Mon 21st March: Nothing to do but watch the rain

Gorgeous Scribble had her adoption confirmed today

There's so much going on but little of interest to write about, as these are all future projects or even just possibilities.  When there's a chance of something good being offered that requires a lengthy and detailed application, you have to do it regardless of the outcome most likely being negative.  That means reams of paperwork (or computer work) and hours of time with most likely nothing to show at the end of it, but it's all part and parcel of being a charity dependent on grants and funding in any way possible.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, just one of the many big projects that is a necessity now, rather than just a nice thing to do, is a total renovation of the Tai Po Homing Centre.  I'm also aware that I need to carry out some serious repairs on Lamma, as this current windy weather has highlighted the fact that the metal porch roof supports are so rusty that they really need replacing before the typhoon season starts.  If what is predicted actually happens, it's going to be a bad year for typhoons, but we all know how unreliable the forecasts are.  I really can't take a risk though, and the same applies at Tai Po although in other ways (leaking roof being one problem there).

So although the dogs and finding them homes are always the top priority, there are many things that also need to be done that you would probably never even consider.

A young Safari, rather slimmer than he is now

Today was a wash-out as far as dog-related tasks were concerned, and although I did take the dogs out for their usual walk not every dog agreed to go with me.  Big Safari pretends to be a tough boy, but show him a drop of rain and he thinks he will drown.  He's also got an aural haemotoma at the moment, an ear flap filled with blood, and after the first time I drained it and it filled up again, he wouldn't let me anywhere near him with a needle.  It's become quite a joke now, as I can turn him into a whimpering blob of jelly just by holding up the needle, even in its wrapping.  To actually stick it in his ear involves a wrestling match with me sitting on his back with one arm clamped round his head while he's screaming even before I've touched him, and it's a near-impossible task.  In fact without surgery to stitch the two sides of the ear flap together it's pretty much a waste of time draining the blood out, because it just fills up again.

I had a quick check of the weather forecast for the coming Easter weekend and it seems that we are going to be blessed with some sunshine on Saturday and Sunday at least, so that's good news for
自由約 Freespace Happening this weekend on 27th March
2:00pm – 7:00pm
西九文化區苗圃公園 Nursery Park, West Kowloon Cultural District
www.westkowloon.hk/freespacehappening