Tues 23rd Aug: Typhoon Fosters still needed please

 

Rebecca and Serena after a day's work at tai Po

The pre-typhoon air was so thick today you could practically eat it, and while most of us were lucky enough to be able to spend at least some of the time indoors with air conditioning, the Tai Po staff were left completely drained and exhausted by the end of the afternoon.  We really need to get as many Tai Po dogs as possible into foster homes before Thursday, especially as it seems unclear at this point just how bad the wind and rain will get (bad enough, I'm sure). You can help by just turning up to take a dog if you have fostered before, or emailing foster.hkdr@gmail.com to register as a Bad Weather Foster.   

At the very worst time in terms of the weather, we were asked to take an 8 year-old German shepherd called Drogo that had been surrendered to AFCD Pokfulam, and I won't even bother to mention the reason for the dog being abandoned because it was complete nonsense.   There must be someone out there who can take this poor dog in,  even temporarily, and he's now at our Tai Po Homing Centre.

There was some good news from Tai Po though, as one of the volunteers will be adopting Duncan after moving to a dog-friendly home and area just for him.  This is the very best outcome for both sides because the bond has already been created between dog and adopter, and the move to a home together will be trouble-free.   I have suggested to many would-be first-time adopters that they start by volunteering, because in that way you can learn a lot about dogs in general, as well as finding that perfect companion that fits your home and personality.  It's really a win-win situation for everyone. 

Cole was adopted today

Also finding their forever homes were three puppies, two foster fails (Freda and Trudy), and Cole from Kennedy Town.  Cole's adoption was particularly heart-warming because he's been suffering from an ongoing intestinal upset which didn't respond to any of the normal treatments.  We finally managed to get both a proper diagnosis as well as the appropriate medication, and Cole set off to start his new life with his special tablets going too. 

Hudson

I mentioned terrier puppy Hudson yesterday, and the recommendation that he starts physiotherapy to try to get him to use his legs while he's young enough for everything to grow properly.  We have contacted Paws in Motion about starting the sessions, but there's quite a long wait for an appointment.  Apart from that, the surgery so far as well as future operations to come plus the upcoming physiotherapy costs, will mean this being a very expensive puppy.  Of course we will do whatever it takes to help Hudson, just as we do for all of our dogs and puppies, and there are so many that come to us needing extensive and essential treatment.  

Gala is still waiting for a home

Just recently the three ex-breeder shibas, two schnauzers and two poodles all needed complicated and costly treatment, and we still have the heartworm treatment to come.  Donations to help cover these veterinary costs are always needed, and very welcome of course.  You can visit our website https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/to see how you can help. 

Little Jude pulled his toenail out 

Mon 22nd Aug: Almost 20 years!

Fuzzy-faced Jack early in August

 We might be lucky with the weather and see the potential typhoon come and go before next weekend, because I want to have a repeat of Sunday's adoption success.  The puppy list has been updated, with the lucky ones removed, so here's the latest.  Not all of the photos are recent, so if you're interested in any of the puppies please ask for updates, or go to our Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page:

HKDR Kennedy Town Homing Centre - Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai Hong Lane, 28 Praya, Kennedy Town

Clio (F), Molly (F), Poppy (F), Aria (F) ,  Ike (M) and Ottilie (F)

Mambo (M),  Moose (M)

HKDR Headquarters - Shop 4, G/F, Cheong Yue Mansion, 13-19 North Street, Kennedy Town

Edgar (M) and Evan (M)

Alan (M) and Kyle (M)

Dawn (F), Darwin (M), Duke (M), Drummond (M) and Drake (M)

 

Whiskers N Paws - 10/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 

Jude (M) Muppet (M), Mojo (M)

Foster homes on Hong Kong Island

Charlie (M) and Cressie (F) @Chung Hom Kok

Roland (M) @Pok Fu Lam

Tanya (F) and Tabitha (F) @Kennedy Town

Felli (F) @Wan Chai

Azaria (F) @Happy Valley (Instagram Page @zeldainthevalley )

Titan (M) and Tina (F) @Happy Valley 

Zippy (M) @North Point

Foster homes in Kowloon and New Territories

Josh (M)  @Ho Man Tin

Joe (M) and Jack (M) @Kowloon Tong

Trudy (F) @Ma On Shan

Mascot (M) and Misty (F) @Tseung Kwan O

Tommy (M) and Tiffany(F) @Tseung Kwan O

Hudson is so adorable

Not all puppies are included because some are too young, or in the case of Hudson, still not able to walk properly.  His knee surgery was a success in that he can now stand, but it's highly likely that further surgery will be needed on his hips once he's old enough.  Operating on young puppies and their bones is always a challenge, because as they grow things move and change, so it's usually best to wait until they're adults.  Hudson is due to have his stitches removed on Tuesday, and then the situation can be assessed.  One thing's for sure though, Hudson is absolutely gorgeous!

Our 20th Anniversary is next year, and it's quite scary to think that so much time has passed since the founding of HKDR in 2003.  Thousands of dogs and puppies have been adopted during those years, many of whom have since passed on due to old age.  Some of you may remember the books we have published during that time, and it occurred to me that we should probably do another book to celebrate those 20 years, a mix of our previous 10th Anniversary Book and the Tribute Books of dog photos.  This is still in the early discussion stages, but if you think you would like your dog to be included (and sorry, it has to have been adopted from HKDR), please look out for announcements. 

Sun 21st Aug: Six lucky puppies today

 

Four very happy puppies 

Wow, what a day it was for the puppies, as six of them found their new forever homes today.  Two of these lucky ones were adopted at the Whiskers N Paws Puppy Party,  Puppy Adoption Day 21st August 2022, while two more left from Kennedy Town, and the last pair from their foster home.  

Thanks to Elena Mathew for being our volunteer photographer for the Whiskers N Paws event, as well as being the coordinator for all of our Sunday photographers.   For the "Ears Litter", this was the first time they'd experienced the fun on the terrace, and they made the most of it.  There are even pools with sprinklers for cooling hot puppies down, and you can see why they all love it so much. 

Little Maize went home today

Before mentioning names, I do want to say first of all how much we appreciate the time and care given by all foster parents.  These weeks, or even months, make all the difference to the puppies who learn from a very early age how to live in a real home, as well as being given basic training and even learning simple tricks.   I also appreciate how difficult it is for many foster parents to hand their puppies over to new families after they have grown to love them, and there are often tears shed at these times.   It's something to bear in mind when you foster, whether it's a puppy or an adult dog, because it's so easy to fall in love with someone who adores you and makes you smile, and you have to be prepared for the bitter-sweet goodbyes.

Older puppy Faye found her family

Munchie was also adopted today

Going back to the happy adoption news, Faye and Impi were the two puppies who left our Kennedy Town Centre, while Maize and Munchie were chosen at Whiskers N Paws.  Coincidentally these two youngsters had been staying in the same foster home, so they will both have to adapt to their new lives at the same time.  Lucky Taylor and Tatum will have each other, as they were adopted as a pair directly from their foster home, so for now I don't have any photos to share. 

Impi heading home

There were other meetings taking place in various locations, some of which I'm pretty sure will mean more dogs or puppies moving on from their foster homes.  

Larissa is medium sized and super sweet

Despite all of the activity today, I don't have any happy adoptions to report from our Tai Po Homing Centre. With so many beautiful dogs of all ages staying there, I wish more potential adopters would consider these slightly older hopefuls, many of whom were themselves puppies just a short time ago. Larissa is just one example of a genuinely sweet dog, only medium sized and a perfect family companion. 

Sweet Pigly

I wanted to share this new photo of pug Pigly taken today.  He's already looking so much better, not to mention happier, and I hope the next photo I post will be of his adoption. 

Sat 20th Aug: Getting ready for a big Sunday Puppy Party!

 It's funny how suddenly so many people suddenly ask about the same dog or puppy, and I know a lot of it has to do with the photos and videos that are shared on our Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page but it still doesn't explain why it's just one that attracts sudden interest.  In this case Freda is the foster puppy that had several potential adopters enquiring about her, while we have so many others also available.   

Titan and Tina making their debut on Sunday

Some of the others whose videos were shared by their foster parents will be making their debut at Whiskers N Paws this Sunday, while still more will be heading over from Kennedy Town for the big Puppy Party from 2pm to 4pm at Horizon Plaza.  The full list is Azaria, Tina, Titan, Josh, Maize and Munchie from foster, and Tanya, Tabitha, Muppet, Mojo, Moose and Mambo from Kennedy Town. 

If you're interested in adopting please make sure you get there as early as possible and not just as we're packing up to leave.  If you can't be there for the two hours in the afternoon you can always meet puppies at our Kennedy Town Homing Centre any day between 10am and 6pm, or arrange a private meeting with foster puppies via our Foster Coordinator, Cindy.   Whichever way you choose, please make sure that you start by completing the adoption questionnaire as a first step https://hongkongdogrescue.com/.../adoption-questionnaire/.

Indie left WNP today

We had a busy day at our Kennedy Town Centres today, with several families coming for a first meeting before making a decision.  I hope that means that Sunday will be the day that several puppies will be packing their bags and leaving to start their new lives, just like Indie did today from Whiskers N Paws.  Her departure leaves Jude on his own, but we'll be adding a new friend or two on Sunday.

Jude's on his own until Sunday

I also wanted to share an updated photo of Gina, one of the two ex-breeder poodles that came to us from AFCD.  She's looking so lovely now, and she's as sweet as she's pretty.  She does still need to be treated for heartworm, but she's available for adoption any time.

Snuffle and Snoopy 

 

Sweet Gina, 6 years old

Also another reminder that we have two adorable pug puppies currently staying on Lamma and enjoying themselves playing in the garden.  I've thought again about letting them be adopted separately, but they're so close and stick together all the time, so for now I'll wait for a home that can adopt them as a pair.  They're very sweet, funny and affectionate, and having two is just double the love and fun. 

Tinny's already adopted!

I almost forgot to mention another very happy adoption, that of little Tinny, the lonesome puppy girl who was taken for fostering the other day and has already had her adoption confirmed.  I can't wait to see photos and hear how she's getting on now that she's another rags-to-riches story. 

Fri 19th Aug: Will Cap169 really make a difference?

Pigly looks older than his actual age

 Today's surprise arrival, which came via AFCD Pokfulam, was a poor pug in pretty horrible condition.  Seeing this dog, not too old at eight years, underlines how important education is in terms of dog ownership, the responsibilities and the costs.  It's upsetting that people will pay a lot of money to buy a puppy from a pet shop or breeder but not spend anything further on proper diet and vet visits, the result of which can clearly be seen in now-Pigly.   

Coincidentally I had been talking to a reporter from SCMP earlier in the day (actually during my morning walk with the dogs) regarding the Proposed Amendments to the Animal Cruelty Laws (Cap 169).  I often wonder if journalists regret even starting the conversation with me, because I have a lot to say on the subject, or anything to do with dogs in Hong Kong.   After decades in the dog rescue "business" I have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on so many fronts that I wonder if there will ever be any real changes.  Education is the key to resolving many of these issues, because animal abuse comes in different forms, some of which are unintentional and are the result of ignorance rather than being deliberate cruelty.  If you want to read the proposals, you can do so here: https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr2022/english/panels/fseh/papers/fseh20220510cb2-277-3-e.pdf

Fritter is also not an old dog, she's just worn out

Deliberate cruelty is found in the dogs being used for breeding, but since so many breeders are illegal and therefore escape any of the laws that are supposed to protect the animals, the suffering continues.  As I mentioned with the four ex-breeder dogs we got from AFCD not too long ago, two of them were at the point of becoming very seriously ill and needed emergency surgeries, while all four were infected with heartworm.  Now Ginny the schnauzer has been adopted, I'm pretty sure the other schnauzer Gala, plus the two poodles, will also be in homes before too long.  

Another ex-breeder puppy, Fonzi, was adopted today following the surgery on the two half-toes that were causing him pain, and he should now go on to live a normal life.  The other two female shibas that arrived with Fonzi are still with us, both showing the results of non-stop breeding during their very sad life. 

Scribble is happy with having space 

Henry and his sweet wonky smile

After having had a lot of small dogs available not that long ago, I'm happy that pretty much all of them have been adopted, the most recent lucky girl being Scribble. She's settling nicely in her new home and is far happier than she was being pestered by puppies at the Homing Centre. Now only Henry is left (other than the ex-breeder dogs I mentioned above), and I don't know why he hasn't been chosen because he's such a sweet boy and only a year old. Anyway, I know his perfect home is just around the corner so I'm not worried. 

As far as the puppies are concerned, I hope several of them will have been crossed off the following available list after the weekend.  (Some of the photos need updating and we're waiting for new ones to be sent by the foster homes).

HKDR Kennedy Town Homing Centre - Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai Hong Lane, 28 Praya, Kennedy Town, HK

Clio (F), Cole (M) (on hold), Molly (F), Poppy (F), Aria (F) , Faye (F), Ike (M) and Ottilie (F)

Mambo (M), Muppet (M), Mojo (M) and Moose (M)

HKDR Headquarters - Shop 4, G/F, Cheong Yue Mansion, 13-19 North Street, Kennedy Town

Edgar (M) and Evan (M)

Impi (M), Alan (M) and Kyle (M)

Dawn (F), Darwin (M), Duke (M), Drummond (M) and Drake (M)

Whiskers N paws - 10/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 

Jude (M) 

Foster homes on Hong Kong Island

Charlie (M) and Cressie (F) @Chung Hom Kok

Tinny (F) @Mid-levels

Roland (M) @Pok Fu Lam

Tatum (F) and Taylor (F) @Sheung Wan (Instagram Page @taylor.tatum.puppies )

Tanya (F) and Tabitha (F) @Kennedy Town

Maize (F) and Munchie (M) @ Sai Ying Pun

Felli (F) @Wan Chai

Freda (F) @Wan Chai

Azaria (F) @Happy Valley (Instagram Page @zeldainthevalley )

Titan (M) and Tina (F) @Happy Valley 

Zippy (M) @North Point

Foster homes on Kowloon and New Territories

Josh (M)  @Ho Man Tin

Joe (M) and Jack (M) @Kowloon Tong

Trudy (F) @Ma On Shan

Mascot (M) and Misty (F) @Tseung Kwan O

Tommy (M) and Tiffany(F) @Tseung Kwan O

Thurs 18th Aug: Rags to riches

Tiffany and even smaller Tommy

 We found something out today when the two baby puppies, Tiffany and Thomas, turned out to be somewhat older than first thought.  They're so small we had assumed they were no more than four weeks old, but two separate vets estimated them to be six to eight weeks (it's hard to be accurate), and that means that their adult size will almost certainly be medium rather than large.  This is good news for everyone, most of all the puppies, because the small to medium dogs are far more likely to find a home than the large ones.  Tiffany is responding to the "liquid gold" for her tick fever, while the smaller of the two, Tommy, seems not to have been infected at all.  If you want to be first in line for adoption you can apply now, although we wouldn't separate the pair just yet. 

Ginny and Mr Turtle will stay together

More good news from schnauzer Ginny's foster parents as they have decided to keep her, which makes me especially happy because it means Mr Turtle gets to keep his new friend too.  I also love that dogs who have spent their whole lives being forced to produce puppies for greedy humans can look forward to a happy, and puppy-free, future as a much-loved family member.   

Fonzi's short and sharp toes

Talking of ex-breeder dogs, some are lucky enough to escape early, like the shiba puppy Fonzi, born with two toes missing (not just one as previously thought). As you can see from the X-ray, rather than the toes being entirely absent they just didn't develop properly, and the sharp bone ends were causing pain.  These two toes have now been completely amputated, so hopefully that not only means no more problems for Fonzi, but also a new home (we have a very keen adopter-to-be waiting). 

Harry on arrival at Kennedy Town

There are so many heart warming rags-to-riches stories, and I'm not referring to the money aspect rather the life-changing moment when a dog or puppy is chosen for adoption.  Some wait for years, others a matter of days, or even hours, just like little Harry who went to his new home less than a day after coming to us. 

Harry just a short time later

Giant-sized Akita Luna was surrendered by her family when they left Hong Kong without her, but her adoption has now been confirmed by her foster home.  I look forward to seeing photos of this lovely girl. 

 What's best of all though, is when one of our long-termers finally leaves the Tai Po Homing Centre never to return, and many even fly off to other countries to start a whole new life even at a senior age.   It's really never too late to begin again.