Contemplations: In the eyes of Ines

Friday, 27 March 2015

In the eyes of Ines

I am Ines, born what the human called me, a mongrel dog of mixed breed. I must have been lost or unwanted because I was rescued by Sally Anderson, the founder of HKDR (Hong Kong Dog Rescue). I was a doglet then, barely a year old and was put into a homing centre in Tai Po. That was in 2012 and I have been here since.

There are so many other dogs in this kennel and we are put into different pens or enclosures. I suppose I am lucky to be placed in one of the downstairs pens, called the tree pen, right in front of the main thoroughfare to the office and the area where the volunteers have their lockers and a table where they would indicate on a chart, which dog has been taken out for their twice daily walks. So I am in a vantage position to see everything...the people, the cleaners doing their chores; Sue Kuok, our angel-volunteer with her pail of food in her arm, going around feeding the dogs in their pens each morning; the coming and going of the dogs as they are being taken out, in short, the daily activities of our homing centre.

My pen mates are Ziggy, Scribble, Tookie and Orla. We get along well except for Orla, although a nervous wreck herself, likes to squabble with me over little things like whose food bowl is this? If she can bare her teeth, so can I! You have to learn tolerance here since we spend 24 hours together each day, except for the 25 minutes walk twice a day and the afternoon free-run where we get to socialize with dogs from 4 other pens.

Ziggy is a big, mature boy of 15 years and we learn not to mess with him; but he is reasonable, showing his dislike by growling only if he finds us irritating. We used to have another big boy called Le Roy, younger, and oh! he is so easy-going with no temper and very forgiving. He has found his forever home in November last year and we are happy for him. Besides, it clears up a space for us to have some breathing space.

The men from AFCD come now and then when our rabies shot are due. Some of the nervous dogs have to be chased. cornered and brought shivering to the men, and although the injection itself is quick and smooth, poor big boy Walter would whine like a baby!

One day, there was a commotion in the free area behind my pen. Apparently, Copper, Leila, Lucius and Oakley were on free run when a cleaner went into the pen of the 2 Rottweilers, called Fred and Wilma and did not latch the gate properly. Fred came out and somehow got into a tussle with Oakley and being a a powerful Rottweiler as he is, his mouth caught hold of Oakley's head on one side and refused to let go! The staff tried to pull him off, doused him with a water spray and finally had him release Oakley. Do you know, Oakley did not suffer any wound on his head; he was clearly in shock and shivering! Yes, Fred, the mighty Rottweiler, just wanted to show his dominance! Poor Oakley, from that day on, he dared not venture out of his pen even though it was time for him and his mates to have free run!

We all have many mummies and mine are mummy Kim, Jacqueline, Stella, Wing and Sylvia. Sometimes when the weather is good, I get taken out for a day of hiking! I really enjoy the outing as it gives me an opportunity to see the world outside our kennel; to enjoy the fresh air, the myriad smells, explore new grounds and see different people!

I have seen many of my friends left for their forever homes and I miss them...especially Mac, Portia, Tamara, Elsie, Boosh, Archie, Aliz and Zuma. I always wonder when my turn will come? Each day when I wake up, I ask myself, is this my lucky day? Everyday, I wait patiently and expectantly for that special person to come for me so that I too can have a family and a home I can call my own. I know when that day comes, I will shower my family with lots of love and kisses and show them how thankful I am to them for saving me and I know I can bring lots of joy and laughter and love into that family. That I can promise!

Hmm...meanwhile, the same daily grind goes on here...