Back to school thoughts may be looming on the horizon but there are still a couple weekends left to enjoy the summer vacation. Here’s our pick of family-friendly events that will be fun for all this Saturday and Sunday (Aug 13-14).

Lost Puppies Adoption Day 

The slogan is “Eat, Drink, Adopt” and that’s what you can aim to do at the Lost Puppies’ Adoption Day, Charity Raffle and Vegan Market this Saturday from 12pm to 8pm at the pup-friendly Chez Soi in the Sanlitun neighborhood. Entry is free and raffle tickets are RMB 50 per piece, or RMB 200 for 5. It’s all for a good cause for our furry friends so dig into your wallets!

When: Aug 13, 12pm-8pm
Where: Chez Soi
Price: Free!
Register: Scan the QR code in the poster.

Kids Club Hike: Stone Flowers Cave Visit 

This was a last-minute addition to the Beijing Hikers’ calendar due to some flooding in an area of another hike that then had to be canceled, so, lucky us! In this level 2 hike suitable for kids aged 5-12, visit Fangshan District for a short hike up to a lookout, enjoy a big lunch at a country restaurant, and a 1.5-hour tour underground at Stone Flowers Cave. Down in the caves where there’s colourful lighting and good walking paths, we’ll see a whole lot of speleothems: stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstone, “stone flowers,” “crystal flowers,” shields, rimstone pools, and cave popcorn.

When: Aug 13, all day
Price: RMB 450/RMB 405 for members/RMB 220 for under-18s/free for 3-to-4-year-old kids
Register: Scan the QR code below to register on their website.

SCOBY-DOO: Kombucha Brewing Workshop With Isilay

Okay, maybe this event itself isn’t strictly for families, but the gut-boosting kombucha that you’ll learn to brew in the class will certainly be a benefit to the whole family so it counts!

Known as the “superfood of beverages,” kombucha provides a number of health benefits that are attributed to the drink’s fermentation process and its fundamental ingredient: “cha” or “tea.” This probiotic drink is made by fermenting tea and sugar with kombucha culture (SCOBY), which turns the sweet tea into a beverage full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and health-promoting organic acids. (Eric Childs, “Kombucha!”)

In this workshop at The Hutong you will:

• Taste two types of homemade kombuchas
• Find out about the science and history behind kombucha making
• Carry out the first and second fermentations and take home your first kombucha brew and SCOBY
• Learn how to take care of your SCOBY and discover tips for successful brewing

When: Aug 13, 2.30pm-4.30pm
Where: The Hutong
Price: RMB 350/RMB 300 for members
Register: Scan the QR code in the poster.

Sustainable Living Festival 

Join an EcoFlow Yoga class conducted by Taozi Tree Yoga yogi Yinai as she guides you on a reflection of what you want out of life. You may discover you actually need very little, making it easier for you to adopt earth-friendly sustainable life habits. After the yoga class, there will be a “free market” for secondhand goods where you can bring any sports equipment or workout clothes that you no longer need and swap them with others’. After all, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. You are welcome to join just the yoga class, or the swap, or both!

When: Aug 14, 12.15pm-2.15pm
Where: Taozi Tree Yoga Studio
Price: Free!
Register: Scan the QR code in the poster.

The Playful World of Eric Carle

And if you have not paid a visit to the playful world of Eric Carle exhibition yet, there’s still time for that! But before going, check out editor Mina Yan’s take on it in this article.

KEEP READING: The Cheapest Indoor Playground In Beijing? All Day for Just RMB 79!

Images: Courtesy of the vendors

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we want to celebrate the thing that makes us feel alive – Love; that many-splendored thing that’s better than ice cream; that comes in all shapes and sizes and forms not limited to the human race! We’re talking about… puppy love! Literally. We’re celebrating love in its pure, unadulterated form of tail wagging, wet kisses and furry cuddles. Check out the following “tails” of four-legged love from Beijing’s beloved animal rescue group Lost Puppies!

“And they called it puppy love…” ~ Paul Anka [Puppy Love]

Dakota and Loki: From the moment she first met him, she had an instant crush. He’s a bit stand-offish but I’ve noticed him being a bit protective when mean guys get close!

Murphy’s Law… of Love

Fur parent Jack says, “They have a gorgeous relationship. Murphy can’t be without Elsa ever, and Elsa can be quite cold towards other dogs but she always tries to look after Murphy. When he had the snip she was covering him up with a blanket whilst he was moping and cuddling up to him; always nibbling each other and playing and so on.” Follow Elsa and Murphy’s adventures on Instagram (elsa_and_murphy).

Poof! Thor In Love

Fur mom Bisera shares the love between lost puppy Poof and another lost puppy Thor, seen in their adorable dancing moves!

Grizzly and Reya – Sibling Love 

Furry Fun Fact: Did you know that dogs have the same hormones as humans such as oxytocin which is involved with feeling love and affection for others?

However, a dog does not experience the full range of emotions like humans do. …”we know that the assortment of emotions available to the dog will not exceed that which is available to a human who is two to two-and-a-half years old. This means that a dog will have all of the basic emotions: joy, fear, anger, disgust, and, yes, love, but the dog does not experience the more complex emotions like guilt, pride, and shame. [Modern Dog Magazine, “Which Emotions Do Dogs Actually Experience?”] 

Tails of Bromance

Nanook and Joey, 3 years and counting!

Iroh and Ginger

Lost Puppies is a non-profit team of volunteers focused on rescuing dogs across Beijing to give them a happy and healthy life. All Lost Puppies rescues are spayed / neutered to help minimize the stray dog population in Beijing from growing out of control. To foster a pup, make a donation or help in other ways, scan the QR code below!

KEEP READING: Hope and Love; Making a Difference at Age 11

Images: Courtesy of pet owners in The Lost Puppies Network WeChat group

It’s summer in Beijing, however, this year things look a little different. Or quite similar to last year, depending on your perspective. Either way, it’s not as easy as it once was to travel so most of us are taking fewer and shorter trips. And yet, more time at home means it’s the perfect opportunity to adopt and train a new family member before the school year starts up again. Allow me to introduce you to one of Beijing’s cutest new rescues.

Meet Vixen. At just 1-week-old she was rescued when her mother was found on the street with a litter of 12 pups. This little girl had a tough time of it, coming down with a sickness shortly after being found. Her rescuers weren’t sure she would make it. But wonderful, compassionate care by her foster parents and the volunteers at Lost Puppies have allowed this spunky little girl to pull through!

Now she is a shy, sweet, perfectly healthy 9-month-old mix. While she looks like a big girl she weighs a mere 10kg and stands about 34cm tall.

Her foster parents tell us she loves to give kisses, get belly rubs, and go on walks with her foster brothers and sisters, making her the perfect companion for a family of any size. She is very social and gets along well with other furry friends.

She is fully vaccinated, spayed, and ready for her forever home! Please scan the QR code below to contact Lost Puppies.

KEEP READING: Replace or Release? Helping Kids Say Goodbye to Toys

Images: Lost Puppies

Many of you probably saw headlines about the first dog to contract COVID-19 in Hong Kong last month. Whether your reaction was a state of panic or indulging in memes, it is undeniable that some may be worried about their furry companion getting the virus too.

Rest assured, the World Health Organization states there is no evidence to suggest pets can be infected by the new Coronavirus. Besides that, Han Chuang, a veterinarian with seven years of experience at Paite Banlv Animal Hospital in Beijing, told beijingkids that folks should be very clear about the difference between contamination and infection. In other words, viruses need species-specific hosts, and COVID-19 is human-host only. While animals do have their own specific strains of Coronavirus, there is no evidence that they are infectious to humans.

Now that we got the subject of our pets being infected out of the way, let’s focus on a problem that is plaguing Beijing due to some of these fears. Pet abandonment has increased at an alarming rate, whether it’s due to fear of the virus, leaving the city, or financial difficulties.

Pet organizations around China have worked tirelessly to take care of these abandoned pets and we managed to speak with Auna Harris, a volunteer with local dog rescue organization, Lost Puppies of Beijing, to find out what her organization has been doing, and how people can help during the outbreak.

Auna Harris

Can you introduce the rescue organization you help with?

I work with Lost Puppies of Beijing. Lost Puppies is an organization that rescues dogs throughout the Beijing area. Since we were established in 2018, we have rescued over 140 dogs and have helped assist other rescuers with many more. We do not have a shelter like many other dog rescues. Instead, we operate 100% through a network of fosters. Our fosters take a dog into their home until we can find them a forever family. This way our dogs can be trained and socialized before they are adopted.

How’s the situation changed at the organization since the Coronavirus outbreak? 

It has been very busy! We have taken on more than double our normal amount of dogs. We have a mix of rescues right now, ranging from our typical rescues like puppies found in an abandoned area that need to be rescued before authorities remove them, to virus-specific rescues.

Chewie

For example, we have Chewie, a dog that we had rescued as a puppy. She is one of the only dogs we’ve rescued that has survived a deadly disease called Canine Distemper Virus. She was living with a man for nearly a year when his girlfriend contacted me saying that he’d already left the country and the dog needed a new home. I didn’t want to risk her ending up on the street, so I picked her up the next day. She’s been staying with me since then.

Another of our dogs had been adopted by a family in Shunyi who relocated with several days notice after the embassy recommended they should leave. Buying five plane tickets didn’t leave them with the money to relocate their dog too. She’s been in three or four foster homes since then.

We also have a case where a couple gave up their dog due to fears about their dog giving them Coronavirus, and have rescued some abandoned dogs that we found on the streets. We cannot say for certain, but we suspect they were left to fend for themselves as their owners had to rush home or flee the country.

How would you suggest people protect their pets? Any advice to help owners reduce panic?

Because the risk is low, I think the best thing to do is to wash your pets paws with pet-safe wipes after coming in from a walk. If you have pets and have to quarantine, try to find alternative arrangements for them so they can be properly walked and cared for.

Is there anything you want to add?

Just that if you need to leave the country please do reach out to us and ask for advice. Many people are surprised by the alternatives to abandonment that are available. Some countries make importing pets very easy, and the cost is often less than people expect. There are also many cost-effective and great boarding options around Beijing. Pets are family members, please don’t just leave them on the streets!

If you want to help Lost Puppies, we are looking for adopters right now! Adopt, don’t shop, or help spread the word about our current adoptables. You can check them out on our website or add us on WeChat at “lostpuppies”. We are also expanding our team so volunteers are welcomed!.

Photos: WHO, Courtesy of Auna Harris

Over December, we’ve been highlighting some of the organizations and people that give their time and skills to make our city a better place. Here’s a round-up of all the causes we’ve profiled, so if your New Year’s resolution is to give something back, you’ll find plenty of ideas for getting involved below.

To read the full interviews, follow the links below.

Horses Offering People Enrichment (HOPE)

Children love animals, whether it’s a family pet or the cuddly pandas at the zoo. For some children with disabilities, that love can help them to grow and develop in areas where they have difficulties. It’s called equine therapy, and it’s available in Beijing thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers. We talked to Amy Tripson about Horses Offering People Enrichment: HOPE. 

The Library Project

There are few things better to stimulate a child’s curiosity, creativity, and love of learning than a good book. For most of us, our kids grow up in homes full of bright, engaging reading material. But for many children in rural China, even their schools don’t have a library, or a place to sit and read independently. And that’s where The Library Project comes in. We talked to founder Tom Stader about their mission to turn unused classrooms into beautiful new reading rooms. 

The Lost Puppies of Beijing

In this series, we have mostly focused on those helping the people of this city, and particularly children in need. But our furry friends need our help too, and particularly the doggoes. So we talked to our friend and former beijingkids staffer Auna Harris about the kind souls behind The Lost Puppies of Beijing.

Fitness 4 Hope

In our busy urban lives, staying fit and active is important. Thanks to a team of enthusiastic volunteers, there are now opportunities to do this while helping a good cause too. We talked to Pablo Arriba about Fitness 4 Hope (F4H), the volunteering organization which he founded.

Bethel China

China has transformed beyond imagining over a couple of generations, modernizing and developing at a rate previously unseen in history. But in a few areas, old-fashioned ideas persist, and rarely with such sad consequences as in attitudes to disabled children. However, there are many, locals and foreigners, working hard to change attitudes and transform lives. We spoke to Allie Haaz, English-language spokesperson for Bethel China, to find out more about one such organization.

Migrant Children Foundation (MCF)

Christmas is always a time to think about children: our own and those in need. Few children are more in need than China’s so-called “migrant children,” who have come with their parents in search of a better life in the city, but have no right to education or other support here. And few have done more to help these innocents than the Migrant Children Foundation (MCF). We talked to Helen Boyle about the Foundation’s work.

Chemistry lessons provided by MCF won a national competition

Clothing Auction Network

New Zealander Rebecca Archer has been in Beijing since 2013, but it was an idea she brought from home which has taken off and is now set to expand across the world. We asked her to tell us more about the Clothing Auction Network.

Photos: courtesy of HOPE, Nichole He, courtesy of Auna Harris, courtesy of Fitness 4 Hope, courtesy of Allie Haaz, courtesy of MCF, Dave’s Studio, Rebecca Archer

There are very few things in this world that have the capability of inducing a glee-laced squeal from me, all of which involve animals. In particular, puppies. I am an animal lover, and as such, it is sacrilege to publicly declare favor for one furry species over another, but I will admit there is something about the readily available adoration, kisses and fawning of a happy pup that just wins it for me. I am the weirdo that will peer into a car just to engage in a full-blown baby talk goo-goo ga-ga conversation with a dog that doesn’t know me from a sack of potatoes. But it is always worth it.

Such love however comes at a price. There is seldom as heartbreaking a sight as an abandoned puppy fending for itself on the cold streets. It is heart-wrenching to see such adorable little creatures knowing you might not have the resources to take them all home and give them the protection they all deserve. Luckily, there are organizations in Beijing that take that mandate to heart, giving otherwise abandoned and neglected pups a second chance, and a new lease on life. Lost Puppies is one such organization, constantly striving to provide these lost little angels homes, rehabilitate them, and facilitate adoptions for as many of their little puppies as they can.

This year, their fundraising and awareness campaign has taken a rather sexy turn, as Lost Puppies has enlisted the help of several Beijing based hunks to create a hunk and pup calendar. Let’s just say this spread puts ‘snack’ into puppy snacks.

To find out more about Lost Puppies of Beijing and the work they do, check out our interview with volunteer, and former beijingkids staffer, Auna Harris.

And to get a sneak peek of this year’s calendar, scroll below.

Photos: Courtesy of Lost Puppies of Beijing

Over the festive season, we’ll be highlighting some of the organizations and people that give their time and skills to make our city a better place, and looking at what you can do to support them. Spread the spirit of giving these holidays!

In this series, we have mostly focused on those helping the people of this city, and particularly children in need. But our furry friends need our help too, and particularly the doggoes. So we talked to our friend and former beijingkids staffer Auna Harris about the kind souls behind The Lost Puppies of Beijing.

Auna Harris

Tell us about the history of The Lost Puppies of Beijing. How did it start, how has it developed?

Lost Puppies started in September 2018 when founders Alex and Naomi rescued one too many puppies (think 101 Dalmatians, but street puppy version). Faced with so many pups to nurse back to health, they gathered together a network of dog fosters across Beijing to take in and raise the pups until homes could be found.

Since then, The Lost Puppies has rescued and homed over 120 dogs and we are growing every day. Now we have a group of nine administrators, and a large network of dedicated fosters who help us rehabilitate dogs to get them ready for their furever families.

Zeus was one of the first puppies saved by The Lost Puppies of Beijing

What is The Lost Puppies of Beijing doing now, and what are your plans for the future?

Essentially, we are a core team who coordinates a large network of fosters and volunteers who have come together to rescue dogs. We do not have a central location or space; all our pups stay in foster homes across the city until a permanent home can be found for them.

Moving forward, we will, of course, be rescuing as many pups as we can. We also will be continuing to develop our role as a community resource that empowers Beijing’s rescuers and supports dog fosters and owners. Need to know how to register your dog? What vet to take your pooch to? What to do if you find a homeless dog in need? Where to board your BFF while you’re away? We’re happy to walk you through all the ins and outs of these questions and will be actively working to make this type of info more accessible to the community.

Recently, we have also partnered with Together for Animals in China (TAC), a dog shelter in Beijing. They are a non-kill shelter that is committed to providing the best care. TAC is run by a Chinese woman who has been rescuing dogs in China for years. We are helping them get dogs adopted so they can continue to move more dogs through their shelter. This partnership really has helped us reach more Chinese citizens because as of now, most of our work has been centered around the expat community. We are hoping to get more of the local community involved so we are able to build a more sustainable rescue community here and save more dogs.

This month we have a charity gala coming up on December 14 to help raise money for the pups (you can link the article if you want to.) And we are planning to do some adoption days this coming year.

This cute doggo and all the others pictured, except for Zeus, above are available for adoption!

How can people get involved? What help do you need, and how can they contact you?

The most critical need for us at the moment is finding adopters and fosters. Currently we have over 20 dogs looking for homes and we can only rescue additional dogs if we have foster homes available. Fostering is a super fun and rewarding experience –especially for those who can’t commit to long-term pet ownership. Fostering involves taking in a dog for a short period of time or until they get adopted- usually a couple of months. Fosters need to be able to commit time for caring for the animal and taking them to vet appointments. Our organization will reimburse for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for our animals.

If you can’t take in a pup, we are also looking for help with our social media presence, organizing our vet appointments, planning events, collecting supplies donations and more! If you want to contact us please add our official Lost Puppies account by scanning this QR code or adding our WeChat at: lostpuppies. You can also check out our website www.lostpuppies.cn to see our available puppies for adoption.

What makes your organization different or special?

I think the best thing we do is offer support to our fosters and adopters. We provide financial support through our reimbursement system, but even more important is our team of experienced dog owners and rescuers who can help with training issues or medical advice. It is hard to own a dog in China: the vets are different, the rules change a lot, and of course, there’s the language barrier. We work hard to make things easier for people. We help to make sure everyone gets the correct vaccinations, goes to the best vets, trains to avoid pups developing behavior issues, and follows dog ownership rules to have the safest, healthiest, and most fun experience with their four-legged BFF.

Photos: courtesy of Auna Harris

What’s happening in Beijing’s international school community? See spring homecoming party, various performances, and sport matches in this month’s Circuit.

House of Knowledge World Studies Exit Points
House of Knowledge (HoK) elementary students recently presented an impressive range of “exit points” (final results) for their World Studies projects at HoK’s Shunyi campus. The projects were, as always, embedded with the HoK core values: Design thinking, Communication, Inquiry, Global Mindset, and more.

Grade 10 Plays with Earth at Beijing City International School
Recently, Grade 10 students at Beijing City International School (BCIS) began learning the fine art of ceramics. For their first lesson, they were given the task of starting the process of creating a pinch pot. As its name suggests, a pinch pot is a form of pottery that is made by pinching and turning clay.

Harrow Beijing Prep Production of Beauty and the Beast
On February 27-28, Harrow Beijing students successfully staged their annual production. Their rendition of Beauty and the Beast captured the classic fairy story in a series of upbeat musical numbers.

Homecoming Party at Beijing No. 55 High School
In order to help students adapt to school life as soon as possible and let new students integrate into the collective more quickly, No. 55 High School held a “Homecoming Party” in the basketball hall on March 6. Teachers and students of all grades took an active part in this activity.

WAB Season 3 Sports Teams Now Ready for Action
Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) has released its Season 3 varsity and junior varsity team photos. The student athletes will compete around the Asia-Pacific region in track and field, soccer, badminton, and softball.

Grandmaster Zhao Xue: Simultaneous Chess Match at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) chess addicts had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pit their wits against Grandmaster Zhao Xue. She played 21 simultaneous matches and defeated our “last man” standing, Year 8’s Felipe, at 1 hour 20 minutes, an impressive record since other schools normally lasted 30 minutes.

DCB Junior School Councillors Lead Efforts to Support Migrant School
In supporting a migrant school in Tongzhou District, Dulwich College Beijing’s Junior School Councillors visited the children, raised awareness of their needs, and organized several successful donation drives, collecting over RMB 11,000 as well as a shoebox full of presents for each migrant student.

Grade 2 Circus at International School of Beijing
Roll up, roll up! International School of Beijing (ISB) students staged a circus show. Gym 1 was transformed into a big top for one day only as the acrobats and clowns of grade 2 put on a circus show on Friday, March 8. In two performances, students and parents saw a wonder of athleticism, choreography, and color.

The Masquerade Ball at YCIS Beijing
Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) students hosted a great masquerade ball on February 15. The glamorous affair was a fundraiser for Roots & Shoots, A Voice for Animals, and Lost Puppies of Beijing. Students had a great time performing, running raffles, and selling masks they made themselves on the night.

Personal Project Excellence at BWYA
On February 26, the Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) secondary school held their Grade 10 personal project exhibition. Every year, the students produce strong results, and this year was no exception. With displays about Chinese architecture, Korean grammar, quadcopters, and much more, it was an abundant array of hard work and creativity.

Book Week at BSB Sanlitun
The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (BSB Sanlitun) encouraged children to get #caughtreading by taking photos of themselves reading in exciting places. They also had a Book Fair during the week and the parents organized a book swap. To round off the week, March 8 was Dress Up As A Book Character Day.

Success for Daystar Academy Phoenix Swimming Team
“Beijing vs. Asian All-Stars 2019”, an annual swimming event between international schools, took place from February 22-24, and once again the competition was fierce. Jennifer Zhang from the Daystar Academy bilingual school won the gold medal for the 50-meter breaststroke in the 7-8 years old group.

This article first appeared in the beijingkids April 2019 Exploring Beijing issue.
Photos: courtesy of featured schools

The puppies that were found on a Beijing building site on Monday have been given emergency care and shelter. But with a potentially deadly virus spreading among the tiny pups, the rescue operation urgently needs volunteers and financial donations to save the little ones.

A few of the puppies are lucky enough to already be with loving foster homes

38 puppies and eight adult dogs were discovered on the construction site in southeast Beijing, and have been the focus of a joint effort between local rescuers and the international community. Sadly, however, several of the pups have tested positive for parvovirus, a canine illness easily treatable with the proper medicine but highly infectious and dangerous if not dealt with.

Many of the puppies are still very young and vulnerable

Some of the pups that have been cleared have been placed with foster carers, and are proving to be affectionate and easily house trained. As they are so young they are best fostered in pairs at least, so they can socialize with each other. Loving temporary homes for these little ones are very much needed.

The animals which have been already fostered have been found to be very affectionate and easily trained

Right now though, with the medical bills mounting, perhaps the more urgent need is for financial support. RMB 120 will provide a single pup with a potentially life-saving vaccination, while RMB 360 will pay for a whole day of urgent veterinary treatment. You can make a donation right now by scanning the QR code below, and know that every penny raised is going directly to the immediate treatment of the animals.

Another urgent need is for drivers to move the animals around between the rescue center, the veterinary hospital, and potential carers. Anyone with a car and a Beijing license who can help is urged to contact Alex Cukor at Lost Puppies of Beijing, via the QR code below.

Local businesses are joining in the fundraising effort. Mexican food favorite Pebbles is offering the chance to win a RMB 100 voucher with every donation.

And popular bar and Moroccan restaurant Caravan is making the campaign part of the celebrations of their fourth anniversary, with a “Live Disco 4 Doggies” on Friday March 22.

If driving, disco, or even donations aren’t for you, but you can help in some other way, please get in touch with Lost Puppies of Beijing. The pups need you!

Even the youngest pups, with love and care, are beginning to eat independently. How can you help?

Photos: courtesy of Lost Puppies of Beijing