Thurs 22nd June: A dog is for life

This litter of 4 black "labalikes" are just beautiful

It's just as well that I have some puppies moving out on Friday as there was a batch of new arrivals from AFCD in Sheung Shui today.  I had originally said I couldn't take them due to lack of space, then relented somewhat by saying it would be OK after the rain had stopped but I could only take the litter of four, and by yesterday had given in and agreed to accept all seven. I know that all of the rescue organisations are full and overwhelmed with the number of puppies being born and needing help, and it's a relentless treadmill of rescue, rehome and then rescue again.  It can wear you down until you are on the verge of breaking, but then you see these helpless faces,  pick yourself up and carry on.

Lara's safe now but she needs a home

That's why the case the other day of the ex-HKDR doglet, Lara, was so upsetting (and yes, I am following up on that with lawyers), because we all try so hard to make sure that the puppies we hand over will be going to good homes where they will be staying for the rest of their lives.

I get surrender requests all the time, dogs that have been adopted - or even bought - as puppies and who are no longer wanted for whatever reason.  Often it's because of relocation, either to another country or to a new apartment where pets aren't allowed, and sadly many times it's expats returning to their home country and not wanting to be burdened with the expense or inconvenience of a dog. I feel so sad for those pets, who have no understanding of anything except their beloved family for whom they would probably give their life if necessary, but are thrown away almost without a second thought.

So I wanted to share this particular story which I received today, and you will understand why when you read it.  Custer was adopted from Whiskers N Paws as a doglet a couple of years ago and Bella is his best friend.  Leaving them behind was not an option, and nor should it ever be.  I know it can be difficult or inconvenient, but these are temporary issues that can be overcome in almost all cases.

A whole new life has started for Custer and Bella

Custer on his adoption day

Hi Sally,

It's been a long time since we updated you on Custer's progress and since our last email, a lot has changed for all of us. We now live in Iceland!

We just wanted to send you an update as we picked up the dogs from quarantine about 2 weeks ago after they had spent a month in there. We have been planning our move for a couple of years now and our main priority was getting the dogs here. We knew it would be expensive so as a result we saved for 2 years and sold most of our possessions in order to fund their relocation. Worth every penny in our opinion! It hasn't been without it's stresses but we worked hard to make it happen. 

They flew out of Hong Kong to London for a night and then flew on to Iceland where they were picked up for quarantine. We were not able to visit them during their time there but received regular updates - they seemed ok but were understandably unsettled by the experience!

Since they have been out they have settled into life well. We are out most days with them in the countryside here. Their walks now consist of hiking up volcanoes and lava fields, through fields of Lupines and they are getting to know the resident Icelandic sheepdog that lives where we are. We've attached some photos for you of both of them - Custer and Bella enjoy the cooler (and cleaner) air here and crash out most days on the car journey home or when they get back.

We have lots more adventures planned here including introducing them to the joys of Icelandic camping (mainly being cold and wet for a few days). It's all very different from the days of seeing Custer every week at Whiskers and Paws and failing to find a home. We are so glad we adopted him and hope we can give him an exciting life now in Iceland. He is certainly one of the most unique looking dogs here and we think that he and Bella may in fact be the only Hong Kong village dogs to have ever moved here.

We will be sure to keep you updated. Whilst it was stressful and extremely costly to move them to Iceland, there was no way that we were leaving them behind. Our move was planned around getting them here first, us second. For anyone thinking about adopting an animal we hope they will take into account any potential relocation that may be on the cards - if anyone has any doubts as to whether it's worth moving dogs overseas, don't - it is worth every penny and every bit of worry!

All the best from Iceland,

James and Jo