Thurs 4th Aug: Cats and dogs

I had arranged to do a phone radio interview about fostering on RTHK before leaving home today, the problem always being that the dogs start barking when I try to talk.  I decided that going outside and standing on the beach would be best solution but that was before it started to rain, so in the end I had to use the one and only room with a door.  Unfortunately, while it worked in terms of keeping the dogs quiet, the phone reception in that area is poor so I was cut off mid-sentence at one point.  That's one of the reasons why I always ask people to contact me by email and Whatsapp, because phone conversations are either impossible due to the background noise, or because the mobile signals are so weak.  Anyway, if you have time to listen here's the interview in full (with break): http://programme.rthk.hk/channel/radio/programme.php…

We're preparing for the arrival of the ten breeder schnauzers on Saturday, hoping that we will have enough foster offers that we won't end up with the entire group having to be accommodated.  It's a tight squeeze anyway and ten isn't exactly a small number.  Andrea will be the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre Manager on the day, and I can't say I envy her for having to deal with everything that will be going on that day.  If you are coming to meet and hopefully foster/adopt, please be patient and maybe even offer a helping hand if necessary.

Very sweet Willis needs cataract surgery

On top of that we had a poodle surrendered yesterday, a sweet boy whose previous owners hadn't bothered to license or vaccinate, but as they'd had him for six years we have allocated him that age formally.   I took him to AFCD and Acorn for all the necessaries today, and he's a very sweet and easy boy but he has early-stage cataracts that will get worse and lead to eventual blindness.  Everything behind the cataracts is in good working order so Willis is a perfect candidate for surgery if we can find sponsors to cover the not-insignificant cost. If there is anyone who can contribute and save Willis's sight, please let me know.  I don't have a figure yet as we'll need to see the specialist surgeon first but it's not cheap surgery.

Cha Cha was apparently left behind when his family left HK

On Friday we have agreed to take in another poodle, this time a four year-old (Cha Cha), so it's really going to be fuller-than-full house unless we get some moved out immediately.  Please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can take in a small boarder, and preferably as soon as the schnauzers arrive.

To add the the problem we have several dogs coming back from foster and trial adoptions, including sweet Barney who was as good as gold but upset the resident cat just for being there.   I'm sure many of you know that while dogs are straightforward animals who are very open about their needs and feelings, cats are quite the opposite.  Cats and dogs can get along fine and even become best buddies, but the introductory period can be difficult if the cat has had no previous experience of other animals in the home.  Refusing to eat is one of the most common reactions we hear from cat owners who have tried taking in a dog, and Cactus is now preparing a "How To" set of instructions for would-be cat-owning dog adopters.

Barney was a perfect gentleman with the cat but he's still coming back

One of the most rewarding aspects of dog rescue work, other than actual adoptions of course, is helping the shy and timid dogs to gain confidence and so change their lives.  Camilla is one such dog, a beautiful girl I took from AFCD as an older puppy.  Although she was clearly very scared she showed no sign of aggression, so I wanted to give her a chance.  Now thanks to the help of staff and volunteers at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre Camilla is a changed character who loves life, especially playtimes in the nearby dog park.  Take a look at this lovely video of her and Cherry taken by long-term regular volunteer Harryn.