Fri 2nd June: Happy adoptions and disappointments

Lucky Farrah 

Top good news for the sweltering day was the confirmed adoption of Farrah, one of the husky girls. I can't imagine what it must be like for these cold-weather dogs during the summer, even though we try our best to keep them cool at the Tai Po Homing Centre. 

 Before we left our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, going to the office for me meant an almost door-to-door thirty minute sampan ride, with the Centre being just minutes from the waterfront pier.  These days however, it's an afternoon's outing to Elgin Street in Soho, which means having to try to reply to the non-stop emails and messages when I can, and using my phone.   At times like now, with the arrival of new dogs and so many enquiries to deal with, it's a real challenge, and I miss the days when we had the Homing Centre and office combined in Ap Lei Chau.

The new dogs and puppies were at Concordia in Happy Valley for most of the day, and I can confirm the ages as assessed by Dr Cheryl (and previously by Iris, the Kennedy Town Centre manager) and most are only a year old.  Only Betty is 3 years and Benson a bit older at 6 or 7 years. The puppies are around two months and should be small sized as adults. 

As always happens when we have new dogs coming in, and especially young ones like these, there's a rush of interest.  In this case most eyes were on Byron, so it will be a relief when he leaves for his new home on Saturday.  I know there are many disappointed families, but there's nothing we can do if there's only one particular dog available.  As for the others, I expect a few won't make the adoption event on Saturday and will already have been chosen from our Kennedy Town Centre.

There was also disappointment for the family who were due to come to Tai Po for the golden retriever puppy who was being surrendered on Saturday.  This poor dog was being left alone at home from six in the morning until ten at night, with the owner admitting he hadn't even taken him out for months as he had no time.  It was so shocking to know that someone had bought a puppy without having any time to take care of it, so I was happy that we'd be able to change the puppy's life in a dramatic way.  I had asked the owner repeatedly if he was sure that he would be bringing his dog on Saturday, having been through a no-show so many times before, and yes, he would absolutely be there.  Until today that is, when he said he had given the dog to someone else, and once again we had to let the potential adopter know.  I keep saying never again, but for the sake of the dogs we try to have new homes lined up so there's no need for a stay at the Homing Centre, but some people can be very thoughtless.

Partners in crime, Zulu and Piper 

Anyway, for more happy news, Dinky, now Zulu, is now confirmed as adopted and official brother to Piper.  These are two very lucky puppies. 

Rex busy at work 

Also tiny poodle Tara was picked up for fostering from Elgin Street, and since maybe-sister Tatum's skin is now completely better, she can run around with the other office dogs, Bea and Rex, rather than be confined in her play area.  Rex is almost blind but he is a happy and handsome boy who enjoys life, the same as senior poodle Bee.  Hopefully they will all find their forever homes before too long.