Mon 3rd July: Once again fosters urgently needed

Josie is in urgent need of a foster home

The rain is back and more than anything I am desperate for fosters for my Lamma puppies, young and slightly older (five to six months).  It's thanks to fostering that so many have found their lifelong homes, most recently Stanley Barracks boy Bertram who has settled very nicely with his new family. While so many Hong Kong residents have left for their long summer holidays, there must be many who are staying for the duration and are able to take in a four-legged guest, so please think about helping and let Cindy know if you are willing and able.  You can contact her at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

Leyla prepares herself for the audience

Two of our ex-HKDR dogs, Leyla and Ace, were showing how wonderfully patient and gentle they are at today's school visit.  Cactus was there to give the talk to the Diocesan Boy's School (Primary Division) students, and there are too many great photos to be able to choose just one or two so here's the album.  I've picked a couple of my favourites, one of each dog, and thanks to Semirah and Harryn for coming along to help out.   If you would like a school presentation like this, please contact Cactus at education@hongkongdogrescue.com.

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) added 27 new photos to the album Education Talk - Diocesan Boys School (Primary Division).

Ace is happy with the attention

Tiny Mandy already has many offers of a home

I had to take the new breeder dogs for their licensing and vet checks today, and as always happens the ages I had been given weren't accurate.  Four out of the five already had microchips but the tiny Maltese-type girl had no license attached.  I had been told that she was one year old but her teeth told a different story, and Dr Tony estimated her to be more like four.   One of the Jack Russells, the male, had no microchip so I had to make a guess about that too.  I registered him as nine years old, and then asked Dr Tony to make his assessment without letting him know mine.  It's a kind of game, albeit a sad one, and satisfying when our ages match which they often do, and did in this case.  Occasionally the dogs are actually younger than expected, as happened with one of today's poms who is only five. The female Jack Russell, the one who has had to produce multiple litters, tested positive for heartworm, but maybe one out of five is a good result.   The poor girl is terrified and very submissive when approached, but she is sweet and was no problem to handle.  I feel so sorry for these poor dogs who have led such a miserable life, and once again can only beg everyone not to buy from pet shops or breeders.

The Jack Russell girl is 6 years old

Almost all of the dogs that come to us from breeders have health issues, some external and easy to treat such as ringworm and ear mites,  while many small dogs have more serious (and expensive) problems that need treatment (heartworm for example) or surgery.  Patella luxation (loose kneecaps) is so common in small breeds that we're surprised when it's not present, and all of the recent pom arrivals need to have their knees fixed.  The cost adds up very quickly as you can imagine.

Polly now

A lot of potential adopters who come to meet the small dogs are put off by their early appearance, but just look at what a difference a few months can make. Here's Polly now and how she looked when she first arrived, and I even found it hard to believe she even was a schnauzer.  If you are thinking about adoption, please try to imagine what the dog will look like after some love and care and not at their immediate condition.  It's incredibly rewarding to see the transformation and to know that you have given a dog a happy life and home. "We just wanted to thank HKDR for our lovely Polly and Gretel. Good news is Polly is finally discharged from all medication now and is on the road to a normal and healthy life. Thank you HKDR for the ongoing support and for blessing us with a sweet little girl. We will always continue to support you guys at HKDR.

I've attached a recent photo of our happy and healthy Polly, a completely different girl to when she came to us over 3 months ago now. Look at her smile :) thank you! "

Polly when she came to us