Mon 29th Aug: Handicap? What handicap?

Charity cools off on an ice block

It’s almost the end of the month and signs of Autumn are already apparent (like not having the sun streaming through the windows at a ridiculously early hour) , although the appalling pollution combined with the still-stifling heat have turned Tai Po into a hothouse.  One of the visitors to Sunday’s adoption afternoons always brings a big block of ice in a plastic container, a great idea for cooling the pups and one which they all love, whether for lying across or for just licking.  If any volunteers have  space in their freezer to make some ice blocks for Tai Po, please do, but make sure the container is pliable plastic and not rigid.  My first attempt at this resulted in the plastic splitting as the ice expanded.

Three friends share an "ice lolly"

Tiny String (left) is also one of the Kitty Litter

I had to take baby Batty to Acorn to have his blood (red cell count) re-tested, and thankfully it’s on the rise after his Berenil injection for tick fever.  Having kennel cough on top of babesia had me very worried as he’s a skinny little pup anyway, but he’s doing much better and has gained some weight even though he is still under 2 kilos.  That’s nothing for a puppy his age, but his siblings are all kitten-like in size and looks.  Maybe I should call them the “Kitty Litter”.

Shanti is the only brown Whippety I've seen. They are usually all-black, or black and white

I had a peek at the Whippety Pups in the isolation room (they have parvovirus), and thankfully all three are alive and eating, a very good sign.  The best thing that can be said about parvo is that although it seems to hit fast, it either kills or cures quickly too, unlike the other puppy disease, distemper, which lingers on and on.  If puppies can survive the devastating, gut-wrenching diarrhoea that comes with parvovirus, then they should go on to making a full recovery with no lasting effect other than future immunity to the disease.  I’m optimistic now that Shanti, Perry and Dobby will pull through.

I also took one of my long-term Lamma dogs to see Dr Tony.  China has been with me since she was a puppy, and she has always had misshapen and knobbly joints, something I was told was the equivalent of tennis elbow in humans.  Now China is about eight years old and I thought it was time to have her checked out again, as I can see that she’s already getting uncomfortable on our walks.  It seems what she has is a mystery, and she’s booked in for X-rays tomorrow so Tony can have a look at what’s going on.  I’ve always described China as looking as though she’s made up of mis-matching spare parts because of her strange gait and awkwardness.  The only thing that concerns me is whether she’s in pain or not, as like all animals she just gets on with life and doesn’t let her differences bother her.

Suzie is 3 years old and looks like a miniature springer spaniel

Suzie, the incredibly sweet and playful little dog at our Ap Lei Chau Centre, is another one who doesn’t let her handicap get in the way of her enjoyment of life.  Many people have asked about her but all interest has dissipated once the potential adopters find out Suzie is totally deaf.  Actually it makes very little difference, and in many ways it’s a bonus as nothing disturbs her (like the noise of other dogs, traffic or anything else that can make most dogs bark).

Blind Roley Bedhead on Lamma still amazes me with his ability to “see” everything, and as much as I try to sneak past him unnoticed, never once has missed knowing I’m there.  He can run up and down steps and the play equipment, jump over fencing and through the playhouse windows, and I have never seen him trip or crash into anything.  The only clue to his complete lack of sight is the fact that he holds his head down and “sees” with his ears.  What an amazing boy he is.

Roley Bedhead loves his toys and will gather a few in his mouth at the same time

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