 |
| Goofy last Sunday |
It seems like I've been skiving this week as I haven't been doing much of my usual tasks, but I have been busy nonetheless and normal service will be resumed next week. My hands are pretty full at home with the unintentional and hopefully very temporary addition of four Stanley Barracks doglets who have refused to stay in the background and have made themselves very comfortable in the house along with all of the adults. I know I keep talking about these pups, but really they are impossible to ignore as they are so special, and I can't help but wonder what their lives were like at the barracks. Now I just need to find them homes of their own so other families can gush as much as I do about how lovely they are.
Peak to Fong time is finally upon us and I will be seeing many of you at the event tomorrow. It's going to be a very early start for me as I have to get everything done before leaving home to be up at the Peak by ten thirty and in time for the start of the walk to Lan Kwai Fong at eleven o'clock sharp. There's always a jam on the way to the Peak in the morning, not only because of Peak to Fong but also because it's such a popular tourist spot, so please come early and enjoy the gathering of dog lovers and the dogs themselves, and please be sure to clean up if your pooch leaves a souvenir. It's so important that we all make a good impression and no reason for complaints.
One of the things that I was doing this week was to attend a gala dinner event where Dr Jane Goodall was the special guest. Best known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, she is also passionate about all wildlife and the environment, and even at the age of eighty two still travels the world for three hundred days of the year to spread the message about the plight of our planet, as well as giving hope for the future. She is an incredible woman, and I can only hope to have a fraction of her energy and charisma when I am that age.
 |
| Dr Jane Goodall at the Canadian International School |
During her shirt visit to Hong Kong and her back-to-back engagements, Dr Goodall gave a talk at the Canadian International School today to which HKDR was invited as one of the guest NGO workshop presenters, and Cactus was there as our speaker. Reaching young people through her "Roots and Shoots Programmes" worldwide is Dr Jane's main objective, as it is the children of today who hold our hope for the future, and at HKDR we are also very aware of that need for education for and about the animals.
We will be at Whiskers N Paws as usual from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday, so I'll see you one way or another tomorrow. We'll be missing a couple of our ex-dogs at Peak to Fong, but they have a wonderful home and life anyway.
Dear Sally,
Sorry to tell you that we won't be able to join Peak to Fong this year, an event we have always supported and participated since the early "Peak to Post" days.
Ruby, who was adopted 7 years ago at HKDR, has been diagnosed with Insulinoma (pancreatic tumor) last month here in Canada, and her health has declined quickly.
She had a horrible reaction to an insulin lowering drug last week and collapsed at home at 4am, was rushed to emergency and only survived after spending two nights in ICU. She is now doing better at home and responding well to homeopathic treatments since the vets have exhausted conventional medicine. Her spirits and appetite have improved and could even join us at the park yesterday. We were scheduled to return to HK last month but are staying on indefinitely to see Ruby through this.
I first met Ruby (who is now 12 months and 9 months old) when being a volunteer at Pok Ful Lam Kennel 7 years ago, I witnessed her first owner surrendering her at the shelter. She was 6 at the time and had actually been abandoned 3 times before HKDR. Her last owner dumped her on the beach and she was picked up by AFCD who managed to contact her 1st owner via microchip. We began a trial adoption with our other dogs which quickly turned permanent. Despite her sad eyes and history, Ruby has been so gentle with everyone and loves to live life to the fullest. She has taught me so much and we are thankful for the time spent together, yet so saddened upon her imminent departure.
Sally, we are also very thankful for your help and HKDR's in saving Ruby and countless other lives, including our other dog baby Kettle, who is not a baby anymore.
All the best for "Peak to Fong"
Love,
Joan
No comments:
Post a Comment