Sat 12th March: Lamma Out-Patients Clinic

Once again the cold and damp weather affected the number of visitors to our Homing Centres, as well as the Tamar harbour front park in Central where four of our Tai Po dogs enjoyed an few hours of playtime, but the show must go on.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday's puppy afternoon as I know some foster pups are coming back, as well as a pair of  ten week-olds adopted just last weekend.  At least they are still babies and young enough to start again without it affecting them. Some of our foster/trial puppies have had their adoptions confirmed, so the trio of Faith, Hope and Charity are off the books, as well as sweet and shy Avery, who's done far better than expected and only took a day or so to settle.

I have my hands full on Lamma as my seniors are starting to show their age, and there are two in particular that I'm very concerned about.  It's not that they are sick as such, although they are one way or another, it's the way it's affecting them.  Jeremy, who very suddenly went blind, is struggling to cope and has stopped coming for our morning walks altogether.  He seems totally bewildered and has to be rescued a few times a day when he gets into situations he can't find a way out of.  My fear, and his, is that the other dogs are sensing his weakness, and whereas he was always a fully integrated member of my four-legged family and was never a problem in any way, he's now a target for bullies.  It's not serious at the moment, but just seeing how vulnerable he feels is very upsetting.

Bali has a degenerative nerve/muscle problem in his back legs, and although it shouldn't be painful it's clear that it is.  Bali has always been a very affectionate boy who loves cuddles, and although he still asks to be petted, when I touch him he cries.

These two are booked to see Dr Tony on Monday, and although I know there's nothing that can be done to reverse their individual issues I need get Bali on some pain relief and Jeremy's renal function checked.

Cindy is doing remarkably well after having been given a very short life expectation a year ago when she had her first surgery to remove a malignant growth, but her back legs are  now weakening due to advancing years and it has come to the point where she can no longer climb the stairs.  All dogs have their chosen spots in the house, and Cindy's was just outside my bedroom.  Over the past few days, and after the morning walk which she can still manage, her attempts to get up the stairs have failed and even if she almost reaches the top she tumbles back down again.  I'm happy she has finally stopped trying because seeing her falling and twisting down the metal spiral staircase was horrible to watch, and must have been much worse to experience.

Then there's little Sandy, another survivor who refuses to give up.  Dr Andy didn't think she had long to go when I took her in to see him a few weeks (months?) ago, but she's stubbornly defying the odds and eating well while enjoying her frequent strolls on the balcony where she can can feel the sea breeze across her face.

So it seems I am running my own hospital out-patients clinic here at home, and this is the lifelong promise we make to every single one of our dogs.  Please help by donating towards the care of any or all of the dogs that need veterinary treatment, whether at the Homing Centres or those in foster care. The cost or inconvenience of treating the sick or wounded will never be a reason for us to give up on them, and that's what makes HKDR what it is.  Our bank account is HSBC 502-423825-001 Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR), or you can send a cheque to our mailing address at Unit 6, G/F, Aberdeen Marina Tower, 8 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong.  Thank you.