Thurs 3rd May: A dog is for life!
May 4th, 2012 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments
I don't have a problem with genuine cases. The current owners of Chica don't want to re-home her, but they have no choice
It was one of those utterly depressing days today, one of those days when I seriously wonder why we bother. The surrender requests came in thick and fast, and while one of them was a genuine case of need (the husband had suffered a devastating stroke), the rest of them were either a total disregard for the dogs or the desire for a quick fix solution to a temporary blip. (There were three further surrender requests to greet me this morning).
New pom Sparkle was well rid of her ex-owners
The pomeranian that was so casually thrown out when the owners were packing up to leave for Canada (and yes, it’s very easy to take a dog with you, especially such a small one, but too inconvenient). If it wasn’t bad enough that I was asked that we go and pick the dog up and that when I said no, it must be brought to our Homing Centre, they sent the maid. She was crying because she loved the dog and all I can say is that Sparkle (the pom’s name) deserves far better than those shallow, selfish and heartless ex-owners. The maid does too.
The ignorant git who wants to dump his 8-year old GR has done absolutely nothing for his dog, ever
Then there was the guy who wanted to give us his golden retriever. It’s eight years old, not licensed, not vaccinated, not desexed, has had no heartworm prevention but he says it’s very healthy. How would he know as he’s never bothered to have even the basics done?
This sweet and handsome boy, Nobu, is being thrown out, not for any behaviour issue but because there's a baby now
These two dogs are not such a problem for us as they are breeds that will easily find new homes, but it’s the mongrels that are so heartbreaking. Like the just-one year old who is being thrown out because of a new baby and the wife and in-laws have insisted it’s them or the dog. I know what I would say if anyone ever gave me that kind of selfish and cruel ultimatum, and the irony is that the words “I must do what’s best for my baby’s health” are so wrong. Having a pet in the home is good for a baby, and it’s well documented that children who grew up with a dog or cat in the home have fewer allergies and other illnesses than those who lived in a sterile environment. Physical health aside, the emotional benefits of having a dog friend are huge, but no, local custom and ignorant doctors know better. Baby comes, dog goes. There are no behaviour issues with this dog who, I’m told, is gentle with the baby, and that makes it even harder for me not to want to scream and punch someone’s lights out.
This photo was Puddle as a puppy, used many times
For the most part my offers of help with training and other ways to keep the dog in its home fall of deaf and uncaring ears, but at least something of what I said filtered through to one potential surrender. Do you remember this face? We used it on many posters and ads, and even a desk diary one year. I so desperately want her to be allowed to stay with her family.
What is wish with all my heart is that adopters considered future possibilities when committing to a dog. Is it really too hard to imagine that as a young couple you might have a baby sometime? As an expat in Hong Kong isn’t it likely that you won’t spend the rest of your life here? As a parent getting a puppy for a child don’t you understand that a dog can live for fifteen, even twenty, years and that your child will be grown up by then? Who will take care of the dog? If you can’t promise to keep a dog whatever happens (barring extreme circumstances) then do everyone a favour and don’t adopt unless it’s a senior dog that won’t outlive your short-term plans. Foster, volunteer, get a pet with a short life expectancy , but please don’t get a young dog. Remember, you chose your dog, it didn’t choose you.
We are still looking for part-time staff at our Ap Lei Chau Centre (three to four days a week). Unfortunately Iris (the manager) needs to take her days off and occasional holidays, so we need someone to be her deputy. If you are interested but haven’t been to our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre, please go and visit first. In fact we suggest that you try volunteering for a few days before deciding if this is a job you would like to do. It’s not for everyone, but if you talk to Iris she will tell you that the rewards outweigh any of the hard times.
These are the actual tickets that you can bid for
And for those of you who are now hearing about the Lady Gaga concerts and wish that you had bought tickets, we are still holding two tickets for the 7th May. If you want to make an offer, please go to our website (www.hongkongdogrescue.com) or the Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) Facebook page.
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