It was definitely not a usual Sunday today as we saw more dogs arriving than leaving, and further surrender requests for a five year-old poodle (due later in the week) and yet another shiba inu with guarding behaviour. We will need more information about that case before saying whether we can accept the dog or not.
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| Little Sugarbabe Syrup |
I had received a questionnaire the other day from a family with young children asking for a shiba inu puppy, and I'd replied that we didn't have such puppies but I also really didn't recommend this breed for any home that was inexperienced with dogs and where there were childen. I suggested instead one of the "Sugarbabe" litter as being much more suitable and also smaller in size. My advice was rejected as the family had decided that they wanted a shiba inu and that was that, but once again I will say that shiba inus are usually not sweet and cuddly dogs, they're feisty and smart and obstinate, and of all the breeds they are the ones who are given up for behaviour reasons more than any other.
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| 4 years old and in dire need of a haircut |
The dogs that were surrendered to Ap Lei Chau today were both poodles, one four and one fourteen, so they will both need to have their vet checks before being ready for adoption. Please complete the adoption questionnaire if you're interested, and you can find it at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/
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| 14 years old and at least groomed |
We took in four dogs at Tai Po, three of which came from the same home and who are really only in transit as they will be heading out to foster homes very soon. The fourth dog was a husky who was adopted as a very young dog just over a year ago, and who was surrendered back to us today at three years of age.
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| Pilot's back with us at Tai Po |
Like shiba inus huskies are another breed with strong personalities, and while they're not usually biters like the smaller of the two types, they are known to have a strong prey drive which means they're not safe around small animals, dogs included. There's nothing you can do about changing the inbred nature of an animal, but you can manage and modify behaviour if you start from a very early age and use proper training. For a husky that would mean socialising with small dogs and cats while still a young puppy, and making sure that meeting and playing with other dogs of all sizes was always part of daily routine. Pilot came to us from AFCD so we had no history for him, and as a young dog he was quickly adopted. Although he'd been fine with the other larger dogs at Tai Po and also lovely with people, it turned out that he's got the instinctive husky behaviour which his adopter felt he couldn't handle any longer. Obviously we need to be clear about the fact that Pilot will attack small dogs (and we assume cats) if given the opportunity, so any potential home would have to be in a suitable location and with enough space to provide a safe environment.
It really doesn't matter what breed, mix or size a dog is, without proper treatment and positive experiences as a puppy there will almost always be resulting adult behavioural issues. For many dogs in Hong Kong their early life means being left alone all day, often caged, with no socialisation, play, stimulation or contact with either humans or other dogs. If you can imagine a human child being raised under the same isolated circumstances, which sadly many are, the result would be the same. Character and behaviour are shaped by experiences as a baby and very young child (puppy) and it's incredibly sad to know how many lives end badly because of this.
Conversely, any dog or breed who has a happy life from the start will grow into a happy adult, so not all shibas are biters and not all huskies are hunters. Here's one ex-HKDR husky who found his forever family and will never be given up.
Bodhi Love Foundation 寶狄慈善基金
with a maximum total of $150,000. It means when you make a donation of any amount, Bodhi Love Foundation will match your donation and double the impact. Please donate now via our website here: https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/ |
| A happy ending for Amarok |
" Our wonderful husky boy Amarok, who we got from you last June will be a year older soon, on April 28. We’d like to take the opportunity of your current fundraising drive to make a donation commemorating his milestone and are happy that with the matching amount from Bodhi Love Foundation, it will result in funds that will be put to good use for all the other dogs at the shelter.Thank you for being the medium through which our adorable wolfie boy found his way into our hearts and became part of our family. We cannot imagine our home and our lives without him."
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