Fri 17th July: Beware of poison in Pokfulam

There seems to have been a spate of poisonings in Pokfulam with several dogs having died very suddenly and in the same horrible manner, so please be aware if you live and walk in the area around Scenic Villas, Sha Wan Drive and Cyberport.  The dogs were all young and healthy, one only a puppy, so if there's no alternative please keep your dog on a short leash and stay away from the side of roads and pavements, especially grass verges where poison may have been left.  It goes without saying that losing a dog in any way is heartbreaking, but poisoning is so senseless and cruel.

Lucky and lovely Shannon 

Switching quickly to some very happy news, one of the lovely recent arrivals at Tai Po from AFCD left today to start what I know will be a wonderful new life.  Shannon is the lucky girl and I hope her friends will have similar good fortune this weekend.

Today's senior poodle surrender

It seems to be poodle season suddenly, with several surrender requests and another one coming from AFCD on Monday.   We took in one fourteen year-old surrender today, with the others ranging in age from four years up.   I've said it many times before but it needs repeating, poodles are one of the most intelligent of all breeds and as such they are also demanding.  Apart from the need for companionship and mental as well as physical stimulation, they also need regular (actually constant) grooming.  Their hair might not shed like other dogs but it does grow, and that means daily brushing as well as haitcuts every few weeks including plucking hair from inside the ears.  Poodles are high maintenance and don't tolerate being left alone all day.

We found out why Jelly was so miserable

Coming with the poodle from AFCD on Monday is a nine year-old Yorkshire terrier, another very popular breed that's suitable for people who suffer from allergies.  You might remember that we recently took back a Yorkie called Jelly when her family left Hong Kong, and she was quickly re-adopted but something was wrong.  Jelly was withdrawn and didn't like being touched or picked up, so we suggested returning her.  We knew her ear was infected and painful, so she was sent to Acorn today to have the ear flushed under sedation, and then it was discovered that her hip was dislocated.  Dr Tony tried popping it back in place but when that failed surgery was necessary to removed the femoral head, the "ball" that normally sits and rotates inside the hip socket.  Poor Jelly must have been in a lot of pain, and we don't know how or when it happened.

We've been getting so many adoption enquiries from young singletons, many of whom have never had a dog before and admit they don't know anything.  If that's the case then please do some reading before you even think about getting an animal that depends on you for everything, or even better volunteer at any of rescue groups for hands-on lessons.   If you bouught a first-time car I would assume you took some driving lessons beforehand and would choose the kind of car that was suitable for your particular requirements, so why wouldn't you do the same kind of learning before taking on a dog?  Remember there is no on-off button or key for a dog, and there is 100% dependence on the carer for food, exercise and companionship, every single day of the year, no exceptions, and for a single person that's a lot of responsibility.