Weds 7th April: Can you help make Bucket's dream come true?

The puppies will be arriving on Thursday

 The young puppies we've been expecting for the last couple of days should be arriving on Thursday, a bit late due to the rescuer finding a badly injured dog that needed urgent help meaning the delivery of the youngsters was put on hold.  

I'm sent photos of the volunteers that go out at night,  crawling into the deepest undergrowth to find and rescue such dogs and puppies, and they have my genuine admiration and respect.  Their aim is to not only take the puppies so they can find proper homes, but also to trap and desex the mothers and so end the never-ending cycle of birth and death that is the sad life of such dogs.  Being taken when they're very young is the only hope for the puppies, because as soon as they're more mobile and can run they're impossible to catch.  

The first stage of the puppies' new lives is foster care, and it's these temporary homes that are so important for not only health and nutrition, but also to get the puppies used to humans and our way of life.  Left in the wild most wouldn't even survive, but those who do have to live by their wits and instinct, with the females starting to reproduce at as young as six months of age. 

We're always in need of foster homes to carry on such important work, so if you can help please let Cindy know at foster@hongkongdgrescue.com.  The new puppies are old enough to eat on their own so at least won't need intensive care and bottle feeding, and all food as well as everything else will be provided.

Bucket needs a home

It's always a mistake to mention dogs that are taken for trial adoptions because it doesn't always work out and then I have to retract the happy news.  It was my excitement about Bucket going to a potential home that made me break my golden rule, and now he's coming back.  We're all incredibly disappointed, but most of all very sad, because Bucket deserves a home more than any other dog we currently have.  He's had the worst luck  and it's not his fault that he's so enthusiastic about everything that he needs to be kept busy and interested.  He walks incredibly well on a leash and doesn't pull at all, but he needs a home with a garden and preferably a nearby beach where he can dig in the sand (his absolute favourite game) and swim in the sea (the best exercise for his joints).  He would also benefit from having another dog he could play with and be entertained by.

Bucket can't live in an apartment without outside space, but if you can offer a forever home to a big and goofy dog please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Most trial adoptions do work out and the latest one to be confirmed is Skippy, the chihuahua cross.  Well done Skippy!

Tues 6th April: Double the love

Today's lucky puppy Opal

Little Gem Opal was picked up by her new family today after having been chosen at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, leaving her adorable brother Jet at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre.  He's happy to play with the many other puppies  at the Homing Centre, but a home would be even better. 

Gorgeous Louie (small) and Lexi are at Tai Po

I was asked again what a puppy will look like as an adult, and what will its temperament be? As far as looks and size are concerned, it's true some puppies do change their coats as they get older, but in general, apart from the ears which often stand up even if not initially erect, an adult dog will be a bigger version of a puppy.  The standard size of a mixed breed is 20kg to 25kg, but some will be larger and some will be smaller, and that's impossible in most cases to predict.  As far as temperament is concerned, assuming a puppy is happy and friendly when young it should grow into a happy and friendly adult, and that's where the treatment and training come in.  If you understand that a human child needs gentle guidance to grow into a well-balanced adult, it's the same with any animal.  Using dominance and punishment to train a puppy will result in a dog that doesn't trust people, while encouragement and reward means a puppy will grow up seeing their humans as family.  Trust on both sides is the key, and a human hand should be one that gives food, treats and petting, never smacks or punishment. 

Owen and Bobby when they first arrived at Tai Po

 I need to check back to see exactly when it was, but last year we accepted four surrendered senior labradors from the same owner, three black males and a chocolate female.  They were all in poor condition, the males especially, but luckily they were all taken in for fostering, and over time with many vet visits, surgeries and whatever else was needed to help them, they regained health and strength as much as was possible given their age.  Inevitably, and despite wonderful care in their respective foster homes, we started to lose the dogs to age and ill health, and this week we said goodbye to Owen.  It wasn't unexpected, but nonetheless it's always sad to lose a dog under any circumstances.  In a final very kind gesture, the foster family generously donated $10,000 to help cover the cost of Owen's high vet bills and his cremation at the end, and I was happy to let then know that this amount will be matched by the Bodhi Love Foundation.

From 31 March to 25 April, any one-off donations made towards HKDR will be matched by

Bodhi Love Foundation 寶狄慈善基金

with a maximum total of $150,000. It means when you make a donation of any amount, Bodhi Love Foundation will match your donation and double the impact.

Bodhi Love Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to nurturing the next generation of wise and compassionate global citizens and leaders, equipping the young with skills they would need to navigate a fast-changing world. They have a mission to awaken and promote positive values in the world, including love and empathy for animals, starting with children.

Please donate now via our website here: https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/

Mon 5th April: Holidays mean hiking

 Another happy puppy had his adoption confirmed today, one of "The Edibles", Noodle. He had to convince the other dogs in the home that he was a good boy and it worked, so he is now officially one of the family. 

There are certainly lots of other puppies to choose from if you're interested in adopting, and here are just some of them enjoying their dinner (one of several during the day).  While these puppies are at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre there are also more lovely youngsters at Tai Po, and you can see their photos here: https://www.facebook.com/HappyWoofHK (as well as others). 

It's been a quiet Easter/Ching Ming holiday weekend but an extra day off means hiking opportunities for a lot of the Tai Po dogs and volunteers.  I'm sure there'll be photos posted which I'll be able to share later, but thank you to everyone for giving the dogs a great day out. 

Sun 4th April: Happy Easter Sunday

Treacle really loves her daddy

 I'd written previously that we were sure the four little Sugarbabe sisters were crossbreeds rather than mixed breed because they are all so alike, something that really doesn't happen in a litter where both parents are themselves mixed breed, or mongrels.  Usually when we get a litter of puppies there will be a variety of colours and coats, even sizes, but that wasn't the case with the Sugarbabes.  Of the four, Treacle was the first to be adopted and looking at the lovely photos sent by her new daddy it really looks like they're at least half miniature pinscher, with the other part unknown.  There are three of these lovely little girls still available, so if you're interested you know what to do as a first step, complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

These photos were taken on 12th March

Another litter we took in as very young babies were the Little Gemstones, and they are going to their new homes one by one now.  Emerald was the first to be adopted, while Onyx was picked up from foster care today and Opal was chosen at Whiskers N Paws. Now only Jet and Quartz are still waiting for their big day to come.

Opal and brother Jet 

Once again I have to thank our amazing foster homes for what they do to help both us and the puppies, and to Cindy, our Foster Coordinator who does such an incredible job as a volunteer.  Every time new puppies arrive and we call for Cindy's help she works miracles in finding new foster homes, and she's going to be busy again as we have more babies arriving.  If you can help please email Cindy at foster@hongkongdogrescue.com, and we will provide everything you need if you can just provide the space and time. 

So far 6 of this litter have been found

Lucky Moolah wasn't with us for long

Over at Tai Po Moolah was the lucky dog who was chosen to go to her new home, with photos being sent by her adopter. 

The Easter Fair at Murray House in Stanley continued today, and we had a full donation box thanks to 99Bus who asked passengers to donate to HKDR rather than pay their fares to the bus driver.  In case you don't know 99Bus is a special pet bus for dogs and their owners, and what a great service it is too! Check out their website for routes and details here: https://www.99bus.org/

Sat 3rd April: Easter weekend options

 

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With the long weekend combined with good weather we didn't have the usual number of visitors at the Homing Centres that we'd normally expect for a Saturday, but maybe puppy adopters are waiting for Sunday and the return of the Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party.  We will be holding some puppies back at the Homing Centre, and of course they'll be there before and after as well as every other day, but the space on the terrace allows the puppies to run and play, and of course there's really yummy food available at the Whiskers N Paws cafe too. 

Several prople have asked if reservations or appointments are needed, and the answer is no but please make sure you complete the adoption questionnaire in advance: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Also unfortunately we don't have any small-sized puppies or young adults at the moment if that's what you're looking for.  

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Also for foodies there's the continuing Easter event at Murray House in Stanley which is open from 12 noon until 7pm so you can combine shopping with checking out the many eateries in the vicinity. 

Fri 2nd April: A Good Friday

Lovely Barbie's got a home

 It was no surprise that two of the "B" triplets were chosen today as Barbie and Benny are certainly very lovely puppies.  The remaining "B" is Bert, and he was introduced to all of the other youngsters downstairs at the Homing Centre when he was left on his own, and as puppies always do he immediately started playing. He's different from his siblings but also very cute!

Bert was moved downstairs

Benny and family

The other puppy to leave was Sugarbabe Treacle, returned by her foster parent on Thursday and adopted back today.  Another happily failed foster!

Little senior Skippy was also given a new chance of a home as he was taken for a trial, hopefully never to be seen again (in the nicest way possible). 

I suspect we're going to get a lot of enquiries about a little dog that was surrendered today (due to a new human baby in the home, grrrr!) especially because corgi girl Bee is small for the breed. She's almost eight years old so still young enough to have many years ahead of her, and if interested please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ 

It's often the case that being surrendered is the best thing that can happen to a dog, and it's certainly the case with Bee as she wasn't walked in her now ex-home and had long nails to prove it.  If you don't have the time to walk a dog then get a cat or a hamster, or even a stuffed toy. 

Senior Skippy

Bucket's a good boy at heart

The biggest and happiest news for me was hearing that Bucket had been picked up from Tai Po as arranged, with his new parents prepared for the tornado that was about to hit their home.  The morning's report was "It was tough but the house is still standing".  Bucket has many months of missed puppyhood to make up for and he loves playing, and the bigger the "toy" the better.   I wish Bucket the best possible life with many years of happiness to come. 

Thurs 1st April: A full house of puppies

 

Little Gemstones Opal and Jet

We have a full house of puppies at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre as "The Edibles" (pasta or fruit) and the "Little Gems" came back, as well as the Sugarbabes, all looking very well after their stay in respective foster homes and now ready to venture out into the big wide world as family members.  I can't say I'm not anxious at this time because I want the best for every dog and puppy, and some are luckier than others even if we try our very best to make sure that every adopter understands what's involved in having a puppy at home and the long-term commitment of taking care of an sdult dog. 

As babies in foster care

Soba and Udon, two pasta Edibles, have taken the place of Gunner and Shandy at Whiskers N Paws, and as a reminder we'll be restarting the Sunday Puppy Afternoons this weekend, Easter Sunday.  Whichever day or location you're planning on visiting, please remember to complete the adoption questionnaire in advance: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Both of our Homing Centres are open every single day of the year, including every holiday and typhoon, from 10am to 6pm, but we may not have what you're looking for so please make sure you have already submitted the questionnaire in advance.  For example, we haven't had any small dogs in for some time, so unfortunately if that's the size you want then we can't help at the moment.  We do have some of the older poodles still in foster homes, and our little "Red Dogs" of course, but no puppies or young adults.  

Also taking place this Easter weekend there's the 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐚𝐫

𝟑𝐫𝐝 - 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥

𝐆/𝐅, 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲

𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 - 𝟏𝟗:𝟎𝟎

Thank you

膳動衡 FOODSPORT

for the invitation!

In case you're wondering about shiba inu King and how his adoption interview went, he's moving to his new home on Friday for a trial to see how it all works out.  I have a feeling this time it's going to be forever.