Weds 5th May: Lost and found

Jay and Claire, just a week before he was lost at the airport

The news that Jay was found dead at the side of a road today overshadowed everything else.  It was doubly sad that his owner, Claire, had finally left for the UK only the day before after weeks of searching and hoping that her adored dog would be found.  The only comfort is that at least Claire won’t have to worry about Jay any more, or wonder if he is OK.  I’m sure I’m not the only person who shed tears for both Jay and Claire, and felt angry about the whole situation happening in the first place. 

To be honest, when it first happened (Jay being lost at the airport) and there was a lot of inappropriate personal character assassination going on on Facebook, I only wanted Jay to be found.  However after reading that Relopet, the company that Claire had trusted to send Jay back to the UK, were not only refusing to pay any compensation but were even still charging for moving Jay from Discovery Bay to the airport, then I changed my mind. I understand there will be a court case to decide who is right, but I know who will win in my mind, whatever happens in court.

Sue gives Pickle a big hug

There was at least some good news about another lost dog when Pickle, the HKDR dog who was lost from his foster home in Saikung, was found safe and sound.  I don’t know the full story myself yet, but I do know that volunteer Sue has been out every single day looking for him, and she was finally rewarded.  Or should I say we were all rewarded, as he is loved by everyone, as all of our dogs are.

Garland

Sadly puppy Garland, adopted just before we left Pokfulam, is still out there somewhere and her chances of survival are low given her age and inexperience if she’s not found soon.  Genie is also lost in the Pokfulam area, but at least she is an adult and is already desexed.  If by some miracle Garland lives even a few months, she will almost certainly be a mother herself soon.  It doesn’t even bear thinking about.  Where are you Garland?  Please go home.

I’m still trying to settle into some sort of routine with my days but it’s difficult knowing where I should be and how I can work most effectively. Getting from Lamma (remembering that I can only travel by sampan to Aberdeen) to Tai Po is a killer of a journey, and one of our cleaners has already decided that it’s too much for him from Kennedy Town on a daily basis.  Our volunteers are also finding it difficult, so please, anyone living within easy travelling distance of Tai Po who can help out – we need you! Send an email to new.volunteers@hongkongdogrescue.com for details.

Fencing work is continuing at Tai Po as we are trying to create more sections to contain the dogs at night, and to separate the ones that don’t like each other.  Tiger and Clementine, for example, can’t be together at any time.  Who knows what started these feelings but once two dogs fall out, especially females, it’s almost impossible to repair the damage.  They will hate each other for ever.

We also need to create some sections for new dogs so we can get them settled (and desexed etc) before letting them loose with the other established residents.  It’s all still a bit of a nightmare at the moment.

I’m looking forward to Saturday’s Comedython to provide some laughs.  Don’t forget, it runs for a full 12 hours from 1pm to 1am, and there will be all sorts of prizes to be won as well as the non-stop comedy entertainment.  Full details are on our website so check it out and see you there.