Tues 31st Jan: Getting back to the routine

Barbie was a big puppy

With January and the Lunar New Year at an end it's time to get back to the usual routine, which will hopefully mean lots of dogs being adopted.  It's been a very quiet few days at both Homing Centres in terms of dogs leaving, but there have been quite a few visitors to Tai Po with potentially good news to follow soon.  There are so many dogs at our big Homing Centre though that I forget the size and scale of the operation,  and even the individual dogs until reminded.  For example the name Barbie was mentioned as someone came to see her, but she wasn't chosen because of her now-enormous size. Barbie was found as a stray at a barbeque site, which is how she got her name, and at the time was an older puppy.

Barbie has grown!

At least one dog left our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, one of the most recent arrivals.  Pom Dolly was the lucky girl to find her forever home, leaving the smaller pom Pomelo still waiting and another ex-breeder pom coming to us soon.

Dolly (left) has a loving family now

Another dog that had almost slipped my mind until I got today's email was one of the tiny teacup poodles that were thrown out by a breeder.   This lucky little boy was taken home for fostering as soon as he arrived, or at least after he had been checked by a vet, so there wasn't even any time for him to register in my brain.  I knew that he was in good hands so I didn't need to worry, so today's message confirming his adoption was a lovely reminder.

"Felicio (filly) has been settling in very well with his two elder siblings, and he loves to play chasing with the elder girl we have, they have definitely established the bonding we can see.

His weight has increased from 1kg to 1.5kg in a month time, and he has gotten stronger and can handle two walks a day with the siblings.

We are very glad to be able to give him a happier life, thanks for your help!"

What a beautiful family!

Mon 30th Jan: Cap139B still better than nothing

Many breeders use dogs that have genetic problems like this shiba inu that came to us last year

With the new Cap139B Animal Trader laws coming into effect in March, all breeders and sellers of dogs and puppies will be required to obtain a license, whether they have commercial premises or run their sordid business from home or via the internet.  The sale of individual dogs and puppies will be also be covered by the new laws to try to close any loopholes that breeders and/or pet shops can try to use to their advantage, and even animal rescue charities such as HKDR have to apply for exemption. Hong Kong Free Press ran this story on the subject yesterday (https://www.hongkongfp.com/2017/01/30/regulate-end-pet-trade-hong-kong-animal-lovers-divided-new-dog-breeding-law/), and it was interesting to read the comments on our own Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page asking that all breeding be banned.

Of course that's not a decision for me, HKDR, or any of the animal NGOs to make, and it's taken years of back-and-forth discussion in Legco (the Legislative Council) for even this watered-down version of these Proposed Amendments to be passed. Someone called me a hypocrite for not being fully supportive of the new laws while still giving HKDR's backing, and yes, what has been offered falls short of what's really needed in terms of protection for the mother dogs and their pups, and AFCD have to prove that they can actually handle the extra work given that they don't even have the manpower to do what they are supposed to now.

However, this is hopefully just the first step and is a big breakthrough in a country that lags so far behind in animal welfare and protection.  You have to understand that dog breeding is a relatively new thing, and it didn't even exist in Hong Kong until fairly recently when the demand for certain dog breeds exploded. Then housewives and others saw a great and seemingly easy business opportunity and home breeding became a real problem, with dogs stacked in cages filling every available corner in even tiny apartments.  There were no laws preventing anyone from doing this and no controls in place at all to protect the animals from their terrible suffering.  That's why the Cap139B Amendments to the law are so important, no matter how weak they may appear to be. Something has to be done to begin to regulate the breeders and pet shops and to allow inspection of premises, whether at home or commercial.

Still, nothing in Hong Kong changes the fact that many puppies are bought in China and smuggled in across the border, or that while there is demand from buyers there will be breeders to satisfy that demand.  If you really want to put an end to the terrible trade in life then everyone has to stop buying the puppies.  There is barely a time when I go to the vet when I don't see someone with their newly bought puppy, oblivious to whatever cruelty has resulted from that choice to purchase rather than adopt.   While the public still insist on having their "purebreeds" then the suffering will continue and no law will ever change that.

Another sad fact of Hong Kong life that never seems to change is the handing over of family pets to the helpers when expats leave the country, or in this particular case just don't want the dog any more. Domestic helpers are rarely, if ever, in a situation where they are able to properly care for an animal, and dogs are often left to roam around and breed.  I have seen on many online expat forums people wanting to re-home their pets and the replies saying they will take the dogs are clearly from Filipinos.  This is not implying that being a Filipino(a) makes anyone a bad dog owner as I know plenty who are great, but they are not domestic helpers who are away from home for long hours and who often share boarding houses (which is against the law in itself but we all know it's very common).  

The puppies are clearly mixed breed

Today's sad story was a prime example of this, a dog that was no longer wanted and the maid was told by the owner to get rid of it.  She passed it to a friend who I assume, but actually don't know for sure, was in exactly the situation I described and the result is a litter of puppies, all but two of which have already died, and a dog that is in urgent need of a new home.

The dog, who looks like a shiba inu, will be brought to us on Wednesday 1st February, and will go straight into a foster home.  I have already received enquiries about adopting the mother but I'm not even going to consider that while the pups are still so young and need milk.

 

Sun 29th Jan: Guards dogs in demand

We'll be back next Sunday

I really hope nobody turned up at Whiskers N Paws today hoping to see the puppies because they would have found the store closed for Chinese New Year.  Many puppies are available and in need of homes of course, and we'll be back next Sunday to show them all off.  Thanks to all the foster parents who have posted photos and a short write-up on our Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page, and please let me know if you are interested in meeting any of these babies with a view to adoption before next weekend.

I have been getting quite a lot of enquiries for puppies as guard dogs, and it seems the police have been advising Sai Kung residents (and probably elsewhere) that the best burglar deterrent is a dog. While this is true, my head has been in my hands looking at the requests for purebreed puppies which will be left in the garden full time and expected to do their job protecting the household.  There is so much wrong with this, and I've been busy over the past couple of days explaining why from both the dog and human point of view, but to keep it short if you want a dog to protect you then keep it inside, and preferably in the bedroom.   It's very easy to poison dogs that are left outside, and that's not even taking into account the sad life that a dog leads when its whole life is solitary and without any mental or physical stimulation.  If you have a dog, or dogs, in the house and living as part of the family then they will naturally act as guards and bark if there is an intruder.

However there are dogs that would be happy to live outside and also provide an excellent alarm system, but these are not the labradors and beagles that I've been asked for, and even any of the super-friendly pups that are currently waiting for homes.  The best guard dogs are those that are naturally suspicious and will bark at anyone coming close to the house.   As long as there is more than one so they have at least some companionship, timid dogs are really the best solution, and they are totally undemanding in terms of needing attention and walks etc.  I have quite a few of these "mistakes" and would be happy to recommend them to anyone who wants a great guard dog.

Sat 28th Jan: Starting the Year of the Rooster

Bertha's new life was tragically short

It wasn't the best start to the Year of the Rooster when I got a call from Dr Tony telling me that the bulldog Bertha was really not in a good way and I gave my permission to let her go.  It's always sad, but in this case even more so after Bertha had been through so much and was looking forward to a whole new life beginning. A bad reaction to a drug for tick fever had brought a premature end to terrible years as a breeder dog, with only a short time in a foster home offering a glimpse of what could have been.

Gertie has never been found

I was also reminded of other ex-breeder dogs that we have recently saved only for them too to have died or disappeared, and coincidentally two of them sharpeis from the same breeder.   Carol was only with us for a short time at Christmas, while Gertie was lost from her home in Tung Chung, Lantau, a few weeks earlier and has never been found.  

This was the only photo taken of Gem before she ran off

Gorgeous little poodle Gem was undoubtedly picked up by someone within seconds of running out of the Homing Centre and the chances of seeing her again are slim.  My biggest fear is that she will be sold to a breeder, a living nightmare for any dog.

Thanks to the donor of these lovely dogs beds for our two new ex-breeder poms

While our Homing Centres were open for business I stayed at home, and as I wasn't pressed for time I allowed both Bali and Murphy to come along on the morning walk. They are both very slow, although these days even Murphy is stronger and faster than Bali, whose back legs crumple and collapse every couple of steps.  I'm torn between leaving him at home, which he hates, or letting him come along but having to watch him struggle. So today when I couldn't bear it any longer I picked him up and put him in Murphy's new buggy, a gift from a volunteer.  Initially Bali seemed a but worried, but it only took a few seconds for him to relax and enjoy the ride.  Sadly this can't be a regular event as both dogs still have to walk up a steep path to where the "car" is parked, and back down again at the end, although it really solves the problem of being able to get the older dogs out without putting too much strain on them.

I never thought I'd ever be pushing dogs around in a buggy

I've been getting lovely updates from the Chinese New Year puppy foster homes, like this one about Jade, so can I ask everyone who is taking care of a puppy (or two) to post on our Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page.  That way I can share and show all of the puppies off to potential adopters, thanks!

Baby Jade needs a home

Just to let you know Jade is doing well. She's such a lovely puppy, very bright and inquisitive, relatively independent but still very affectionate and loves attention. As a first time foster I have no frame of reference but she's not difficult to read and picks up on things very quickly so she'd be perfect for a first time dog owner. And of course she is ridiculously cute. I was going to take some nice pictures of her with a good camera in case you wanted to generate interest ahead of the next puppy adoption day, however these iPhone ones I've posted on Facebook have had so much attention (general consensus from Tokyo to Durban to Liverpool to New York is that she's possibly the cutest puppy ever) so I thought I'd send these to you now in case you could use them. 

Fri 27th Jan: The holiday starts now

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

On the last day before the Chinese New Year break I packed up all of the Lamma puppies to go over to Ap Lei Chau for fostering, along with my poor Chippy who needed surgery to remove a blocked saliva gland.  It had been booked previously but when the swelling in her neck suddenly went down I put the operation on hold, but now the lump was back and needed sorting out.  Being sent over on her own was probably as traumatic for Chippy as the surgery itself because she's like a big baby who likes to be carried whenever possible, but what needs to be done can't be helped.

Chippy insists on being carried like this

Jade is just old enough to be adopted on her own

Sandy is a very sweet and easy puppy girl

The slightly older pups that left for their holiday homes were Wigbert, Jade and Sandy, while all of the new youngsters plus Woody and Twiglet from the first baby litter went in pairs.  They are all available for adoption of course, although we can't be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday due to the fact that the store will be closed.  In fact we have a potential home for two of the three black lookalikes and they will be picked up directly from their foster, and anyone else who would like to take one or more puppies home for ever please let me know (sally@hongkongdogrescue.com).  Although I'm officially on holiday in reality no day is any different from any other because of the dogs, so I will reply to emails as usual.   Of course the two Homing Centres are also open throughout the holiday for the same reason, so whether you are a volunteer or an adopter please feel free to drop by.

A young Kong

There was some great news from Tai Po today as another long-termer waved goodbye to his friends and left the Homing Centre (hopefully) for the last time.  I remember Kong as a baby puppy when he came to our then-Pokfulam kennels with his sister Ling Ling, who was adopted last year.  That was a long time ago and Kong has waited patiently for his turn.  Now he has finally been chosen, along with another senior Apple, and I wish them both the happiest of New Years and new beginnings.

Thurs 26th Jan: Bertha needs a miracle

These two little ones have a forever home

I was just thinking I had the puppy situation sorted out for the Lunar New Year when I found that another young litter of six had been surrendered to AFCD.  In fact I'd gone to take out an older puppy, a lovely and very friendly boy, but was told he hadn't had his release papers signed yet so he would have to stay (I don't even want to get started on the lunacy of the policies).  So instead of that one puppy I left with the six babies and the challenge of finding foster homes, thankful that Cindy hadn't yet left for her own holiday.  Potentially I think we have just about all of them spoken for, but there are a few "maybes" that are making me nervous.   Anyway there was great news about the two polar bear pups as both will be staying in their new for ever.  I admit it would be just about impossible to have to choose between them when they are so alike and so adorably friendly.

If all goes well we won't be seeing Zoe again

Woody is still available, and who would not want this fluffy bear

Hopefully today's new intake will be my last before the New Year break, but of course we will be open for business any time before after and during, although not at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.  I will be posting my blog with any news and updates, and with luck that will includes lots of adoption stories too.   Sweet Zoe left Tai Po for a trial today, and maybe there will be others.

There always seems to be sad news to spoil things, and today it was about bulldog Bertha.  As you know, she came to us from a breeder with all sorts of life-threatening health issues, not to mention being covered in fleas.  Emergency surgery sorted out the immediate problems but she still had heartworm that needed treatment, and unfortunately it seemed that she also had tick fever as her red cell count was dropping.   I agreed to give her a shot of Berenil, the easiest and quickest way of treating tick fever even though it carries some risks.  In all of the years I've been in dog rescue I've only seen two cases of very young puppies dying after having been given Berenil, so I no longer choose that option in those situations.  However with Bertha being an adult I agreed to the treatment, but sadly it turned out to be a bad call.  Bertha started having seizures and was immediately admitted to hospital but the prognosis is poor.

We need a miracle for Bertha

Of all the dogs it's those that have been rescued from breeders that always need the most veterinary treatment, and although it's definitely worth it when you see them change so dramatically both physically and mentally, it's doubly devastating when things don't work out that way.  Bertha was on the brink of starting a new life free of the burden of constant breeding and being butchered to give birth (bulldogs have to have caesarians, and it seems it's done by amateurs), and now it's unlikely that will happen. I'm hoping for a miracle but expecting the worst just in case.

Weds 25th Jan: Puppies will still need homes over CNY

How could you choose?

The two polar bear sisters went off today for fostering with a view to adopting one of them, and the remaining four littermates should be following in the next couple of days.  It's feels like getting ready for a siege when Chinese New Year comes around and everything (except our Homing Centres) closes for the four days of celebration. It's also the only time of the year when there is no Sunday puppy adoption afternoon at Whiskers N Paws, so if you are interested in taking a puppy home to join your family you can do so by arrangement.  We have lots of pups from medium to large (when grown) including two very big and beautiful brothers, Dallas and Cabo.

Dallas is one of Noelle's puppies

I've heard some pretty sad stories during my time in dog rescue, but this one is truly appalling. Someone contacted us about taking in two dogs whose owner had passed away.  The dogs were very much loved and we agreed to accept them, and they arrived at our Tai Po Homing Centre today with a friend of the now-deceased owner.  She told the Tai Po team that the owner had left $4 million to her brother on the understanding that he would take care of the dogs for the rest of their lives, but instead the dogs were thrown out.  With the Chinese beliefs in ghosts and superstition, I hope there is some retribution for such an unkind and callous act.  At the very least if the dogs weren't wanted in the home a donation could have been offered to any charity that would look after them, but no doubt there are jewels, cars and holidays that need to be paid for.

As an update on some of my previous posts, the corgi puppy that was found abandoned in a garbage collection point and suffering from parvovirus made a full recovery and has since been adopted.   However Gem the poodle is still missing after having run off from the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre just the day after arriving, and we assume she was quickly picked up and taken home by someone.  If that's the case then we may never see her again but can only hope that at some time she will be noticed and returned.

As for our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre situation, we will stay for one more year and re-assess the situation then.  Hopefully the surge in rents will have settled and we can combine the office, education and homing centres in one place.  If you want to know more about Ap Lei Chau and the Southern District situation, here's a link to the TVB Pearl Report http://mytv.tvb.com/tc/cat_news/pearlreport/293251

Tues 24th Jan: Listening to our dogs

Baby Ottilie in 2005

I've written before about being aware of subtle signs that something's not right with a dog, as there are often warnings that are too easy to miss or ignore.  I let my Ottilie go today after there was no improvement in her condition and it would have been cruel to allow her to continue in her helpless state, and I have to thank Dr Tony for advising that I should do so and relieving me of the decision. Of course I needed to agree, but I had already had the question in my head and was ready to ask if it was time.  Ottilie (Otty) slipped away so peacefully as I held her that it took me a moment to even realise the "pink liquid" had been injected via the drip line and she had gone.

I was thinking back over the past couple of weeks and remembering how Ottilie had woken me every night with the sound of her nails click-clacking on the metal spiral staircase as she was half trying to come upstairs to be with me, but not really having the courage to change the habit of a lifetime of sleeping downstairs.  I couldn't work out what she wanted or why she was doing it, and it's only now that I understand she was trying to let me know that something was wrong or was about to happen.  I have kicked myself in the past for having noticed odd behaviour in my dogs but not having acted on it, and then the dog suddenly dying.  It's not that I could have done anything to prevent what happened to any of them, but I would have been more attentive and prepared.  I have made a mental note to listen to my dogs better when they have something important to say.

There are two of these creamy bears

Life goes on, and with every passing there are new lives coming into the world and I took six of them out of AFCD today, gorgeous puppies who had been surrendered by someone I assume had the mother.  I couldn't help but notice that the puppies I'd seen last week had all disappeared, and assume it was because there were visitors at the Animal Management Centre being shown around and a "clean up" was in order.  I try not to dwell on these wasted lives who are born to die because I would not be able to cope if I did,  but somewhere in my consciousness there is a note made of every dog and puppy that I see one day and who is gone the next.  Who could or would do the job of dispatching so many lives is something I will never understand, just as I can't believe anyone would choose to work in a slaughterhouse which is just one reason why I haven't eaten meat for decades.

Woody pup

Today's puppies are around six weeks old and will need to go to foster homes as there will be no puppy adoption afternoon at Whiskers N Paws this coming Sunday (Chinese New Year).  As they are still so young we would really prefer them to go in pairs, so anyone who can help please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.  Cindy herself will be taking off for the Lunar New Year break, and then all enquiries should be directed to me at sally@hongkongdogrescue.com.

Murphy got a big gift today in the shape of an amazing buggy, a special dog cart that I can use on our walks rather than having to carry him for half of the way.  It's actually big enough for Bali too, and he is much more in need of some wheels now that he can barely stumble along the path. I know I will soon be facing that awful decision again and hope that I get some signs which will let me know it's time.

Mon 23rd Jan: This year's Acorn-by-the-Sea

Tiffany wanted to help Dr Tony sign the vaccination cards

It's frightening how reliant so many of us are on our smartphones these days, and for me it's become an essential part of daily life which allows me to combine the dog side of my life with all of the "office" work that goes into running HKDR.  So to leave home and find that I don't have my phone with me is frustrating to say the least, and it's just what happened after Dr Tony and vet nurse Hei had been over to Lamma to rabies vaccinate scores of dogs whose licenses needed renewing this year.

Imogen decided she wanted to be outside rather than upstairs

This is an annual event and one which saves me a huge amount of time and trouble trying to get dogs over to AFCD, and I found that by lumping all the dogs from any particular year into one group it made life much easier.  Still, the actual act of getting each individual to the front gate for their vaccination isn't exactly a walk in the park, and by the time we had done most of them everyone was in a state of high alert and anxiety.  Murphy insisted on being carried, and many others were hiding or behaving unusually such as wanting to go out when they would never normally even agree to it.  Finally I told Dr Tony that the dogs were now too wound up to continue, so I still have a handful that I will need to take to AFCD although not many,  and the pile of dog files that indicated they had been done was very satisfying.  And yes, the bandage on Dr Tony's hand is thanks to a very nervous dog.

With Ottilie still in hospital and not yet showing any signs of improvement, I decided to join Dr Tony and Hei when they left to go back to Acorn and in my hurry left my phone behind. I would have stayed with Ottilie for a lot longer than I did if I had been able to check and reply to emails and other stuff, but as it was I spent as much time with her as I could but needed to do some work.  I felt guilty leaving of course, as Ottilie was so happy to see me and have me sitting next to her stroking her head. Dr Andy had started acupuncture in the hope it would help and we'll give it (and the drugs) a couple of days before making any decisions.

Bertha is laughing!

Bertha the bulldog was picked up by her foster parents, adopters of Zippo-now-Bentley, who felt compelled to help knowing that both bulldogs came from the same breeder and could even be related. It's already a full house so Bertha will need to move to a permanent home of her own, and she is making a fast recovery now that all of the infected parts of her body have been removed (except the worms in her heart which will come later).

Uncle Stanley makes a great pillow

I have to share this gorgeous photo of baby Figgy in her new foster home.  She is obviously very happy and content with her (ex-HKDR) Uncle Stanley.  I'still have puppies that need foster homes, including Figgy's brother Mao, so please let Cindy know if you can help over the Lunar New Year holidays (and beyond if possible).  Her email is foster@hongkongdogrescue.com

Little Jade also needs a home or foster

Sun 22 Jan: The final puppy party of this Chinese Year

Little Figgy is making a fast recovery

I had to drop the Lamma puppies at Whiskers N Paws and run, taking with me little pup Figgy to have her red cell count checked after a bout of tick fever (she's doing fine).  I wanted to visit Ottilie in hospital, and while she was very happy to see me and have me lying by her side, she's still completely paralysed in her back legs and can't really do more than lift her head and slowly move her front legs. Of course she's on high dose pain relief, but we have to see if there is any change in the coming few days.

While I was gone puppy Trisha was adopted, and I just managed to meet the family as they were leaving with Trisha wearing a brand new bright pink collar and leash set. Now there's only Derek left to find a home for, and at least he's happy in a foster home for now.

Both Kaax and her brother Lucky went for a trial adoption

Puppy girl Kaax (the name given by her foster parent) was also taken home for a trial adoption before I got back, and it was somewhat ironic that her brother Lucky was returned at the same time from his week-long trial. Happily for him though, he left again with a new family at the end of the afternoon, while other pups were also taken off to their respective foster homes, old and new.

Other than Trisha, the only confirmed puppy adoption was that of Ringo, who was being fostered by the adopters of two other ex-HKDR girls.  They wanted to save the photo for after Chinese New Year when all three could be included.

Beautiful babies One, Two and Three

The three stars of the afternoon were probably the tiny black trio, One, Two and Three. At the other end of the size scale the two very handsome brothers, Dallas and Cabo, also failed to find forever homes but at least they are in foster.  It's very funny that such big pups have a mother who's no larger than medium, as they are two of Noelle's babies. You can see all of the photos here

to the album Puppy Adoption Day 22 January 2017 — at Whiskers and Paws

All photos by Dani Bartlett of Dani Bartlett Photography

We had a wonderful Two Presents birthday donation from sisters Anya and Maya, who had also shared their good fortune last year.  Today's magnificent gift was a giant $10,000, (with the "cheque" showing the girls' actual birthday date of the 8th January).

A giant cheque matching the giant birthday donation!

Whisky already loves his new sister

It was pretty chaotic on the terrace at Whiskers N Paws, and also a busy day at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre with new poodle Whisky being adopted, as well as bonded pair Nancy and Scruffy finding a home together (they will be picked up on Monday).  While these three dogs were leaving, or getting ready to go, two new breeder poms arrived.  They are around five years old and will have to go for their vet checks before we have any information about their health, but I can't see them staying with us for very long.

Two new breeder poms arrived

Over at Tai Po we said a hopeful goodbye to Roger, a long-termer who has been with us since 2009 when he arrived as a three year-old.  He was taken for fostering but who knows, maybe this will be his big break.

Sadly there is no news of runaway poodle Gem, and I really hope my fear that we will never see her again are totally wrong.

Sat 21st Jan: Double drama

Ottilie found earlier fame by surviving a cobra bite which very nearly killed her

Today didn't go at all as planned (do they ever?) and it started very early when I heard whimpering and crying coming from one of the open dog crates which some dogs like to sleep in.  It turned out to be Ottilie, one of my older dogs who was already on "no exercise" after injuring her cruciate ligament and needing to rest her leg.  She never normally sleeps in a crate, choosing to lie on one of the soft beds instead, so I thought at first she must have got stuck inside.  I gently pulled her out and lay her on a cushion but I could tell by then that she was in extreme pain and unable to stand. I was hoping she just had some sort of cramp or discomfort from being scrunched up in the crate all night, but when nothing improved and her pain was very obvious I knew I had to get her to Acorn.  It's at these times that Facebook is invaluable because Ottilie is too big and heavy for me to carry off a sampan and into a van, so I asked for help from someone with a car and immediately had offers, for which I'm so grateful.

By the time I met up with Kat (Kuok, our early volunteer, photographer and "Auntie" Sue's daughter), the painkillers I had given Ottilie had kicked in and she had relaxed and stopped her heavy and wild-eyed panting.  Even that was such a relief, but I was sure at that point that I would have to let her go when we got to Acorn and was already in tears.

Dr Andy was on duty and he confirmed that Ottilie's back legs were completely without any sensation but that the problem was the spine, not the legs themselves.  An X-ray showed age-related degeneration but no obvious problem, and it would take an MRI to establish whether there was a specific injury or tumour.  I opted not to go down that route given Ottilie's age and the fact that any surgery would be too much for her, so instead she will have spinal injections which can work wonders if given soon enough.   I left Ottilie in hospital and on a painkilling drip, so now all I can do is wait and see.

This is the only photo of Gem we have

As if that wasn't enough drama for the day, just as I was trying to find someone to help with transporting Ottilie to Acorn I got a message from Andrea at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre telling me that new poodle Gem had jumped the fence and run off at high speed.  Ironically I had only just been telling Andrea how energetic Gem was and that she could run at "a million miles an hour", and sure enough she simply disappeared before anyone had a chance to follow.  Volunteers went out searching and asking if anyone had seen a small black poodle, and someone said they had seen a person carrying a black poodle getting onto a sampan.  The fact is that Gem is so friendly that she would ask anyone to pick her up, and maybe this person thought Gem had been abandoned.  However if that's not the case and no report is made, we may never see Gem again and that's a horrible thought. I had reported her loss to AFCD immediately, but now we must rely on the finder's honesty and integrity and hope that she will report to the police or AFCD that she has found a "stray" dog.

Chess and his forever family

With the last puppy afternoon before Chinese New Year coming up there is at least some good news with the adoption of sweet Chess confirmed, as well as two puppies (now called Mac and Cheese) having their trials converted to adoptions.  Derek's sister and sparring partner Trisha will be given a forever home after she was chosen last Sunday, so Sparky will have to take her play spot.

Mac and Cheese won't be coming back

We have so many young puppies, including some new ones, so I'm really hoping that the beautiful weather will encourage adopters to come to Whiskers N Paws.  Even if you can't adopt we are looking for fosters for the Chinese New Year holiday, as there will be no puppy afternoon next weekend.  All puppies are available for meeting and adoption at any time by arrangement, but there will be a break for just one Sunday.  For fostering please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.come before coming to take a holiday pup home.  Here are photos of the puppies last Sunday

Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) added 159 new photos to the album Puppy Adoption Day 15 January 2017 — at Whiskers and Paws

This Sunday is on, the following Sunday is off.

It's non-stop play for Derek and Trisha

Fri 20 Jan: It's time for TNR

Two of the pekes

We all know Chinese New Year is a time for a big clean and getting rid of old stuff, but unfortunately that often includes old family members.  I'm talking about dogs of course, and today I picked up three old Pekingese who had been surrendered to AFCD from the same home.  So many of my Lamma dogs are the same age or even older than these three, but I could never imagine in my wildest dreams thinking it was time they went.  The youngest of the pekes is eleven, but still they are all perfectly mobile and quite possibly have a good few years ahead of them.

Peke boy Tricky

While there are too many people who think that old age or illness is a good reason to get rid of a dog, there are others who think that's a good reason to adopt.  Our most prolific adopter of the old, blind and crippled came back today to pick up Lomax, an ex-breeder shih tzu who lost his sight due to untreated dry eye.  Tommy has given a home and new life to so many special needs dogs, and all of them are treated with nothing but love and kindness until the very end.

Lucky Lomax (right)

Another special needs dog was adopted today, as tiny teacup Yorkie Wobbly had his foster status upgraded despite having a very serious health issue with a guarded prognosis.  His adopter understands that nobody can say how long Wobbly will live or how he will recover or deteriorate, so thank you too for such kindness.

Bramley's staying where he is

Scottie Bramley is another lucky dog whose foster couldn't bear to let him go when we were arranging for him to meet a potential adopter.

Bertha the bulldog had her emergency surgery today and it was just as well.  She had a large pyometra (infected uterus) as well as a pus-filled abdomen, and had she not been thrown out by the breeder and brought to us she would certainly have died in a horrible way.  Luckily she has a home waiting for her when she's ready to leave hospital, although she still has heartworm which needs to be treated as well as possible/probable tick fever.  Did I ever mention how much I hate breeders?

Bertha will be OK finally

I picked up three month-old puppies from AFCD today, as well as a poodle that has been waiting a very long time to be released.  The kennels are overflowing with puppies and I was told that in just one place there were thirty stray-born pups.  This situation really can't continue as it is, and something must be done about getting a territory-wide desexing programme in place.  Trials aren't necessary as we know how effective Trap, Neuter and Return is, but not if it's only carried out in small areas.  It's time to stop pandering to the few ignorant District Councillors who object to TNR in their areas and get started.

Last chance before the New Lunar Year

Some of the new puppies will be joining the pre-Chinese New Year adoption party at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, so see you there!