Sat 24th Sept: TTouch Workshop plus ins and outs

Unfortunately my phone and computer aren't talking and I can't access the relevant photos.  I'll try to update later.

 It was pure luck that our HKDR@Elgin space was open today, as we were holding a TTouch Workshop and staff member Cam was there to register participants, and to hopefully sell some merchandise at the same time. She sent me an urgent message telling me that someone had collapsed outside and had been taken away in an ambulance, leaving her with the dog that the man had been walking, and asking me what she should do.  Happily the question was redundant as the police had managed to contact a friend of the man who had subsequently come to pick the dog up, much to Cam's relief.  I hope the man is OK and has been reunited with his dog.

Eric Lee demonstrates TTouch

The sold-out TTouch Workshop was hosted by Eric Lee, and was very well received from what I understand.  These workshops teach what's best described as a specific kind of massage technique, something I learnt many years ago when it was called the Tellington Touch.  Of course any hands-on action creates good dog-human bonding, so the workshop is valuable of many levels.  If you would be interested in learning TTouch and would like to attend a workshop, please look out for future dates and information. 

There were two surrender cases today, both involving young adults that had been welcomed into their homes as puppies, one adopted (from HKDR) and the other bought from a pet shop.  For the adopted puppy, who we had called Turpin, we were lucky to have another home on standby, so Turpin left almost immediately.  He already looks very happy in his new situation, and I'm sure much happier than he was previously. 

The other dog is a poodle, and what I'd call typical of the breed, including what is probably (slightly) wobbly kneecaps (assessed by Iris, who's pretty good when it come to knees).  Poodles are highly intelligent, and as a rule the more intelligent the dog is, the more challenging the behaviour and training.  Poodles may be small, but they are also very active, demanding and attention-seeking, wanting to be part of every aspect of the family life. We have called this young boy Samuel, close enough in sound to his previous name, and before he goes to a new home we will have his knees properly checked by a vet.

The best new of the day came from Tai Po where Nora's adoption was confirmed after a short trial with the resident dog.  Nora came to us from AFCD along with the all-too-familiar heartworms, so we're obviously extremely happy that this sweet girl has a second chance at a happy life.