Mon 31st Dec: Last day, new start

The shiba puppy didn't even have time for a name

I was looking forward all day to the coming couple of days off as I could feel I was coming down with a cold, something that very rarely happens so at least I chose the right time to be ill.  I would have stayed at home but had received a message that there were six baby pups at AFCD Pokfulam, and we were also picking up a new group from AFCD Sheung Shui too.  The latter included the in-demand shiba inu puppy so let me start by saying he has now been adopted, and thank you to everyone who offered him a home.  We have many smaller/medium-sized young puppies also waiting to be chosen, so for those who missed getting the shiba inu please consider another.  You can take another look at Suday's photos as a reminder

Puppy Adoption Day 30 December 2018 — at Whiskers N Paws (Hong Kong)

I suspect this will be second favourite of the new dogs

The new dogs were sent straight to Acorn for their health checks and vaccinations, and while that was happening two Ap Lei Chau dogs left the Homing Centre for new homes, or trials at least, creating a bit of space for the newcomers.  There two were poodle-cross siblings Chippy and Ducky, both from the same family and also from AFCD. 

Althought driver Ming was back at work today he wasn't available to take me to Pokfulam AFCD and I was in a hurry to get the pups and then go home, so I took a big suitcase-type dog carrier on wheels and set off in a taxi.  It was a bit of a surprise to see the puppies as although gorgeous, they were more like three months than one, and there were only five of them.  There was no way I could cram them in the dog carrier together, but luckily my cry for help was answered when Ming turned up in the van with some proper travel crates.  Given the large size of a couple of the litter I decided to surprise the Tai Po team with a Happy New Year gift, so these beautiful pups are now staying there.

It was already dark when the pups arrived at Tai Po

Please remember that our Homing Centres are open every single day of the year, no exceptions, so please make it worth the duty staff's time by going to meet the dogs and adopting.  What better way can there be to start 2019 than to save a life, especially now it's so cold and the dogs would love to snuggle in a warm and soft bed in a home of their own.

Happy New Year everyone!

Sun 30th Dec: Last Sunday of 2018

Gorgeous Cooper from Stanley Barracks

It was another busy day at our main Tai Po Homing Centre with quite a few visitors and potential adopters coming to meet the dogs  With hundreds to choose from there's always going to be at least one that's perfect for every family, and Cooper was the lucky boy taken home today, with others hopefully leaving soon.  Bradley and Cooper are ex-Stanley Barracks dogs, and these are always lovely as they seem to be well cared for while they are there.

Enya must think she's gone to heaven she's so happy

Many of the adult dogs go for a trial to start with as there are often dogs or cats in the home and everyone has to approve.  Today it was also Enya's turn to have her trial adoption confirmed as permanent, likewise puppy Hugo who was originally a foster but soon converted everyone in the family, including Molly the dog whose little older "brother" Weston recently died of old age.  Molly is so happy to have a new young friend, and we're delighted too of course.

Hugo has a lovely forever family

There has been so much interest in the shiba inu puppy that's arriving on Monday that nobody seems to want any other dogs.   It's always a mystery to me as shibas are often difficult and stubborn as a breed, and choosing a type that like over a sweet and easy puppy makes me wonder why?  We have gorgeous little pups like Holly and Ivo, and we know that they're not going to be any bigger than medium because they have the same mother as Carlo, who coincidentally looks very much like a shiba.

These adorable babies Ivo, Holly and Bramble will be medium sized as adults

Kevin Chan was the volunteer photographer for today and you can see the full set of happy shots here Puppy Adoption Day 30 December 2018

We had two lovely donations at Whiskers N Paws today, the first one from seven year-old Georgia via Twopresents.

Georgia holding little Holly

Angie came to donate $5000 in cash which she had collected in lieu of presents for her birthday, so a huge than you to both for thinking so generously of the dogs and puppies.

Angie not feeling the cold as she shares her birthday money

Sat 29th Dec: Double Happiness Plus

Look at Tilda, so tiny.  She and Peach have a home together now. 

It's no secret that I had a special feeling about Tiny Tilda the mini poodle girl, and I've been waiting and watching and telling everyone who was asking about small dogs to take a look at her, so getting the message from Andrea today saying that she's been adopted made me very happy.  Even better, she went home with a second dog, Peach, so it was really Double Happiness.

Another dog who's been waiting far longer than I expected was Charlie the Cavalier King Charles, a sweet boy who also finally got lucky today.  In fact he has a wonderful new home, so once again I can say to myself it was worth the wait.

Charlie has his own family at last

With the sudden drop in temperature we were all busy today making sure the outdoor dogs had warm bedding, and they really do love snuggling in their soft fleecy blankets.  Even the indoor dogs make a beeline for the softest bed, so thinking about those homeless ones is even sadder than usual.  At times like this I remember that even if they don't have real homes and families, at least our HKDR dogs have a lot more than too many others.  It's a huge undertaking to take care of six hundred-plus dogs, especially with the extra work involved of doling out the quilts and blankets, and then replacing them when they're wet or dirty, but if it needs to be done, we'll do it.

Tai Po dogs Barry and Flora make themselves comfortable

One of the adorable new babies coming on Monday

It's going to be  very cold boat ride for me over to Ap Lei Chau on Sunday to be there for the last Puppy Afternoon of the year, and we'll be inside with the youngsters I'm sure.  We have so many puppies of all ages, and I mean really a lot, so I'm hoping that at least some will be lucky.  New puppies are arriving on Monday so even if you can adopt, please help by fostering.  Everything you need in terms of food, bedding and vet costs are provided and all you need is a space in your home for a while.  Please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help.

Fri 28th Dec: Two lucky dogs today

Young Penelope has a very typical Frenchie character

As expected I have received many enquiries about the shiba inu puppy arriving on Monday, and I will choose the most suitable home once we have been able to assess behaviour.  The shiba inu is a popular breed, but like that other favourite the French bulldog they are often quite difficult dogs which seem to be bought simply based on their looks.  If there is a fight in a dog park there's a high chance a shiba or a Frenchie are involved, and neither are breeds that I would personally choose for more reasons than just this.  With bulldogs and all the flat-faced breeds there are health issues involved too, which means high vet bills as well as the suffering of the dog itself.

Many of the mixed breeds we see these days are smaller sized, like Jack and Dimple currently staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and the adorable sisters Rose and Pollen, full time guests at Whiskers N Paws, so size shouldn't be a reason to say no to choosing them.  Jack and Dimple might be a little shy initially, but once they know you it's a completely different story, while Rose and Pollen are instantly best friends with everyone.

Smaller-sized and so sweet, Rose and Pollen

Jack is a very happy boy with his friends, dog and human

We had two lucky dogs today, one a failed foster dog who will be staying with her family for ever now.  This is Sheltie Harriet, who like many others came to us in a poor condition but has blossomed into a very happy and healthy girl.  Congratulations Harriet on being given a second chance and a home for life.

Look at the difference!

Harriet had a thin and patchy coat on arrival

Poodle-cross Birdie was the other winner of a forever home, and she was picked up after her desexing surgery and while still half asleep. 

Bye bye Birdie!

We'll be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday for the final Puppy Afternoon of 2018, and it's going to be a chilly one so we'll probably be inside with the babies and will have warm coats for the older pups outside.  I hope that it will be a busy three hours, but either way the pups will have fun as they always do.

Thurs 27th Dec: More dogs on the way

We're really missing having a van and driver, especially as there are a lot of new small-sized dogs plus puppies at Sheung Shui AFCD that need to be picked up, ten in total.  Normally driver Ming would be the one to collect them but we'll have to wait until Monday when he's back at work.

Shiba inu puppy coming on Monday

Just to let potential adopters know in advance there's a Jack Russell, Yorkie (both six year-old females) and a shiba inu puppy (five months old) included, plus poodles and puppies of course.  If you're interested in any of these dogs please complete the adoption questionnaire as a first step rather than sending Facebook messages asking for information that we don't even have yet.   The questionnaire is on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com (under Adopt).

Jack Russell girl 6 years old

Yorkie girl 6 years old

One of our Tai Po dogs had to be rushed to Acorn after suffering seizures and it seemed at first that this was the end for young Dexter.  I was all set to make a goodbye visit on Friday, but news just in was hopeful and he's doing much better.  It would take an MRI to find out what's causing the problem, but for now we'll just see how he goes.  With hundreds of dogs to take care of there's almost always one or two needing emergency treatment and it's always a challenge.

I really thought it was the end for Dexter

We have a special screening of the movie "A Dog's Way Home" coming up, with grateful thanks to Whiskers N Paws (yet again) for sponsoring.  Please be sure to get your tickets in good time as seats are limited.

📌 buy premiere tickets: http://bit.ly/2LBgHiN

🐕WNP x HKDR A Dog’s Way Home Charity Premiere🌟

From the beloved best-selling author of A Dog’s Purpose – 
A Dog’s Way Home chronicles a seemingly impossible and unforgettable adventure of Bella who embarks on an epic 400-mile journey home after she is separated from her beloved human. A lot can happen between lost and found, will you join Bella on her homeward bound journey? ⛰🐾

🎬8 Jan 2019 (Tue) | UA Cine Times(Times Square)
Reception opens: 8:50pm
Screening: 9:50pm 
Ticket: $250*
Tickets to be collected at reception before screening.
*All proceeds will go to HKDR thanks to Whiskers N Paw's generous support!

📌Get your tickets: http://bit.ly/2LBgHiN

Weds 26th Dec: Every adoption is a life saved

Stubby has a new family!

Today it was the turn of Stubby, a new boy from AFCD, to be given a second chance and a forever home as he left our Tai Po Homing Centre, while Dustin had his adoption confirmed after just a day.  I can't say thank you enough to those who give these lovely dogs a new home after the have been abandoned by their previous families, and it gives me hope for all of the others that are still waiting.

I'm so happy that Dustin will be staying for ever

At least we do our very best to give them a happy life, and that includes volunteers taking them out for the traditional Boxing Day expedition, this year to Penfold Park in Shatin.  As a reminder, if you are over 18, have any free time and would like to help by taking the dogs out any day of the year, please apply to become a dog walking volunteer (information and the application form can be found on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com).  New volunteers will be asked to attend a short introductory orientation, and those who are available for weekday dog walking will be fast-tracked to the top of the waiting list for a place as most volunteers can only come at weekends.  Please also remember that our Volunteer Coordinators are themselves volunteers, so the response may not be instant.

The weather was perfect for a Boxing Day outing 

We had a lot of visitors to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre but all wanting small-sized puppies or young dogs under a year old, and there aren't always such dogs available.  However we do have plenty of poodles and the like, and barring accidents most small dogs have a long lifespan so even if they are already adults you can expect a good few years of happiness and companionship, as well as knowing that you gave the gift of a loving home to a dog in need.

Tilda is very small and incredibly sweet natured

I can't understand, for example, why tiny four year-old Tilda is still waiting for a home, especially now that she's had surgery for her wobbly knee and has recovered well.  Tilda is the sweetest little girl who loves to be picked up and cuddled, and I think she would make a very easy addition to any family.

Sun 25th Dec: Happy Christmas for Lisbeth

Lisbeth-Lizzy had the best Christmas present ever

I don't know where Lisbeth came from other than AFCD Sheung Shui, and they told me she had been picked up as a stray.  Someone had obviously had her as a young puppy as she's the most affectionate doglet who loves absolutely everyone, but whatever her past she now has a happy future with the family who adopted her and took her home today with the new name of Lizzy.

Obviously our Homing Centres were open today, just as we are open every other day of the year.  We'll also be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday for the last puppy afternoon of 2018 if you are looking for a new family member to bring home.  The weather forecast is predicting cold weather so we'll probably be indoors with the younger ones.

Rain or cold, we can be indoors at Whiskers N Paws

For those of you who are keen to help but can't actually adopt or foster, please remember we have a monthly sponsorship programme called the Life Saver Club.  You can find out more by going to our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com or emailing volunteer Ellen at lifesaver@hongkongdogrescue.com for details.

Other very simple ways to support are by collecting newspapers and bringing to either of our Homing Centres, or by depositing unwanted coins at any Coin Dragon machine.   I suspect many of you have a pile of small change at home, so why not use it to help the dogs?  For a full and updated list of Coin Dragon locations you can check here https://www.facebook.com/pg/coindragonHK/locations/?ref=page_internal

Coming up in 2019 we'll be selling our beautiful Chinese New Year Red Packets of course, and later on we'll be asking for volunteers for the HKDR Flag Day which takes place on 6th April.

There are many ways that you can help and support, so please just let us know if you are willing and able.

For today it just remains for me to wish everyone a wonderful Happy Christmas, especially those of you who share your home and life with an adopted dog.  Adoption really does save lives, and what greater gift can anyone give than that.

Mon 24th Dec: Christmas Eve and the homeless

Christmas has arrived, and with the New Year only a week away my thoughts are as always with the hundreds - no, thousands - of dogs that are without homes, or even food, today and every day.  There's always discussion about the problem of stray or wild dogs and what should be done about them, but no animal asks to be thrown out of their home and left in the middle of nowhere to die. Even a dog that is abused by its owner will remain loyal, but that certainly can't be said of the humans who treat them as temporary commodities.  Animals are let down time and again, and are then blamed for being on the street or in Country Parks as if they are there by choice.

Dustin in front, Eva behind

Many of our Tai Po dogs are those that were adopted as baby pups then given up when no longer convenient, dogs like Dustin and Eva whose horrible adopters dumped them when they left Hong Kong.  Today Dustin was given a second chance as he left Tai Po for a trial, while Eva has made new friends at the Homing Centre so she won't miss her "brother" too much.

Baby Eva

Archie is another returned puppy who's now a year old.  His crime was to chase the birds in the garden, but he was never taken for the walks that had been promised and was bored witless.  A garden is lovely for dogs to play in, but it isn't supposed to be a place that the dog never leaves.  Luckily for handsome Archie he has a new family ready to take him after the holidays, and they have already been coming to take him for long hikes which he really loves.

Baby Dustin as he was when first adopted

With so many dogs at Tai Po it's impossible to keep them all in my mind at the same time, but when a name is mentioned and my memory is jogged, the story comes back to me.  There are really too many beautiful dogs with such lovely characters, and it's always upsetting to think of them still waiting and hoping.  They adapt to their circumstances and deal with what they have, and it's only when they're given a chance in a home of their own that you see their true nature come out.  It's lovely to receive updates from adopters with photos or videos showing the dogs as real family members, sharing lives and memories.

My big wish for 2019 is that more people will shun the pet shops and breeders and open their hearts to the beautiful homeless ones, whether puppies or adults.  There are really so many, purebreed and mixes, and all of them have a heart with so much love to give. Please don't support the cruel pet trade by buying a life that is the cause of so much suffering, and don't think that breeders in other countries are any better than those in Hong Kong because they aren't.

Sun 23rd Dec: All the action was at Tai Po today

Tai Po Homing Centre was the place to be today as a few dogs were chosen to become family members, including new girl Lisbeth. Although she won't actually be going home until Christmas Day, she paid a visit to the office to make sure her file was correctly marked as "Adopted".

Enya was another lucky girl taken for a trial, and having seen the photo of the home she's gone to I'm really hoping she'll be staying for ever.

Another new boy, Stubby, also looks set to be leaving in a couple of days and we're looking forward to a last-minute rush to adopt on Christmas Eve as there have been quite a few enquiries.

Pups in a row under shelter from the rain

The change of weather from warm and sunny to damp and pretty miserable didn't help the puppies at Whiskers N Paws, even if they had a lovely time playing and being cuddled. Big thanks to Yvonne Chan for her lovely set of photos of the afternoon Puppy Adoption Day 23 December 2018

Jumble had his adoption formalised after having been taken home from a previous Saturday puppy afternoon at Concordia Pet Care in Happy Valley, and he stayed for a while to enjoy some running around.

Jumble's adoption was formalised with a photo

Three-legged Perry made his first appearance at a puppy afternoon, but stuck close to his big foster brother.  He's doing very well, and of course is completely unaware that he is any different from all of the other puppies. 

Perry stuck close to his ex-HKDR foster brother

Rose and Pollen are 5 months old now and perfect for adoption

It's really time that sisters Rose and Pollen found their forever families, and although they're not super-pretty in the classical sense these two girl have got so much personality.  They're smart, funny, loving and will be no bigger than medium sized as adults.  I know exactly what they will look like as I have one just the same living with me on Lamma, and I can guarantee they will both be perfect family dogs.  They're currently staying full time at Whiskers N Paws so you can meet them during opening hours at the store.

All of our puppies are also available for adoption any day of the week at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, open every single day from 10am to 6pm including Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

I'll be semi-working this coming week but hoping to at least avoid any emergency vet visits or having to pick up baby puppies from AFCD, although of course I'll be on standby if needed.  I'd like to wish all of my readers and HKDR supporters a very Merry Christmas, but most of all I'd love to see more dogs and puppies being welcomed into new homes before the end of 2018.  It's the reason I do what I do, and why we are all here.

Sat 22nd Dec: Finally it's Zumba's big day

The best Chrsitmas present for any dog is a home and family

It's taken a ridiculously long time, but finally today was the day for ex-breeder golden retriever Zumba to leave the Homing Centre and move in with her new family.  She came to us in a really bad way, like most of the breeeder dogs, with infected skin, barely any hair and a serious lung infection.  It took a long time to treat her and for her to regain her health, but then it was the wrong time of year and none of the potential adopters could take her until after the holidays. One after the other they came, saw and liked Zumba, but it was only today that one lovely family said yes, we can adopt immediately.

Zumba as she looked before

The cover is finally back on the roof at Tai Po 

It's been such glorious weather for this time of the year and incredibly warm, so it was a perfect day to finally put on the new roof cover at Tai Po to replace the one destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut.  It took many volunteers to lift the specially-made strong (and heavy) vinyl up over the frame, so thank you as always to an amazing group of people.

Our volunteer Mabel was at Topshop in Central again today, this time with Sheltie Meg and pug Roley helping out.  Roley is the boy who came to us from the same home as husky Jax, and he was really very overweight at the time. Now with a proper diet and regular exercise he's shedding the rolls of fat and beginning to look like a real dog rather than an over-stuffed cushion.  He's a very sweet boy and really ready for a home of his own, as is Meg, who also came to us from AFCD with very bad skin.  All of the smaller dogs, as well as the puppies, are staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, 5 Wai Fung Street, and we are open for adoptions right through the holidays, from 10am to 6pm. 

Volunteer Mabel with Meg and Roley

I'll be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday with the puppies hoping to be chosen to join their new families, so you still have a chance to adopt in time for the holidays.  Of course puppies aren't just Christmas gifts, they're a commitment for fifteen years or so, but nothing will bring greater joy than a new family member.  We have six hundred-plus dogs and puppies at HKDR, and all of them deserve a chance.

Fri 21st Dec: Last weekend before Christmas

Our driver Ming at Whiskers N Paws

I'm trying to cram everything in before the coming week as not only is it Christmas but our driver Ming will be off for the whole six days, and that always has me in a mild state of panic.  Happily for us Ming is much more than just a driver as he's become very much a useful part of the HKDR team, and he loves the dogs as much as they love him.  As it happened I had two emergency Lamma cases to send over to Acorn in the morning, and all that needed to be done was to put them (in crates) on the sampan and Ming met them at the other end, loaded them into the van and drove to Acorn. I just hope I won't have any similar emergencies next week.

I met up with the van later at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, which has now been fitted with a whole new front and door after the previous sliding door broke.  It's nice to be able to walk straight in rather than to have to go through the side entrance and cross the dog section to get to the front desk.  As much as I love the dogs it's a challenge to get in and out and past so many little bodies and faces all wanting attention.

This morning's poodle surrender

A poodle had been surrendered to us in the morning so I needed to take him to AFCD to have his license updated, and I left with another small dog, a very sad case of a surrender due to (the dog's) poor condition.  His eye is swollen and his legs are weak, not helped by the fact that he's seriously overweight.  He's a Pekingese cross, eleven years old, and we'll see what can be done to help the old fellow.

I think I'll call this boy Buggles

Sometimes we're happily surprised by the positive changes that take place when dogs come to us in a very bad way, even looking close to death, and then they get proper care and nutrition and miracles happen.  I'm thinking about Stinker the beagle, who was really stinky, skeletal and on his last legs when he was surrendered to AFCD, but he's doing really well, doesn't smell any more and has gained weight.  We all thought he was in the terminal stage of his life but he's happy and so are we.

Some of our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre puppies waiting for homes

Stinker in July looking pretty bad

We'll be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday 23rd for our pre-Christmas Puppy Afternoon, and again the following Sunday for the final one of 2018.   There are so many puppies needing homes, and you don't have to wait until a Sunday rolls round to meet them as they are staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre and available to meet and adopt every single day of the year.  Our Homing Centres at Tai Po and Ap Lei Chau will be open on Christmas and Boxing Day as usual, and of course we expect there will be lots of lucky Tai Po dogs going out for hiking over the holidays.

Jack (and his pal Carlo) are avilable to meet at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre