A dog-loving woman has admitted spending $35,400 a year caring for her 30 pet pugs. Photo / 123RF
She has had to give up her job and sell her designer handbags and jewellery in order to care for her 30 pugs.
But dog fanatic Becca Drake has ensured her beloved pets don't go without this Christmas as she has splashed out on £1,000 (NZ$1777) on presents for them and will serve them a slap-up meal of turkey and sausages.
For former beauty therapist Becca, 40, from Sandbach, Cheshire, this is just the tip of the iceberg as she already spends £20,000 (NZ$35,546) a year on them and is now supported financially by her parents, Daily Mail reports.
Every month, the barking-mad owner spends £350 (NZ$622) on dog food, £80 (NZ$142) on treats, £200 (NZ$355) on grooming products, £200 (NZ$355) on toys, clothes and accessories and £830 (NZ$1475) on vet bills.
She said: "For their dinner, they will all wear Christmas jumpers and will enjoy turkey and sausages followed by doggy treats for dessert."
After being gifted her first pug puppy from her parents Barrie, 68 and Merle, 72, on her 30th Birthday, Becca instantly fell in love with the popular flat-faced breed.
As her collection of pugs grew, Becca was forced to sell £5,000 (NZ$8856) worth of designer handbags and jewellery worth £10,000 (NZ$17,773) to provide for all her pooches.
Becca says: "I can't put into words how much my pugs mean to me.
"They bring me so much love and happiness.
"Yes, they're expensive and it's definitely hard work keeping the house clean and making sure they're all groomed and fed.
"But there's nothing that I wouldn't do to ensure that they all live happy and healthy lives.
"They're my whole world and I would die for them."
She also runs rescue charity, Bubblebecca Pugs, sharing her two bedroom modest home with 30 adorable mutts, which she has rescued and bred over the past 10 years.
She says: "All of my pugs are part of the family and deserve to be spoilt like everyone else on Christmas day.
"Our Christmas tree, decorated with pug baubles, is surrounded by cuddly toys for the dogs, carefully wrapped in festive paper.
Becca, who used to work as a beauty therapist, says: "I gave up work so that I could care for my pugs full time.
"I sold my designer handbags worth £5,000 (NZ$888) and jewellery worth £10,000 (NZ$17,773) to make sure that I could provide for them.
"I even moved into a house with a half acre garden for the pugs to have plenty of space to run around in.
"Luckily, I also have supportive parents who help me financially and I can't thank them enough."
Becca's love for pugs grew after she received her first puppy, Fatima, now ten, in 2006.
She says: "I was head-over-heels in love with Fatima when I received her as a gift from my parents.
"Then, I got another pug, as I wanted her to have a friend to play with."
Since then, Becca has taken in rescue pugs that have been abandoned and mistreated.
Her dog family is now made up of pugs she has bred herself and adopted rescues.
Becca, who knows all her pets by name, says: 'I've had a few litters of puppies that have gone to suitable, loving homes.
"Sometimes, however, I feel that puppies would be better off staying with me."
One of her pooches, Percy, 10, has even competed at dog shows like Crufts and has a box full of rosettes from his impressive performances.
Over the years, devoted Becca has skipped holidays, preferring to stay at home with her furry brood.
She says: "I can't really go away because the pugs need me at home, but I don't mind missing out.
"My parents are now retired, so If I ever needed to go anywhere, I would ask them to move into the house and take care of the pugs while I was away.
"They have nine pugs of their own, so I know that the they would be in capable hands."
Becca, who has spent £130,000 (NZ$231,050) on the pugs in 10 years, says: "After some cleaning and grooming in the afternoon, it's usually time for some doggy treats before they all snuggle up together in bed on their cosy mats in front of the fire.
"Most of the pugs sleep together in the lounge, but I take three to bed with me every night.
"It's a lot of work and it's tiring, but I only have to look at how happy they are and I know it's all worth it."
Becca is now looking forward to spending Christmas day with her pugs, where they will receive individually wrapped cuddly toys and enjoy a sausage and turkey dinner with treats for dessert.
She says: "I like to spoil them on Christmas day with lots of toys and cuddles.
"My parents come to my house and we spend the day together with the pugs.
"They're just like part of the family and they deserve everything that I give them and more.
"Some of my rescues have come from horrific backgrounds and I want them to enjoy the rest of their lives.
"Pugs are such a loving and caring breed and I don't understand how anyone could treat them badly.
"I have a huge waiting list of pugs that would like a home with me.
"But I think that 30 is my limit for now.
"I know that some people will think I'm crazy, but my pugs are my life.
"I wouldn't change it for the world."