Tues 16th July: Always new dogs coming in

Dakota gets the obligatory inspection

It's like a never-ending story, the dogs coming in and hopefully only staying for a short time before leaving again, only to make space for the next intake.  That's why we don't hold dogs if people want to adopt but aren't able to take their chosen puppy or adult immediately, because we can't afford to block space that might well be needed for others.  Today we had an unepected new guest, a dog who was found wandering on the Peak with a note attached to her collar saying her name was Dakota.  She had no microchip so we can't trace any ex-owner, but maybe someone will know this girl by looks or name?  You can see how she was greeted when she arrived at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and also the huge number of puppies we already have that are in need of homes.

Every time I go to AFCD there is almost always a new intake of dogs and puppies, either brought in by the dog catchers or surrendered by their owners.  Bearing in mind that the Pokfulam Animal Management Centre is only one of four AFCD kennels, and probably the least active in terms of the number of animals, you can see the problem.  There is rarely a time when there aren't dogs and puppies waiting to be rescued, and today I took a family of three little dogs and a "wildling" puppy (thanks to someone else for thinking up that very suitable name), one of those who may or may not turn out to be fine once feeling safe.  I took this little guy because he's so skinny and I hope it's only because he needs feeding up, but that's something for the future.

A gorgeous family of three girls

The three small dogs are a tight family of poodle mother and two terrier/dachshund (maybe poodle, who knows) daughters, real or adopted.  Whether or not they're blood relatives they're very close, and I wouldn't want to separate the two younger ones at least.  They're all so lovely and desperate for cuddles, and they squeezed together on my lap when I went into their kennel and sat on the floor so they could see I wasn't scary.   One of the younger ones will need patella surgery and Dr Tony will be doing that on Thursday before he goes on holiday, so we are urgently in need of a foster home for both of them.   Please let Cindy know if you can offer space for these two (even better three) gorgeous girls by emailing foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

When I had the younger dogs licensed I called them dachshund crosses, but for those who like that breed we'll be taking in a real one very soon, a poor boy who has been living in a cage on a balcony.  I wonder how many dogs endure this kind of miserable existence, stuck on balconies or rooftops and left on their own day and night.  It doesn't bear thinking about, and according to the current laws it's not illegal or considered to be cruelty.  Things have to change but in Hong Kong the process is so slow, and even then laws are pointless if there's no enforcement.

Talking about something completely different, we're only two months away from the first of this year's big fundraising events as "Bohemian Pupsody" is taking place on Saturday 21st September.  Tickets are already available and we have an amazing evening planned so I hope you can make it.  Dress is Black Tie or "Freddie Mercury", whatever you want.