Sat 18th March: Choose your puppy the right way

 The one thing I hate most about working in dog rescue is that we get to see the worst of people, as well as the best.   This probably applies in everyday life and in all situations, but when there are living animals involved it means there's always an innocent victim that suffers, and that really makes me mad.  Puppies are chosen based on their looks and breed rather than their suitability, and then inevitably there are problems. If you are determined to have a certain breed, then make sure you educate yourself about the characteristics of that breed before going ahead with adopting, or buying.  

I've written so many times about the shiba inu that I don't want to repeat myself yet again, but this is still the most popular breed in Hong Kong and one that you will see (and hear, with that typical scream) involved in most of the dog park fights.  Yes, there are sweet shibas, but as a general rule these dogs are not suitable small apartment pets.  A simple internet search will tell you the history of the shiba inu and what they were originally bred for, and the same applies to all of the other breeds.  

At first there were no problems with Asher

Late last year we took in a small terrier-type puppy who was subsequently adopted by someone determined that she only wanted a terrier.  Now, at nine months of age, this small doglet is too much for the adopter to handle, and he will be coming back.  Terriers are hunters by nature, feisty and determined little dogs that were traditionally used to catch rats, and that is still very much in their DNA.  To make things worse, once again this adopter ignored the offer of free support from our very experienced trainer, Cactus, and instead jumped from trainer to trainer, all of whom failed in their attempts to deal with what I would describe as typical terrier behaviour.   I'm not worried that this now-doglet is untrainable, I'm just frustrated that those precious early months of development have been ruined because someone chose a puppy based on looks instead of predictable temperament. 

Charlotte is 10 years old

Also being surrendered to us is a poodle, this time because of family problems, and I mention it because I really want a home lined up for this poor little dog, another innocent victim of circumstance. If you can take in a sweet older poodle girl, please let us know.  It really upsets me to know that a little dog who has only ever known life as a family member will suddenly find herself homeless.  Complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Lucky Riley 

Now I can talk about the best of people, those who choose a dog or puppy because they genuinely want to help.  To these people it's the character of the dog that matters, not what breed or non-breed it is.  Today's lucky doglet was Riley, and if you think you might have read about Riley not too long ago you would be right.  However that previous adoption lasted a short time because Riley couldn't settle, and we took him back. 

Puppy Unity

Another lovely story involves a puppy foster and the efforts of Marymount Primary School.  Puppy Unity's foster parent took her to the school to introduce HKDR and our fostering programme to the young students, and they in turn made these absolutely wonderful floral puppy bouquets to give to other foster parents and volunteers at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.  This really made me smile, thank you!