Weds 28th Sept: A roundabout surrender

I really thought it was Saturday when I woke up this morning, and was so convinced that it was only some time later that I was made aware of my error.  There's been a wild boar visiting at night and setting the dogs off barking, and it seems the lack of sleep is taking its toll.  On top of that everyone seems to be suffering from the effects of the terrible pollution, and while Lamma usually escapes the worst of the smog we haven't been so lucky this time and I've developed a niggling smoker's cough. I need to be on top form, or at least reasonably fit, for Saturday's Gala Dinner or I'll be in trouble.

Domingo has a name now

The other day I mentioned a surrendered bichon frise who had been one of a large group of dogs given up by their owner due to health issues.  At first the bichon had been given to someone else who said they would adopt him, but as so often happens that lasted a very short time and Domingo, as he is now called, ended up with us.  All of the other dogs from this source have already been adopted, so it's poor Domingo's bad luck that his own forever home opportunity has been delayed.

2 of these Basenji came to us and were very quickly homed

Now exactly the same has happened with one of the three Basenji that were supposed to be coming to us, as in the end we received only two while the third was given to an adopter.  I heard today that that Basenji was being returned so agreed to take him in, while the other two have long since been settled in their new homes.

Benji went first

Time and time again we are asked to accept dogs only to be subsequently told that they have been given to someone else, and then some time down the line the same dog pops up again in need of a home.  Finding the right home for a dog isn't that easy, and giving them to just anyone who offers is pretty much guaranteed to end badly.  Too many people still don't understand the time commitment required, and the fact that if you don't exercise a dog it's going to have to use up its energy somehow (like barking non stop or destroying the furniture).  A lot of dog owners don't even know that it's possible - in fact easy - to toilet train a dog, and simply clean up after it as required (or get the maid to do it).  It's the dogs that end up being the victims of this hand-me-round situation, and I feel so sorry for those who are never even given a chance to settle before being moved on.  It certainly affects their character after a while, and we see many of these poor confused little ones at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.

With the "Game of Bones" event only a matter of days away I want to once again thank all of the sponsors for their generous support and donations, covering everything from table gifts and auction items to props and services.  There are so many ways in which people have pitched in to help and I'm sure it's going to pay off with an amazing evening in every way.

Aqua Restaurant Group (Gold Sponsor; table prize; live auction item; Table prize)

Whiskers N Paws (Gold Sponsor)

Rich Creation International Ltd (Silver Sponsor; Décor)

AME Gallery (Bronze sponsor)

Maya Café (Bronze Sponsor)

Bugsy Dog Treats (Bronze Sponsor)

In Value Development (Bronze Sponsor)

Ryder Diamonds (Live Auction Item)

Four Seasons HK (Live Auction Item)

Eva Yoe (Golf Pro) (Live Auction Item)

Nathalie Melville (Live Auction Item)

Qeelin (Live Auction Item)

Bao Ho (Live Auction Item; Entertainment)

Jimmy Choo (Silent Auction Item)

Wynn Macau (Raffle Prize)

PYE (Raffle prize; goodie bag sponsor)

Aluminum (Raffle prizes)

Expat Living (Goodie Bag sponsor)

WOW Pet Supplies (Goodie bag sponsor)

Vetopia (Goodie Bag sponsor) 

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Baz left the day after Benji