Tues 26th June: The Monkey Family

Monkey pup Ramona is Marnie's sister and now looks just like her and Rufus

I’d first seen the “Monkey Dog” at AFCD a couple of weeks ago and knew I had to take him.  He’s identical to my own Marnie, as well as others from the same ‘breed’  that have been adopted.  It’s fascinating to me the way that these ‘breeds’ evolve from groups that live in a particular area  interbreeding, and like the sharpei family the Monkey Dogs come from Shek O.    I called them Monkey Dogs because as baby pups their faces looked like a monkey’s, though as they  get older and shaggier that resemblance disappears.

Rufus is bigger than the girls

Marnie is identical to Rufus and the Monkey family

This particular Monkey Dog was very scared at first and I assumed that he had been living wild, finding food at the Shek O beach barbeque area which is like a magnet for local strays.  I waited to see how he would settle at AFCD, hoping that it would be possible to take him because leaving him to die would be like leaving Marnie, an issue I have had to deal with time and again when I see familiar faces, identical to dogs that I already know and love.  The final breakthrough came on Monday when Rufus (as he is now) wagged his tail when I went into his kennel, and I knew that it was time to get him out.  I was expecting it to be a struggle, so was amazed when he allowed a collar to be slipped over his head and walked nicely out on a leash.  I was no problem getting him microchipped and rabies vaccinated, and after he relieved himself several times, into the van.  What was even more surprising was that he had already been desexed (as was discovered when he was prepared for surgery) and I wouldn’t be surprised if he already had a microchip that had been missed by the scanner, or had fallen out (as happens sometimes).  Rufus must have been owned by someone to behave as he does, and to accept a leash so easily.  He’s at Tai Po now, and I know from other Monkey Dogs that he has a sweet temperament.  (He’s also bigger than he looks in the photo).

I can't help loving these two brothers Bilbo and Frodo

On my way to AFCD to get Rufus out I stopped at Ap Lei Chau to pick up some little dogs that needed their second vaccinations.  I adore the two brothers, Bilbo and Frodo, with their cheeky little faces and funny personalities.  They have to have the same, so if you pick one up you must pick up the other.  I don’t know why they haven’t been adopted yet because I’d choose them in a flash.  Frodo had to have treatment for heartworm but that’s over and done with now, so all that’s left is to find them the perfect home.

Happy at Acorn today: he has a covering of fuzz now

Happy the French bulldog came to us with really bad skin and no coat at all to speak of.  He had demodex (mites under the skin) and ringworm, not a great combination, but he’s responded well to treatment and he now has a good covering of fuzz.  Best of all is that he’s a great little dog, always happy and so friendly, and I think it’s time for him to leave the fold and move on to start his new life too.

Maria (Foster Coordinator), Iris (Ap Lei Chau Manager) and Linda (General Manager) have all been busy working on the arrangements for tomorrow’s big day out for all of the small dogs at Ap Lei Chau.  They have to be away for the whole day to allow the volunteer team from Morgan Stanley to come in and give the whole place a new coat of paint (very kindly sponsored by ICI).  We’ve got a bunch going to day fosters (and thank you to everyone who offered to help), another group going to Whiskers’n'Paws for a terrace party, others having lunch at one of the Ap Lei Chau restaurants (with outside seating and that allow dogs) and then on to the dog park, leaving a few behind for the Morgan Stanley team to walk themselves.  Once again I can breathe a sigh of relief that all I had to do was read the emails, and be thankful that all was under control and there was nothing for me to do.  Now we just have to hope that the weather holds good for the outdoor activities and it will be a lot of fun.