Whether you’re an avid fan of the royals or are happy to give the whole scene a miss, getting to know Harry and Meghan’s dogs is sure to brighten up your day. While the two pooches have largely stayed out of the limelight, two-year-old black Labrador Retriever Pula and rescue Beagle Guy have been credited with helping the couple navigate their way through the challenges of the past few years.
Caroline Yates, CEO of the Duchess of Sussex's animal welfare patronage Mayhew, says Pula and Guy have been by Meghan’s side through some dark times. "Whenever we talk to the Duchess about the charity, she always references how important her dogs are and what a support they are, particularly during everything that's happened this year, with COVID, and with the personal trials and tribulations she went through this year," Yates said.
So who exactly are the two furkids bringing comfort to one of the most photographed and talked about couples in the world? Guy is a rescue Beagle who Meghan adopted during her time filming the TV series Suits in Toronto. Brought into a shelter in Kentucky after he was found roaming the woods, the little Beagle almost had to be put to sleep when shelter staff failed to be able to find him a home.
- Eight tips for training a rescue dog: A vet's guide
- Rescue for senior dogs: Advice on adopting an older dog
- 10 Dog Adoption Tips: Advice from a vet
In a last-ditch attempt to unite him with a forever family, Guy was flown to Toronto where he attended a charity event that seeks to find new homes for dogs on the kill list. There he was spotted by Meghan who adopted him and after a few years living in Canada, the pair relocated to England after Harry and Meghan became engaged. Guy would later accompany Queen Elizabeth II on her drive to Windsor ahead of Meghan and Harry’s wedding before attending the reception where his attempts to eat spilled canapés had guests in stitches.
Shortly after they married, the couple adopted black Labrador Retriever Pula. Meaning ‘rain’ in the Bantu language of Setswana, Pula is also the official currency of Botswana, a country that holds a very special place in Meghan and Harry’s hearts. It was here that they took a romantic camping trip after they first began dating in 2016, and they returned a year later to work at Elephants Without Borders, a charitable organization dedicated to conserving wildlife and natural resources.
Rain in Botswana is rare, so the name Pula symbolizes a valuable blessing and is said as a way to wish others well. While Pula had her name and gender kept a secret for quite some time, she found herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight last summer when she crashed Meghan’s backyard chat with feminist icon Gloria Steinman.
Meghan and Harry’s 2020 Christmas card showed just how much their dogs mean to them with the pair taking a prominent role in the artistic rendering alongside their son Archie. And speaking of Archie, it seems the toddler is already taking after his animal-loving mom with a friend of the family saying the soon-to-be two-year-old is best friends with the duo. "They make him laugh and are gentle with him."
Watch: Cletus Spuckler, a cute as fluff rescue dog that found his forever home
