Fri 28th Nov: A tragedy for Hong Kong

 Like everyone else here in Hong Kong, my thoughts are with the residents and families of those who have been affected by the terrible tragedy that occurred at Tai Po, and is still ongoing as I write.  Words are inadequate to express the sadness and disbelief that such a thing could happen here, and the huge loss of life is difficult to even comprehend.  Thousands of people have suddenly become homeless too, including our own van driver Ming, who also lived in that residential complex and was thankfully out when then fire took hold.

It will take a long time for the Tai Po community to recover from what has happened, but the spirit of all Hongkongers in their immediate offers of help and support has been the only highlight throughout the past two days.  We have also received offers of foster care for any dogs that needed a safe place to stay, but so far we haven't been asked to accept any pets.

While headlines about the Tai Po tragedy dominate all aspects of Hong Kong media, we have to continue to take care of the dogs under our care, which includes our re-homing efforts.  We had considered cancelling our Sunday puppy adoption event as a mark of respect to those who have lost their lives, but in the end agreed to go ahead and will be at Whiskers N Paws as usual, from 2pm to 4pm.  I hope some puppy love will help to lift the spirits of those needing it.

I wanted to write about the happy adoptions that have taken place since my last post, and also about our big Peak to Fong event last Sunday, but I will save those for another day.  

For today I just wanted to share the condolences of everyone at HKDR with the families and friends of those who have lost so much.  Our thoughts are with you.

Sat 1st November: It's Peak to Fong month!

 Yes, here we are in November, and with just three weeks to go until our big fundraising event of the year, Peak to Fong, taking place on Sunday 23rd.  Although the tickets, in the form of a T-shirt, have already been available for a while and all of the planning started early in the year, we're continuing to add surprises to the day's happenings.  The latest is that we'll be having some special guests attending, in the shape of the famed Australian Firefighters (stay back ladies!), so you can buy the calendars as well as have your photos taken with the crew to show off to friends. 

On Wednesday 5th November, we have another fundraiser in the form of a treadmill challenge, this time being organised by the Dorsett Hotel worldwide.  To kick off the Hong Kong end of the event, myself, Yannie, and other HKDR volunteers will be taking it in turns to run (maybe walk fast!) on the treadmill, and you can sponsor us using the form below.  All proceeds from this fun event will be donated to HKDR, so we're obviously very happy and grateful for such amazing support.

We are excited to announce the Dorsett 26 Hours Global Run for Charity! Our dedicated teams around the world will take turns running on a treadmill for a cause for 26 hours, starting on November 5 and culminating on November 6. This is our Group's worldwide wellness initiative connecting our guests and communities through sustainable fitness program at our hotels.

🗓 5 Nov, 2PM – 6 Nov, 4PM (HKT)

📍 Dorsett Kai Tak, Hong Kong

🏃‍♀ Run in 30-min or 1-hour slots

💚 All donations go to Hong Kong Dog Rescue

Please kindly fill in your participation: 

https://forms.gle/FibSUjMJAF5nCJYf7

Donating is easy and secure, and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR). After you make your donation, please include the name of the runner you are supporting in a Testimonial!

https://give.asia/campaign/dorsett-26-hour-global-run-26-2025-dorsett-kai-tak?ee=aFXXH8Mz7dHHXXJjqVVbX4QEHE67NnJX&utm_source=link_copy&utm_medium=share_button&utm_campaign=&utm_content=charity

Thank you for helping us make a positive impact in our communities!"

There were 31 adoptions during October, and you can see all of the names listed on our Facebook and Instagram pages.  I want to give a special mention to 3 particular dogs, because their story is rather special and a little bit different because they were all dogs that were staying with me on Lamma.  

Lennox and Lewis had been adopted as young puppies by someone who turned out to be a complete liar as well as irresponsible, and not only were the puppies allowed to roam freely around Sai Kung, but they were also left behind when the man in question fled Hong Kong after just a few months.  With nowhere for Lennox and Lewis to go, I brought them to Lamma where they were able to live the free and easy life they had become accustomed to.  I walked them (and others) every day, and we would pass the home of the village chief and his wife, who had previously adopted from me and provided a wonderful home to their dog.  Sadly the dog eventually died, leaving the wife bereft.  I had suggested another puppy but she was too upset about their loss to even consider, but after a while Lennox and Lewis started to visit, especially as they were given treats when they did.  The treats turned into lavish home-cooked meals, enjoyed by almost all of the dogs who disappeared whenever we reached that particular house.  After a while I saw less and less of Lennox and Lewis, and another older dog called Plum, and finally the licenses were handed over and the adoptions made official.   I'm very happy to know that these three very lucky dogs have found the home of their dreams, and that I can continue to see them if they feel like joining the morning walk.

As you may know, many of my Lamma dogs came to me as puppies, before we had the Homing Centres for them to stay at.  Now as they have reached old age I'm losing them on a regular basis, the inevitable result of lifelong care, just as the old dogs at our Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau Homing Centres are guaranteed.  Of all the dogs that have lived with me, some became very close companions while others remained independent until the end.  Today I lost my closest and beloved Griffin, who had slept on my bed every night for most of his fourteen years, and who had trained me so well to be his devoted slave. It came quite suddenly, when Griffin called urgently for me to help him, and I found him unable to stand or, as it turned out, to see or control any part of himself.  I assumed he had suffered a stroke, or similar, and seeing him so distressed  and helpless left me with no choice but to end his suffering.  It was a very empty bed that I slept in last night. 

Mon 26th Oct: Heartwarming "foster fails" and other stories

 Yet another month has sped by, and in just a few days it will be November and Peak to Fong. I had to grab my T-shirt to make sure I had one, as some sizes have already sold out!  If you're planning on coming along to enjoy the amazing day with dogs and human friends, please don't leave it too late. The date is Sunday 23rd November if you need a reminder.

We've had some wonderful adoptions this month, with several foster fails of Tai Po dogs who were taken for typhoon fostering.  I'm not sure which is the happiest story, so I'll put them on equal footing and alphabetical order, meaning Gelato comes first. You may remember he escaped from his foster home and ended up being hit by a car, and while we were all extremely worried at first he made a quick recovery, and even better he's been formally adopted!

The second heartwarming adoption is that of Turbo, a 12 year-old Tai Po resident who has been with HKDR since he was a puppy.  This proves that a dog is never too old to become a family member, and that we take care of all of our dogs until that special day comes.

The third "foster fail" was Nando, another lovely boy who just needed that chance to prove himself.

Thank you to all of the foster parents who changed the dogs' lives for ever.  

I also want to mention another very kind and loving foster family, although with a sad and unexpected ending.  Delphine had been adopted from us several years ago but ended up having to be returned when her owner passed away.  She wasn't in the best condition when she came back, but she was taken in by a foster family and her health seemed to be improving.  She was actually going to Acorn for a routine check-up when she collapsed outside the clinic, and despite best efforts she never regained consciousness.  The happy part of this story is that she died knowing that she was loved and cared for, and that the end was quick and pain-free. 

Of course most adoptions are of smaller dogs from our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and they include the last shiba puppy, Yoshi, and Coco with the amazing eye patches.  Big puppy Larry found a lovely home with one of our long-term adopters, so I hope his siblings will be as lucky. For the full list with photos, please check our HKDR Facebook page, as for some reason I'm not able to include photos on this page any more.

While dogs are leaving we're always taking in replacements, one of which is a young corgi boy, now called Blair.  If you're interested in adopting any dog or puppy, large, medium or small, please complete the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/. 

Fri 17th Oct: Peak to Fong and other upcoming events in the pipeline

 We have a lot of exciting collaborations for the coming months in the pipeline, all of which serve two purposes.  The first is to bring in much-needed funds so we can save more dogs, and the second is to help to share awareness about HKDR and what we do.  Of course we'll be sharing information as the time approaches, but for now all eyes are on Peak to Fong, taking place on Sunday 23rd November.  Although that might seem a long way off, we have already sold out of some T-shirt sizes, so please don't wait to buy yours. I'm sure you already know that Peak to Fong (P2F) is the most-fun dog event of the year, and we always look forward to meeting our ex-HKDR dogs and their families. 

As you may have noticed if you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, we have been asking for foster homes for new dogs coming to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, or rather even before they arrive.  This is because we had an outbreak of a serious strain of kennel cough at the Centre, and while it's resolving and the affected dogs are recovering, we need to make sure that the premises is totally clear of any potential infection before introducing new residents.   It's created a lot of work for Cindy, our Foster Coordinator, who honestly deserves a medal for the work she does, but we feel it's for the best interests of the dogs and puppies. We have a new intake waiting to be offered foster homes, and while about half of them have already found foster families, we still need more before we can say yes to the dogs arriving.  If you can help, please complete the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/, or email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you're already registered with her.

I don't want to forget the dogs at our Tai Po Homing Centre waiting for homes, as they tend to get overlooked as it is.  We recently took in two lovely older puppies from AFCD,  now called Lizzie and Lottie, and they're both only medium sized.

Other than Lizzie and Lottie there are so many lovely dogs, some of whom have been with us since they were puppies, and they really deserve a chance of becoming part of a real family.  Please come and meet them at 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, but remember to complete the adoption questionnaire in advance so we can suggest the best match for you and your lifestyle.  The form is at www.hongkongdogsrecue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/,

Sat 4th Oct: Yet another typhoon, and new poodles arrive

 It seems we can hardly catch our breath after patching up and repairing the damage from one typhoon before we're on to the next.  At least today's isn't as ferocious as Ragasa, but it was enough to bring down a big tree at our Tai Po Homing Centre, which came crashing down onto a shelter roof.  Fortunately no dogs or people were injured, and only the roof needs replacing.

On top of the typhoons, we're still trying to get the kennel cough situation at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre under control, and while most of the dogs and puppies are recovering, we can't risk bringing in newcomers who will almost certainly be infected and start everything up again. For that reason, when we were asked if we could accept a group of poodles, we had to secure foster homes before saying yes.  Initially we had big response, but as quickly as they came in the offers of a temporary home were withdrawn.  Finally we had enough confirmed fosters to give the go-ahead for the poodles to come, and they all went straight out again, with one lucky doodle being instantly adopted.  Gunner is now called Ginger, and is obviously no longer looking for a home.  We also have quite a few poodles at Ap Lei Chau also available for adoption if you're looking for this breed in particular, or just a small dog to join your family.

Adoptions are still ongoing at Ap Lei Chau, and Tai Po of course, and there are plenty of dogs and puppies to choose from.  As always please complete the adoption questionnaire as the first step in the adoption process, and you can find it at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

Other than the dogs and puppies that have been affected by the cough and runny nose that are the symptoms of kennel cough, our vet bills have been astronomical as each individual case has to be assessed and treated, some of them needing to be hospitalised.  Just when we seem to have got our finances under control and back on track, we've been hit with huge monthly invoices which need to be paid.  In addition to the financial burden, the staff and volunteers are exhausted with all of the extra work involved in giving extra-special care, attention and medication to all of the dogs and puppies.  

These outbreaks occur from time to time, and come out of the blue. There's nothing that can be done other than to wait it out until the virus has moved on, but we will still need foster homes for the next groups of incoming dogs until it's safe to keep them at our Homing Centre again.  If you can help, please complete the foster form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/, but please only offer if you can genuinely take in a dog or puppy until it finds a home.  There's a lot of time and work involved in assessing each application and the to-and-fro messaging and arrangements, and frustrating when it comes to nothing in the end.  As a reminder, our Foster Coordinator, Cindy, is a volunteer who isn't paid for the many hours of work that she puts in for the dogs and puppies, and the workload at the moment is very heavy.  

Tues 3rd June: Lots of dog news, and a tragic loss

 There are adoptions to write about, as well as new arrivals and dogs that are due to come to our Tai Po Homing Centre on Wednesday (five young and friendly Golden Retrievers).  This breed is probably the most popular of all, so if you're interested in adopting please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.

We've also been asked to take (cream-coloured) labradors, as well as a young Bernese Mountain Dog, so again please complete the questionnaire if interested. 

I should also add that we can't hold dogs if the potential home can't take them immediately, and with many families already planning their summer holidays that means not being able to adopt until they get back. 

Today we also took in four lovely smaller dogs at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, all girls, and their photos will be shared once names have been allocated.  Of the previous intake, the "M" Group, Marco, Mandy, Molly and Mungo (on trial) have already found homes, so I'm hoping that the new girls will be just as lucky.

There were also two adoptions from foster homes, one being Percy and the other Sunny.  Sunny is actually staying with his foster family, the best outcome of all. 

I almost forgot to mention the adoption of the Malamute whose photo was shared on our social media recently, and she's found a lovely family and the new name of  Akela.

Of course my blog is almost always about dogs, but today I need to share some extremely upsetting news about the sudden passing of one of our long-term volunteers, who was also an HKDR Board Member.  Vivian Chan is known to many in the HKDR community, not only for her volunteering with the dogs, but also as one of the main organisers of our Peak to Fong event, and much more.  Vivian used to be a regular visitor to my Lamma home where she used to walk the dogs, and even ended up adopting one of them, a grumpy little terrier called Gecko.  She subsequently adopted several seniors from Tai Po, as well as sponsoring many others.  The news of her death came as an enormous shock to us all, as Vivian was still young and active.  A tribute to Vivian will be shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and for the many who knew her and would like to attend the Memorial later this month, we're happy to share the details. 

Our sincere condolences go to Vivian's family and close friends, as she will be greatly missed by all.  

Vivian's beloved dog, another senior called Joss, is being cared for by Tai Po staff member Gigi, as I know there was concern about what would happen to him. 

Sun 25th May: A very busy weekend

 I really can't believe we've almost reached the end of the month and that it will soon be June, halfway through the year.  It's certainly been an eventful period with the move to Ap Lei Chau and so many dogs and puppies coming in, but at least there were several who found their forever homes over the weekend.

As always the breeds don't stay for long, and the three young golden retrievers have all been adopted, as well as the husky and samoyed that came to Tai Po at the same time.  We still have the border collie Taffy, who's actually a boy, not a girl as we were first told, and Marble, a gorgeous two year-old scruffy girl.  

A few puppies were adopted at the regular Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party, with siblings Tumble and Tara finding different homes, and new boy Arthur now becoming Tara's "brother".  Little Rosalind was also lucky today, so it was a very happy couple of hours.

We always seem to be busy at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, either with potential adopters coming to meet the dogs or new dogs arriving.  Today we took in six more, including a surprise golden retriever puppy girl who found a home in a very short time.   I'll wait to share details of the others until they have names and more information on age.

Anton was the lucky boy who left the Homing Centre with his new family, while Celia the corgi will be moving from her foster to a forever home.  

We have so many lovely dogs waiting for their forever families, both at our Tai Po Homing Centre and Ap Lei Chau, so please start by completing the questionnaire if you're interested in adopting.  It's at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/