Fri 31st July: A welcome break in the weather

I wanted some rain to refill the watering holes that the dogs use on our morning walks,  but I wasn't asking for a typhoon!  Still, I expect there's a lot of wildlife, stray dogs included, happy for a break in the weather and fresh water to drink, and as long as it doesn't pose any threat it's fine.  The Homing Centres will still be open of course, as they always are. 

Fire is now Floyd, and happily out of the Homing Centre

I was very happy to know that the old husky, now called Floyd instead of Fire, was picked up for fostering so he's now living inside, out of the heat and the rain.  His dog family, the ones that were supposed be coming on Thursday, are now due to arrive on Saturday, at least three of them: Toffee, Sai Lup and Yuen Yuen.

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Also finally in a trial home, which will hopefully become an adoption if she settles, is Lucy, the dog many people asked about because she looks quite small in her photos.  In fact she's quite large, and that's the reason it took so long for her to find a potential home.

Lucy looks like a schnauzer but she's a large dog

Terrier/husky cross

Thurs 30th July: Friday is the last day for Cube Calendar inclusion

Friday 31st July is the last day for submissions for the 2021 Cube Calendar

Can you believe it's almost August?  The year so far has been such a strange period that it almost doesn't seem real, but unfortunately it's not a dream and everyone has had to face the challenges thrown at us. As bad as it seems it's always helpful to remember that there are others suffering far worse hardship, and at HKDR at least we've kept going and stayed open every day, not least because the dogs can't take care of themselves.

I'm incredibly grateful to have my island hideaway with the dogs where I can pretend everything is perfectly normal, although I still have the dogs to take care of and that has recently included accidents and injuries (including myself), sickness and two deaths (Murphy and Mercy).  Many of my dogs are getting old now so there are inevitably those reaching the end of their lives, and considering two are now seventeen it's always a surprise to find them eager to start the day when I come downstairs in the morning.

A no-show today

We were expecting the four terrier-husky dogs to be surrendered to us today and even had adopters and foster homes waiting, but at the very last minute we were told the dogs wouldn't be coming.  Had that meant they would be staying in their home and being properly cared for it would have been different, but I was asked to help re-home the dogs because that isn't the case.  I hate having to break up a dog family but when the alternative is even worse then it can't be helped.  Now the dogs might be coming on Saturday instead, but I need absolute confirmation and won't believe it anyway until it happens.

It's incredibly frustrating to be asked - begged - for help, doing my utmost to find a solution, and then at the last minute being told it's OK, the dog has been given to someone else.  It happened with the chocolate labrador, and an old pug whose family had emailed over and over again about.  To make it easy for everyone, and especially the dogs, we try to arrange for them to go straight into a new home, but even if I confirm several times that the dog is really going to be coming it makes no difference.   I hate having to be cynical, but it's hard to believe what people say and promise when it ends up being time wasted.

We had a few potential adopters coming to meet the dogs today so I hope there will be some happy news to share over the coming weekend, as well as the adoption total for July.  Please do remember to complete the adoption questionnaire as a first step if you're interested in meeting our dogs and puppies: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Weds 29th July: Just say no to drugs

Although I'm not a qualified dog trainer I've lived with multiple (and I mean a lot) of dogs for the past twenty years and have learned about dog behaviour through experience.  Many of the dogs that ended up staying with me, or came to me because there was nowhere else for them to go, were those who were either very timid or had issues making them unsuitable for adoption.  In every case even the worst-affected of these dogs eventually settled and dropped their anxiety-based behaviour, and when I look at Jones now, for example, he's a completely different dog from the originally completely neurotic animal that first arrived.

He was called Bones then because of his skeletal frame, and although he'd had a long tail initially he had self-mutilated it so badly that it had to be surgically removed.  He stayed at both the Ap Lei Chau and Tai Po Homing Centres but didn't do well in either, so as a last resort he came to me.   It wasn't easy to start with because Bones was so psychologically damaged from whatever had happened to him as a puppy (obvious starvation being just one), and he would bite and fight with other dogs.   Bit by bit though, as he found that nobody was going to hurt or punish him, and that there was plenty of food so no need to fight for it, Bones put on weight and became Jones, and he also stopped all of his aggession and is now an extremely loving, easy and affectionate dog.  At no time during the rehabilitation did I ever consider using medication to sedate him, and it's not ever something I would consider.

This shiba is actually very easy

I mentioned a shiba inu that was surrendered last Friday, and although he had been prescribed the dog anti-depressant Clomicalm while in his previous home, I have found him to be a very easy dog, especially for the breed.   In fact he has no behaviour issues at all and would be suitable for adoption to the right home.

Beanie needs rehabilitation without drugs 

The bichon frise who was surrendered to us today had also been put on Clomicalm. It think it was apparent to all of us why now-Beanie has anxious behaviour, the only question being how long it will take for him to drop his fear-biting and realise that it's no longer needed.  Sadly he is already an adult and his behaviour may be too ingrained so we're not expecting an instant fix, but I can guarantee he won't be drugged to achieve any changes.

A dog's behaviour is determined by several things including genetic make-up, but one thing more than anything else will make or break a dog and turn it into a troubled adult and that's how it's treated as a puppy.  You cannot leave a puppy on its own for long hours, expecially in a cage, and expect it to develop normally.  You can't keep a puppy isolated from other dogs and puppies, denying it the opportunity to play and socialise, and expect it to be a happy adult.  You can't punish a puppy for being a baby and not understanding human rules without creating a scared adult.  If you don't have the time to properly care for a puppy, please don't even think about having one.

Tues 28th July: Looking for a place for old husky Fire

I'm not sure if we'll change his name but for now he's Fire

The old husky was surrendered to Tai Po today and we really need a foster home for him if anyone can help?  It's really so sad when dogs like these suddenly find themselves with no home or family after so many years, especially when they lose both their humans and their dog friends.  Please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you have space and time (which many do now) to take in this lovely old boy.

We also have so many really lovely dogs waiting at Tai Po to find their forever families, and now is the perfect time to bring one home.  We're open every single day, we just ask that all potential adopters complete the adoption questionnaire before coming to visit: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

We're sorry but for the time being no casual visits are allowed for obvious reason.

Ava is back at the Homing Centre

The pom Ava came back from hospital after her just-in-time surgery to take out her infected uterus, and while she's still looking a bit scruffy the other two new poodles, Mia and Sophie, had a beauty session and look a million times better.  I'm sure it makes a difference to the way they feel too.

Mia nice and clean 

I'm getting a lot of enquiries about volunteering and really don't know how to reply as all volunteer recruitment is handled by other volunteers.  Everyone has to undergo a short orientation, whether at Tai Po or Ap Lei Chau, and with registered volunteers already being busy taking care of the dogs there's little time to spare to train up newcomers.  All I can ask is that anyone wanting to volunteer keep checking the website for updated information at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/

Sophie is so cute after grooming

The deadline for submissions for the 2021 Cube Calendar is this Friday, so please hurry if you want your adopted dog to be included.   If you don't have an adopted dog but would still like to support, that's also possible by sponsoring one of our many dogs-in-waiting:

Don't have an adopted dog but still want to contribute? No problem. You can choose to sponsor one or more of our available HKDR dogs who are still waiting for a home for $380 each.

截止報名日期: 2020年7月31日🐾
立即報名: https://hongkongdogrescue.com/2021-cube-calendar/

Deadline for submission: 31 July, 2020🐾
Sign up now: https://hongkongdogrescue.com/2021-cube-calendar/

Mon 27th July: Rescued just in time

The three new dogs were picked up from AFCD Sheung Shui in the morning and taken straight to Concordia Pet Care for a check-up and vaccination, and for Ava, the six year-old pom, it was just in time as she was found to have pyometra.  This is a life-threatening condition which would almost inevitably result in death if not treated, and that means surgically removing the infected uterus.  Thank goodness we got her out in time, and especially as she had already had to wait until after the weekend.

Mia 

The other two dogs, both small-sized poodles, are healthy enough given their seven years, and they're now at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.  They will still need to have their teeth sorted out and one of them, Mia, seems to have some mange, but these are all things which can easily be dealt with.

Sophie

Again as a reminder we don't post photos and details of our puppies on the website because they grow and change too quickly, but you can always visit Eagle's Facebook page to see many photos and videos, like this one showing Lotto and Goose https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES/videos/281667639830872/

Our in-house trainer Cactus also shares many videos on her public Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cactusndogs/


We continue to remain open at both of our Homing Centres every day as usual as the dogs need looking after and to be available for adoption.  However we are asking that only those who have already completed the adoption questionnaire and received an invitation to visit come to meet the dogs.  The questionnaire is at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

We are also really in need of already-registered volunteers at our big Tai Po Homing Centre where there are literally hundreds of dogs needing to be fed, watered and walked, as well as all of the other things that have to be done every day.  If you are a volunteer and currently have time to help out, PLEASE do come.

Sun 26th July: Rearranging space at Ap Lei Chau

I love this adoption update so much:

Buckie was Kayak as a puppy

Thank you @HKDR_official for the perfect boy 😇 Never did I know that 唐狗 is so special, until I met my boy. The most affectionate, loyal and silly dog! Ashamed to say that I used to care so much about the breed and looks of a dog..(I only had huskies before 😅)
There are so many dogs waiting to be adopted! Take them home instead of buying from a pet shop. I promise you it’s sooo worth it!

We have so many potential adopters asking about this breed and that, but honestly I can tell you the mixed breeds are simply gold. When I look at some of my Lamma dogs who have been with me since they were puppies purely due to bad luck and timing, I can't help but think that some family missed out on having the most amazing companions.  I feel lucky in a way that I'm the one who ended up with them because they bring me so much love and happiness, but that's not how it's supposed to be.  These dogs should have been adopted a long time ago, but that's history now.  I just don't want the same for other beautiful, soft, smart and loving individals.

Lucky little Wellie

Little Wellie won't be one of those left behind because he was adopted today, the first of his family of three who came to us recently.  Another group of three sister puppies also came to us and will go straight to foster care until old enough to be separated, that is unless someone wants to adopt a pair.

These lucky girls are going to a foster home together

We did some rearranging at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre in anticipation of a group of new small dogs arriving, although in the end they didn't turn up.  Still it was probably time to make some changes to the front area of the Centre where some shy puppies had grown into doglets, and timid doglets are now young adults.  Three of the latter have now moved upstairs, along with the dog house they all like to squeeze into together, while sisters Cora and Oddie, plus beautiful-but-shy Charlie, will have to go to Tai Po for the next stage of their training and socialisation.

Charlie will move to Tai Po on Monday

Alex, Feta and Emma are now upstairs (with house)

We have some dogs coming to us this week who are a family of five losing their home.  The father is a husky, the mother a terrier, so the offspring somewhere between the two.  The husky will be the first to be delivered to our Tai Po Centre, and I really don't want him to have to stay there in this intense heat we're experiencing.  He's not a young dog and this will be the first time in his life he will be without his dog family, so can anyone please give him an indoor space with air conditioning?  Please email foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help.

Fire the husky is 12 years old

The rest of the terrier-husky family will come this week if anyone is interested.  Please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ as a first step.

Coming this week 

Another of the terrier-cross family

Sat 25th July: Thankful for amazing foster homes

Fabulous Fizzle going home

I have to admit Fizzle was a puppy I would have loved to take home myself, but I have to be satisfied with knowing that he has gone to a very nice family where I'm sure he'll have fun and lots of cuddles.  Seeing puppies arrive and falling in love with them is something that happens a lot, but I have my full quota (and plus) of dogs at home so there's no space for any more.

One of the 5 babies is very sick

We had an emergency situation with one of the latest litter of five baby pups when the foster reported on Friday afternoon that one had very noisy breathing, and we had to scramble to get him from his foster home in Tai Po to Acorn before they closed.  The pup, who was quickly given the name of Ned, turned out to have pneumonia so stayed in hospital, but I got a call late this afternoon suggesting that Ned be moved to a 24-hour clinic rather than leaving him on his own overnight.  The alternative was to find another foster home that was closer to Acorn that Tai Po, and one that could give baby Ned fluid under the skin to keep him hydrated.   Thanks to our amazing Foster Coordinator Cindy, and our incredible network of dedicated foster carers, at the very last minute we managed to sort out a new temporary home for Ned.  He's still a very sick baby and it's possible that he may not pull through, but if the worst happens at least we will know we did everything we could.

Smudge and Smiffy also went off to their foster home today, where they will stay until they're old enough for adoption.

Apart from the two poodles and a pom coming to us on Monday, we might also have a surprise delivery of another group of small-sized dogs on Sunday.  Luckily we're in a position to be able to take in such last-minute numbers, but we may be asking for help with foster homes depending on how many, if any, actually arrive.

We do need puppy foster homes for more young puppies will be coming in very soon, so please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you can help.

There seems to be a shortage of puppy milk in Hong Kong at the moment, with regular suppliers completely out of stock, so if you know of anywhere that has puppy milk available please let us know.

We're open at both Homing Centres as usual every single day of the week and year if you're interested in adopting, but please just no casual visitors for the time being, thank you.

Fri 24th July: Last call for the 2021 Cube Calendar!

Claire was with us for a very short time

Claire is a very lucky poodle girl as she was adopted as soon as she arrived from AFCD on Monday.  Her now-family had been waiting for her after we'd let them know she was expected, and she went home straight after her vet check.  Her adopter had this to say:  "Hello, just want to say thank you for the help as we journeyed to adopt a pet. You all did an excellent job getting back to us. Also listening to our concerns and questions and giving support. Thank you for your thoughtful care to match us with the right pet. Claire has been a great deal of fun! We all love her so much!"


Now we have two more seven year-old poodle girls coming on Monday, also from AFCD Sheung Shui, as well as a six year-old pom, so if you're looking for a small dog that isn't a puppy but is still young enough to be active please complete the adoption questionnaire if not already done.  It's at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Today we took in two more puppies who will be going to a foster home as they're still too young to be adopted (unless you want a pair).  They're Smudge and Smiffy, both boys, and both very cute.

I think we're going to be pretty busy this weekend, especially at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, so please don't come just to visit or without first completing the adoption questionnaire and being invited.  We have some puppies that are very much in demand so we won't be making any snap decisions about which home they will be going to and will choose the ones we think can provide the best environment and situation.  Even if the potential adopters are very nice people, if the choice is between a small apartment in a busy area and a home by the beach with lots of opportunity for running and playing, obviously the latter is going to be preferable.

Remember to send your submission!

The deadline for inclusion in the 2021 Cube Calendar is the 31st July, so please make sure you get your submission in before the cut-off date!  All dogs included must be adopted, although they don't have to be from HKDR exclusively.

Our amazing HKDR Cube Calendar is making a comeback in 2021! As in previous years, we’re looking for great shots of your photogenic dogs to feature on our 365 day Cube Calendar. For just $380, your adopted dog can be "Dog of the Day" with your photograph featuring exclusively for that day.

...See more

Thurs 23rd July: Please read carefully

Theo heading home

I'm going to get straight down to the happy adoptions for today, starting with puppy Theo who was picked up as promised and is the last of his litter to leave the Homing Centre.

Sparky's in the shade on the left

Later in the day young adult Sparky was chosen, and small-sized puppy Percy.

Percy will have fun in his new home

We had a lot of potential adopters turning up during the day, and can I just remind everyone to please complete the questionnaire in advance if you want to meet any of the dogs or puppies.  During this difficult phase of COVID-19 we really need to ask that you don't turn up just to have a look or to play with the puppies, adorable as they are, and that you're serious about the long-term commitment of adoption.

The questionnaire can be found on our website at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ as well as details of all the available dogs (not the puppies).

Wilfred is young and lovely, but he's a "Red" dog

I do also need to ask that you read the website descriptions rather than just look at the photos and basic details, as many enquire about dogs like Wilfred who is young, small and very good-looking, but he is a "Red" dog with unpredictable behaviour who is only suitable for experienced adult adopters and certainly not a home with children.

Lizzie is perfect for a family with children

Lizzie, on the other hand, is the sweetest little dog who would be perfect with any age but she does have a heart condition which would mean her not being able to fly if her adoptive family left Hong Kong.  A lot of people have asked about Lizzie because she really is adorable, but we can't risk her being left behind if her family moved to another country.

Now-Kaylee turned out to be a girl 

We took in a new dog at Tai Po, one we had been told was a boy but she turned out to be a girl, just a year old and with a very sweet temperament.  She has been living in a warehouse which was closing so she needed a new place to stay, and hopefully a forever home before too long.

The 5 babies have grown very quickly

The five baby pups that we had been expecting also arrived, and they have grown so much since the last photo I was sent!  It's a good reminder that puppies do grow and change very quickly.  At birth they're blind and helpless, the eyes open around two weeks and at three weeks they're running around and starting to eat by themselves.  These five pups had foster homes waiting and were sent there directly until they're old enough to be adopted.   They can of course be adopted at this very young age as long as they go in pairs.

Weds 22nd July: Suddenly it's puppy time again

New pups Ruby and Esme

For what seems like the longest time we, and other rescue groups, haven't been seeing the usual number of puppies coming in, and certainly not from AFCD (who are now once again on restricted working hours).  We resorted to taking in waifs and strays that were found by volunteers, and all were adopted as quickly as they arrived with the last of the four "T" litter, Theo, due to go to his new home on Thursday.  We do still have baby Bumpy, who was rescued when he was only a couple of weeks old, in a foster home and doing well thanks to the experience of his temporary carer in bottle feeding.

Little boy Wellie

Kit is a gorgeous older puppy

With the arrival of a few puppies from AFCD on Monday, and five more due to come on Thursday (four are very young and going straight to foster homes), we're starting to fill up again.  We even have some smaller-sized puppies, meaning those who won't grow into large adults, including Kit, the gorgeous eight month-old who was returned the other day.    If you want to see more photos and videos of any of the Ap Lei Chau dogs and puppies you can check out two Facebook pages which are open to the public, one being our trainer https://www.facebook.com/cactusndogs/ and the other volunteer-turned-staff Eagle's https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES/


One of the biggest challenges facing puppies when they're adopted is that they have to learn to live in a human world, something that isn't a natural way of being for a dog.   In nature dogs live in family groups and have the freedom to make their own choices about what to do and when.  A dog living in a human family home has to adapt to a way of life that is so unnatural that in many cases they become stressed and develop various illnesses, skin problems and allergies, not to mention behaviour issues.  The expectations and demands put on dogs to behave in a certain way is huge, and with so many people living in busy areas and in small apartments offering no space for a dog to run and play it's no wonder that many snap, sometimes literally. 

I agreed to take in another dog for rehabilitation, and not surprisingly he's a shiba inu, the most popular breed in Hong Kong and one of the most challenging in terms of behaviour traits.  They may be small(ish) but they're brave, feisty and without fear, and it's always incredibly upsetting to see how many shiba puppies are bought when their buyers know absolutely nothing about dogs.

This shiba doesn't know how lucky he is going to be

The shiba I'm bringing back to Lamma is one of those, and since the day he arrived in his home the training started, and that means non-stop pressure.   Three different trainers, including a behaviourist known to favour the drug (dog Prozac) option, have worked with this dog, and all have failed.  There has been no consistency in training methods, but most of all there has been no break in the relentless pressure to be what a shiba is not, and to behave in a way that the humans want. 

My previous success story Damson 

As I said when I agreed to take on this case, my methods are very simple:  I just leave the dog alone. He will have space to run and play with other dogs, he will be fed and have water, but other than that there will be no demands made on him and his time.  He can rest, unwind, relax and just be the dog that he is, nothing more.   At four years of age he may or may not become homeable after a period of time, because the damage done is already deep-rooted, but the previous "untrainable" shiba I took in is now having a great life in her new home.

Tues 21st July: Adoption is for LIFE!

Little Kit is 8 months old

It's a challenging time for everyone now, but for me and all of our adoption staff we also have the difficult task of trying to make the right decision about potential homes for our dogs and puppies. There are so many people currently working from home so adopting seems like a good thing to do, but it's the long term that we have to consider.   Today we had a puppy returned who we thought had gone to a lovely and forever home, and the worst thing was that at the time he was adopted there were two families at the Homing Centre both wanting Kit, so it seems he drew the short straw.  He's only eight months old now and still a very small boy, easy to take to any country but obviously just not worth the hassle in his now ex-adopter's eyes.  Being still a puppy Kit got straight down to the important business of playing as soon as he was put with the others, and you can see on this video that he's a happy boy regardless of losing his family https://www.facebook.com/cactusndogs/videos/294873508519414/

Talking of eyes, sadly Kit was returned with cherry eye on both sides so he'll need surgery for that.  It's quite a common problem with certain small breeds, particularly the bulldog types, and although repair is often offered as an option I have personally never seen it successfully carried out.  Apparently Kit had the surgery to stitch the tear glands back but they popped out again so now they will just have to be removed.

We have more smaller sized dogs and puppies arriving at Ap Lei Chau on Wednesday to join Kit, Fizzle, Percy and Goose, and if you're interested in adopting please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/   and please include as much detail as possible.   It's often quite impossible to be able to make any assessment when answers are vague.   If you have already completed the questionnaire and are waiting for the right dog or puppy to coma along, please do contact us again.

We haven't had a need for any foster homes lately but there are five dogs due to come to us that may need temporary care depending on the available space at the Homing Centre.  Four of them are medium sized adults, terrier-husky cross (if you can try to imagine).  For foster enquiries please contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.

Mon 20th July: Saving and changing lives

Dublin is 9 years old and seems not to like other dogs

The new dogs and puppies arrived as scheduled and all will be having their health checks and vaccinations on Tuesday.  They include three young puppies, a Yorkie,  poodle and a larger mixed breed who's now moved in to our Tai Po Homing Centre.  The puppies are too young to be adopted as singletons at this point unless there's already another dog in the home that can be a playmate and companion.

The 3 new puppies are still very young

Rachel is a lovely young dog

At the same time we're continuing to see surrender requests for mostly older dogs, the catch-all excuse being that the owners are leaving and can't take the dogs with them. I'm starting to become rather suspicious of these stories given that the Yorkie Jelly, who was returned after a few years, had serious problems including a chronic ear infection and a dislocated hip that appears to have been like that for a long time.  Both ear and hip would have been causing her a lot of pain and discomfort.

Barney had braely been dropped off before he collapsed

The senior poodle that was surrendered and then had to be sent to Acorn as an emergency case probably has a brain tumour and will need to be euthanised on Tuesday if there's no improvement in his condition, so once again the real reason for the surrender appears to be rather different from the standard "leaving Hong Kong".

Macy-now-Mishy living the dream

It's not all sadness though as I received some wonderful and very happy updates on dogs that have been adopted.   Macy, who's now called Mishy, is even enjoying paddle boarding in her new life, and if you remember that she was one of the dogs rescued from the terrible cruelty case where so many died it's just the most amazing happy-ending story.

Tommy (l) with Lang Jai

Tommy is another dog who was rescued from a horrible shelter situation, and after two years of living his new life he couldn't be happier. "Tommy is with us two years tomorrow and we love him more and more as he is a really funny boy with full of characters!

He will go down in the morning and steal the best part of his brother Lang Jai’s food and save his own one to eat after hiking!

He will tell me to give him treats when I come home as he has been a good boy!

He loves his bed and the air con but also loves being in the sea or cool water in the summer!

He gained his weight from 12kg to now 17 kg since we got him, with good muscle can go for a good walk daily!

This is what adoption is all about, saving and changing lives, and surely nothing could be more joyful than that.