Fri 8th June: A steaming hot Tai Po visit

There’s nothing quite like the frustration of receiving voicemail messages from people wanting to adopt but who forget to leave a number (Aaron, are you reading this?).  Or those who can’t quite get their email addresses right on their adoption enquiries so even though I try what I think might be the correct versions, the emails keep bouncing back.  I would love to be able to reach everyone who is interested in adopting, and I’m sure there are quite a few grumbles about “I tried but nobody got back to me”.  I get a ton of emails every day but it’s the ones asking about adoption that get priority and a guaranteed same day reply (unless they’re sent at night, of course).

Once again I couldn’t get to AFCD Pokfulam today because I had a long-standing appointment to meet another group from AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) Headquarters at our Tai Po Homing Centre.  I’ve been trying to get them to come along for a long time now, since we moved there in fact, because I wanted to show them what happens to the dogs that I take from their Animal Management Centres, and our facilities.  Unless you’ve been to Tai Po and seen it for yourself, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like.  For a start it’s very big (and in this weather it’s also blisteringly hot) and there are a lot of dogs.  I’m happy to say that the visitors were most impressed with the way our dogs were kept and their good condition, one of the reasons why I wanted them to see for themselves.

There’s still a lot of work to be done on upkeep and  improving what we have there, and that’s an ongoing task.  At first we thought we’d be there for a very short time so all costs were kept to an absolute minimum, but now we need to upgrade our “guest rooms” and have been busy planning, measuring and looking at all the options.  Hopefully work will soon be starting and you can help by voting for us in the upcoming round of Li Ka Shing’s “Love Ideas” giveaway.  It will cost you nothing more than a phone call to vote so please look out for the announcements.

Cumbria leaves Ap Lei Chau .....

One of the Lakeland terriers was adopted today, the female called Cumbria (which is the county in England where the Lake District is).  We already have a photo of her from the adopter showing her happily lounging on a bed, so I think she’s done very well for herself.  Now we have to find an equally suitable home for the male Lakeland, Kendal (a town in the Lake District).

.... and later settling in nicely

Bea interrupted her games to check in on the baby pups last Sunday

I’m already making a list of puppies for Sunday’s adoption afternoon at Whiskers’n'Paws.  There will be a lot to choose from if you’re coming along to have a look, both very young and older.  It made me laugh today when I was putting a couple of doglets in crates to make the move from Lamma to Tai Po and Bea was there at the gate, thinking it was Sunday and looking forward to her playtime.  Whether I like it or not (and I don’t mind at all really) Bea will continue to be at Whiskers’n'Paws until someone adopts her.  She’s a really special girl, smart and affectionate, and I keep hoping.