Mon 4th April: One last holiday

Nothing to do with the Cairo story, but just a lovely photo by renowned animal photographer Peter Yuen of Mary, currently staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre and waiting for a new family who can take both her and brother Joseph together

The timing of today's Ching Ming holiday was perfect, giving me one more day to rest at home before getting back to my normal work routine -  or so I thought.  However the first thing I saw when I opened the door to let the dogs out into the garden was a stream of watery blood running from the side of the house to the front gate.  When I looked further I could see additional pools of the same red-coloured liquid all around the area where the group of dogs I call "The Sisterhood" stay, but I had no idea which one of them was responsible.  They were all still quite sleepy and doing nothing much, and nobody was looking particularly different from anyone else in terms of health. I'd seen this blood-vomiting bug in other dogs before and knew that most get over it themselves within a day, but was also aware that dehydration can kill quite quickly.  Not being able at that point to determine which dog it was that was sick I took the usual bunch out for their daily walk, hoping that by the time I got back there would be no fresh evidence and I could just let whoever it was sleep it off.   Unfortunately that wasn't the case but at least I could identify the culprit/victim as Cairo, a dog who has been with me for several years.

Getting Cairo into a crate to go to Acorn wasn't a problem because she is a sweet and easy dog, but that wasn't the issue.  I wasn't feeling up to making the trip over, not to mention the fact that I would still have to shower after my walk and get ready, and there was no van or driver working because of the holiday.  I was getting myself into a state, cursing the fact that it had to be today of all days that there should be an emergency, so messaged Iris at Ap Lei Chau for help.  Were there any volunteers who could meet Cairo from the sampan when she arrived and get her into a hire van?  Luckily the answer came back yes, one of our stalwart volunteers was willing and able and was standing by, so I was able to send Cairo on her way without having to worry.

(As suspected, Cairo turned out to be severely dehydrated when she arrived at Acorn, but she should be fine after a night on IV fluids).

Fluffy is such an affectionate boy and he won the hearts of this kind couple

I forgot to mention a happy adoption that took place on Saturday at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and was only reminded about it when Sunday volunteer Claudia asked me why her favourite pup Fluffy wasn't at Whiskers N Paws.  I checked back through the messages on my phone and found the adoption photo that had until then had completely bypassed me, perhaps understandably since I was occupied with other matters. Still I was delighted to discover my omission and see that another older puppy had left to start his new life, although we still have too many five-to-six month-olds who are growing like weeds and need homes. Banjo, Athena, Jill are staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, while Sophie and Babette are still enjoying their Whiskers N Paws "hotel" facilities, and all are available to be seen any and every day during opening hours.

Banjo is a big and beautiful boy who is also very sweet and gentle (photo by Peter Yuen)