Sun 31st March: All action at Ap Lei Chau

Stinker probably has tick fever

Following up on the dramatic rescue of beagle Stinker, more details are emerging of the story from Phoebe, the volunteer who was out day and night helping to search for him.
"I got a call yesterday around 5pm, the helpers had heard dog crying, not barking, from the slope of the hill. So I was there and stopped a passing patrol police car, but the crying stopped, police didn’t take any action unless any crying again. I insisted they should make a report and took further action. So they called the other on duty police car and hung on for half an hour, but no more crying, they were going to leave and was getting into the car. Lucky enough Stinker was crying again, I chased after their car on foot and asked for serious help. We called SPCA as well then (SPCA came and did their best but failed to rescue Stinker before dark). Fire engines come over then. The operation had to be suspended after two hours searching cos it was too dark, the only way was to be continued this early morning around 6:30. Stinker was safe to the ground at 8am".

It seems the poor boy was at the bottom of the slope for a full eight days before he was finally pulled out, and as a result - and not surprisingly - shortly after the videos of him walking around at home were taken, he collapsed and was rushed to Acorn Vet Hospital where he was found to be seriously ill.  While I was at Whiskers N Paws in the afternoon I was also messaging both Acorn and our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre trying to arrange for a blood donor to be sent over, and in the end it was our office dog Brandy who was nominated (sorry Brandy).  She's not the easiest of dogs with strangers but we didn't have any other option, and her donation will hopefully save Stinker's life.

Maisy and her new family

Zita has a whole new life ahead of her

Although it was very quiet at Whiskers N Paws

 Puppy Adoption Day 31 March 2019 — at Whiskers N Paws (Hong Kong)

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( lovely album thanks to Tatiana Yankovskaya), it was non-stop at our own Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre (in addition to the Stinker/Brandy story) and several dogs left with their new families, all but one of them seniors.  Poodles Muesli and Maisy, plus ex-breeder poodle Zita, were adopted, with Maltese Arlo going home for a trial.  Another older mixed-breed puppy from the breeder-from-hell, Cotton, was also chosen, so that's a total of five lucky dogs.

Sweet Muesli going home

Little Cotton is a very sweet girl

The weather affects visitor numbers at Tai Po more than at Ap Lei Chau, and I didn't get any happy adoption messages, only another sad emergency as long-termer Taryn was rushed to Acorn after showing signs of being in trouble.  We knew Taryn was ill and she was booked in for a CTC scan on Monday anyway, but her condition had deteriorated so fast that she was euthanised today with suspected high grade lymphoma.

Taryn (L) and her sister Tara

Taking her place at Tai Po was the dog I had picked up from AFCD on Friday and who had suddenly become very sick.  After all tests showed nothing specifically wrong she was diagnosed with acute haemorragic gastroenteritis and by today was well enough to leave hospital.  She's a very sweet girl, medium-sized, and I hope this combination will help her find a home quite soon.  Her name is Boaty.

Calista the corgi and husky Jack on the winner's podium 

Eva was at the Jessica Fun Run today, and helped judge the photo competition which was co-won by ex-HKDR Calista and husky Jack.

Sat 30th March: Stinker is found!!!!

Huge thanks to all for their help!

The search for senior beagle Stinker continued today, as although he'd apparently been seen in the vicinity of his home it was only been vague reports and nothing concrete.  Today crying was heard from the bottom of a steep slope and the police, fire brigade and SPCA turned up to help, but sadly without success.  However I would like to thank all concerned for their efforts, which are very much appreciated.  It's heartbreaking to know that Stinker has been around and could well be lying weak and injured somewhere, unable to get up.  It's been a long time for any dog to be out and without food (that we know of) but for a very old dog like Stinker it's especially upsetting.  Thanks to the team of volunteers who have continued the search and won't give up until all hope is lost, or hopefully until Stinker is found.
UPDATE: the dog IS Stinker and he is alive and safe!!!!  Again huge thanks are due to the volunteers, SPCA, police and Fire Department for their incredible help.  We are all incredibly happy and excited.

Shy Hadrian

One of the newer puppies, Hadrian, was taken for a trial adoption today, a big surprise as he's a timid boy who will take time to come round.  I ended up with a lot of these scared types on Lamma, and it's hard for me to remember them that way now as almost all of them ended up being loving and affectionate adults, and even those that still don't want to be touched are quite happy to live as part of a large (dogs and myself) family. 

Zita has a home!

Zita is the first of the ex-breeder poodles to be chosen, and there's a chance the adopters may take a second one as well.  I do hope so, as these poodles are very needy for love and company given their sad background.

It seems a lot of people read yesterday's post about the shiba inu Soy and I have been inundated with adoption requests.  Many are nice homes but I can only choose one, and that will be the family that I think will be the most suitable for Soy.  Please don't think that you have been rejected as not being good enough if that home isn't yours, and maybe consider another dog, even older shiba puppy Gumbo who is still waiting at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre for a home.

Gumbo is under a year old and loves playing

Fri 29th March: You read it here first

Soy is looking for a new home 

My blog readers are the first to know about newcomers to the HKDR fold, or dogs that are available for adoption even if not actually with us yet, like this one year-old shiba inu, Soy.  His owner has just been offered a job in Africa and is realistic enough to know that it won't be a good situation for a dog so she's reluctantly looking for a new home for him.  He's a good boy, sweet natured and cuddly, so if you are interested and can offer him a forever home with lots of walks, adventures and love, please complete the adoption questionnaire on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com (under Adopt). As always if there are multiple offers we will choose the home that we feel can give Soy the best life possible.

Singleton Dudley

The new puppies are all very sweet

I was at AFCD today to take out a litter of five three month-old puppies, all lovely, and a little singleton who is now called Dudley.

With me too was a surrendered corgi girl who needed an updated rabies vaccination and "Temporary Keeper" status, which means the registered owner (whoever that is) will be contacted for an official surrender.  The corgi is six years old and very sweet, but she does have bladder stones, almost certainly as a result of a poor diet.  We knew this even before she saw a vet as she actually passed a stone, and that is now being sent for analysis so we can positively identify the type and treat accordingly.

Freda is a very sweet 6 year-old corgi

I also took out a very sweet and medium-sized girl from AFCD who had come from Ap Lei Chau somewhere, obviously with people if not a pet as she is so human-friendly.   We were all in the consult room, eight puppies, the corgi and the mixed-breed adult, when suddenly Boaty (her new name) vomited bile and blood, not a good sign.  On examination her abdomen was very tender, so much so that she yelped when touched, so rather than head off to Tai Po she had to stay behind for X-rays and ultrasound and I won't know what the results are until Saturday.  Not a good start for the poor girl.

It's been almost a month since these photos were taken

All the new puppies as well as the four eight week-olds who made their debut last weekend, will be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.  It's always helpful to have the completed Adoption Questionnaires in advance, but not absolutely necessary as we have the hard copy forms there for on-site completion.

Chelsea, Dorothy, Wallis and Perkins are growing up, in fact they have all had their second round of vaccinations now and are at the perfect age and stage for adoption. 

Thurs 28th March: Small dog day

Goodbye Peppa Pig!

Hopefully these gorgeous ladies will have their own homes soon

The first of the breeder dogs left the Homing Centre today,  French bulldog Peppa, and hopefully others will follow very soon.   We have a lot of puppies due to come in on Friday so we'll have plenty of work to do taking care of them, and also plenty of choice for potential puppy adopters.  I don't know the age of the new litter yet but in any case there are a lot of up-and-coming youngsters almost ready for Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.

8 month-old Sage also came with the breeder group

Puddle has been living on Lamma for a long time

One of the long-term Lamma dogs was also adopted today after having had her interview last week.  Puddle was waiting for the right kind of home given her independent nature and not being a cuddly type despite being small and cute.  I think she will like her new home.

Banjo is a funny little guy

Banjo is another small-sized Lamma dog who has a very strong character, the type that's naughty but makes you laugh at the same time.  What's amusing in a small dog with an irresistable face wouldn't be the same if the dog was a large size, but the little ones get away with all sorts.

Kobe is 95% sweet and cuddly 

Also one of the small Lamma dogs, I had to take poodle Kobe to see Dr Tony today because he's been limping.  I assumed it was a problem with his knee, so typical of the small types, but it turned out to be the cruciate ligament.  I was quite relieved as it means no surgery, and the leg should get better by itself.   Kobe is another funny character, very sweet and loving most of the time but with a tendency to use his teeth if scared.  I do believe if he was in a home he would become a full time sweet boy, because he loves cuddles and tummy rubs and he's certainly a lot easier than a lot of the poodles we see.  He was very happy to sit on my lap and snuggle into my arms for the trip to and from the vet, and he also gets on with other dogs.

We're getting ready for our Flag Day on Saturday 6th April, so if you see our volunteers out and about on the streets of Hong Kong Island collecting for the dogs, please make it worth their while.   A huge amount of preparation and organising goes into these types of events, so I'd like to give a mention to Ka Yan in the office as the one whose job it is to arrange everything.

Weds 27th March: Pups and poodles

Baby Horlick will stay with his mother for a while

The beautiful mixed breed babies have all been adopted and now they have started to leave, although still in pairs until they are eight weeks of age.  Today's baby, now called Horlick, went home with the bichon mother so he will have her company for the time being.  It's not often we get small sized puppies and certainly not a whole litter, so the adopters of these little kids are very lucky.

Mother Fizzy and her puppies

The new ex-breeder poodles (from the same place as the mother and her pups) are settling in and all have names now.  The one not shown is the largest, and I called her Ginger because that's the colour of what little coat she has at the moment.  They are all incredibly sweet-natured and you can be sure they will be fine with children and cats, as well as any resident dogs in the home.  Don't be put off by their current shabby looks as this will quickly change, and there's nothing better than having "before" and "after" photos as a reminder of a life saved.

You may be aware of a recent story in the news about a puppy that was found on a boat coming from Thailand, and even though the owner of the puppy quickly turned up to claim the dog it had already been destroyed.  If you are interested in following this sad story and reading the many angry comments, here is the official AFCD link https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2313327515578034&id=2058832667694188

This is not the end of the story however, and I have to say I'm pleased to see so many people are angry about the case.

Tues 26th March: Spartacus needs a home

Hadrian 

It seems like a long time since I took any dogs or puppies from AFCD kennels (and I'm not complaining, just commenting), but today there were two youngsters ready to go.  They're not the instantly waggy-tailed type, but I think they'll be fine once they settle at the Homing Centre and start playing with the other pups. 

Hilly 

Look at this beautiful face 

At least they're healthy and have a full coat of hair, unlike the poor ex-breeder group who were given a bath today and I'm sure are feeling much better for it.  These girls are all so sweet, and desperate for love and attention.  Going into their room you are guaranteed to be instantly surrounded by little pleading faces just wanting to be petted, something they have been deprived of all their lives, and it's impossible not to feel heartbroken for them, and all of the other breeder dogs not yet free.   If you are interested in adopting any of these sweet dogs please complete the adoption questionnaire on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com (under Adopt).  They do have an infectious (to other dogs) skin problem but the treatment is easy and effective.

While it's easy enough for us to accommodate and take care of the smaller dogs while they're waiting for homes, the need for the young and very active large breeds to be adopted is much more urgent.  I'm thinking in particular of Spartacus, a one year-old Malinois, also known as a Belgian shepherd.  This breed are known for their intelligence and endurance, which is why they are now used as police dogs instead of the German shepherd.   They need hours of exercise as well as mental stimulation, so they are not suitable to be apartment dogs in the city, or general family pets.  Properly treated and trained the Malinois is an incredible dog, but without the exercise and appreciation of its needs then they can easily develop behaviour problems.

Handsome Spartacus needs the right home 

Spartacus is a lovely boy but he's desperate for attention, and to be someone's dog.  He would suit a home in the countryside with lots of space and adopters who led a very active lifestyle, and had experience of dogs.  If that sounds like you and you can offer Spartacus a home please let us know. 

Mon 25th March: Dogs are so forgiving

How can these dogs still love humans so much? 

The ex-breeder dogs went off to Acorn first thing to have their health checks and vaccinations, coming as they did without even a microchip for identification. The good news is that they don't have heartworm (I assume even mosquitoes can't get into the place they were kept) but they do have erlichia, a type of tick fever, as well as scabies (skin mites). The poor things are itching like crazy, and it gets even worse as the medication to treat the condition starts to work  and the mites are kicking around in their death throes.  I can't wait to see the "after" photos of these incredibly sweet girls once their hair has gown back in and they are looking like real poodles.

A search team is out looking for Stinker

There's real concern for old beagle Stinker now as he is still missing, and the only good thing is that the weather is mild again so at least that won't be a concern.  If you live in the Clearwater Bay area please do keep your eyes open for him as I doubt he will last long without proper home care and food.  There is a volunteer team out helping with the search, and I really hope we'll be able to share some good news very soon.

Bonsai had a lovely surprise today when he found himself a home

Another senior dog left the Ap Lai Chau Homing Centre today, this time shiba inu Bonsai.  He has a spinal problem that means he has to be on full time pain relief , so we're especially happy that he now has a real home where he can enjoy all the comforts and pampering he deserves.

Although I shared Rodger So's album of photos from Sunday's puppy afternoon yesterday, that was only the start and there were many more added, including the two adoption photos of Wicca and Curry and what turned out to be my goodbye cuddles with Curry.

Puppy Adoption Day 24 March 2019 — at Whiskers N Paws (Hong Kong)

A bonus photo of Wicca going home with her new family

Sun 24th March: Find Stinker!

Stinker is LOST!
He is wearing a black collar. Last seen at 2 Silverstream Path, Silver Strand, Clearwater Bay at 5:30pm yesterday (23rd March). He loves eating. He can’t hear and see too well.

Please contact Caroline (53460588) if you see Stinker.

I don't care that the cold weather is back, in fact I quite like it, but there's a good reason why right now I hope it turns warm again, and that's because old beagle Stinker has escaped from his home after a gate was left open.  Stinker surprised us all by not only surviving when we thought he didn't have much time left, but by thriving and then even finding a home, but being a beagle of course he is constantly in search of food and will follow any scent if he thinks it will result in a snack.  Please look out for Stinker and let his family know if you have seen or found him.

August and her lookalike new "sister"

Some good news about one of our Tai Po dogs being given a second chance and a wonderful home.  August was taken for a trial adoption and has now had her residency confirmed, wonderful news for a damp Sunday.

Lovely Tanner

Tanner was also taken home from Tai Po today, another Stanley Barracks dog who is very sweet and easy, and will hopefully not be back.

These babies are now old enough to be adopted individually

We had some young puppies at Whiskers N Paws today, four from the same litter making their debut, plus Wicca, a beautiful and smaller-sized girl who has been lucky enough to have been staying in a foster home up until now.  Today was her lucky day and she was adopted, as was our very sweet Curry, one of the "Curry Litter" whose sister Mango is now the last one waiting.

Rodger So was the volunteer photographers for today's puppy session, another inside-and-outside challenge  Puppy Adoption Day 24 March 2019 — at Whiskers N Paws (Hong Kong)

Lucky babies going home together

The first of the litter of beautiful small-sized babies were picked up today by their new family, luckily going home as a pair so they will always have a best friend to play with.

Mother and her 5 babies, all reserved

Sat 23rd March: Seven new arrivals

Dorothy and Chelsea will be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday

Before I forget in all the fuss about the new ex-breeder/hoarder dogs, we will have four young puppies at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday as the then-babies are now growing up.  Following hot on their heels are the litter of seven, who will also soon be old enough to move from foster to forever homes.

Wicca is the only one from her litter still waiting for a home, but in the meantime she has been happily fostered.

Wicca last Sunday

A small-sized mixed breed came with the poodles

A sad and sorry group of itchy dogs

Obviously today was all about the five poodles and a Frenchie who arrived in two deliveries, plus a mixed breed who somehow got into the group.  We know from our current litter of small-sized mixed breed puppies that whatever went on in the breeder/hoarder establishment it seemed to be completely random as far as the pairing-up went, and poodles gave birth to pups that clearly didn't have poodle fathers.  Catherine (of Catherine's Puppies) has held back one poodle today who is pregnant and may give birth at any time, though what the pup(s) will be is anyone's guess.

I have already started to receive enquiries about the French bulldog but all of the dogs need to see a vet before we will consider letting them go.  They also need to be licensed, so if anyone is interested please start by completing the Adoption Questionnaire on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com (under Adopt).  All of the new dogs have infectious skin issues which almost certainly include scabies and ringworm, so homes where there are children or other dogs will need to bear that in mind.  One thing I can say is that all are extremely sweet, and the skin is something that is easily treatable.

Miffy was adopted from her foster home

There have been a few dogs moving from foster to forever homes recently, or those on trial adoptions having their permanent status confirmed.   Miffy the terrier is one of the former, with puppy Minty the latter.

We knew Minty would do well in her new home

Fri 22nd March: More breeder/hoarder rescues

Starving and almost hairless, 4 poodles and a French bulldog

Towards the end of the day yet another rescue mission was underway with five more dogs coming from the breeder/hoarder. The frustration at not being able to mount a massive rescue for the unknown number of dogs suffering, and indeed dying, at the hidden location in Yuen Long somewhere is immense.  Seeing the few that are released only increases the feeling of rage and helplessness knowing that there are so many more, and there's absolutely nothing we can do except wait and hope that one day something will happen that will allow us to locate the place.

Catherine Lumsden of Catherine's Puppies takes delivery of the dogs at Pets Central in Sai Kung, while Kaz O'Carroll is the volunteer driver who brings them over to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre where we have the space to keep them until they are well enough to move into homes.   We will take as many as can be rescued, knowing that time is of the essence given the extreme situation and the poor condition of the dogs.  It's not only that they are emaciated, they are also infected with every possible contagious skin issue such as ear mites, scabies (skin mites) and ringworm.  Some of them are pregnant, although the puppies seldom survive.

Puddle has been with us for a long time now so it's time she found a home

Meanwhile one of the small Lamma dogs, Puddle, went over to Ap Lei Chau for an adoption interview in the afternoon.  I think it went well although Puddle ended up coming back with me until a handover date can be arranged.

We had a group visit to our Tai Po Homing Centre from Bloomberg, and they had fun with the dogs and puppies including our beautiful and funny pup Target.  As the puppies get a little bit too big for the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre they are moved to Tai Po where they are once again the babies in comparison, so if you are looking for a happy and very sweet boy please take a look at Target.

Happy and silly boy Target