Fri 22nd Sept: I love the mixed breeds more than any other

 With the weekend here again I'm always eager to find out who the lucky dogs will be, but judging from today's visitors to our Kennedy Town Centre I have a good idea who some will be. 

Biffin loves toys but doesn't like sharing

Most of the enquiries have been about the latest intake of poodles, and they were all given a health check at Acorn today, as well as microchips and rabies vaccinations.  The assessed ages range from one year old for Zinnia to eight years for Zara, with the others being somewhere in between.  Most potential adopters are looking for puppies or adults up to a year old, so I can say for sure that we don't have any that young. 

I also want to mention that poodles as a breed are usually very needy, and don't do well being left alone.  They're also very intelligent and want to be part of whatever's going on, as well as enjoying being taken out for walks.  It seems that the idea of small dogs not needing to be exercised is still very much a part of the general belief, but it's just not true.  Poodles are also often not tolerant of young children, probably because they want all of the attention for themselves, so there are lots of things to take into account when considering adoption.  

Most of all I wish more people would consider the mongrels, mixed breeds, tong gau, mutts, or whichever term you like to use. They are the easiest dogs with the least health problems (usually), yet they are overlooked in favour of the breeds.  I loved the tribute we were sent about one such dog, adopted thirteen years ago and very much a part of this family:

"We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Dau Dau, adopted from HKDR as a puppy 13 years ago, has passed away after battling lymphoid leukaemia for several months.

Dau Dau has been a wonderful member of the family. She was cheerful, calm, and she loved to stay close by us yet not attention-seeking. She was also kind to her human siblings who joined the family after her.

Despite the pain of losing Dau Dau, we are determined to continue adopting stray dogs. Mongrels, to be specific. I feel that they are so content just to be loved that they do not demand anything more. Mongrels are also easy to take care of and are generally healthy (Dau Dau never had any major sickness except for the leukaemia which took her life).

We thank HKDR for introducing Dau Dau to us and gave us 13 wonderful years filled with love and joy."

Our Tai Po Homing Centre is full of such dogs, many of whom have been family members so cruelly abandoned.  Please consider these wonderful characters with their unique and individual personalities. I think the description of Dau Dau perfectly sums up the typical mongrel, kind but not demanding, loyal but never pushy.  I love my mixed breeds for all of their many attributes, and would never change them for any other types.