a little black pug whose only crime was that his family no longer wanted him and thought it was better to ‘put him down’ than find a loving home, did I realise just how naive I was about the world of pugs. Which is why today’s episode is so important to me – today I’m talking to Joanna from Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria, a volunteer community foster care network that rehabilitates Pugs, and Frenchies when the need arises, so that they find their fur-ever loving family and to never have to face the possibility of being ‘put down’ because their owners don’t want to help them find a loving home.