Sat 1st July: Starting a new month

Jazzy is a very sweet poodle girl

 Today was poodle Jazzy's turn to be leaving our Kennedy Town North Street Centre to start a new life. She'd been a popular choice with potential adopters when she first came to us, however she had a lump on her underside which could have been a problem, although happily it turned out to be a hernia which was subsequently repaired.  She also had some urinary issues, so while Jazzy started out at the top of the list of dogs everyone wanted,  she slowly slipped down the rankings until her health issues had been resolved. 

There were quite a few potential adopters coming to meet the dogs and puppies today, but choosing which one to take home is a big decision so in many cases several visits are needed.  That does sometimes mean that by the time a dog or puppy is finally chosen another family has got in first, meaning disappointment for everyone else.  I have never personally adopted a dog or puppy and all of my dogs came to me by default, but I can understand why it's difficult to choose just one.  In any case, and as I'm sure you know, my recommendation would always be to have a pair of dogs, because however hard you try you will never be able to replicate the kind of closeness and bond that two dogs have, or be able to run and play in the way that they do.  

If you can't decide between an adult dog or a puppy, there are pros and cons on both sides.  If you choose a puppy you will have to go through the play-biting, chewing and toilet training stages, and you can't immediately take a puppy out for walks or hiking.  In most cases you also won't know what size the puppy will grow to be if that's important to you, and there's really no way of accurately predicting.  On the positive side, the puppy will grow up only knowing you (and your family), and you in turn can help your puppy develop into a well-rounded and social adult.

If you choose an adult dog you will already know exactly what you're getting in terms of size, type of coat, and to an extent the personality.   However a dog in a kennel or shelter situation will behave differently from a dog that lives in a real home, so you will only see the true character come out once a dog is fully settled and feels secure.  That time can vary drastically depending on the individual, but the chart shows the average you can expect. 

One thing we can promise is that if you adopt from HKDR you will have free access to our very experienced and qualified trainer, Cactus Mok, for as long as you need it.  The only thing that I ask is that all adopters take the time to read the booklet that is part of the adoption package, and which was specially written for all new dog owners to answer frequently asked questions.  

Sunday is Whiskers N Paws day of course, from 2pm to 4pm, and every day is an Adoption Day at HKDR, with all three Homing Centres open every single day of the year, without exception.  Also, if you're visiting our Elgin Street store in Soho, you can drop into Artezano round the corner in Graham Street to have a drink and support HKDR at the same time. 

Artezano will have "Dog Rescue Weekends" in collaboration with HKDR. Every weekend in July they will have a special drink; if you order, 50% of the cost will turn into a donation for HKDR.

For July week 1-2: our "cafe rose latte" / "rose latte" will the chosen special drink!

And for July weeks 3-4 any of our cocktails  will be used as the chosen drink!

Artezano: 52-54 Graham Street Mid Levels (Soho)