Before I start on the reasons for calling this day a disaster I'll mention the one happy highlight which was the adoption of another of the "P Intake", this time Palmer. Although all of the new dogs are now microchipped and licensed, their vet visit for a full health check will be on Friday, so both Paulie and Palmer (who seem to be brothers) will be picked up by their respective adopters after that.
Now, I need to repeat what I have said too many times before, and there are actually two points in one. The first is that adoption is a commitment to the full life term of the dog, and if you adopt a puppy it could be fifteen years, or even longer for a small-sized dog. It's not until you have children, or until you move home or to another country, or as long as you feel like it.
The second, and more common situation, is when a dog is adopted for the children. In case you hadn't noticed, children grow up fast and they live in the present. Their demand for a puppy is a momentary desire, their promises to walk it, take care of it and pick up the poo no more meaningful than any other spur-of-the-moment promise, fully meant at the time but actually impossible for them to even comprehend. Commitment for a young child means doing something today, maybe tomorrow, but certainly not in ten years time or more. How can a child even begin to think about the future in those terms? Meanwhile the adopted dog stays at the same level, estimated to be around two years in human terms as far as comprehension and development goes (probably a bit more in many cases). They don't understand that outside activities and school studies are now more interesting and important than they are, or that soon the child will be heading off for college in another country.
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| Scribble in the HKDR van today |
Today I got a message from AFCD that a small dog had been surrendered, with the now ex-owners saying they were moving abroad. The dog, a terrier type then called Scribble, was adopted in 2016 as a one year-old and when the children were young. Five years later obviously they're all much older in terms of interests, and the dog is thrown away like a piece of rubbish. She's still a young adult at six years, easy to take to another country as part of the family, but I suspect this was never the plan, not even considered. I'm seriously tempted to share the photos, taken at a time when "Creamy" was new and still a novelty. I'm so angry about this kind of behaviour, not only the cowardice of the adults in not approching us to find a new home and thinking we wouldn't find out if they just dumped the dog at AFCD, but more for the poor dog herself. The irony of these words, written when "Creamy" has just been adopted, is really too sad:
"Creamy (Scribble) is adjusting very well to her new home. She is eating well, playing well, settling well and getting along extremely well with everyone. She particularly enjoys her daily walk in the park where she could meet other dogs. The fun and joy Creamy (Scribble) has added to our family are simply priceless. We look forward to the years ahead as we continue to watch her grow as our happy and healthy companion!"
We took a second surrendered dog from AFCD, an adult mongrel, and as he wasn't adopted from HKDR we don't have any history unfortunately. We were told he has a lovely nature, but that didn't stop his ex-owners abandoning him so cruelly. He was sent directly to Tai Po so his details will be posted very soon.
Also being returned today (because the adopters couldn't agree on how to treat a dog) was gorgeous young pom-type Talia. I really have no words for this one.
Late in the afternoon took back two puppies (at our request), with an adult husky due to be returned (not the adopter's fault this time), so all in all the day was a pretty sad one.
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