Tues 18th Sept: Finding nice surprises

The storm surge carried concrete right up to my gate

What happened on Lamma is really starting to hit home after a couple of days of assessing the total devastation, and the realisation that at least two dogs are missing from the shelter area behind my house.  During the worst hours of the typhoon and when the sea was coming right up the my front gate, I realised that this meant there were dogs that must be up to their necks - or worse - in water, and by the time I was able to get to them  there was nothing left but twisted fences and piles of broken concrete.  To understand the power of the sea surge in addition to the wind you only have to look at the empty space where there was once a brick-built (disused) pig farm that had been there for over fifty years and during many previous typhoons. 

I've been picking my way through the rubble to see what can be salvaged, but there's really very little, but of

The play equipment and trampoline frame

what survived there are some dog igloos buried so I will try to retrieve them, some heavy-duty play equipment, and something that really surprised me, a trampoline frame that we had tried out as a kind of shelter for Tai Po.  When it was assembled (on Lamma) we all thought it was going to be one of those China-made things that would rust in weeks, so we didn't go ahead with ordering any more. Now it's become clear that we were wrong as the paintwork is still looking good and the whole frame withstood the typhoon battering, so we will now go ahead with ordering for Tai Po.  If you are able to sponsor one of these I have asked May to get an up-to-date cost, including delivery to the Homing Centre.

The paintwork and frame are like new

Star's family came back for his sister Sophia

There is good news amongst the bad, and that includes the adoption of puppy Star's sister Sophia by the same family.  Obviously Star has lived up to his name, so much so that the family came back for another.

There are also two Tai Po dogs that will be staying with their Typhoon Fosters,  but I won't mention names until the paperwork has been completed.  Anyway this is great news, although I do want to make it clear that no foster home is asked to keep their temporary dogs any longer than they want to or are able to.  Any foster dogs that are adopted are those that are staying because their families have fallen in love and don't want to send them back.

Staff and volunteers have been working non stop to clear the debris

Other good news from Tai Po is that we have water again after being without since the typhoon, and as always our supporters were quick to respond with donations of bottled water for both dogs and the amazing volunteers who turned up to help with the clean up and repairs.  It's impossible to say thank you enough times, or to voice our appreciation for the support shown.  HKDR volunteers are the best!