Sat 25th July: Will there be a typhoon?

 The question of typhoons at this time of year is a real problem when there are outdoor structures and shelters, such as at Tai Po, and to a lesser extent on Lamma.  Moving heavy items and preparing for the worst is necessary, but also frustrating when the typhoon changes direction and misses Hong Kong.  We're at this point right now, and we're all watching the various weather forecasts to see if we can breathe a sigh of relief, or the opposite.  It's not even just the outdoor locations that are the issue, as one of my Lamma dogs is currently in hospital at Acorn, and she'll have to move to another clinic if there's a T8 or higher. 

At least some Tai Po dogs have already escaped the inevitable heavy rain by being adopted! Noah and Xena went home together, as did Cleo and Albert, while Radish was also one of the lucky ones. 

We also found a lovely foster home for the Samoyed girl, Cherry, straight out of AFCD, but we're still looking for a temporary home for the Alaskan Malamute girl, Mocha.  She's still at AFCD kennels, and we can't keep her at Tai Po because of the heat (and/or rain).  If you can foster this sweet-but-large dog, please complete the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/.

We're also still looking for a suitable home for the border collie (older) puppy called Baby (instant name change needed!)  I can't say it enough times, that these dogs are not suitable for most Hong Kong homes as they need space, lots of exercise, but even more importantly mental stimulation.  This means having something to do which challenges their minds, so agility work or any kind of activity that keeps them busy.  They are not lap dogs or "babies", they're working dogs and need to live that kind of life.

Several lucky dogs and puppies have also left our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, including Jonny, Iggy, Zeb and Irene.   We always have more small dogs waiting for space at the Centre, as well as many others already with us, so please check our social media pages or visit our website at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/dogs/ .

Seeing the two double adoptions at Tai Po has prompted me to talk about other dog couples.  By that I mean two dogs that have developed a strong bond, and we always try our best to keep such pairs together.   Some pairs are understandable, such as siblings Sebastian and Scarlet, and Tai Po dogs Crayon and Cashew, but others show that dogs don't care about looks or breed.  I'm talking about the unlikely friendship between Gibson and Gallant at Ap Lei Chau, two dogs who are completely different from each other but who are always to be found together.  Will there ever be that special home who will accept them as a pair?  That would be amazing, and we can always hope. 

Of course for adoption please start by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/.  We get a lot of people asking for more details and photos of the dogs, as well as background information, before completing the questionnaire, but this is always the first step.  It's confidential and never shared outside HKDR, but we need to know that a home is suitable before spending time discussing any dog.  Please remember that we have minimal staff, and those working with the dogs at the Homing Centres can't be at their desks all the time, especially at Tai Po. 

Weds 15th July: It's been a while

 I start every day thinking that I must write my blog and update on things that are happening, but then I find I'm running out of time and I have to get started on feeding, medicating and walking my Lamma dogs, as well as replying to the many emails that appear overnight.  I knew a new post was long overdue, but even then was quite shocked to see how long it had been since my last one.

We have a constant stream of new dogs arriving at our Homing Centres, especially the smaller ones at Ap Lei Chau, and just yesterday we took in 7 more, with others due to come very soon.  As I write I'm still waiting for the photos with names attached, but I'd already shared information on Facebook ahead of their arrival if you want to check that out.  You can also see volunteer Harryn's lovely Instagram posts @h_dogsister, as she takes great photos and videos of the Ap Lei Chau residents.  You can also follow us @hkdr_official, or my own @sallythedoglady if you want to see some the Lamma residents. 

It's more of a challenge at our Tai Po Homing Centre as the dogs that we're asked to accept are larger, and almost always already adults.  Most people understand that you can't just expect dogs to accept newcomers, and part of what the staff at Tai Po have to do is to try to match up dogs that get along, as they almost all share space in the enclosures.   That's just one of the reasons why adoptions at Tai Po are such happy occasions, and two more lucky dogs left today to start their new lives (Noah and Xena). 

We're also still hoping to find a foster home for a young Malamute girl who's currently at AFCD.  She has a lovely home offered, but not until August when her would-be family get back from their holiday, so if anyone can take her in temporarily, please let us know!

There's also a young Samoyed at AFCD, and the same applies to him as with the Malamute, that they can't come to Tai Po where they would have to live outside. It's either far too hot or pouring with rain, and neither situation is suitable for these cold weather dogs. 

I have a couple of random things to mention or ask about, and one of these might be of interest to anyone in the UK who is planning on bringing their dog(s) to Hong Kong.  It's a charter flight opportunity, which makes the trip so much more comfortable and stress-free for both dogs and humans, so if you're interested please contact the number directly.

I mentioned the heat and the rain and the need for foster homes for the long-haired dogs, but we would also very much appreciate summer fosters for any of the Tai Po dogs.  If you can take in a four-legged guest during the worst of the summer weather, please complete the form at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering, or if you're already registered as a foster home then email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com.