Thurs 31st Dec: Lucky 44 again, and 457 making a Happy News Year

 Forty four seems to be a regular - and for the dogs a lucky number - meaning those who have found their forever homes during the month, and December's total brings the year's tally to four hundred and fifty seven adoptions, yay!

We had some last minute adoptions at Ap Lai Chau with puppies Tuffin and Marlon heading off to celebrate the New Year with their families, and even after the cut-off time there were two further foster-to-adopted confirmations.  

They will be added to the January 2021 figure, as will the other adoptions we know are going to be happening on Friday.   Here's a video round-up of some of the happy dogs for 2020, with apologies to those not included: https://youtu.be/VNlEQ9ILcfA

Tai Po Homing Centre:

Zack (Multibreed)

Bono (Multibreed)

Kona (Akita)

Freddie (Husky)

Ozzie (Multibreed)

Ciara (Multibreed)

Cypress (Multibreed)

Mona (German Shepherd)

Posy (Multibreed)

Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre:

Tutu (Pomeranian puppy)

Poppy (Multibreed puppy)

Kiki (Multibreed puppy)

Lindy (Multibreed puppy)

Luke (Multibreed puppy)

Sindy (Multibreed puppy)

Lincoln (Multibreed)

Impi (Multibreed puppy)

India (Multibreed puppy)

Lucy (Multibreed puppy)

Lester (Multibreed puppy)

Serena (Multibreed puppy)

Eski (Multibreed puppy)

Icy (Multibreed puppy)

Matty (Multibreed)

Freya (Multibreed puppy)

Snowy (Multibreed puppy)

Paddy (Poodle)

Polar (Multibreed puppy)

Indigo (Multibreed puppy)

Pingu (Multibreed puppy)

Marina (Multibreed puppy)

Jada (Multibreed puppy)

Lotto (Multibreed puppy)

Marla & Maggie (Multibreed puppy)

Marlon (Multibreed puppy)

Tuffin (Multibreed puppy)

Whiskers N Paws:

Fern (Multibreed puppy)

Tara (Multibreed puppy)

Foster Home:

Maggie (Maltese cross)

Adrian (Multibreed puppy)

Rocco (Multibreed puppy)

Linus (Multibreed puppy)

Celia (Multibreed)

It wouldn't be a normal HKDR day if there weren't new arrivals to take the place of those leaving, and today's three came from the same soon-to-be-closing warehouse where the dogs were kept outside and slept amongst the piles of junk in the yard.  In fact they're so used to having only the hard ground to sleep on that after they arrived at Tai Po and were given soft beds and warm blankets, they didn't know that they could use them and lay on the bare floor instead.  I hope that during the very cold night they crept onto the softer option. 

Happy New Year to everyone!

Weds 30th Dec: A worthwhile effort, thank you!

 Just in time for the very cold weather we had forty six dogs leaving the Tai Po Homing Centre for foster care, which is an incredible number and the result of a huge amount of work by volunteer Foster Coordinator Cindy working with the Tai Po team. Thank you to everyone who offered to help, and as I sit huddled in front of the heater in my very cold house this morning it's good to know that all of the dogs now in temporary homes are probably warmer than I am!

We also decided to send the older puppies and some dogs from our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre to foster homes, as well as the six new puppy arrivals, all of whom were picked up by day's end.  

There was so much interest in the two sweet assumed-sisters Maggie and Marla, but no immediate decisions about adopting until today when the two girls went home together.

Puppy Lotto was also taken home in time for the New Year, closing the file on that particular litter. 

Also arriving at Ap Lei Chau was the long-awaited chow chow, and he's one of the lucky ones who won't be remotely bothered by the cold and will actually enjoy it. He's a big boy, and strong too, but he's friendly and available for adoption after he goes to AFCD on Thursday for license update. 

While Kathy's adding up all of the adoptions for December, and the total for 2020, we can at least know that if nothing else good happened during the year there are hundreds of dogs now in their forever homes, and that's worth celebrating. 

Tues 29th Dec: Last of the sun

 I don't know why but the day's activity seemed to build momentum so by early evening everything started to happen all at once.  While "Frostie Fosters" were collecting their temporary cold-weather dogs from the Tai Po Homing Centre,  we had a crowd of potential adopters at Ap Lei Chau until the very last minute, and I was trying my best to help from Lamma.  Although we open from 10am to 6pm, we do suggest that anyone interested in adopting gives themselves time to spend with the dogs and puppies, and to be able to ask the Homing Centre staff questions.  In the end nobody was adopted but Lotto was offered a home by follow-up email later on. 

At the same time that Iris was trying to help the visitors, we also had two older puppies at the newly-opened Ap Lei Chau Vet Clinic (ALCVC) who needed to be collected before closing time. Cider was having a tick fever test to see that he was clear of any antibodies that would prevent him being imported to Australia at a later date, and little Marlon was having his hips X-rayed in case he needed surgery for hip dysplasia.  The way he walks seem to indicate that he has a problem and we wanted to get that sorted out. 

In case you live in the area or even within easy reach of Ap Lei Chau and were wondering about the clinic, it's not fully operational yet in terms of surgery and hospitalisation, but the vet is Dr Denise Ying, who treats the animals holistically and in as natural a way as possible with emphasis on diet.  If you're one of the many people whose dog suffers from skin problems then you might want to consider alternatives to drugs and commercial prescription food and look at treating the condition more naturally.  Actually the same applies to many chronic conditions that benefit from supportive natural treatment.  If you're interested in knowing more Tel 25487100 .

Mon 28th Dec: More lucky dogs

 First of all thank you so much to those who have opened their homes to the more vulnerable Tai Po dogs, those who are older or have the sort of thin coats which don't help much in cold weather.  I know my Lamma sharpei-cross residents, who also happen to be seniors, are already shivering by bedtime when they come inside, and that's before the really cold weather due to arrive very soon.  If you can help with  fostering for the duration of the cold snap, and hopefully even a bit longer, please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com. 

Thanks also to everyone who has donated warm bedding for the dogs who'll be staying behind at the Homing Centre, and you can see little Marla discovered the blanket mountain and made good use of it.  Hopefully she won't be needing the extra bedding as she should really be in a home before too long, being so sweet as well as small in size.  Her assumed sister Maggie is a little bit bigger but also very much medium in size, and both are staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre. 

I don't know why the German shepherds we have had for really quite some time at Tai Po have been unsuccessful in finding suitable homes.  Of course we have had offers but Sadie (left) is very large and strong, and definitely not suitable for smaller apartments or city life.  Victor unfortunately needed to have surgery to remove a lump on his throat which lessens his chances of being adopted, so that leaves Mona, a smaller German shepherd with a sweet nature.  She came to us with heartworm which needed to be treated, but finally her big day came and today she left the Homing Centre to start her new life.  

There have been so many messages going back and forth between all of us regarding potential foster homes or adoptions, that it's been quite hard to keep up and sort out who's going where.  Thanks as always to our volunteer Foster Coordinator Cindy, who has been amazing in helping with enquiries, even over the holiday period.   

One adoption that took place without anyone else knowing about it was that of Bailey, a puppy-turned-young adult who has been in foster since he was a baby with a stubborn case of tick fever.  We never forgot about him but his options were restricted given his health, and the fact that dogs with a history of tick fever can't travel to countries like Australia or New Zealand.  Bailey has finally found a forever home, and I'm sure the fosters are going to miss him after so long, but we're so grateful that they never complained and stuck with him, knowing that eventually his time would come.  Bailey will also go through a period of confusion, but with the support of our trainer Cactus I hope he'll settle soon.  Every dog needs time to get used to a new home, family and environment, with some taking longer than others. Give your new dog space and don't try to force it into doing things before its ready, and everything will work out in the end. 

Sun 27th Dec: A deceptively warm Sunday

 It was hard to imagine that cold weather is on its way judging by the beautiful warm sunshine and bright blue skies today, but you know how things can quickly change so please don't think that we no longer need "Frostie Fosters" for the older or thin-coated Tai Po dogs. Thanks to everyone who has already offered to give a dog a warm temporary home for the duration of the cold spell, and for those still contemplating please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com for details. 

We've had some lucky dogs leaving Tai Po for longer than just the cold weather, and hopefully forever assuming things work out.  As always I don't want to give names just in case, but of course I want to be optimistic. 

Not all adoptions work out, and sometimes it's not anyone's fault it's just the wrong environment or situation for that particular dog.  I just heard that Eagle (left) will be coming back, and we know that he was very happy in his previous home and was only returned due to the adopter's allergies, but for some reason he's anxious in his new home.  If a dog isn't happy then neither are we, so taking him or her back is the obvious thing to do and the best all round. We'd talked about sending Eagle to Tai Po just before he was adopted for the second time, and that's what we'll probably do now. 

We had a lot of visitors to both Homing Centres today, but surprisingly only one adoption at Ap Lei Chau and that was a foster puppy-turned-forever-dog.  Linus had been taken with his sister when they were very young and after some back-and-forth he was also adopted today.  Brother Lotto (right) is the last of that particular litter still available. 

The last week of the year 2020 starts today, and it would be great to end with a bang (of adoptions).  Please complete the questionnaire as a first step if you would like to be one of those giving a dog or puppy a home for life: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Sat 26th Dec: It's been a busy month

 Just a reminder that the weather is forecast to turn very cold this week, and we'd really appreciate it if as many short-coated and senior Tai Po dogs could be offered temporary accommodation for the duration of the cold spell.  If you have already adopted from HKDR or previously fostered please contact May directly at may@hongkongdogrescue.com, or even just come to our Tai Po Homing Centre to pick up a dog.  If you're new to HKDR please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com to complete the foster application, and thank you in advance.

The two puppies Jada and Marina who were recently returned to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre from their foster home had a lucky day as they were adopted as a pair today. Looking at the list on the blackboard of dogs homed this month (from Ap Lei Chau) it's been a busy December and we only have a few smaller dogs and a handful of puppies staying with us at the moment.  Of course there are always the up-and-coming babies in foster care who will return to us once they're old enough, but my fears of being completely swamped turned out to be unfounded.

Rubble is one of the smaller dogs, and he's a great character who should really be in a home.  He's nine years old but still full of life and energy, and he loves his walks and even long hikes. Maybe the pronounced underbite puts potential adopters off, and funnily one of our other small dogs, Tingle, has the same special jaw.  Some find it cute and different, so I'm sure both of these boys will be chosen before too long.  Here's a video of Rubble out walking:  https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES/videos/215271606849403

Also still waiting is our sweet and lovely older puppy Ned.  His medical problem, megoesophagus, means he has to eat sitting upright in his special Bailey Chair, and that will be passed to his adopter when the time comes.  Other than at mealtimes Ned is a perfectly normal boy who deserves to have a home of his own. 

Another reminder that Operation Santa Paws is running until the end of the year, collections donations to be divided between several animal charities.  Please check the Whiskers N Paws website www.wnp.com.hk for details of drop-off points, which of course include the store itself. 

We have three puppies staying there for you to meet and play with while you're visiting, and they're currently Felix (shown in the photo) Doddy and Percy. 

Fri 25th Dec: Christmas photo gallery

 As promised we were open today as usual and there were even two adoptions, one from each Homing Centre.  As a reminder, if you're able to foster any of our Tai Po dogs for the duration of the cold weather due to arrive on Wednesday, especially those seniors with short coats, please contact May directly at may@hongkongdogrescue.com, or for first-time fosters please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.  Thank you. 

At Ap Lei Chau little Pingu left with his new family, while at Tai Po it was Cypress who got the best present possible. 

I asked Eagle to take photos of the young puppies still waiting at Ap Lei Chau, especially as the two returnee sisters haven't had their photos shown before.  Here's Jada and Marina:

Also Freddie (brother Doddy has moved to Whiskers N Paws), Lotto,

Mandy,

Minty

and little Tuffin.

Come any day to meet them.  And merry Christmas to all!

Thurs 24th Dec: Christmas Eve update

 Merry Christmas everyone!  There's nothing like a dose of puppies to lift the spirits, and I had a great time playing with them at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today.  There's definitely a group of gang leaders when it comes to the games, and they all want to sit on top of you if you happen to be on the floor like I was.  

Mandy is tireless and I love her to bits, but her coat/skin is looking so threadbare that she's not attracting attention, although we need her to go to a home where there's another dog as she really loves company.  I took this photo and greeting from Iris as it shows Mandy's shabby head very well.  She's been treated and the condition isn't infectious, so she can still mix and play with others. 

Indigo is another puppy who  is bold and sassy, and the family who adopted her today love that side of her.  They were torn for a while between Indigo and the two new arrivals just returned from their foster home, Jada and Marina.  At first these sisters were so scared they were literally screaming with fear, but it didn't take long for them to want to see what was going on and to venture out to join the party.  However Indigo was the first choice and she'll be going home after Christmas. 

Lotto was also joining in the games and he seems to be smaller-sized, at least in relation to most puppies of that age.  I'm pretty sure he won't be a large adult. 

What really surprised me was to see little Tuffin joining in and playing so boldly, as he really is a small puppy and will be a small-sized adult.  Pingu is also a small size, but he was sleeping under a bed with Minty.  Here's the video as a reminder of Tuffin and Pingu playing, along with Polar already adopted: https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES/videos/211990840510813

I have to mention one of the older puppies as he is such an amazing boy in terms of character.  Cider only has one eye so he has been overlooked for adoption, but he's such a friendly and loving doglet, and desperate to be part of a family.  I really hope that one of the many potential adopters who visit and are greeted by Cider will realise that one eye is plenty when it comes to the love and loyalty of a dog. 

The last two of the puppies that came with their mother, Sarah, were taken for fostering today meaning we can get Sarah integrated with the other dogs and desexed. 

I had some wonderful news today which made me very happy.  Several years ago there were two puppies that lived with me on Lamma before they were adopted.  Bea and Sophie were best friends and I was thrilled that they could stay together in their new home, until one day I got a message telling me that the adopter was leaving Hong Kong and wanted to give the dogs back. I was incredibly upset, not only because the dogs were losing their home but also because of the callous attitude of the man who became very nasty when I asked why he wasn't taking his dogs with him.  He then cut off all contact and I had no idea what had happened to Bea and Sophie, until a couple of weeks ago when I was asked for some help with getting them to the UK in terms of paperwork.  Today I received this photo of the two girls who are now in London, safe and happy, and I'm so pleased that I can finally put them out of my mind. 

Weds 23rd Dec: Frostie fosters needed please!

 I still haven't got round to taking a Christmas photo with one of my dogs, wondering who would make the best model and thinking probably Rag.   There isn't much time left so that's a job for Thursday, Christmas Eve. 

The new arrival at Tai Po, a very lovely rottweiler girl, would be ideal as she's stunning as well as having a gentle nature.  As always I hope her stay with us will be short and sweet.  Anyone interested please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

After checking the weather forecast today and seeing that temperatures are due to drop dramatically next week, we'll be asking for "Frostie Fosters", as I'm sure there'll be overnight frost out in the New Territories and maybe even Tai Po.  Our older dogs with short coats are the ones we're most concerned about, so if you can take one home fur the duration of the very cold weather (or longer of course) please do contact us.  If you have previously fostered then you can contact me or the Tai Po team directly, and if you're a new foster please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com to complete the foster form. 

The dogs and puppies at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre should be fine where they are as they're indoors and have each other to snuggle up with.  One of the puppies won't be needing a foster home anyway as Polar left with his new parents today.  

If you are planning on adopting but know your home is going to be too chaotic over Christmas to be fair to a new puppy you can still come to choose one, complete the adoption paperwork, and take home when it's quiet again. We have many puppies to choose from and others returning from their foster homes over the coming days. 

Tues 22nd Dec: Adopt Felix please!

 I didn't forget my phone when I left home today but I did leave my glasses behind and didn't dare send any emails in case the result was unreadable, or translated into something completely different thanks to autocorrect.  There are so many messages and emails to reply to on a daily basis that not being able to do so for a whole afternoon means having to play catch up later on or I would be totally swamped. 

We have a new dog coming in on Wednesday, a victim of a closing warehouse.  This is a rottweiler boy, apparently very friendly with people and other dogs, so I hope he'll settle quickly or even better find a new home.  

You probably know that huge areas of the New Territories are being cleared for development and many dogs are finding themselves without a home when their owners are relocated to Public Housing.   Of course it's a disgrace that familes aren't allowed to take their dogs with them, but that's the Hong Kong government's failing. 

We're asked every day to accept new adult dogs, mostly mixed breeds and larger in size, and it's incredibly sad for the dogs who are always the innocent victims.   It's a struggle to take care of the hundreds we already have at our Tai Po Homing Centre, and I don't even mean just financially but in terms of the logistics of feeding, medicating, cleaning and walking so many, and at a time when fewer volunteers are coming and we're not able to recruit new help thanks to the social distancing regulations.  These days the staff and volunteers are also extra busy with putting warm coats on the dogs that need them, and adding snuggly bedding to the outside enclosures.  

Ten years ago when we first took over the Tai Po Homing Centre site I was able to run up and down the steps quite easily, but I have to admit I'd find it more challenging now, and I'm amazed and thankful that we have strong and fit staff and volunteers who can even carry heavy items and bags of food up the steep hill.  If you haven't been to Tai Po you won't appreciate what I mean, but trust me it's tough work. 

Please do consider adopting one of our Tai Po dogs if you have room for a(nother) four-legged friend in your home.  Many of our seniors have been with us since they were baby puppies, perhaps born at the wrong time of the year so they missed the peak adoption season, or like several of my Lamma dogs they had kennel cough as puppies so couldn't go to the Sunday puppy adoption afternoons.  These dogs aren't bad or broken, they've just been unlucky.   Please ask about dogs like Felix whose sisters Alison and Jersey were adopted from Tai Po as seniors leaving their brother as the only one of the litter still waiting.  We'll be happy to throw in a Happy Woof bag for free if you give Felix that retirement home he's been waiting for for so long!  

Complete the adoption questionnaire for all enquiries:  www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Mon 21st Dec: Yes we're open every day over Christmas

 

Before I forget to mention, little Monty came back to us after his short trial didn't work out when the resident dog wasn't happy.  That's OK, Monty is small, cute and young so he'll get a forever home soon. It would be perfect if he could stay with his mother Muffy (left) but that's not always possible. 

Take a look at the lovely video Eagle took of the smallest and youngest pups playing with poor "Mr Ikea" 

https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES, 

and this video of the sweetest-ever doglets Marla and Maggie: 

https://www.facebook.com/HappyWoofHK/videos/840153296776586

I said I'd be sharing some happy news from Tai Po and to start with here's Ciara going home.  I fully expect others will be following shortly.

To answer the question that so many are currently asking, yes we will be open over Christmas, New Year and every other day with no exceptions.  Even if there are no adopters the dogs still have to be fed, watered and exercised, and the enclosures cleaned.  This is what I mean when I talk about the commitment of having a dog, as there are no days off, just the same as with human children. 

Sun 20th Dec: Counting down to Christmas

 You probably know by now that I'm not a Christmassy-type person, and this year has been worse than any other in terms of it having crept up without me even noticing.  I suspect I'm not alone in feeling this way, but still almost Christmas it is, and I'm sure all children are getting excited about the big day and what presents they'll be getting.  As with every year, please don't make a puppy one of those gifts, because a puppy is something for the whole family that will last for many years to come.  Children grow up, their interests change, and they may even leave home to go to college while the dog is still there and totally reliant on their humans for everything.  Even if you're single or married without children, everything can change so quickly and the dog will still be there.  Please THINK long-term when adopting and don't become one of those who end up sending the "it is with a heavy heart" message we dread opening.  If your heart is heavy, imagine how the soon-to-be-abandoned dog feels. 

Paddy the poodle was abandoned by his family when he was nine years old, and as he had never been taken to a vet nobody knew he had a bad heart. Still, Paddy had the best day of his life today as he was adopted by a family who will love and care for him, unlike his previous owners. 

We don't know Monty's background, only that he came to us last week with his mother.  He was also given his second chance today, and while it couldn't be a confirmed adoption because there's a resident dog (peke) that has to approve, so far it's going well. 

I've had so many enquiries about the new corgi Patrick, but he's still under assessment and is certainly not ready for a home with children, if he will ever be.  Volunteers got him to the dog park successfully, but he wasn't entirely happy having other dogs around.  Clearly Patrick has never been socialised and never enjoyed the happiness of playing with other dogs. 

For me the best adoption news is seeing dogs chosen from our big Tai Po Homing Centre, and there are a couple of lucky candidates that will be leaving in the next day or so.  Photos and names to follow, but in the meantime thank you for the donations of warm bedding and coats to keep the dogs cosy, especially at night when it gets really chilly up in the enclosures.  You can see Wally is really loving his blanket! (and those aren't prison bars, it's the end of the bed). 

Sat 19th Dec: Finally the dam burst

 The dam burst today, and by that I mean those adopters who have been visiting and thinking and trying to decide on which puppy to adopt made their decisions.  It was helped by the arrival of the five small puppies yesterday, and three have already been adopted, Eski, Snowy and Icy (I think you'll see the theme here).  

Older puppy Freya was also chosen (yay!) as was little Serena, new boy Matty, and Fern, who was spotted at Whiskers N Paws.  

I'm pretty sure that the remaining two new puppies will be adopted on Sunday, or at least in the coming few days, but we still have lots of other gorgeous youngsters available. Check out Eagle's photos of puppies and today's lucky hiking dogs: https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES

Just as the day was coming to an end and I thought that was it until tomorrow, I received a message from Catherine's Puppies that two more babies were on their way.  I started frantically messaging everyone I could think of so we could get the pups to Ap Lei Chau, and in the end it was Eva who responded by sending a taxi to pick them up, even though it was Eva's day off. The puppies got to the Homing Centre just as the staff were closing for the night, so they joined the last pair from the previous five.

I'm getting so many emails asking about volunteering because the website (www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer) says we're not accepting any new applications until social distancing rules are relaxed (or words to that effect).  There's nothing more I can say to those who email directly other than to repeat that we can't accept new volunteers, all of whom have to attend orientation sessions, while the rules restrict group gatherings.  Please check the website for updates when the government relaxes the rules, because we do need and want volunteers. 

The same applies to the under-18's who ask if we can make an exception to the age requirement, because if an exception is made for one then it has to be made for everyone.  I know that many younger teenagers are very keen and would make great volunteers, but lessons learned from the past when we allowed under-18s to walk the dogs mean that we have to stick to the minimum age requirement.