Sun 18th June: Doglets need homes!

Together forever 

Despite the continuing rain and thunderstorms, it was a happy day for the two basset hounds, Bentley and Bertha, who were adopted together and are now settling into their new forever home.  

Liam last weekend at WNP

Young puppy Liam has also been adopted, as has the first of the newest "B" babies, and Bounce will be flying to England soon to start a new life there. 

It's so good to be able to play on the terrace again!

Bounce at the top, Ben below

Eric Tang was back at Whiskers N Paws for the regular Puppy Party today, and happily the rain held off and everyone was able to enjoy playtime on the terrace  uppy Adoption Day 18th June 2023. 

We have some other potential adoptions that we're waiting to hear about, but this is the worst time of the year as people are planning their summer holidays and don't want to commit to a new dog just yet.  

I'm not worried about the smaller dogs or younger puppies, as they have time and can wait for the right family to come along, but the older puppies at our Brilliant Court, Kennedy Town Centre are doglets now, and they really need to be in homes where they can grow into adults in a more suitable environment.  More than any others, these are the dogs that we need foster homes for, hopefully as trial adoptions, but even as purely fosters it would make a huge difference to them.

Cassie, Cairo and Cooper

If you can take one of these lovely doglets and give them the space they need, please complete the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/volunteer/fostering/ as a first step.

All of these doglets are fully vaccinated, licensed and desexed, and they're just waiting for the next big step in their lives. 

Carter 

Sat 17th June: Please don't mind the rain

 I don't mind the rain because it keeps the temperature down and waters the plants, but it certainly doesn't help with adoptions, even if we are open as usual.  Thankfully not everyone was deterred, and one of the poodles at Kennedy Town left for a trial with the resident cat, while even Tai Po saw some welcome visitors looking at potential dogs. 

Bowie 

Of course we'll be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, while the most recent puppy intake, plus Barbie, will be staying at 13-19 North Street, Kennedy Town, if you're interested in small-sized youngsters. 

Check the HKDR Facebook page for videos

Please check out our  Facebook page Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) for photos of all of the puppies, young and a bit older,  still waiting to meet their forever families, as there are so many of them. 

Please remember to complete the adoption questionnaire as a first step for all enquiries: https://hongkongdogrescue.com/.../adoption-questionnaire/

Fri 16th June: A round-up on a rainy day

 I was planning to do some food shopping today, which means going over to Hong Kong Island as there's nothing at all where I live, but somehow the thought of being out in the torrential rain with heavy bags to carry didn't have much appeal.   My dogs felt the same way and our morning walk lasted about five minutes before I noticed nobody was following me, and I can't say I blame them.  

Beanie has been adopted 

Our Homing Centres are open regardless of course, because we can't just close the doors and leave the dogs to take care of themselves, plus do the cleaning, so if you're planning on visiting over the weekend, please don't cancel just because of the rain.  

We'll also be at Whiskers N Paws on Sunday, 2pm to 4pm, and hopefully the rain will stop for those two hours so the puppies can enjoy some fun and games on the terrace.  The latest intake of "B" youngsters won't be joining the Sunday party, but you can meet them (and others) any day of the week at our Kennedy Town Centre, 13-19 North Street, from 10am to 6pm (please just make sure you have completed the adoption questionnaire in advance).

 

You may be wondering about the family of ten almost-poodles that came to us recently.  They're still as "sticky" as ever, meaning that they need to be adopted in pairs, and we've started having them desexed so there'll be no new additions to the family.  Assuming that there are no cancellations, I hope this weekend will see some of them leaving for new homes and lives, so I'll update once anything is confirmed.

Marcus arrived with a mystery dressing

Sometimes it takes a while for dogs to be ready for adoption, as so many come to us needing surgery for this and that, with most of the small dog cases being wobbly knees.  It was a while ago that poodle Marcus arrived, in fact we were still keeping dogs at our Elgin Street base at the time.  We were told that he'd just been desexed, but the recent surgery wound was on his hip, with a sticking plaster still attached.  It turned out that the hip surgery had been botched, as is sadly so often the case, so Dr Tony had to start again and fix it properly. Because Marcus hadn't been using his leg for so long, he needed to have regular physiotherapy sessions to get him to walk on four legs again.  I'm very happy to say that Marcus moved from foster care to a new forever home today.  

Tiny poodle Tatum also left Elgin Street today to be fostered so she could have knee (patella) surgery, while her now-adopted "sister" Tara has just had her floppy wrist repaired (again thanks to Dr Tony at Acorn).  Senior poodle Bee is now in a foster home, leaving only Rex to act as office assistant until he too is offered a place to stay, whether temporary or permanent. 

Obviously all of the surgeries, heart scans, MRI scans and everything else related to the dogs' health and welfare comes at a cost, and if you can help with a donation it would really be appreciated.  https://hongkongdogrescue.com/donate/one-off-donations/

Thurs 15th June: All good news today

 If I only write about one thing today it has to be this.  Sometimes I moan about things and people (you could even say often), but the truth is that there are far more good souls in the world than bad, and I'm lucky enough to have met many of them, even if only briefly.  

If you regularly read my blog you'll already know the story of little Jinks, who came to us not long ago unable to walk. We'd been told that Jinks was a survivor of horrible abuse, and an MRI showed that he had a metal pellet lodged in the base of one ear.  Still, we really hoped that its removal would be the answer to the problems, but sadly that wasn't the case.  Whatever damage had been done was almost certainly permanent and Jinks will never be able to walk properly.  

We'd asked for a foster home pending the results of the MRI and were prepared for any offer to be withdrawn when we received the bad news, but we didn't take into account the incredible kindness of the person who took Jinks in regardless.  Not only that, but she had him fitted with wheels so he could get around more easily, and although he's still learning how it works you can see the results so far, and just look at Jinks's tail!  It's not a full miracle, but it's close enough. 

Hooray for Ali!

There was more happy news to follow, and I was just waiting for confirmation that my favourite puppy Ali's adoption interview went very well and she'll be heading off to her forever home.  I knew this day would come, and all I can say is her new family are very lucky.  Now I have to start work on my next project puppy. 

Weds 14th June: A surprise in-and-out

Standard poodle or labradoodle?

 When Yannie sent me a message asking if we had any suitable home for a standard poodle puppy that needed a new family, of course I said we had many, thanks to recent labdradoodle Byron and the avalanche of offers received at that time.  I immediately contacted the first on the list, and to cut the story short by the end of the day the puppy (which I think is actually a labradoodle too, but that's not important) was already settling into his new home.   The reason this puppy was being given up was that he was much bigger than his owner had expected, but at least the man had the sense to realise that and understand that his home wasn't suitable.

The corgi will come to us on Thursday

This morning I got a surrender request for another purebreed dog that was abandoned, this time a corgi, and while it looks young from the photo I have no further information at this time.  All I was told was that this corgi has already been in at least three homes, passed on because the families had no time to take care of it.  I have agreed to accept the dog in case there's anyone reading this that would be interested in adopting.  As always please start the process by completing the questionnaire at www.hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

You may have seen the recent terrible story about the pug puppy that was found suffocated (I have to admit I quickly scrolled past the details), and the fact that the puppy had been bought online.  I receive many applications to adopt from people that are completely unsuitable for keeping a dog, or any pet other than a fish or hamster, and while I can turn them down I know these are the types that will go to a pet shop, breeder, or even worse just buy online.  All that's required is a click and a payment, and a puppy is on its way.  There's no more thought about the realities of what a puppy needs than the fact it's cute.  I should be used to it by now, but I'm constantly shocked by the lack of understanding that a dog is a living, intelligent animal that has feelings, emotions and an absolute need for company in whatever form it comes.   If you don't have the time for a dog, please PLEASE don't get one, and volunteer instead.  You can spend as much time as you want with our dogs and puppies, and while doing that you also learn about them and their care. 

Also disappointing is the desire for a breed and the outright rejection of anything that may not have a particular label attached.  The irony of the labradoodle popularity is that this is also a mixed breed, a cross between a labrador and a poodle, but leaving that aside, no dog of any type comes with a guarantee of health or character.   We have had and homed so many mixed breeds that are totally gorgeous and with the most wonderful personalities, and so many of my Lamma dogs that ended up staying with me for whatever reason are, or were, definitely the best dogs in the world. 

Tues 13th June: The first to go

The first of the latest "B" group was adopted today, and not surprisingly it was the young poodle girl Beanie. 

Melody and Sugar 

I can also share the news that Melody has had her adoption confirmed after a short trial with the resident ex-HKDR dog Sugar, also a small girl, and they have settled really well together.   Now only Mason is still waiting for a home from the dachshund-cross trio. 

One of the residents of the Lamma Home for Small dogs had to go over to Acorn today for his desexing surgery, not something that he would have been very happy about but these things have to be done.  Josh came to us as a very shy puppy, and he was never happy at the Homing Centre with so many people coming in and out, so in the end he was sent to join the other smaller dogs on Lamma.  He's completely changed now, and loves his life with his friends and playmates. 

River, Leo, Phaedra, Henry and Bumpy

It occurred to me that at least some of the dogs staying at the Lamma house could do well in a real home if the circumstances were right for them.  For example, the four members of what we call the Cricket Family are a tight group, very happy playing in the garden or lounging on the sofa, but they don't like to go out further than the area they feel secure in.  The same applies to River, who is a very sweet, happy and playful young terrier, but again she prefers to stay around the house and garden.

The dogs that really love to go out are Henry, Tessa and the newest arrival, poodle-terrier Google (known as Wally), and they're all young and super-playful. Josh has joined their play group but he's another one who prefers to stay at home. 

Google-Wally is young and very sweet

Phaedra the cocker spaniel loves to swim more than anything else, and luckily the sea is almost right on her doorstep. 

All of these Lamma dogs are nervous of strangers, which is the reason they're living away from the Homing Centre, but once they know you they're very affectionate.  If you would like to sponsor any of then through the Life Saver Club you can get to know more about them, and have photos and updates sent on a regular basis.  There are thirteen residents now, being the four "Crickets", American cocker Leo, English cocker Phaedra, funny little Banjo, River, Henry, Tessa, Josh, Rumble and Google (Wally). 

You can always see lots of photos at hkdr_eagle, and if there are any dogs you want to know more about email info@hongkongdogrescue.com, or lifeseaver@hongkongdogrescue.com if you would like to sponsor any of them. 

Mon 12th June: A day of waiting

All of the new dogs and puppies that came to us on Saturday spent the day at Concordia today, so it meant us waiting to hear about any health issues, age assessment, or anything else we and potential adopters wanted to know.  The dog who was the most popular, terrier Buster, has sediment in his bladder so now we have to wait for test results on a urine sample that was taken and sent off to find out what's going on.  Other than that, only the older poodle Briggs really needs some serious dental work, and poor little Bo has a heart murmur that will need a proper cardiac scan.  There's always a couple in any of the groups that we take in who are sick, but at least the rest of them are good to go. 

Rex also likes his walks 

That reminds me about Rex at our Elgin Street Centre, because he too came as one of a group and as a very unhappy boy.  Seeing him now he's like a totally different dog, even if his eyesight is very poor and he doesn't seem to be able to hear much, but he's not at all worried about such handicaps and he's enjoying his life in the office.   He almost has a chance of being chosen to go to a foster home, but instead it was senior poodle Bee who was taken, and given a much-needed haircut.  I know that the home Bee has gone to will make a big difference to his life, and hope that Rex will also be given a similar chance. 

Dylan is really lovely 

When we take in new dogs there's inevitably a lot of interest, and happily many of them are quickly adopted.  However it's very strange that there will always be those left behind, even if there's no particular reason such as bad health or behaviour issues.  I had thought that Lhasa Apso Dylan would be one of the first to be chosen, as he's young, small, a breed and very sweet, however he's still with us. Betty came in the group following Dylan's, and while she's bigger and without a breed name, she's also young and very sweet. 

These B dogs came on 1st June, now only Betty and Benson are left