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CNN Live Today

Terrier From Burned-Out Taiwanese Tanker On Way to Honolulu Harbor

Aired May 01, 2002 - 11:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Remember the dog that was abandoned at sea? A tug hired by the Coast Guard rescued the terrier from a burned- out Taiwanese tanker. The dog is on its way to Honolulu harbor, and she is expected to arrive tomorrow. The owner of the dog is very happy that the dog was rescued. He wrote to "The Honolulu Advertiser" -- that's the main paper in Hawaii. "Hokget was only two weeks old when she was given to me. I bottle-fed and raised her on board the Insiko 1907." I thank the people of Hawaii for their sincerity and for the search-and-rescue mission of Hokget."

Michael Kuo will be Hokget's caretaker, and he's joining us by phone from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

Good morning.

MICHAEL KUO, DOG'S CARETAKER: Good morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: I know it's very early for you there.

KUO: Yes, it's 5:30.

KAGAN: Tell me how to say the beach correctly. Is it Ewa Beach?

KUO: Hokget.

KAGAN: That's the dog name. That was one of the problems. As they were trying to rescue the dog, they were calling it the wrong name.

KUO: Right, normally this is the pronunciation in Taiwanese, but they speaking in Mandarin, and he doesn't recognize the right name.

KAGAN: And so the dog is on board now a tug boat.

KUO: Oh, yes, he's on his way back to Honolulu.

KAGAN: And what's the condition?

KUO: According to the captain of the Macon Quest (ph), they said they're doing, doing all right. Now he's eating and some drinking, and they let the crew pet him.

KAGAN: It's kind of a bad case of fleas, I hear. KUO: Oh, yes.

KAGAN: Now how much was spent on this rescue operation?

KUO: Really I don't know moneywise, but it's a tremendous amount of money.

KAGAN: Because some people critical how much money was spent on just saving one dog, all the things that could have been done with that money, other things.

KUO: Oh, yes. So many things to -- but according to humane society they have spent about $48,000 for the rescue (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

KAGAN: So now, when Hokget gets there, just standard state law in Hawaii that all dogs coming in have a 120-day quarantine, is that right?

KUO: Yes, that's correct.

KAGAN: So what happens to the little pup.

KUO: After they come in tomorrow morning, they will be examined and according to Humane Society in Kawaii (ph) for 120 days.

KAGAN: And what kind of conditions will the dog be kept in there? Is that like a cage, or?

KUO: Oh, yes, he will have a cage.

KAGAN: So eventually, he will be reunited with his owner?

KUO: Oh yes, eventually, but in the meantime, I will adopt the dog, in the meantime. And Captain Chung (ph), wherever he is, bring back if possible.

KAGAN: Well, good for you for taking care of Hokget. Thank for bringing us up to date. I know it must have happened with you. It captured -- that story captured a lot of hearts of dog lovers and dog owners all across the United States.

KUO: OK, thanks.

KAGAN: We'll check with you. The dog should be here by tomorrow.

KUO: Yes, tomorrow morning.

KAGAN: How about we talk with you after you've gotten a chance to see Hokget.

KUO: OK, great.

KAGAN: OK, thanks.

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