Thurs 31st Oct: Some unexpected but not spooky events

Teddy chose newspaper as his bed poor boy

I thought it was going to be a regular weekday with not too much happening other than the intake of new dogs and puppies from AFCD, and they did arrive as planned but so did another dog, a stray teddy bear.   He was brought to us in time to join the others going to Acorn in the afternoon and it was no surprise to learn that he's got heartworm.  You can pretty much  guarantee that any dog living in the New Territories or Outlying Islands and not on heartworm prevention is going to be infected, and while it's not such a high risk in urban areas there are mosquitoes everywhere.  Teddy, as he is now called, didn't have a microchip so he was given the age of nine along with a chip and rabies vaccination.  He seemed tired and obviously confused, but the blood test didn't show any problems other than heartworm so after he's settled I hope he'll be fine.  If anyone can give this sweet boy a home or a temporary foster care please do let us know.

Twiggy and Dobby going home together! 

While I was at Acorn with the dogs, including poodle Penny, I got the news from Ap Lei Chau that Twiggy and puppy Dobby had been adopted together (yay!) while at the same time another older puppy was going home for a trial with ex-HKDR doglet Farley.  No names yet but I hope and expect to be able to write "adopted" very soon.

I mentioned Penny because her case is an unusual one, and sad too.  She was surrendered to AFCD by her owner who told the staff there that she had an incurable disease.  However she was lively and appeared to be well other than having fluid in the abdomen, and luckily Acorn were able to get her previous vet notes from another clinic. It was just as well because the two drugs she was on couldn't be stopped "cold turkey", so she was put her back on steroids and another immunosuppressant while changing her diet to a low fat one.  Gradually the steroids were reduced without any effect, and today's check with Dr Andy showed her blood results to be normal, meaning we can now take her off the other drug. However as happy and lively as Penny still is, a scan showed she does have an adrenal tumour, and the next step will be to see how she copes with not being on any drugs at all.  After two weeks we'll check again, with the best case scenario being that the tumour is encapsulated.   The reason I'm giving all of this information about Penny is because if you met her all you'd see was a happy and loving little poodle who showed no signs at all of being ill, and she should be in a home.  All she wants is love and cuddles, and whetever the long-term prospects are we all want Penny to enjoy being in a home environment and being treated like a princess.   If there's anyone who can offer this please come to meet Penny at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre and you'll see what I mean about her sweet personality.

This Saturday 2nd Nov 2pm to 5pm

In and out without even a name

Back to the new dogs and puppies, we had already received a lot of enquiries about the Yorkies in particular and one adopter was  waiting when I got back from Acorn with all of the dogs so we now have only one Yorkie available.

There's an adoption event this Saturday at Concordia where you can meet puppies and small adults but we'll keep the new three at the Homing Centre as we're expecting potential adopters to be coming to meet them.

Papillon cross Hannah

We're hoping the poodle Nancy will be adopted on Friday

This Yorkie girl Twiglet is 3 years old but shy

Weds 30th Oct: Individual characters

Bird watching time for the Upstairs Dogs 

These cooler days are perfect for the dogs, when walks are enjoyable rather than hot and sweaty, so why is it now that the Ap Lei Chau dog park is being renovated I wonder? I'm not even sure that any renovation is needed and it could be one of those money-spending requirements, but in any case the dogs are left with a very small space for the coming months.  Cactus took this great photo of the "Upstairs Dogs" as they stared through the barriers (at a pigeon apparently), but it would be nice if the Ap Lei Chau volunteers could fit in a few longer walks for the dogs while their runaround space isn't available.

Tommy may be a smaller size but he's got lots of energy

The new dogs and puppies from AFCD are arriving at Ap Lei Chau on Thursday but we still have a lot of smaller dogs from other recent intakes.  Not all are ready for adoption in terms of health issues, but they are still available to meet and we wouldn't say no if a suitable adopter wanted to take one home immediately.  Tommy's situation, for example, is a case of erlichia, the easily treatable tick fever, and he's currently on a course of antibiotics that should fix the problem.  He's an energetic little dog who loves his walks, and could certainly handle longer hikes without any trouble.

Tori has settled very quickly

Tori came at the same time as Tommy, and while initially she was very shy she's settled well and is also suitable for fostering even if not adoption.  She does need surgery so a foster situation would be very helpful, and as always it's Cindy who you would need to contact at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.  We always have young puppies in need of foster homes too, so please ask Cindy about puppies that are available.

Wesley may also need knee surgery so he'll need a foster home

We're always asked where our dogs come from and what their history is, and the answer is almost always we have no idea unless they're those that are surrendered to us directly.  In those cases we can ask why and if there are any health or behaviour issues, but for dogs coming from AFCD we're not given any information, or for those coming from other sources not connected to HKDR.

Adele, Laura and Plum are outgoing and sociable by nature

Carla and Barney (adopted) are naturally shy

The one thing that we can guarantee is that puppies who have been with us have had no history of abuse or mistreatment, and any individual behaviour traits such as being timid or having a fear of men have nothing to do with the past.  Even though it's unfashionable to acknowledge the difference between male and female these days it's something that exists in the animal world, and a man's size, voice and testosterone can be intimidating to a fearful dog.   With patience and training help most fears can be overcome, something I've seen many times over with my Lamma dogs.

Tues 29th Oct: They keep coming

After a very quiet period for dogs and puppies coming in from AFCD it's been non-stop recently, and no sooner had we sorted and settled one intake than another is on the way.  This time it's two female Yorkies, three and five years, and two more five year-olds, a poodle and a papillon (both girls).  I posted brief information on our HKDR Facebook page and there are already potential adopters interested so I hope the dogs' stay with us will be a brief one.  Of course they will all need to be checked by a vet first but they should be back at the Homing Centre by late Thursday afternoon. Inevitably there are more puppies on the way too.

Dougal when he first arrived

In the meantime a poodle that had come to us three weeks ago and tested positive for erlichia, a type of easy-to-treat tick fever, was back at Acorn for a check-up and second vaccination and he's now ready for his desexing surgery and a dental.  You can meet Dougal at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre any time, along with the other small dogs also waiting to meet their new families.

Twiggy has lovely droopy ears

After finishing at Acorn with Dougal, I shared the HKDR van going back to Ap Lei Chau with a couple of Tai Po dogs, one of which was quite small and seemed familiar.  I was reminded that Twiggy came with a group of other small dogs a while ago, and as we had no space for her at the time she was sent to the big Homing Centre.  She'd just been desexed so I asked Iris to take a look at her in the van and she remembered Twiggy, and agreed we could try her again at Ap Lei Chau.   Twiggy is a doglet so young and active despie her smallish size, and quite the character according to the Tai Po staff.   Moving to a foster home, if not a forever family, would be perfect for Twiggy now if anyone can help.  Please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com for information.

Also thanks to Cindy and the foster families we have up-to-date photos of the Seasons Litter who have been with us for a while now after arriving as very young and tiny babies.  It's taken a few weeks to build up their health and strength so they could start having their vaccinations, and they are now ready for adoption.  Again please contact Cindy if you're interested.

April, May, June, July and August are girls, while Spring and Winter are boys

Chihuahua-meets-bulldog Bongo

Thanks to long-term volunteer Harryn and her photography talents for providing more shots of the current Ap Lei Chau group, with a reminder that there are many more not shown here.

Not forgetting the happy Red Dogs with their trusted volunteers

Mon 28th Oct: P2F T-shirts now available

Bongo at Ap Lei Chau

There were new arrivals at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, five puppies and a chihuahua-cross boy now called Bongo.  It seems he wasn't licensed before ending up at AFCD so his age was estimated to be six years and that's now on his license.

Puppy 1

Puppy 2

Every puppy over the age of five months is supposed to be vaccinated against rabies at which point the license is issued, but many aren't.  I don't have any figures and doubt they exist given the number of illegal and accidental breeders there are throughout the territory, and especially in the Yuen Long area, so dog numbers in Hong Kong can only ever be a guess.  Almost all of the small dogs that come to us don't have a microchip or license, and that's just a tiny fraction of the overall situation.  Horrific breeders carry on their cruel business knowing that the chances of them being found out are very slim, and even if they are the resulting fines are laughable, less than the cost of one single puppy.  And that's assuming they are even prosecuted.
In fact the situation is so frustrating I've given up even trying to hope that anything will be done, and instead concentrate on saving as many dogs and puppies as we can.

Puppy 3

Of course the dogs and puppies that come from AFCD are all microchipped, even if they're not yet old enough to be given the rabies vaccination, and we also have all non-AFCD puppies microchipped, including the tiniest of young babies.  It's important that there is a way of identifying and tracking all puppies, even when they've grown and become adults as the microchip will stay in the dog for life.  Having a microchip has saved many dogs over the years who have been abandoned and have been found to be ex-HKDR.

Today's new babies have gone to foster homes and aren't yet ready for adoption, but we have plenty of others who are good to go.

I picked up my Pulse 2 Fun T-shirt from the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, and they are available for sale at both Homing Centres or online.

Sun 27th Oct: An amazing day

Ruthie has her forever home

We had an amazing day today starting with the adoption of Ruthie, who has found herself a wonderful home and family. Thank you adopters!

Guppy was adopted today

I was at Whiskers N Paws early, as I usually am, and there was quickly a crowd round the baby puppy enclosure which was outside on the terrace for a change.   One of the pups (fluffy boy Larry) was chosen while the remaining three are still available.  If you're interested in Plum, Adele or little Laura please complete the Adoption Questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire

Larry's gone for fostering (with a high chance that he will stay)

More puppies are arriving on Monday so if you can help by taking in any little ones please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.  You can see all the puppies in the album by Rodger So

Puppy Adoption Day 27 October 2019 who was back again to help out after Saturday's WeWork event.  Thank you Rodger! 

Snickers chose her adopters and stuck by them until they took her home

Continuing with the happy news, funny little mini mutt Snickers was adopted, as was Guppy, sister of Tuna who found her own home on Saturday.  Sweet Sugar was taken for a trial with the resident ex-HKDR dog, so hopefully that will work out and she'll be staying. 

Be brave Barney!

Puppy Barney was chosen last Sunday but had stayed with his foster parents until today when he was taken home.  Both Barney and his sister Carla are shy puppies, but they're already much more confident than they were thanks to the help of their temporary carer, and that should continue to improve over time.  Carla is a very pretty girl and she'll be back next Sunday if anyone wants to meet her. 

Carter also has his own home now

To round up a very happy afternoon one more dog was taken home after returning to the Homing Centre.  Carter is another Mini Mutt and quite possibly Snickers' brother, and it was quite fitting that Ruthie, Snickers and Carter were adopted on the same day as they arrived together too. 

Wesley at the WeWork event on Saturday

As I was leaving Whiskers N Paws I spotted a little dog I was convinced was our Wesley, and that he'd just been adopted from the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.  It wasn't him but it must have been a brother or sister as they were identical and equally gorgeous.  Wesley is obviously still available if you want to meet him.

I almost forgot to add two more little dogs to the adoptions list today because they've been in their foster home for some time.  Dilly and Razzle came to us with poodle Miffy as a very tight threesome, and while Miffy had to go to her own foster home, where she still is, the two terrier/dachshund girls stayed together.  Now they have had their forever status confirmed and will be staying together for life.

Dilly and Razzle at Acorn the day they arraived from AFCD

With October almost at an end it's just one month until this year's P2F, which due to current circumstances is now Pulse to Fun rather than Peak to Fong.  Ticket/T-shirts will be on sale from Monday at the two Homing Centres and the various distribution outlets so please hurry to get yours before they sell out.  It's going to be a great event which will include a walk along the Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay waterfront, and all the usual stalls and activities to enjoy.

Sat 26th Oct: And yet more puppies on the way

Just when I'd come up with names for the six new puppies that arrived on Friday from AFCD Shatin, I received an email from AFCD Sheung Shui about yet more young puppies plus what they described as a mongrel, although the dog looks very much like a chihuahua to me.  They will be picked up on Monday so we'll be overflowing with little ones and seriously in need of homes or fosters. As always please complete the Adoption Questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ if you're interested in any of our dogs or puppies, or email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help out with homes on a temporary basis.

I wasn't physically at the WeWork event in Central today although I was actively participating via remote control, that is, my phone. It's quite difficult to assess potential adopters this way and I tend to be over-cautious if anything, but I really want to be sure that adopters are serious about understanding the lifetime commitment when taking a dog or puppy home.  I hope that those who came along today with the intention of going home with a new family member will come back after they've had a talk and a think and still want to go ahead.  Here's the first set of photos of the WeWork afternoon by Rodger So  Puppy Adoption Day 26 October 2019 - Part One

Cracker's adoption completes this litter's story

Tuna's going home!

As it turned out two puppies didn't need to go back to her foster homes at the end of the afternoon and one was Tuna, leaving sister Guppy to attend Sunday's Whiskers N Paws afternoon on her own.  The other puppy was Cracker, the last of his litter to be adopted. I'll be at Whiskers N Paws in person of course, so I'll see you there if you're coming along.  It's also the Whiskers N Paws Halloween Party so I imagine the store will be quite busy inside, while we'll be out on the terrace.

Guppy looks nothing like her sister Tuna 

Sweet Google has her own family again

Back at our own Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre it was a going-home day for sweet poodle Google, who is now going to be called Maggie.  Google-Maggie isn't a young dog but I'm sure she'll have many years of healthy and active life ahead of her, just as the other small nine year-olds like Wesley and new poodle Dougal.  The mature dogs are perfect if you don't want to go through the training and chewing stages, and you're looking more for a companion who'll enjoy cuddles and watching TV with you.

Wesley is a very cute terrier type

Fri 25th Oct: New intake and other news

The two small dogs arrived at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre as arranged (thanks once again to Kaz of Freedom Rides) and went straight on to Acorn, along with six young puppies from AFCD Shatin.  There are five puppy girls and one boy and I need to come up with names by Saturday.

Tommy and Tori

As always the small adults weren't microchipped so ages had to be an estimate. The small female chihuahua cross was allocated eight years and the name of Tori while the male is now officially five and called Tommy.   They aren't really ready to go to the WeWork event on Saturday afternoon but they can be seen at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre any day.

We seem to be getting a lot of surrender requests and too many of our ex-HKDR dogs and puppies coming back.  I mentioned returnee Sadie the German shepherd, and in her case I actually asked that she be brought back to Tai Po rather than be sent to the Philippines,  which was the original plan.  There are some countries that are perfect for dogs and others that aren't, and while Hong Kong falls somewhere in between at least we can monitor dogs that are living here.

Honey was adopted as a baby pup and is now an unwanted adult

One of those dogs was adopted from HKDR as a puppy and her current situation was spotted on Facebook so we were alerted.   At first it sounded as though now-Roxy would be flying to the USA to join the family members already there, but suddenly that changed and it seems she will be coming back to us.

Both of Elle's back legs needed surgery

Another very sad situation is that of Elle, who was taken for fostering a long time ago when she needed leg surgery in the hope that she would move on to a permanent home once she had recovered.  Now the foster parent is leaving Hong Kong and despite efforts from both sides nobody has offered to take Elle in and she will have to be returned to our Tai Po Homing Centre.  Of course we're very sad, and after being so used to a real home environment and everything that includes, it will be a shock for Elle.  I know our staff and volunteers will do everything they can to help Elle settle back into Homing Centre life, but if anyone can make a last-minute offer of a home please let us know.

The surviving dogs from this nightmare case will be released for homing

Some other news which is both good but at the same time isn't going to be easy, the dogs that were being kept as evidence in the awful cruelty case will be put up for re-homing, initially through AFCD.   I have already offered to take in those that have been staying at the Pokfulam Animal Management Centre kennels, but there are many more spread around the other AFCD Centres and SPCA.  They are obviously in far better condition than when they first arrived, but they have been confined to their individual kennel spaces and the transition to the next stage of their lives may be difficult.   We may need to ask for your help when the time comes to move the dogs to our Tai Po Centre in terms of veterinary costs as we anticipate some hefty bills coming up.

Thurs 24th Oct: New arrivals and the weekend events

The two new dogs are on their way as I write

Gearing up for the coming weekend with the WeWork event on Saturday and Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, we're taking in two new small dogs on Friday as well as six new puppies.  They may or may not be ready for immediate adoption as that depends on their health and condition, but in any case we'll be needing foster homes for the puppies please.   Unlike the previous litter, these new pups appear to be regular size from the photos but we'll wait to see when they turn up. 

Please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can take in a couple of temporary puppy guests, or if you're interested in adopting.  The seven "Seasons Litter" pups are getting close to being ready to go to their forever homes, and although we don't know who the parents are we can say that they're going to be small sized as adults.

One of the tiny Seasons Litter (April, May, June, July, August, Spring and Winter)

Saturday's event will be as much about our smaller dogs as it is about puppies, and that will include Ruthie, Carter and Snickers among others.  The thing about both Carter and Snickers is that in photos they look like normal size mixed breeds but they're not, they're mini versions.  In fact I suspect that they may be siblings, not because they look like each other (they don't) but they're the same size and age and they're both incredibly affectionate.

Carter is a Mini Mutt

Little Snickers 

As for Ruthie, all I can say once again is that she's an amazing dog with a fantastic personality and bags of energy.  She was estimated to be five years old but that's young for a dog like this and she's aways eager to go for walks - and roll on her back for tummy rubs.

Ruthie is a fantastic little dog

Weds 23rd Oct: Please check your Spam folder!

It's incredibly frustrating and I have no idea why it happens, but so many emails seem to end up in the Spam inbox and potential adopters think we haven't replied to their enquiries.  If you've asked about anything or completed the adoption questionnaire and think I haven't responded, please check your Spam.

Fuzzy at Acorn recently

As expected the new beagle girl Lilo went off to a new home, and so did Fuzzy, at least for a trial. Fuzzy is a shy doglet, very sweet but reserved until she feels settled, so I hope she'll be OK in a new environment and away from the other puppies she plays with very happily.

2 of the 3 lucky labradors looking very comfortable

After several months in their foster home, the family of three chocolate labradors had their adoption confirmed today.   A double adoption is always great news but a triple is a very happy rarity, so we're especially thrilled for Toffee, Pecan and Polo.

Malinois-German shepherd cross Germaine

Also staying in her trial home, German shepherd-Malinois cross Germaine had her adoption confirmed today.   That's great news of course, but at the same time we received a new surrender request for a German shepherd as well as hearing that previously-adopted German shepherd Sadie will be coming back to us.

We have two new small dogs arriving on Friday morning, and they may or may not be able to join the WeWork event on Saturday, it depends on the results of their vet check.  In any case we have lots of lovely smaller dogs and puppies that will definitely be there, so that's not a problem.

Meet gorgeous Ruthie at WeWork on Saturday