Pickle the Dwarf Pug has over 6 000 Facebook friends

Unlike others, this particular pug has a Facebook page (Pickle the Dwarf Pug) with over 6 000 friends worldwide and the number grows by the day.

He updates his page regularly and engages with his followers.

The Benoni City Times caught up with Pickle during his pool party, on November 8, where he was joined by other pugs from around Benoni.

We were excited to learn that he is very special and that he is probably the only dwarf pug in the world.

Pickle said he was rescued by the magical place called “Pug Rescue South Africa”.

“I am a real gem, which probably came as a result of irresponsible breeding — I am a dwarf, but, more importantly, I am a pug,” said Pickle.

Pickle said the humans who rescued him aim to rescue all pugs (and honorary-pugs) in need, and re-home them appropriately (sterilisation and home-checks strictly apply).

“They also provide a safe place for elderly or sick pugs to live out their lives at the rescue, if not in approved foster homes,” said Pickle.

Q: So how did you end up here — I mean at Pug Rescue?

A: I was advertised for sale on a site called “Junkmail” in March, 2013.

I was first going for R500 (about $50) but then my price was dropped to R200 ($20).

In the advert I was described as a small, full grown pug and it was my lucky day when Pug Rescue South Africa got wind of me and knew I needed to be saved.

Q: Who sold you?

A: The person selling me met PRSA at a shopping centre, as they refused to give them the address at which I was staying.

The person claimed to have rescued me from an abusive home, but PRSA knew that the story was too strange to be true, and that they wouldn’t have tried to sell me if they really cared and were not so greedy.

The nice-looking people from PRSA took me, as they could see a mile away that I was not just a small pug — I was extra special (as I always suspected).

I was a dwarf — I was not the runt of the litter, not undernourished — but a dwarf.

PRSA knows that other animals sold on sites such as JunkMail often end up being used and abused for breeding purposes, and they were scared I would be, too.

Next thing there would be ads for “miniature” pugs like me, and there is no such thing.

Q: So what happened next?

A:I was taken to Pug Rescue’s vet, in Rynfield, where it was confirmed that I was, indeed, a dwarf.

I have heard the lovely people at PRSA say I am the most loving pug you could imagine and that I have spirit and determination which, for a little boy like me, is admirable.

This just makes me blush and I am so appreciative of them for saving me, and that is all I try show them.

Q: Do you have any plans to move out of PRSA one day and find your own home?

A: No no no…I will have to stay at PRSA, as I have special needs (like extra love 24/7), and I have heard them say that, in future, I will probably have health issues (my neck is already fused).

This doesn’t scare me, because I know they will always be there for me.

I can feel the love from all who meet me, and I try show them this with my funny little tail wags.

I know, with them, I will have the best life possible.

But, although I am not available to join you or anyone else in their home, I have many pug brothers and sisters at the rescue, of all shapes, sizes and ages, needing forever homes.

In order to keep my siblings fed, warm and happy, we rely on the kindness of people who donate to our cause.

We also rely on our volunteers who transport, foster and take us to the vet when needed.

Without the funding and volunteers, I hate to think what may have become of me.

And, in order to save more of my pug family and pay for their veterinary treatment, a coffee shop at the rescue is being opened in honour of ME! Called Pickle’s Place!

We hope that this can generate a little bit of money to pay for the mounting costs we have.

Q: How many of you live here (at PRSA)?

A: There are over 80 pugs (and honorary pugs) at the rescue at any given time, which includes those in “retirement”, that cannot be re-homed.

We also do not re-home any sick puggies and always make sure they are sterilised (ouch) before re-homing, which obviously adds to the costs.

No need to add this, but we are obviously a no-kill home.