The two small (actually one very tiny) dogs were picked up from AFCD in the morning, and taken straight to Acorn for a health check. It's almost impossible to believe, but the smaller of the two, who weighs only two kilos, was found as a stray on the streets and without even a microchip, while the corgi was also an abandoned dog, although with a microchip and an uncontactable owner.
Prissy, the corgi, is only three years old, and while she has some minor issues she's generally healthy. The tiny girl is now Pammy, and she has an almost non-existent lower jaw, either the result of a fracture or typical dental disease so often found in very small dogs. We'll have to get Pammy's teeth and jaw sorted out as soon as we can, and in the meantime a foster home would be ideal. She's so tiny that staying at the Homing Centre would be unfair and completely overwhelming for her. If you can help, please complete the foster form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/, or contact Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com if you are already registered with us.
Rescuing dogs and puppies and seeing them go to their new homes can be very rewarding, but the other side of this work has the opposite effect and is extremely upsetting. To receive surrender messages, especially the ones saying how wonderful the dog is, how sweet with the children and in every other way, yet knowing that the reward for this perfect behaviour is to be abandoned is heartbreaking.
Apart from the individual cases such as these, the knock-on effect is that it makes us view each adoption enquiry even more carefully, especially those from people who aren't permanent Hong Kong residents. The ease with which dog owners discard their four-legged family members is very saddening, and our Tai Po and Kennedy Town Homing Centres are full of such dogs.
It's no secret that flying a dog to another country is very expensive, and as we know from Wiska's case, not easy. If you can't guarantee that no matter the cost you will always bring your pets with you as part of your family, then don't adopt (or even worse, buy). Vet costs are also expensive, so you have to take this into consideration too. I'm going to assume that tiny Pammy was abandoned due to her jaw/teeth issues, but of course we will never know.
Bringing an animal into your home and life is a commitment for around fifteen years, or longer in the case of the smaller dogs. I have several dogs living with me on Lamma that are sixteen-plus and needing even more care then when they were younger, so I fully appreciate how challenging it can be. Puppies don't grow up like human children do to be self-sufficient, they stop at the toddler age meaning you will always have to feed them and take care of them. They are never going to be independent adults, and if you would never consider abandoning your young child because he or she is demanding of your time and a nuisance, then don't do it to your dog.
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