Thurs 9th May: One year anniversary at Ap Lei Chau

Santa at the dog park this morning (shaved legs from desex)

Sometimes I don't know whether to be angry, upset, or both at the same time.  Actually I'm furious.   I was out doing my usual things today when I got a message from the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre to say that one of our ex-puppies, Santa, had suddenly been brought back - by the helper - and without any notice or warning.  Since she was first fostered and subsequently adopted, we hadn't heard anything about Santa or how she was doing, but everyone who takes a dog or puppy from HKDR is given the name and contact details of our trainer Cactus (education@hongkongdogrescue.com) and is asked to let her know if training help is needed,  or if there are any problems.  Total silence until the dog is suddenly brought back is unfair to both us and, more importantly, the dog.

Only Santa and Frostie survived from this litter

In the case of Santa it's particularly upsetting because she was one of only two survivors from a litter that came to us from AFCD as very young babies.  Luckily for Santa and her sister Frostie, they went straight to a loving foster home that cared for them and got them through the fragile first weeks of life.  When they had to return to Ap Lei Chau the hard work had already been done, and while Santa ended being adopted in February, Frostie stayed a bit longer but is now doing very well with her own forever family.

Santa is obviously scared and confused, but we hope that's only temporary and that she will soon be joining in the games with the other puppies at the Homing Centre.  In the end, however upset I am when things like this happen, I have to accept that it's probably a good thing as a puppy that's not wanted or loved is never going to be happy.   Santa is still a small-sized young adult who has her whole life ahead of her, and we're going to make sure it's going to be a very good life from now on.

Julia is sweet and very healthy

Also joining us at Ap Lei Chau was yet another puppy I'd picked up from AFCD, a very sweet and friendly girl who is now called Julia.  We have so many puppies that are waiting for homes, and because they don't feature on our website until they are around four months of age you have to come and meet them at the Homing Centre or Whiskers N Paws n Sundays (or Concordia Pet Care on alternate Saturdays).  Here's a reminder of the available puppies from last Sunday afternoon  Puppy Adoption Day 5 May 2019 — at Whiskers N Paws (Hong Kong)

I love Chelsea

Some of the lucky puppies are staying in foster homes and they are available for meeting by arrangement with our volunteer Foster Coordinator Cindy (foster@hongkongdogrescue.com), or at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday afternoons.  One of those puppies is Chelsea, and I've mentioned her before because she reminds me so much of my Lamma dog Griffin when he was a pup, plus she's sweet, funny and smart.  Her foster says "Chelsea is very affectionate and behaves well with humans as well as with other dogs. She is only 3+ months but is already toilet trained and knows basic commands (i.e. she is very smart!). She has sweet personality and also has a beautiful, dark-charcoal coat. I’d be happy to give more information if anyone is interested".  


Of course there are also many slightly older puppies at our big Tai Po Homing Centre, with the latest group being those from Stanley Barracks, the "beagle cross" Rolo and newest addition German shepherd-cross Otto.  Who can resist Kibble and Scout having a
brotherly cuddle in this video https://www.facebook.com/hkdogrescue/videos/493657371172697/.

Putting up the sign at the Homing Centre one year ago

I was reminded that it's been one year since we moved from Ap Lei Chau Main Street to our current Homing Centre at 5 Wai Fung Street.  We love the location and the fact that it's so close to the dog park, as well as the Lei Tung MTR station.  There's also very easy access via the shuttle ferry that plies back and forth between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, plus plenty of buses.