Thurs 3rd Nov: Rain babies and a runaway

Finding the babies at night

 Almost inevitably after very heavy rain there will be newborn pups washed out of their nest and down the hillsides, and today's call for help showed this time was no exception.  The rescuer that goes out searching in the dark for such "rain babies" deserves a medal in my opinion, and she's one of many who carry out such work, without pay or recognition.  Without these unsung heroes many more puppies would die of starvation or disease, and while it could be said that this is nature's way of dealing with an overpopulation of stray dogs,  I think the government carrying out Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) would be a much more humane and effective way of dealing with the problem.  We continue to hope and dream that this will eventually happen.

On their way to foster care

For now we take in these storm orphans and put them into foster homes, and thanks to Cindy, our Foster Coordinator, and our regular baby fosters, the puppies will be cared for until they're old enough to be adopted.  

For anyone who likes the idea of having a dog that has been with them almost since birth, this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that, bearing in mind that these babies need to stay in pairs until they're at least eight weeks old.  Two months is such a short time, but in those short weeks the puppies will change dramatically from helpless and blind, to running around and playing.  It's always amazing to watch them grow and develop, and foster homes like those on Instagram @why_i_foster documents the daily changes perfectly.  Currently there are three little residents in this regular foster home, otherwise I'm sure the new rain babies would have found a safe place there. 

Cam and volunteer Raymond made it all very easy

The day actually started with the trial adoption of Sparky from our Kennedy Town Homing Centre, the short trial being needed because of the resident cat needing to decide whether or not a dog would be allowed to join the family.  

As happens so often when a dog moves to a new and unfamiliar place, if the opportunity presents itself the dog will run away, presumably trying to get back to the previous "home" and familiar faces.  Sparky had spent a couple of weeks at our HKDR@Elgin space, where he and manager Cam formed a close bond, and then moved to the Kennedy Town Homing Centre where he had many puppy friends to help him settle.  His latest move to this lovely and potentially forever home will have confused Sparky, so when the door was opened (by the young daughter I believe) he ran out, and the messages started flying on the various chat groups asking for help.  Sparky had been seen but he was too scared by then to be caught, so Cam immediately headed over to Clearwater Bay from Elgin Street, and as soon as Sparky heard her calling he went to her.  All is now well, Sparky is feeling more comfortable, and the family are keeping him on a leash even while indoors to make sure he won't disappear again. 

As expected, after I'd mentioned the golden retriever yesterday there were several enquiries about him, the first of which was very suitable.   Even if that doesn't work out there are enough standby homes to ensure that at least one of them will work out.