Fri 19th Feb: Part 2

As so often happens, one particular dog had a sudden rush of adoption applicants all on the same day, and this time it was a young golden retriever.  In fact this was a second time around for Holden as we had been expecting him to come to us much sooner, but after having posted his details and received a lot of enquiries his then-owner put everything on hold.  That meant that when the dog actually arrived at our Tai Po Homing Centre all would-be adopters had drifted off and instead of being an in-and-out case Holden had to wait until today to go to his new home, just as I received two other nice offers.  Holden has settled right in with the lucky family who came to Tai Po to meet him, and he now goes by the name of Apple Grover.

There was another very happy and timely adoption today as sweet Katie found her forever family, just as she was about to have to leave her foster home.  Katie had a sad history even though she is still only a year old, but now that is all in the past and forgotten.

There is another dog that I really hope can follow in Holden and Katie's lucky footsteps, or paw prints, and that is Leo .  His need for a home is urgent although also difficult. In fact I could call him a special needs dog, one who has the misfortune to be burdened with a genetic issue that is all too common in cocker spaniels.  This is a breed that used to be very popular in Hong Kong but is now quite rare, due to a combination of bad breeding and a total lack of understanding that spaniels are sporting dogs and need exercise.  Sadly for them, their small size misled many uninformed puppy buyers into thinking they were easy apartment dogs when they are really not, just as the terrier breeds like the Jack Russell who are so full of energy, even as mature adults.

Leo was surrendered to AFCD as a result of a marriage breakdown with neither side wanting to keep him, and that didn't help his neediness for companionship, or his other main issue of guarding behaviour.  This often come about as a result of food deprivation during puppyhood as pet shops tell buyers to strictly ration their puppy's food, making food such a precious resource that it becomes something that needs to be guarded at all costs.  Puppies that are left alone and caged for long hours may also become toy guarders, as well as anything else they consider to be theirs, which is why we will never knowingly let a puppy go to a home where they won't have the socialisation and training that is so vital to prevent lifelong behaviour issues developing.  The character of puppies is shaped by a combination of genetics and the first few weeks or months of their life experience, so it is  essential that they have the time and attention that they need in that formative period.

Going back to Leo, he is a three year-old American cocker spaniel who admittedly comes with some baggage, but also a yearning to be loved.  He has a preference for Chinese women as they have always been his caretakers,although that doesn't mean he can't or wouldn't adjust to anyone who would give him what he wants.  His guarding behaviour can be dealt with over time, but simply avoiding provocative situations is the best and easiest way to deal with this type of issue.  By that I mean that food guarders should be fed in a separate room and not disturbed when eating, and the bowl only removed once the dog has left the room.  Toy guarders that are not given toys have nothing to watch over, and that allows as long as it takes to build up the bond to a point when training can start.  Thinking that training must begin the minute a dog steps into a new home will result in failure, guaranteed.

On the plus side, Leo wants nothing more than to have his own human by his side, and he's quite happy as long as he has that someone.  He can't be with children for obvious reasons, but in the right home where he can be given the time to feel secure he will become a loyal and devoted companion. Please email me at sally@hongkongdogrescue.com if you would like to give Leo a chance of happiness again.

Don't forget we will be at the Pet Show in the Wanchai Exhibition Centre all day Saturday and Sunday, so please drop by and take a look at our great products or even just to say hello.  Thanks again to our HKDR Volunteers for their enthusiastic help and support, without which we wouldn't be able to operate at all.  You are the best!

Please ignore any strange writing or spelling that may pop up. Although I am pretty much back to normal I am still finding typing a challenge, and that is my punishment for being a "grammar Nazi" before!