Fri 25th May: Our little dogs

Lily is a young and lively 4-year old

With the van being hijacked for the day to get everything ready for the big sale at the Excelsior Hotel on Saturday, I had to resort to taxis to get me to AFCD and back.  It was only as I was leaving our Ap Lei Chau Homing Centre with the two dogs that had to have their licenses updated that I realised one of them was schnauzer Lily, and remembered with horror what had happened the last time I travelled with her.  The thought of the same happening in the back of a taxi was too awful to even contemplate so I made sure I walked her first, even though Kathy had assured me that there was no diarrhoea problem any more.  I couldn’t wait to get to AFCD and out of the taxi, and thankfully nothing happened that would have had me cringing with embarrassment.  Lily was just excited to be going out for a drive and all she was interested in was looking out of the window as she sat perched on my knee.

The second dog I had with me was the shih tzu cross that had been found wandering on Cheung Chau.  He didn’t have a microchip so I had to guess his age for the license, not an easy thing to do with a typically grumpy little thing who growled a warning every time I tried to lift his lip or even approach his mouth to check his teeth.  Erring on the side of caution I made a totally blind guess of six years, and if I’m totally off the mark the license can easily be amended after a vet has had a chance to have a good look (while the dog’s asleep under anaesthetic).  Other than that, Mr Grumpy was quite happy to be carried and have his head scratched even though he didn’t like being stabbed with the thick needle that inserts the microchip.

We’ve got so many really lovely little dogs at Ap Lei Chau of all ages.  I’m pretty sure that by the end of this weekend many of them will already have gone to their new homes, particularly Sugar and Snowball, both of whom have had many offers.  New additions Nobby and Gorby will also almost certainly be gone very quickly but that doesn’t mean the senior dogs don’t stand a chance.  We know that there are plenty of homes willing to welcome an older dog, and even if not on a permanent basis then as a foster.  Older dogs are so easy to have around and really just need gentle walks, a soft bed, tasty food and tender loving care. If  little pom Chester can find himself a home, then there is hope for all!