Weds 30th Nov: Puppy season begins

Eight more unwanted puppies will be looking for homes very soon

I had made a list of everything I had to do today, but preparing a space for two-week-old puppies wasn't on it.  However that's exactly what happened after I got a message from Kathy saying AFCD had asked if we would take a litter of eight that had just come in. There's a huge difference between newly born pups and when they're a month old and are able to feed themselves, and two weeks falls halfway between the two meaning they will happily take milk from a bottle but can't yet lap.  Bottle feeding is bearable when you have two puppies, but six is chaos, especially when you have one bottle, a single pair of hands and all the pups look alike so you can't work out which ones have already fed.  They cry in unison whether or not they're still hungry, and as I am feeding one the rest of them are lined up along my arm sucking hard on my skin like piglets in a row.

Obviously I was happy that at least two found a foster home before having to come to me, and now Cindy has sent me the fantastic news that the rest can go today (Thursday) so I'll be able to catch up on some sleep soon I hope.  Within a week there will already be a big change in the pups' development, and when they are only six weeks they will be almost independent and certainly weaned and eating by themselves.

Sadly these babies aren't the only ones as there's another litter around the same age also at AFCD, but still with their mother.  At least she can take care of their milk needs until they are old enough to be separated, or to find a home where they can stay together a bit longer.

I read on a Facebook group that a certain Hong Kong vet suggests that desexing of male dogs isn't desirable in terms of their health, and I can't say how sorry I am that any vet can even hold this view, let alone encourage dog owners to leave their male dogs entire.  While it's true that only females can give birth it takes a male to make puppies too, and on top of that neutering prevents unsociable behaviour such as marking, aggression/fighting and humping.  The person who posted this information subsequently keeps two entire males who are often allowed to run free, and that is exactly how babies are made.  I don't know how many times I've heard that a dog "accidentally" became pregnant and gave birth as if there wasn't a very simply way of preventing that happening, and I really don't understand which debatable health benefits can be more important than making sure no more unwanted puppies come into this world.

Funny Girl

The "Funny Girl" arrived at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, and thanks to everyone for helping to identify the very similar male I was hoping might be looking for a friend.  It turned out the family of Bamm had just recently adopted a puppy brother for him so I was just too late, so now our girl needs a home.

Bamm identified, but too late

Tues 29th Nov: Adoption is for Life

Brie and Baguette

I love this photo of just-adopted pug Ivory, now called Brie to match her Frenchie "brother" Baguette. It's doubly rewarding to know that she came to us from AFCD, a throwaway pet who has now started a wonderful new life.  Seeing these two just makes me smile, as do all of the adoption photos and follow-ups we get from the families who made the decision to adopt.

Ivory-as-was leaving Ap Lei Chau

In fact as part of the move from this year into next and the hope that every New Year brings, we will be changing our HKDR tag-line from "Adoption Saves Lives" to "Adoption is for Life". These few words carry a joint message, the first being that adopting a dog or puppy means committing to the rest of its life, and the second meaning that adopting literally does mean a life saved to that lucky animal.

Fletcher quickly found a new home

Most of our dogs and puppies come to us from the government's AFCD Animal Management Centres, although not all.  One of today's adoptions came about through one of our adopters telling me about a Westie she had taken in, initially on a temporary basis but after some months as a surrendered dog.  I'd known about Fletcher for a while, having seen him at Acorn and Whiskers N Paws, but it was only when the now ex-owner finally agreed to sign over the paperwork that I posted Fletcher's photo. I knew there would be a lot of enquiries about him, which there were, but by the evening I had chosen a family who had been waiting for this breed for a while, and they happened to have the ideal home and lifestyle for just such a dog.

Coincidentally I was also helping on another case during the evening, which meant having to constantly interrupt my sofa-sharing dogs in their in-front-of-the-TV snoozing.  (In fact they seem to be asleep but if a dog appears on the screen they are all suddenly wide awake and watching intently). This other dog was a King Charles spaniel that had been picked up in Wanchai, and the finder had asked me for help in tracing an owner.  I posted the photo on our HKDR Facebook page and within a short time received a message from a friend of the owner who was still out searching the streets.  I was able to connect both parties and the dog was eventually returned.

This sharpei girl is currently with the breeder

The other day I posted a happy follow-up story about sharpei Gertie who had come to us from a breeder, and now there is another young sharpei girl from the same place needing a home.  I don't have any direct contact with any breeders (because of course I would report them) so all of these cases come via a line of intermediaries, but I believe this is the same breeder that Zippo-now-Bentley also came from, and the litter of sharpei pups a few months ago.  Anyway, this new sharpei girl is eighteen months old and I need somewhere for her to go before I can get her.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Talking of Bentley, here's an update from his adopter on his progress:

Bentley walks all the time when he's at home. He no longer scoots. So much so that the sores on his behind where he was dragging himself have healed. He runs. Bounces. Lunges and jumps all over the place. His braking mechanism involves throwing his hind legs in front of him to stop. He's very playful and quite mischievous.

Short walks with our helper start out with the rear harness and end under his own steam. Longer walks with us and the other dogs are in the wheels and he's a rocket now. Endless energy and no discomfort.

The vet is optimistic that he'll continue to gain strength in his rear legs. 

I also really think that the wheels have put his spine in a straight position allowing him to remember the position he should be in in order to walk. His hind legs go like lightening when he's in his wheels even though his feet are in stirrups.  

When he is being quiet and in bed with us on his back, he gets his spine gently massaged which he likes. 

Mon 28th Nov: Feeling nostalgic

Monday mornings are always busy as I have to go through the Sunday photos from Whiskers N Paws, with Semirah having done the same as well as posting them, on top of writing my blog and all the usual stuff.  I was rushing to get out of the house when I decided to take a break from the routine and not push myself to get to AFCD and Acorn, rather go to the office and try to catch up with the team there as well as some paperwork.  Eva splits her time between Tai Po and the office, and as Mondays are one of her "desk work" days it was good to be able to talk through some ideas and plans for the coming months.  One of the best things about being a small organisation is that we can discuss, agree and implement anything without having to go through any long process.  If we like it, we do it, and that suits me fine.

I had already sent two boy doglets to Acorn for desexing first thing, and their sisters Domino and Ruby who are staying at Ap Lei Chau will have their turn tomorrow.   The four siblings are all quite timid so I'm hoping being in the Homing Centre will help, particularly as Ruby is such a small and pretty little dog.

Funny Girl

One of the great things about mixed breeds is that they can look so different, and you can never really be sure how they will turn out.  There's a dog that comes to Whiskers N Paws from time to time and he always makes me laugh because he is short-legged but quite long in the body, with a very large French bulldog's head which doesn't match the rest of him in size.  I was reminded of him today when I was asked if we could take a female dog who was the sole survivor of three who had been left behind in an apartment when the owners moved out.  The other two had starved to death leaving this one barely alive, but she pulled through and is now fit and healthy.  The thing is she looks so much like the funny half-Frenchie boy, and I know his parents have been considering getting a second dog so I really want to introduce them.  I don't know the name of the dog or his owners, so if anyone does please tell them about Funny Girl and ask then to contact me if interested.   She will come to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre on Wednesday  if anyone else would like to meet a very special-looking dog.

Tufty is the back right puppy

Hong Kong Dog Rescue was set up in 2003, almost fourteen years ago now, and that means that many of our dogs from the early days are reaching the end of their natural lives, if they haven't already left.  It's a tough time, if an inevitable one, and a situation I have faced too many times for me to even remember.   Of the original Lamma dogs there are just a handful remaining, Cindy being one of them but also Tufty, Milo, Bali and Curly, and because in those days we didn't have too many I can remember them all as babies. Cindy of course has cancer and I don't know how much longer she has, but for now she's doing incredibly well after her (third) surgery, while Bali's sad decline is very hard for me to watch.  Still, he stumbles along the track for our morning walk, even if I do have to help him along the way from time to time.

A young Milo

Angel is back in hospital, this time with tick fever

Angel, one of the early Tai Po dogs from Pokfulam days, was also recovering nicely from her splenectomy but had to be re-admitted to hospital with a recurrence of tick fever, a direct result of not having a spleen.  We're just hoping that this is a temporary glitch after Angel's double near-death experiences, the first time when she had emergency surgery for bloat and the second when she had to be opened up again when her spleen burst.  It would be too sad to lose her to tick fever after everything she has gone through and survived.

Sun 27th Nov: A great day for generous younger supporters

Before I talk about Sunday I need to mention that we are once again having email problems and a lot of messages are bouncing back, sometimes quite a few days after I have sent them.  We're trying to sort it out of course, but please contact us again if you haven't had a reply.

There was good news as well as sad from Tai Po, with handsome Big Al leaving the Homing Centre to start a new life but Alexander finally losing his fight after a long illness.  It wasn't exactly unexpected but obviously very sad nonetheless.

Woody wouldn't hold still for his adoption photo

It was pretty quiet for adoptions at Whiskers N Paws today, but there were a few lookers who I'm pretty sure will be back, and of course Woody went off as planned with his new family.  This was possible thanks to the offer of a temporary foster, and as it happens both homes are almost within spitting distance of each other so it's absolutely perfect.  I'm so grateful to have received the offer of help for Woody, and also to the foster family of his remaining siblings Goofy and Echo.  Every pup in this litter has turned out to be very special, and I feel sure they will all be adopted before too long.

One very happy girl and her new puppy Candy

Baby Candy was also adopted on her first Whiskers N Paws outing, making one little girl very happy.

The adopters of ex-breeder shib inu Kenzo also dropped by to complete the formalities, although they have been fostering him for some time now.  When Kenzo first came to us his back legs were so bent and deformed he couldn't walk, but following surgery on one side and the second due soon, he is now able to get around reasonably well.  We are very grateful to Kenzo's very kind adopters for giving this lovely puppy the chance of a long and fulfilling life.

Kenzo and his kind forever family

Incredibly puppy Yoda remained in her foster home, even after having proved herself to be so tolerant of endless hugs and cuddles from so many children, and playing with every puppy including big Goofy.  I don't know how anyone looking for a puppy could resist this perfect little girl.

Yoda is just so adorable

Hayley shared her birthday via Two Presents

Ella posts her donation in the box

We also had two young birthday donors today, one being a direct cash present from Ella, and the other coming from Hayley via Two Presents.  I had even remembered to fix the giant Two Presents cheque for the photo, so please ask if you would like to make use of it in the future.  Thank you to both lovely girls for their thoughtfulness in remembering the dogs and puppies on their birthdays.

CDNIS Student Nicole Robinson came by to hand over her incredible fundraising efforts at the Lamma Fun day on 12th November too, and this is a reminder for how she did it:

​

​"I​ worked on the total amount raised for HKDR - ​including ​the donations, the dog show entry fees and doggy ​​cookies sale and I am happy to advise that a total of $6,260 was raised for HKDR. ​ ​
I hope this small contribution can help some stray and abandoned dogs in your centre.​"

Nicole achieved an amazing result

​  

Sat 26th Nov: Washed out

Well that was interesting.  Who expected the torrential rain and wind that came out of nowhere and ruined any outdoor activities, not to mention my own attempts to get over to Hong Kong Island.  I was completely drenched within seconds of stepping out of the house and had to turn around and go back, and that was that.  I'm grateful it wasn't  a Sunday and a puppy afternoon, and am now holding my breath and hoping it stays dry for the remainder of the weekend.

Tessa in happier days

We did get a few visitors to Tai Po, although nobody actually left and sadly Doberman girl Tessa was returned.  We're all extremely upset because once again, and despite entreaties to all adopters to contact our own trainer Cactus for advice and support if needed, an outside trainer was employed and the result was that the sweet and easygoing dog that was adopted came back with newly-acquired behaviour issues. When she was with us before she was happy to be with other dogs but now she isn't, and that doesn't just happen.  We know the trainer that was used, and while not the worst of the bunch he doesn't use purely positive methods and that's the result.   While dogs can quickly learn fear-based behaviour it takes a long time to undo the damage, and it's just not fair on the dogs.  I really fail to understand why, when excellent free help is offered, it's ignored in favour of second-rate and damaging trainers.

Moses the terrier has an almost human face

Over at Ap Lei Chau two lucky dogs left the Homing Centre, one being Bowie the poodle and another the new terrier, now with the name Moses because of his beard.  Photos will be sent by the adopter, but I can say they are very lucky to have such a special boy. I'm using photos that volunteer Harryn took because I also wanted to show the Lhasa Apso Rufus, who has now had a haircut and is recognisable as a dog as opposed to a floor mop.  We were told by AFCD that he was very close to the Jack Russell (now Jamie) he came with, but we have found that not to be the case and they are actually fine to be separated.  Rufus likes to walk with Jamie but they even argue sometimes, so we have decided that splitting them up is fine.

Woody will be leaving on Sunday

I'm also thrilled to report that Woody, my Stanley Barracks boy, found a family who can look after him temporarily and until he can move to his forever home next month.  He'll be formally adopted at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday and then delievered to his foster, so as far as HKDR is concerned he will have found a home and I don't have to worry about him any more.   Now there are two from this very special litter left; the biggest boy Goofy and the smallest girl Echo.

There are lots of other puppies needing homes, permanent and foster, so please join us at Whiskers N Paws, 2pm to 5pm, and whatever the weather.  Even if you can't commit long-term it's extremely helpful to us, and lovely for the puppies, to have a real home environment while waiting for their forever family.

Will Yoda be lucky this week?

Fri 25th Nov: Lima and Turner

I often wonder how Lima would have turned out if she had been adopted as a puppy

I had a much-earlier-than-usual meeting to go to, and had initially thought that would give me the whole afternoon free for personal errands which I rarely have time for.  Of course it didn't work out like that, and the first thing to change those hopes of some free time was discovering who it was that was leaving copious amounts of watery and blood-tinged vomit for me to clean up.  One of the difficulties of having a lot of dogs is that when something like this happens, it's really hard to know who it is that is obviously sick because they rarely do it when being watched.  On previous occasions it has ended very badly, simply because by the time I realised who it was it was too late to do anything.

Anyway, this morning I happened to be around when Opal and Griffin's sister, Lima, threw up nothing but blood and water, so I send her straight over to Acorn.  I guessed she wouldn't be an easy dog to handle away from home just from previous experience of Opal and Griffin being quickly returned from their new homes after having been adopted, and it's the strangest thing because they are so sweet and easy with me.  In fact these are the only times I have ever come across this strange behaviour, but since they are no problem at all with me - in fact quite the opposite - it doesn't matter. Lima had never been adopted so I wasn't sure if she would behave in the same way as her siblings, but suspected she would.

What an adorable boy this is.

After my meeting, which took place in Ap Lei Chau, Andrea asked if I would be able to take two newly surrendered dogs to AFCD for change of ownership.  They were the still-unnamed terrier (because his potential adopter asked to be able to name him), and Nico the bichon frise, both of whom are now up to date and ready to go.  However, while the terrier is the sweetest boy, not to mention incredibly cute, Nico may not be the easiest character even if he was very happy to sit on my lap as we were driving around, barking at everyone we passed.  Sometimes this type of behaviour gets worse, often it improves as the dogs settle and become less anxious, so we will wait to see which way this goes.  At least I didn't have any problem holding or carrying Nico, so maybe it's just a question of getting to know him.

Nico

The next stop was my home-from-home, Acorn Veterinary Hospital, where I spoke to Dr Tony about Lima and her possible problem.  I had suspected a foreign body inside but X-rays showed nothing, and because she had proved to be difficult (impossible) to handle without sedation, I brought her back for further at-home treatment.

Turner is running free now. 

I also had to make the difficult decision about Turner, a senior cocker spaniel who had suddenly become very weak and stopped eating.  After talking to Dr Tony and given all of the symptoms as well as Turner's advanced age, I knew it was time to let him go.  It's very sad, but seeing the photos that regular volunteer Harryn posted of Turner running in the dog park, at least he had some happy times with us before he left and I'm grateful for that.

Thurs 24th Nov: Lucky Noosa and Blondie

Noosa leaving Tai Po

Just when I was thinking we hadn't seen any dogs leaving Tai Po for a while, two adoptions have been confirmed.  Blondie is one of them and Noosa the other, so I'm feeling as relieved as they must be happy.

Blondie enjoying the sort of walk she's been missing

Murphy went back to Acorn this morning as one of a group of dogs taking part in experimental stem cell treatment, which although not a new concept had previously required the stem cells to be harvested from the dogs themselves before being re-injected into the affected areas.  Arthritic dogs that I have known to have had this done have been given a whole new lease of life, so I'm hoping that Murphy and Lucas (the old golden retriever recently taken from AFCD and with bad hips) will soon be skipping around like youngsters.  This new treatment comes ready-made, and all that was required was for the dogs to be X-rayed to confirm that they were suitable candidates, which obviously they were.  It takes a while for the stem cells to do their work so it's a matter of wait-and-see, and although not a cheap option, for those of you who have dogs struggling with pain and unable to walk it's worth considering.  (We were lucky to be offered the treatment free of charge just in case you're wondering how we could afford it).

This beautiful terrier boy arrived today

We had a new arrival at Ap Lei Chau, and hopefully just a temporary guest as we already have a home lined up for this gorgeous boy.  As I tell everyone who comes looking for a dog and leaves without finding what they wanted, new dogs come in all the time and we really never know what to expect, or when.  So please keep checking because as much as we try to let people know when a suitable match turns up (as in the case of this terrier), sometimes there's just too much going on and we are so busy we don't have time.

With Christmas now exactly a month away we're going to be asking for volunteers for the various fairs that will be taking place over these four weeks.  Please email volunteers@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help.  We have loads of great stuff to sell, both HKDR merchandise and donated dog products and accessories, so get ready to buy when you see our stand at any of the many mini-events coming up.

Weds 23rd Nov: Christmas is coming

Saturday Puppy afternoons for Chrristmas and New Year only

We are getting close to Christmas even if I can hardly believe it, so I asked our graphics volunteer if she could make a special Whiskers N Paws poster to promote the fact that this year we will be holding the puppy afternoons on Saturday instead of Sunday for those two weekends only.  If you turn up on Christmas or New Year's Day you will find the store closed so please make a note, although our Homing Centres are open all the year round, every day, because the dogs need feeding and walking regardless.

I can't help thinking how lucky we were with the weather for our Peak to Fong event, as the current unseasonal rain would have made for a miserable and soggy day (as happened one year).  I've had to start thinking about winter bedding for the dogs, and even coats for the puppies because it can get very cold on the terrace at Whiskers N Paws, and I want to mention how grateful we are for the donations of sheets, towels and dog beds, and to assure you that they are put to good use.

It was touch and go for Angel at one point

There has been some happy news about a few dogs who have been very ill recently, and that doesn't include the parvovirus-infected puppies who thankfully made a full and complete recovery.

Tai Po dog Angel, who had emergency surgery at a Tai Po vet clinic for gastric torsion, commonly called bloat, was subsequently moved to Acorn for the recovery period but needed a second operation to remove her spleen after it burst and caused further serious problems, as you can imagine.  It wasn't looking good for a while but now Angel is ready to go back to Tai Po, although we would really love her to be in a proper home. She's such a sweet girl who has suffered enough and I think she's due something special in her life now.

Poor Alexander has lost so much weight

Alexander's progress is slow but there was much celebration yesterday when a photo of a solid poo was shared, indicating what kind of life we live in dog rescue.  Seriously, there is nothing that isn't discussed as part of the daily routine, and when you have a dog who has been fading away due to terrible and unexplained gastric problems, to finally see it coming right is really good.

Cindy is also recovering well from her lump removal, and made up for not eating for a couple of days by having both breakfast and lunch, and insisted on joining the morning walk even though I really hesitated about letting her.  I don't know how long she has left or how soon another lump will appear, but for now she's good.

Tues 22nd Nov: There is no labrador puppy

Foster puppies Billy and Bejamin enjoying their evening TV.

One of the frustrations of this work is believing that when someone asks for help in re-homing a dog or puppy and you agree, that the dog will actually turn up.  Now, and after many years of being let down, I realise that unless the dogs are coming from AFCD you just can't trust when someone says they have a (young and purebreed) dog that they will bring to the Homing Centre.  Nine times out of ten it won't happen because there's always a "friend" who offers to take the dog just at the last minute.

I received a phone call last week from someone telling me that a friend of his had a dog that he couldn't keep any longer, and asking if we could take it.  It turned out to be a six-month old labrador so of course I said yes, knowing we would have no trouble at all finding it a good home.  As tempting as it was to email everyone who had asked about this kind of puppy so it could go straight to a new family I held back, and I'm so glad I did because although today was when it was supposed to be coming nobody turned up.  At least this time I haven't had to reply to hundreds of potential adopters and then write again to them all saying there actually isn't a labrador puppy after all.

In case you're thinking isn't that a good thing that a dog didn't have to come to us, the answer is yes and no.  At least if we re-home a dog or puppy ourselves we can make sure that the new home is suitable, and a good match.  It's also helpful to be able to show that not all dogs that come from rescue organisations are old and sick mongrels, a common perception that I wrote about the other day. There's nothing wrong with mongrels (mixed breeds) of course, but since there are still many people who simply refuse to believe that, it's good to be able to offer the occasional labrador, pug, corgi etc puppy.

4 year-old bichon surrender

Of course some dogs do appear as arranged, and today we took in a four year-old bichon frise who was being thrown out because of a human baby coming.  The person who contacted us wasn't the owner herself, but when I asked why a baby meant the dog had to go I was told that the poor thing spent most of his life in a cage anyway, so it would be better to get it out of that home regardless. Although not a puppy I know this boy won't have any trouble finding a good home either, and in fact we have families waiting for such a dog.

Sweet Cookie

As an update on the puppy who was destined for the cooking pot in her first "home" and labelled vicious in her second, she is actually a lovely, sweet and very normal pup who charms everyone who meets her.  We called her Cookie because it seemed appropriate, but hopefully all of her past will soon be behind her.  If you would like to meet Cookie, or even better offer her a home, she is staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.

Mon 21st Nov: If only we could fast forward

Cindy and Murphy

Two of my Lamma dogs, Murphy and Cindy, went over to Acorn first thing and I am no different from any other dog parents when it comes to sending my "kids" off on their own and I worry constantly about them.  Both dogs are seniors and very attached to me, and while Murphy was on his way to be checked to see if he could be a suitable candidate for a new kind of stem cell therapy, Cindy was having yet another lump removed.  I was afraid this was a return of the cancer she had already had two surgeries for, and later on in the day Dr Tony confirmed that it was indeed that.  At least Cindy had an extra good year added to her life following the previous lump removals and even up until today was still going for the daily walk and eating well, so who knows how she will do after this latest surgery. I'm not expecting miracles but I would like her to be able to enjoy her final months.

Failed again and I am so sad. 

As sad as I am about Cindy she has had a good life, especially as she is not what I could call "normal" (I think of her as being somewhat autistic).  I am much more upset about the young dogs who are still waiting, or those who are taken home several times but then returned.  Bomber is one of those, and he came back today because there was an elderly father in the home who needed a walking stick, and Bomber didn't like that at all.  The really sad thing is that at our Homing Centre he has no behaviour issues at all with people, and is as sweet and cuddly with men as he is with women.  It's just that the stress of moving to a new place, even if it's a million times nicer in every way, makes him react badly.  It's the same with poodle Maya, another very sweet young poodle girl who is lovely with everyone at the Homing Centre.  She too has been taken and returned more than once, and I just wish we could fast forward that difficult settling period.

Peanut is wary of strangers but you aren't a stranger for long

New girl Peanut is similar in that she is wary of strangers, and that doesn't help when all sorts of people have been to meet her and have been scared off by her initial behaviour.  I was a stranger to her when I took her out of AFCD and she didn't like me either, but after sitting on my lap for the drive to and from Acorn, when I went into the Homing Centre today she was so happy to see me and crawled onto my lap for a cuddle.   It didn't take much at all to change her attitude or feelings.

We have a new challenge at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, a puppy I accepted after having been told its very sad - horrible really - background.  The poor little thing was apparently due to be eaten (being black) so someone rescued her from that situation, but it was almost a literal case of "out of the frying pan into the fire" when the new family really didn't have any clue about taking care of a puppy, especially an abused one.  So now it's our job to restore the pup's faith in humankind and I hope it's not too late.

Sun 20th Nov: A happy Sunday

It was a surprisingly busy afternoon on the terrace at Whiskers N Paws with quite a few puppies moving from foster to forever homes, and a lovely Two Presents donation from young Hannah as the icing on the cake. Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) added 95 new photos to the album Puppy Adoption Day 20 November 2016 — at Whiskers and Paws

Teabag is now Mac

Thanks to Hannah for her Two Presents donation

Goofy 

Stanley Barracks doglet Teabag came to have her adoption made official and to meet up with her brothers Goofy and Woody for a play, as well as sister Echo.

Woody

Odie was one of the puppies who went from fostered to adopted, as were two still-nameless siblings sisters who had been temporarily cared for since they were very young babies.   This was their first outing since I got them out of AFCD and handed them to their foster, so they are extremely lucky.

The 2 sisters didn't even have time to be given names

Odie was adopted on his first visit

Frodo was adopted today

Brothers Tom and Frodo also found homes today, although not together, leaving brother Bilbo and sister Marla behind.

Tom and his new parents

Foster puppy Sophia also had her status upgraded to adopted, making a total of seven lucky puppies today.

Sophia will stay in her foster home for ever

Although not adopted, there were two more successes in that the pups that had been infected with parvovirus have both recovered and have left hospital for their foster home.

Yoda is so cute and funny

It's always impossible to predict who will be chosen and who will be left behind, and Yoda is one of those mysteries.  She so impossibly cute and so loving and cuddly, yet she is still waiting for that special family to take her home.  I'm not worried that she will never be picked, I'm just surprised it hasn't happened yet.

Willis waited a long time but it was worth it

Two of the Ap Lei Chau dogs came to finalise their adoptions, one of them being poodle Willis, who is diabetic.  He has found a lovely home and is already incredibly devoted to his human parents, and hopefully there will be more happy news regarding his cataract surgery soon.

Sweet Papaya and her forever family

Ex-breeder schnauzer Papaya is now a permanent family member, and with mother-and-daughter pair Snooki and Sandal also being adopted together too it was a good day for our smaller dogs.

We were so happy to say goodbye to these girls as a pair