My name is Willard!

All Pound Dog Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested, de-wormed (if required), and micro-chipped prior to adoption. The adoption donation of $400 is applied to assist in the costs of veterinary care and the overall care of the dog.

For more information and adoption applications please consult our website at www.pounddog.ca.

Looking for a low energy, super cuddly, adorably cute new best friend? Then have a look at Willard. He is a 9yrs young Pug who we rescued from a puppy mill operation where he spent his life as a stud dog. We were expecting that Willard would struggle with adjusting to life in the outside world and as a house dog, but he has embraced it! Willard is up for anything and his happy, clownish personality will never let him have a sad day. Willard is loving his second chance at life and all the fun and exciting things that go along with it….and the cuddles and pets…he LOVES cuddles and pets!

Willard is a very easy dog to live with. He is completely crate trained and he is crated when we aren’t at home and at night. He sleeps through the night without a peep and will greet you with a smile and a waggy tail in the morning. Willard is working on his house training and is doing well. Anyone interested in Willard will need to continue working this and know that he needs supervision and regular trips outside to do his business. Willard gets praised for all bathroom duties done outdoors and he thinks he’s pretty hot stuff when he gets praised, he gets all proud and his butt starts to wiggle. Willard may be 9yrs old, but in the Pug world, that is just middle age! He enjoys strolls and is learning to go in the direction you want to go. Sometimes you see the stubbornness of a Pug come out if he wants to investigate in a different direction but with a little convincing he trots along beside you. He would be an excellent dog for someone who doesn’t walk fast, and who enjoys small strolls and time just spent “smelling the roses”. Willard is in no rush and having spent 9yrs getting no chance to go for a walk or explore, he takes all the time he can now. He doesn’t pull on leash which is nice as well. He does need to get out for daily walks to build up muscle tone and stay fit. Willard is a good weight now and he needs to be kept lean for his health. Pugs are known for their love of food and are prone to obesity so Willard needs to be kept on strict portion control of his top quality diet and have his treat limited. If you know yourself to be someone who will give in to puppy dog eyes and over feed or over treat a dog then Willard won’t be a good fit. We want him to have a fit, healthy life and keeping him lean is key to that.

Because Willard is still working on housetraining he needs to have easy access to the outdoors. He won’t be suitable for apartment or condo living. We would love for Willard to have a fenced in backyard so that he has some freedom of movement as well. Having spent the first part of his life cooped up, we want Willard to be able to move and explore and enjoy his freedom as best as possible. He will need to be leashed when outside and not securely fenced though as he can move with surprising quickness when he wants to. You turn your back on him for a second and he has trotted away to more exciting things. We learned this when we had Willard out by the pony pasture and set him down thinking he wouldn’t go anywhere. Next thing we knew Willard was nose to nose with Flower our Shetland Pony making a new friend.

Speaking of friends, Willard hasn’t met a person or animal that hasn’t been his next potential best friend. He is well mannered and friendly with all that he meets. He loves to give kisses and lots of them so those who don’t enjoy regular dog kisses should look elsewhere for a dog. Willard believes in more kisses the better! He wants to sit on your lap and cuddle in and get lots of pets too. He also enjoys being brushed which is great as he is a good shedder! Regular brushing will keep that in check. We had Willard out to a couple meet and greet events and he was at the head of the pack of dogs to greet everyone who came in the door. Willard is a very social boy and loves attention from everyone.

Willard travels well in the car, crated or not. He likes to accompany you places and explore new spots. He eats well and sleeps well. Willard has even been in the doggie pool in the yard and enjoyed walking around in it. He is really up for anything. He may be 9 yrs old but he is certainly not a sleep all day and do nothing type dog. He is low key in the house though and after a good stroll will rest quietly for you. He enjoys a nap in a sunbeam and likes his quiet time to reflect. He would not enjoy a busy household or a noisy one. We feel although he is such a nice dog, he would not like to live in a home with children under the age of 10yrs as the energy and activity of younger children will be too much for him. An adult only home would be ideal for Willard. Visiting children that are quiet and who treat dogs kindly will be welcomed though. Willard can share his home with other pets, or not. He is very flexible that way. He causes no issue at all with the dogs and cats in our home but he would be equally happy being the only pet and getting all of the attention.

Willard is a dog that will make you smile and laugh. He has such a joy for life that is infectious. He is a conversation starter when you are out with him as he is so cute that he attracts a lot of people. Willard is looking for a forever home where he can live the life he was always meant to live. Willard doesn’t mope about his past or let it bother him, he’s too busy living life and having a great time. Willard would like a devoted companion and caregiver who will ensure that his life is full and that he knows he is loved. Anyone interested in Willard needs to be knowledgeable of the Pug breed as they do have special considerations due to their pushed in noses, and as with every breed, there are potential medical issues associated to the breed that their people need to be aware of. Willard is a healthy and happy Pug boy and we want to ensure he stays that way with the best care possible.