Thurs 7th Nov: It's never too late to start a new life

I was away from the dog action today, other than on Lamma of course, as I had a meeting to go to in Central, but after what seems like a long break from Pokfulam AFCD I'll be back on Friday to take out the first of the dogs from the terrible cruelty case.  All are now available for re-homing after the court case ended, so I'll be taking them gradually as not all are going to be as easy as the first one, but who knows, they may turn out to be fine once they are out of what has been their prison for months.  At least they survived.

This was a case that shocked everyone

Primrose proving that it's never too late to start a new life

There was a lovely adoption at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today, that of our senior lady pug Primrose.   We weren't sure that she would ever be chosen, but with her sweet and funny nature and the fact that she's a pug of course, she's now gone off to live the rest of her life in a loving family home and we couldn't be happier for her.

Meanwhile another previously-adopted dog is coming back to Tai Po, a very sweet girl who has the kind of coat that would suit those with allegies to regular dog hair.  We called her Lucy when she was first with us in 2017, and we'd assumed after two years of no communication she was happily living with her adoptive family until we got the email letting us know otherwise.  The home has a few young children which Lucy finds hard to cope with so we'll find her a new family with either older children or none.

Winner has slobbery chops 

Lovely Lucy 

As a reminder of other dogs we have recently taken in or who are due this weekend, there's the labrador (who isn't really) Winner, and the one year-old husky arriving on Saturday.

Jason is a sweet and funny boy

Also one year old, Frenchie Jason has settled well and is a very sweet boy.  He needs to be on a course of antibiotics for a while to treat the erclichia he tested positive for but it doesn't affect him in any way. 

Please remember to complete the Adoption Questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire if you're interested in any dogs or puppies.

Weds 6th Nov: Hurry while puppy stocks last!

The problem with having a really super-cute litter of puppies is that others get forgotten, so in a way I'd like all five of the current fluffy babies to find homes quickly, like the two that went today, Casper and Tessa.  One of the attractions for many is also that they won't be large-sized as adults, which also applies to the Seasons Litter of April, May (adopted), June, July, August, Spring and Winter, with June being really quite tiny.  They've all been in foster homes since coming to us, and although they're currently still smaller than the other puppies that were at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, they're actually older. Take a look again at these photos by Jimmy Tsang from Sunday to see what I mean: Puppy Adoption Day 3 November 2019. 

June is the smallest and really quite tiny

I have to leave home early for a lunch meeting on Thursday so will have to keep this post short, but while I remember we have had a problem with rats getting into the dog food stored at both Homing Centres so need to buy metal boxes rather than using the plastic containers.   Some had to be bought immediately but we need to get more, and they cost around $250 each if we order from China ($320 locally).  Given the amount of food and other edibles that need storing safely,  we'll need to buy around twenty pieces so we're hoping to find sponsors to cover the cost.

We need to buy more of these to protect food, treats and everything else

Tues 5th Nov: In and out and P2F

Sabre is just a year old

While we're getting a lot of enquiries for the five gorgeous fluffy babies now staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, we're also taking in new larger dogs at Tai Po.  The labrador Winner arrived today and he's a big boy, plus there's a one year-old husky coming as well.  This one is in need of  help due to a genuine emergency so not the usual moving/having a baby/no time kind of situation.

Big boy Winner

If you are interested in adopting either of these dogs, or any others, please complete the Adoption Questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

The Seasons Litter are small-sized

These 5 fluffies will be small/medium adults

We also still have the small-sized litter of "Seasons" babies in foster homes, now ready to be adopted.

Our big event Pulse to Fun is coming closer and we've got a great day planned, as well as lots of great giveaways in the Goody Bag and all sorts of things to buy and do.  As you may know the current situation in Hong Kong made the move from the Peak and Lan Kwai Fong to the pulse in Repulse Bay necessary, but now that we're there we think the change of scenery and location will make a refreshing change.    T-shirt/tickets are available online or at our Homing Centres and other locations so remember to get yours in good time.

Mon 4th Nov: Remember that HKDR offer the best training advice

Jason is just a year old.

It was the first time that I'd seen the new arrivals at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre when I took them to Acorn today for their health checks and vaccinations.  While the five puppies were in travel crates at the back, French bulldog Jason insisted on sitting at the front between me and Ming, the driver, so he could enjoy cuddles while watching the road.  At that point I had no idea of his age other than that he seemed to be young, but Dr Seems estimated him to be just a year old when she checked his teeth (all clean and white).

You can't really see just how cute Freddie is

Jason was microchipped and blood taken before being given any vaccinations, and while waiting for the blood test results the puppies were pulled out of the crates one by one for their turn. I'd seen photos but can honestly say they didn't do these pups justice as they are so beautiful, and I'm sure they're related to a previous litter from the same source, so they will probably grow to be smaller sized adults (or long body/short legs).

It was also a huge relief that the pups were healthy and could be vaccinated, while Jason turned out to be positive for erlichia, a type of tick fever that can be treated with antibiotics.  That means we have to wait for a while before he can be vaccinated, as only fully healthy dogs and puppies should be given any sort of vaccination.

First thing we'll do is take the chain off his neck

As I'm always writing, new dogs and puppies come in all the time and from a variety of sources, and on Tuesday we'll be taking in a yellow labrador whose family are leaving Hong Kong without him.  The dog is four years and and has no behaviour issues we're told, so if you're interested in adopting please complete the Adoption Questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire as a first step.

Luckily dogs leave the Homing Centre as well as arrive, although Lottie has done both as she was adopted as a puppy before being returned as a doglet, and adopted again on Sunday.

Lottie going home again

As a reminder to all past and potential adopters, one of the many benefits of adopting from HKDR is that we have one of the best and most experienced trainers in Hong Kong available to give free help and advice as and when needed. In fact I'd go as far as saying that Cactus is as good if not better than any other trainer here, and I'm also happy to give the benefit of my many years of dog experience so we often work as a team. 

In almost every case of a dog or puppy being returned the adopter hasn't made any effort to contact us to ask for help, so the first thing we hear is that the dog has behaviour issues and needs to be returned.  It's almost always the case that such issues are easy to resolve using the correct and appropriate training, which usually applies to the humans just as much as the dogs.   As in Lottie's case she was a very normal, happy and playful puppy with lots of energy that needed using up in a positive way, and the only problem was that her first-time adopters didn't understand or appreciate that, nor did they ask for any guidance from us.  It's frustrating for us and unfair to the puppies.

Sun 3rd Nov: We have so many puppies now!

Larry's foster status was quickly upgraded to Adopted

We had a full puppy contingent at Whiskers N Paws today including a few of the Seasons Litter, all of whom are adorable and small-sized.  Tiny June (I think I got that right) is the smallest of them all and July is the most bold and energetic, but they are all lovely and well-captured by our regular volunteer photographer Jimmy Tsang Puppy Adoption Day 3 November 2019.  Remember to complete the Adoption Questionnaire if you're interested in any of the dogs or puppies of any age or size: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Aiden comes every year to share his birthday with the puppies

We also had another regular to Whiskers N Paws puppy afternoons, but this time it was Aiden who comes every year to donate via TwoPresents on his birthday.   Thank you once again Aiden!

Sad Teddy has become happy Teddy 

The new found-stray dog, now called Teddy, was picked up by his foster parent and seems to be doing very well in his new home.  He'll need treatment for heartworm, and it makes a huge difference  to both him and us that he has somewhere comfortable to stay.  Foster homes are so important and we really appreciate all of those families who offer to help out in this way.

Angel and Beauty were adopted on an impulse and returned

I want to mention a pair of dogs that are also currently in foster care, and you may recall that I previously said that they had been adopted, which was true.  However it turned out to be a short-lived arrangement so Beauty and Angel were taken back by their temporary carer/rescuer and again in need of a loving family home where they can stay together.  Here is their story with lovely photos http://www.keithtsuji.com/blog/2019/11/3/adopt-dont-shop

Another dog that we had so many enquiries about but none that came to anything is larger-sized poodle Chase.  If you are serious about offering a home to Chase and would like to meet him, please complete the Adoption Questionnaire as a first step.  We do need to have this form completed before arranging an introduction so we can see that the home is suitable for Chase, and that Chase is going to be a good match for the home. "Chase needs a little bit of time to get to know you. Once he is comfortable he is always up for a good belly rub and a scratch behind the ears. He loves to be near you and he likes resting his head on top of your lap. He is very loyal and protective particularly of children. He is perfectly toilet trained, doesn’t jump on furniture and hasn’t damaged any of the house. He tends to bark when the doorbell rings, but if you ignore him and let him sniff the guests he will be perfectly fine within a few minutes".

Chase is not a small poodle at 14 kilos

I'll be taking the five new puppies to Acorn for a health check and vaccination on Monday, as well as the French bulldog who is now called Jason (not a very French name I know). Once he's chipped, licensed and vaccinated he'll be ready for his new forever home.  I still have to come up with names for the puppies, but they're really very cute.

Girl puppy

This one's a boy puppy

Sat 2nd Nov: Concordia and more new puppies

May is one of the Seasons Litter, all small-sized puppies and so lovely

Rodger So was once again our volunteer photographer for the afternoon's adoption event at Concordia Pet Care in Happy Valley, and here's the album for you too look through Puppy Adoption Day 2 November 2019 especially if you're planning to come to Whiskers N Paws on Sunday where we'll have even more little ones for you to meet.   The first of the Seasons Litter was adopted today, and there will be more joining on Sunday, but one face will be missing from the afternoon's gathering as I can now confirm Zara's official adoption after a very short trial when everything worked out brilliantly.

Zara and now-brother Farley pose in front of Farley's own poster!

Zara is one of the "Z Litter" who came to us as very tiny babies, extra small and not only because of their age.  Tragically they arrived at a time when we were dealing with an outbreak of the distemper virus, and all five were infected with two not surviving.  The remaining pair, Zeb and Zena, battled through and made it, but Zena in particular has been left with the neurological twitch which is a sure sign of past distemper.  Remembering when we last had such an outbreak back in the days of our Pokfulam Kennels, the twitch usually improves over time and doesn't affect the health or quality of life once a puppy has survived the virus, and with Zeb and Zena being really quite small in size even as young adults I really hope someone will fall in love with these two Mini Mutts who are staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.  Zara was the lucky one who made it through with no effects at all.

Nancy is nejoying her own comfy bed

Another lucky dog was adopted at the Homing Centre,  having arrived only on Thursday from AFCD.  Poodle Nancy has settled really well and I'm sure she can look foward to a very happy life.

Replacing those who were leaving, we took in five new puppies and a French bulldog boy.  He has no microchip so we'll have to get that sorted as well as his rabies vaccination, health check and regular vaccinations, but he seems quite young and healthy if also very thin.  The puppies are also very cute but will need to be checked and chipped before being available for adoption.

Very cute and friendly Frenchie boy

Fri 1st Nov: October's Lucky List

The 7 Seasons babies are ready for adoption now

We have a busy weekend ahead with five new puppies and a French bulldog arriving on Saturday morning, then our adoption event in the afternoon at Concordia Pet Care in Happy Valley.  This will be the first time that our smaller puppies, two of them at least, will be attending as we've given them time to reach the age when they can be adopted.  The two are May and July, with the other five are also available via Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com in case you can't make Saturday.  Of course we'll be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, and both Homing Centres are open every single day of the year if you want to visit.

The following lucky dogs and puppies found homes in October, but there are literally hundreds more at our Tai Po Homing Centre that are sweet-natured, beautiful and perfect family dogs.  Why many of the younger ones especially haven't been adopted yet is a mystery and also very saddening, as there's nothing wrong with them other than they are homeless.   Last Sunday I met one of the dogs that was adopted many years ago as a puppy, and as so often happens there was one left from the litter that was never chosen.  There was no reason other than bad luck, and ten years later that dog is still waiting.  Please feel free to visit our Tai Po Homing Centre any day to see the many wonderful dogs, and to appreciate the challenges we face and the hard work of our staff and volunteers.

Tai Po:

Noddy (Multibreed)

Bali (Collie cross)

Atom (Akita)

Pilot (Husky)

Rolo (Multibreed)

Germaine (German shepherd/Malinois cross)

Ap Lei Chau:

Sparky (Poodle)

Baxter (Multibreed puppy)

Google (Poodle)

Ruthie (Shih Tzu cross)

Carter (Multibreed)

Lilo (Beagle)

Twiggy & Dobby (Multibreed puppies)

Yorkshire terrier (no name) 

Whiskers N Paws:

Scooter (chihuahua cross)

Scrumpy

Chester

Barney

Cracker

Guppy

Snickers (Multibreed)

WeWork:

Tuna (Multibreed puppy)

Cracker

Foster Home:

Radar (Multibreed puppy)

Tempo (Multibreed)

Digby (Multibreed puppy)

Gretel (Dachshund cross)

Domingo (Multibreed puppy)

Butter (Multibreed puppy)

Toffee, Pecan, Polo (Labrador)

Dilly & Razzle (Dachshund cross) 

Larry (Multibreed puppy)