Fri 18th June: Donations in kind are also very welcome

 We had two new puppies joining the never-ending party at Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre today (take a look at the fun in this video: https://www.facebook.com/hkdogrescue/videos/pcb.4436283816384316/294974298997797). These boys are now Marsh and Mello, because they're sweet and soft even if not white. 

What a handsome dog

At the same time, and also from AFCD Sheung Shui, a new German shepherd arrived at Tai Po and of course he's a very handsome boy, name still pending.  I immediately thought of Rin Tin Tin, but that was from my childhood days a long time ago, so I'm not sure that anyone else would even know who that was. 

These photos don't do them justice

I met the two new shiba inu Stella and Zippy today, and they're very small and lovely.  We're already had a lot of interest in the pair but I want to wait until they've had a vet check and assessment by Dr Tony at Acorn before making any decision.  Stella has an old leg injury which may need surgery to repair, while Zippy has the same but in his jaw.  

The same kind of repair leg surgery was carried out on runaway Jilly, a small-medium sized girl who was lost on Monkey Mountain and was last seen at Tai Po Road Petro gas station.  She has been missing for too long now but we won't give up hope that someone will see her and then we can at least have something to work with in terms of finding her.   She's easy to identify because of the recent surgery and the fact that she'll be walking on three legs.   

We have another young female shiba inu due to be surrendered to us on Saturday, this time due to the young child in the home having allergies from the dog, according to the doctor.  This shiba is also friendly, but we'll wait for her to arrive before sharing more information.

I also hope to be confirming adoption updates during the weekend, and we have so many gorgeous adult dogs and puppies to choose from.  Please complete the adoption questionnaire in advance of any visit and we can tell you about the dogs that will be the best match for your home and family: www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

We had another very welcome donation of fresh organic beef bones today thanks to https://www.facebook.com/growsfresh.  I handed them out as soon as I got home, and while I meant to take a video of the dogs grabbing their prize, it was all such mayhem that I forgot.  Next time. 

Minky and her new mat

Another very useful donation of some pet mats has made a big difference to Lamma dog Minky's life, so thank you to whoever it was that dropped them off at Ap Lei Chau.  Minky suddenly went blind quite recently, and she's also losing strength in her back legs meaning it's very hard for her to stand.  I'd tried putting towels on the tiles but they just get pushed away as Minky struggles to stand, while the mats stay in place.  These little things can make a big difference to a dog, especially in their sentior years when nothing works as well as it used to, so thank you. 

Thurs 17th June: Super-hot temperatures - be careful!

Piper waiting for the boat  

 Iris came over to Lamma again, this time to help take three of the little dogs to AFCD Pokfulam for their license updates, and also to give Dainty and Damson time at the beach and swimming, which they really love especially when it's so incredibly hot.   All of these dogs are available for adoption and are just waiting for that special home that appreciates the individual characteristics and behaviour of every dog. 

Young Damson loves swimming

I had to be out all afternoon so was very grateful for Iris's help, and I know the dogs are even happier than I am for the outings.

Dainty

We have yet more new arrivals due on Friday from AFCD Sheung Shui, a German Shepherd adult and two young puppies.  I really hope this time the adult doesn't have heartworm, but in the New Territories and with a breed that tends to be kept outside (not good) we've come to be happily surprised when any dog tests negative.   The German shepherd is quite young at four years and we're told she has a very sweet temperament, so I wonder what her story is.

The weekend is approaching so that means more potential adopters coming to meet the dogs and puppies, at both of our Homing Centres as well as Whiskers N Paws on Sunday.

I hope I don't need to remind everyone that with such high current temperatures there's a very high risk of heat stroke in dogs, especially the short-nosed and elderly.  Please be sensible about when you take your dogs out, where (remembering the pavements are also very hot) and for how long.  Make sure you stay under shade as much as possible,  don't walk in the middle of the day and take water for your dog to drink.  I know my own Lamma dogs are happy to have a shorter walk and to get home to the air-conditioning rather than staying outside, and we're restricting the hiking for the Tai Po dogs for the duration of the summer months.  

Weds 16th June: The importance of microchips

 I wonder why it is that someone would have a much-loved dog but not have it microchipped? I say this because I received an email about the dog that was found and who we called Kettle.  The message was from the owner wanting to claim her dog back, and even though it seems "Kettle" had apparently been desexed and vaccinated,  she wasn't chipped.  The reason for the microchip is that had we scanned "Kettle" and found her microchip number, we would have asked AFCD to contact the owner to come to pick her up and that would have been the end of it.  As there was no microchip we had "Kettle" licensed (microchipped and rabies vaccinated) and health-checked, plus given a vaccination, and she went to our Tai Po Homing Centre.  Now the previous owner has to adopt her dog back and pay for everything we had done, but at least it means that if "Kettle" gets lost again it will be easy to trace the registered owner.   This time at least the story has a happy ending, but it could have been very different.  

Due to an admin error it turned out that a lot of our smaller dogs weren't appearing on the website, and when I realised what had happened and it was fixed there have suddenly been a lot of enquiries.  I'd been wondering why these dogs were staying with us when normally they'd be adopted very quickly, so now if you go to the website www.hongkongdogrescue.com/dogs/ and search for small dogs you'll see a big selection to choose from.  If you're interested in meeting any of them please start by completing the adoption questionnaire so we can see who would be a good match.  It's at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

Jimmy is lucky to have kept his natural tail

For example, Jimmy the long-tailed corgi is friendly to people but not well socialised with other dogs, so he wouldn't suit an inexperienced adopter living in an area where there were lots of other dogs around.   Johnnie is very lively and playful and will need a lot of exercise, but he's quite shy to start with and may take time to settle.  Every dog has its own personality so we don't match adopters with any particular breed, rather the nature and energy levels of the dog.

Bye sweet Binky, enjoy your new life

Binky is a very sweet and easy little dog and she found her forever family today, while pom Button's foster parents joined the Failed Fosters Club, an exclusive group of members. 

Button is staying for ever

Tues 15th June: Still more dogs coming in

 The two ex-breeder shiba inu arrived in the morning, a young adult female now called Stella and an older puppy boy given the name of Zippy.  Neither were microchipped despite it being the law in Hong Kong to license any puppy over the age of five months, but breeders do what they want without any fear of punishment.  I wondered why a young male had been thrown away, because even if not sold these puppies are usually then used for breeding, but it was clear that this boy had a broken jaw at some point.  We'll have to send to Dr Tony at Acorn to look at to see if it can be surgically fixed.  Both dogs are now licensed according to the ages I was given by the intermediary, who in turn was told by the breeder, so Stella is officially three years old and Zippy ten months.

This is the result of allergies

We also picked up another poodle from AFCD Pokfulam, a nine year-old boy in a terrible state almost certainly due to poor diet.  Many poodles, in fact most of them, have food allergies and can't tolerate chicken, so that means NO chicken is allowed, not even a treat.  We sent now-Kimchi to see Dr Denise at ALCVC as she specialises in diet and holistic treatment, which is exactly what's needed in such cases. 

Bella has no health or behaviour issues

I received more information about the other poodle about to be made homeless and Bella is fully toilet trained to go outside, and has no health or behaviour issues.  I'd love to have a home for her to go to so she doesn't have to stay at the Homing Centre.  It's not that it's a bad place, but for adult dogs that have been in one home since they were young puppies it's overwhelming, especially with puppies jumping all over you. 

Puppies currently at Ap Lei Chau

I mentioned breeders, and I'm sure I don't need to remind you how angry this subject makes me.  These people are loathesome, the lowest of the low, using dogs as money machines with absolutely no regard for their health, welfare or well-being.  The border collie puppy, who was sold far too young and who turned out to be infected with distemper before being surrendered to us, was euthanised today after he started having seizures.  There's no way back for a puppy with distemper when this happens, and it was distressing for everyone who tried so hard to save him. 

Also very distressing is the fact that lost dog Jilly is still missing and with no sightings at all.  She's easy to recognise due to the fact that she's walking on three legs following recent surgery and one back leg is still shaved.  There's a $10,000 reward being offered, so hopefully that will be an incentive for people to go looking for her, and a nice bonus for domestic helpers who also like hiking (like mine). 

Mon 14th June: Teezil Melts My Heart

Teezil is small, happy, playful

 OK it's true, I stole that from a Facebook page called Tuna Melts My Heart (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044634060205), because Teezil looks so much like Tuna with his funny overbite, but he's a very cute little boy with a big personality.  He also has a "cherry eye", a tear gland that's popped out of place, but that can be fixed later. 

The inspection of the new arrivals

Teezil, Tucker and Toggle have finally moved downstairs to be with the bigger puppies at the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, and they immediately chose Quartz (the larger of the white puppies) as their favourite playmate.  Quartz is also a wonderful puppy boy, incredibly friendly and tolerant, and he's my number one recommendation at the moment. 

Tucker will be long with short legs

Tucker is what I call a little-big dog meaning a long body with short legs, and Toggle is similarly vertically challeged, although slightly less so.  In either case they're not going to be big adults. 

Toggle is like a small bear

Bella needs a new family

We're expecting a new arrival at Ap Lei Chau, a sad surrender, meaning that the poodle is very much loved but circumstances mean she has to find a new home.  There are such situations when dogs have to be given up, even if it's extremely hard for the owner, such as the recent chihuahua-cross Gigi.  Her owner, an old man, was in tears about losing the dog he thought of as his family member, so there's no criticism in such cases.  This particular poodle has been with her family since she was a young puppy, so ideally we can move her straight to a new home.   If this is you please complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/  

"Surrendering my dog is an extremely difficult decision for me. The current pandemic situation has affected people in many different ways. I have been with her since she was a baby. Although she is not young (9 years), she is very healthy, playful and easy to teach. She gets friendly to anyone very easily, but could be shy in the beginning. I really hope you can find a good home for her as you said, and I am very indebted to you."

Also coming to Ap Lei Chau, and possibly as soon as Tuesday, will be two ex-breeder shiba inu, one still an older boy puppy and the other a young female adult.  Please read tomorrow's blog for updates.  I should mention that as breeder dogs they will have been kept in cages so they won't be toilet trained, even if I'm told they're friendly to people. 

Yuzu looks very pleased at being adopted

There do seem to be more dogs coming in than going out, but there's still a steady trickle of adoptions happening.  I mentioned before that someone met "Edibles" puppy Yuzu at the Wild Woof event on Saturday, and today he came to Tai Po to pick Yuzu up.   There are now just two left from this large litter who came to us as very young babies, Ziti and Lemon, so if you're thinking about adopting don't leave it too long.

Both Homing Centres are open every single day of the year without exception, so you can visit at any time as long as you have completed the questionnaire and have received a reply.  Please check your Spam inbox if you're still waiting to hear back as many emails seem to end up there. 

Sun 13th June: Another arrival and more adoptions

 

Kettle is young and friendly

I should probably start with the early arrival of yet another new dog, brought to us by an ex-adopter of a few HKDR dogs after finding now-Kettle sitting outside the residential complex. I told her to bring the dog to Ap Lei Chau for scanning (in case of a microchip), and finding there wasn't one we immediately sent Kettle to ALCVC for licensing, health check and vaccination.  Later in the day she went up to Tai Po with the older puppies who'd been at Whiskers N Paws for the puppy afternoon.  Kettle is young, healthy and very friendly, so if you're interested in giving her a home you know where to find her.

Eric Tang was the photographer for the puppy session at Whiskers N Paws, and you can check out his lovely photos here  Puppy Adoption Day 13th June 2021 (names will be added later today in case you check out the album early). 

Sandy's big day

Happily "Beach Baby" siblings Sandy and Pebble, who had been together in the same foster home since they were newborns, were both adopted today.  Yes, it would have been wonderful if they could have stayed together and double adoptions are definitely the best, but they will be loved and cared for by their new families and they will soon adjust.  These adoptions close the file on this particular litter, found stranded on a beach having just been born and with some having already perished in the incoming tide. 

Pebble also went home

There was a double adoption today though, that of Penny and Pickle of the "P Litter", leaving only Percy without a home.  He's been staying at Whiskers N Paws as a full-time guest along with Loopy, but after today's session he moved back to the Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre while Loopy was sent to Tai Po.  She'd grown too big and agile to stay at the store, and was able to climb out and wander round freely, something that others before her have also managed to do.  Their spot as HKDR in-store ambassadors has been taken by Marco and Xena, younger and smaller and easier to contain. 

Matching pair Percy and Quartz

Marco stayed behind at WNP

It was the first outing for three of the "Little Blacks" and they were very scared.  However this is normal, and their foster parent reported that once back home they were running around and behaving like normal puppies.  

Baby Blacks on their way home

Joshua came back to Ap Lei Chau from his foster home today, following surgery to remove the remains of a leg that had been badly amputated before.  He was happy to be back with friends, and for photos of other small-sized dogs please check out Eagle's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HKDR.DOGGIES

Joshua came back to ALC

We still have sweet poodle Binky, long-tailed corgi Jimmy, new chihuahua-cross Gigi and young terrier-cross Johnnie.  

As always please complete the adoption questionnaire if you're interested in any of the dogs or puppies available.  You can see the older puppies and adults on our website www.hongkongdogrescue.com/dogs/

Sat 12th June: A "Wild Woof" afternoon

Yuzu and Cyrus

 According to feedback the Wild Woof event that took place today was very successful, and I think everyone is happy to have somewhere to go and something to do that includes the dogs. It helped that the venue was indoors, or at least under cover, because of intermittent rain, and for us it may result in a home for Yuzu, one of the remaining "Edibles" litter.  Also attending were puppy Donut, with adults Hudson and Cyrus,  all lovely characters.

Hudson

Donut admiring his reflection

There were also other potential homes for more Tai Po dogs, but we'll have to wait to see if interest turns into actual adoption.  Sometimes even the most enthusiastic of potential adopters go away and never come back, so we know nothing can be taken for granted.  There are so many organisations now that shopping around seems to be the norm, and while that's understandable from one point of view it's frustrating from our side.  

"Beach Baby" Salty was lined up to go to Whiskers N Paws on Sunday but instead he'll be going to his new forever home at the same time as his sister Coral leaves to start her life as a family member.  Another member of that litter, Pebble, will be at the afternoon event, along with three "X Factor" sisters, Xena, Xyla and Xanthe, "Little Gem" Quartz plus "P Litter" Penny and Pickle.  Percy is staying at Whiskers N Paws too, so there's quite a collection of young puppies to meet.  Please do remember to complete the adoption questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/ 

Teezil has a cherry eye

The three "T" puppies will be staying at our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, for this Sunday at least, and they're Teezil, Tucker and Toggle. 

Toggle

Tucker