Tuesday 10 July 2018

Tues 10th July: Willa, Milla and the Macau greyhounds

We've had some wonderful updates on puppies that were adopted, and these two stories in particular are proof that patience and time can overcome any teething (literally sometimes) problems.  Coincidentally the pups had very similar names, Milla and Willa:

Milla was and is a timid girl
MILLA
Milla has been in our family for 3 months now and we are glad to say that she is really enjoying her time with her big brother Cookie. I have to say she is not like all the dogs we have in a way which she doesn’t like people touching her but she is really into licking and sniffing people. We would be delighted if you could share her pictures on your blog as we did went through the discussion on buying or adopt one. Adopting one might be a challenge at first and it took a much longer time for her to bond with us but then now we look at how clingy she is with her big brother Cookie(the Labrador), we are so glad that we made the decision to take her home.
Milla loves Cookie



Willa became Osa




WILLA
Hello Hong Kong Dog Rescue,

I have been meaning to send you an update of Willa (now Osa - which means “bear" in spanish) for a while now. It comes with a bit of story beforehand but worth the ending for future adopters.

In November last year we adopted from SPCA a puppy that we named Theo and that soon became the most spoiled dog in the world of how happy he made us and how special he was. Theo was, in a simple description, the perfect puppy; potty trained, literally the day he got home, never broke a single thing or chewed on anything he was not supposed to. If left alone for a few hours, he wouldn’t touch anything in the house, just sleep. Always being sweet, caring, cuddly and with much personality that we had a guaranteed laugh with any of his sudden acts or faces. We hired a trainer and he soon became super obedient as well because he is extremely clever. Such an easy dog and puppy that we still love and couldn’t live without.

In February, when he was only 6 months old, we decided to answer to an add of HKDR asking for fosters for puppies during the winter time. We got Willa. Female dog, very small (2.5 months back then) and very quiet. 

It took some time for Theo and former Willa to get along, but at least some peace was made between them relatively quickly. But there was another problem; Willa was everything Theo had never been: all in all, the nightmare puppy (or a normal one really); peeing everywhere, impossible to potty train, chewing absolutely every single bit of furniture, books and everything she could find, not warm and generally shy and scared of most things around her...it was hard, specially since both dogs were puppies and works doubled.

She got adopted eventually, and coming back home without her felt like a relief...Theo didn’t agree, he was definitely lonely now...and within the day we realized we were too. The house was missing some mischief.

As life goes, we received a call days after her adoption and the people that adopted her said they were giving her back. Reasons aside, we told them to bring her back to us and we were sooo happy she came back home that we started to realized that maybe she was more than a messy puppy. 

After 2 adoption events more, we decided to keep her, give her a chance and have loads of patience and love towards her. We literally felt she had already adopted us and Theo.

Today, Osa is almost 8 months old and her extremely sweet nature has flourished! Warm, sociable, companion, obedient, potty trained, smart and funny!!! She is no longer shy or scared for the most part, she gets along with humans and even better with dogs...in summary she is such a happy dog!!!! 

Theo and her are absolutely inseparable, they not only play and keep each other company, but they protect each other, clean each other and destroy things together as well hahah (and sleep together as in the photo attached which can melt any heart!!). They are a team!

Osa is tail-wagging proof and a great example of how puppies are hard, but that with a loving environment, patience and time, any dog can develop their sweet nature and flourish as the amazing companions they are, each with their unique personality. She has been our second doggie blessing and we still can’t believe we got so so so lucky we got her in a random fostering draw!
Osa and Theo, best friends for ever

A lot of people have been anxiously following the saga of the Macau greyhounds and asking me if anything can be done or if HKDR can help in any way.  The problem has been both at the Canidrome itself and the reluctance of the site owners to make things easier, as well as the quarantine regulations of bringing an animal into Hong Kong from China (which Macau is classified as).  I have been following up with AFCD to see if there could be any way of relaxing the import retsrictions given that the greyhounds came from Australia and have never left the Candidrome, so there is no chance of any rabies infection.  I can't claim that my own input has had any effect but at least I did get this email from AFCD today, so now anyone wanting to adopt understands the prodecures.  Those interested will have to adopt the greyhound in Macau, and for further information can contact Anima Macau, the recue organisation who are responsible for getting the Canidrome closed and ending greyhound racing in Macau.   You can visit their Facebook page for full information.

Dear Sally, 

Thank you for your enquires. 

Concerning recent public requests on adopting greyhounds from the closing Canidrome Club in Macao, the department has conducted a risk assessment on importation of the dogs and agreed with the Macao Authority on a special arrangement for importation of the greyhounds concerned by Hong Kong residents while ensuring that public and animal health in Hong Kong is not compromised. 

According to the agreement between Hong Kong and Macao, greyhounds to be imported into Hong Kong must be vaccinated against rabies, as well as other infectious diseases including canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis and canine parvovirus by official veterinarians with records. The dogs must also undergo blood sampling on the rabies antibody level conducted by the Macao Authority for submission to an AFCD approved laboratory for testing. If the antibody level meets the AFCD's requirement, applicants shall then arrange for the dogs to stay within the territory of Macao for not less than 90 days after the blood test. Applicants must also obtain export health certificates issued by the Macao Authority. 

Applicants shall submit the report on the rabies antibody level and the vaccination record of each dog to the AFCD on or before August 31 this year to apply for the special permit. The dogs shall comply with the terms stated in the special permit when arriving in Hong Kong and undergo a home quarantine for no less than 30 days.

For any enquiries, please contact us at 2150 7141 or email 
fopc2@afcd.gov.hk

Import and Export Division
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
The Government of HKSAR
 

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