Weds 15th August: Bracing for another typhoon

Will it or won’t it?  Severe Tropical Storm Kai-Tak I mean, and the varying forecasts that have it either coming straight towards Hong Kong or staying far enough away to mean only heavy rain.  (Latest seems to be that a T3 signal will go up this morning)  There’s also divided opinion about whether a typhoon is a good thing or not, as many office workers rub their hands with glee at the prospect of time off while those of us in the dog rescue world fret about the safety and comfort of the animals.  Either way, now is the time to go and collect dogs from Tai Po if you want to foster for the duration of the bad weather, so please don’t wait until it’s too late.

I made an emergency shopping trip over to Hong Kong today (from Lamma), knowing that I had very little at home to eat and drink and aware that I may be stuck for the next couple of days.  Relying on sampans can be frustrating at times like this, especially as I missed doing a lot of stuff on Tuesday that I had planned for the end of the week.  There’s the Sunday puppy afternoon to think about too, and I really really don’t want it to be raining then.

Pickle has a home of his own now

At least there are a few dogs that won’t be needing temporary bad weather fosters, and Pickle is one of them.  Initially we really wanted him and his brother to go together as they were so clingy, but with a forced separation due to Pushkin having to go to a foster home anyway (because of his eye ulcer), it made sense to let Pickle go too.  There wasn’t a shortage of offers as he’s a very sweet boy, and I think he’ll be very happy in his new home. (Just in:  Pushkin’s fostet is returning him as she can’t cope with giving the necessary eye drops.  Can anyone else take a very sweet and easy boy?)

Pickle looks comfortable on his new bed

Finally the lovely Lulu at Tai Po got a home too.  She’s a wonderful dog, very good looking and with such a sweet and playful nature too.  I’m often surprised at the dogs that don’t get taken as soon as they arrive, and Lulu is one of them.

Lulu is a very special girl

Big and beautiful Callum

Conversely, there are dogs that are chosen that take all of us by (nice) surprise, and I wonder what made that particular dog stand out for that one adopter.  We all think we know which dogs will be the lucky ones, and we are wrong so many times.  Callum is a big and furry boy who has always been very timid, too shy I thought to be adopted.  Like all of the dogs that need extra help, we have a few more experienced volunteers who work with them and gently encourage them to agree to going for a walk (in heavy “bondage” gear for their safety).  Anyway something about Callum obviously stood out for someone, and although he hasn’t actually gone home yet he is getting regular get-to-know-you visits and we’re hoping that “the day” will come soon.

Other dogs get a lot of offers, two of them being Pasha the Samoyed  and Superman the husky, both of them still puppies and both purebreeds.  I really don’t like to turn away homes when we have so many dogs but really, both Pasha and Superman are dogs that we know would come back if they go to unsuitable adopters.  One thirty-minute walk a day isn’t even enough for an older small dog let alone a big and bouncy one.  I have already made one mistake with Pasha and she’s not going anywhere again until I’m totally satisfied that she is going to someone who understands both the breed and positive training methods.  She is a smart and easy girl in the right hands, but she will bounce straight back in the wrong ones.  Likewise Superman, again a very sweet dog but he’s a husky and they are one of the most frequently  abandoned breeds.  They are very active, hairy (meaning lots of grooming required) and they demand attention.  If they don’t get it they can be very vocal,  barking and singing.

Cinder is a Life Saver Club dog

I suspect one of my dogs on Lamma has got some husky in him even though he doesn’t really look very husky-ish at all.  Cinder loves to go down to the beach and whenever I’m leaving the garden he stands by the gate and makes a very funny sound which is just like talking: “yabba yabba yabba”.   I’ve only ever heard huskies do that, though I may be wrong.

Cinder is one of the dogs sponsored by a Life Saver Club member, meaning that his monthly costs are taken care of through regular donations.  If you would like to “adopt” a dog like Cinder, please email lifesaver@hongkongdogrescue.com for details.  Each Life Save Club member will be allocated their own dog and receive a certificate with that dog’s name and information, as well as regular updates.