Tues 15th Nov: A list of ailments

Lucas is such a good boy

The van wasn't available today as it was being used to pick up a very nice donation and transport the goods to our warehouse, but I couldn't get the thought of the senior golden retriever I'd seen at AFCD yesterday out of my mind.  I was told it was sick with either something to do with lymph glands or thyroid, as well as bad joints, and I was thinking that if it was really very ill I would rather take it to Acorn to be gently euthanised than to leave it waiting any longer.  So I took a taxi to Pokfulam AFCD and was escorted to the dog's kennel, and as soon as I opened the door he came bouncing out, clearly over the moon at his release from prison.  The vet note on the door mentioned that medication was needed, but I couldn't see a sick dog in front of me, rather a very happy and well-kept one.  Obviously I had to take newly-named Lucas to the vet to see if anything could be found, but the thing with animals is that they can't tell you what's wrong, and the effects of any previous medication for an under or over active thyroid would still be masking the extent of the problem.   We ran a full blood test but there was nothing obvious, and no lumps or bumps could be felt.  The only thing I could do was to ask AFCD to contact the (callous) ex-owner to ask for details, which they have promised to do.

Lucas met his foster friends outside

In the meantime and while waiting for the blood test results, I had posted a photo on Facebook asking friends if anyone could foster Lucas because I really had nowhere for him to go.  I had anticipated taking a very sick dog and him needing to stay in hospital, but this was not the case at all. Volunteer Claudia quickly responded saying she would ask her neighbours who already had two golden retrievers, and I was very relieved when the answer came back as yes. Of course Lucas's behaviour was an unknown, although from what I had seen there were no problems at all.  As it turned out he is beautifully polite and well behaved, so now I just need to wait to hear back from AFCD and to get any medication dispensed.  I also need a home for this lovely and very sweet boy please.

Diabetic Willis is finally adopted

There was some very good news about two poodles, both of whom had long-term health problems which had meant being rejected by many potential adopters and for Willis in particular, moving from foster to foster, something that we really try to avoid doing as it's obviously very unsettling.  Willis has diabetes which means he has to have insulin injections twice a day and his urine regularly tested. Udon has epilepsy and also needs medication to control his seizures, so although still a puppy it was hard to find anyone willing to take him on.   Finally, and coincidentally at exactly the same time, both dogs were permanently adopted, and for Willis that means too that he can finally have the cataract surgery he needs.

Udon has epilepsy

Dogs come and go all the time, and this week we will be taking in a Lhasa Apso and a Jack Russell from AFCD, as well as another German shepherd.

Sweet Xavier has a very sensitive stomach

Talking of German shepherds, sadly young Xavier's trial adoption didn't work out because of his digestive problems which cause diarrhoea, and we are searching for the right diet that he can tolerate. Chewy also came back from her foster home and immediately started with her runny nose again, proving that it's the environment that she is allergic to.  We have tried all sorts of medication but the only thing that works is to move her out of Tai Po and into a home.  Both of these dogs are lovely and very sweet, and while a garden would be nice for Xavier, Chewy will do better indoors.

Chewy has a serious allergy to Tai Po Homing Centre