Dog saved at sea laps up the spotlight

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

KIPU, Kaua'i — Hokget, the Jack Russell terrier who was rescued from an abandoned freighter April 26, is a month from freedom, and perhaps further fame.

Photo by Jan TenBruggencate • The Honolulu Advertiser • • • Hokget — The Tale of a Dog By Henry Kapono There was a little tanker dog Stranded out at sea For 24 days and 24 nights She was lonely as can be Can you imagine what that would be like I don't ever wanna know That brave little canine She won our heart and she won our soul The big day was Friday, April 26th Two men from the tug the American Quest Found her hiding under some big old tires Looking frail and rather spent Hip hip hurray they found her The news had rippled all around the world She's safe and she's coming home Our four legged little girl Well now she's more popular than Tom Cruise They're gonna make her a great big star She's gonna be on the Tonight Show with Mr. Leno Get there in a big ole fancy car Well I sure hope all this attention Doesn't change her in any way Cause she's still a sweet little hottie No matter what people are gonna say (Chorus) Hokget you lucky dog Enjoy it while you can You paid the price, made the sacrifice Now you are in demand Hokget you lucky dog Enjoy it while you can You paid the price life is nice The world is in the paw of your hands

The 3-year-old pup is an active, bright and healthy animal. She has recovered from rashes that resulted from a flea infestation but will always have a nose sensitive to the sun, a long-term effect of severe sunburn during her time aboard the tanker Insiko 1907, said Dr. Becky Rhoades, director of the Kaua'i Humane Society.

And while it's not clear that fame will stay with Hokget for years, it's clearly still around now.

The dog's fame began in a trial by fire. She was the pet of the Taiwanese master of the tanker Insiko, which refueled and resupplied fishing boats at sea. The crew was rescued from the ship after a major fire killed one crew member and left the ship dead without power or communications.

Hokget was left behind on the abandoned ship, but when Hawai'i animal lovers learned about it, they launched rescue efforts. The Coast Guard went looking, the Hawaiian Humane Society sent out flights, and Honolulu resident Regina Kawananakoa hired a plane to go searching. Ultimately, the Coast Guard located the ship, and a tugboat crew recovered the animal.

Hokget had been alone on the ship from April 2 to April 26. The Insiko was taken out to sea and sunk after oil and other contaminants were removed.

The dog is spending her 120-day quarantine at the Kaua'i facility, and will then go to her new owners, the family of Michael and Helen Kuo of Honolulu. Michael Kuo is a friend of the Insiko's captain and his family has visited the dog several times to get acquainted.

Rhoades said the dog also gets regular visits from Mainland tourists, from people visiting from other islands and from local folks. The society has put her in a room with big windows to make viewing easier. Visitors don't get to play with the dog except under the supervision of Rhoades, who is a veterinarian.

"There's a steady flow of people," Rhoades said.

Benefactor Kawananakoa, the great-granddaughter of Hawai'i's Prince David Kawana-nakoa, plans to visit Tuesday, bringing gifts for the dog and for the Humane Society.

"I'm a total, avid animal lover," Kawananakoa said. She said she once had a dog and now has two cats and a pet tilapia named Mr. Wiggily Piggily.

Entertainer Henry Kapono has written a song for the dog, after researching her exploits on the Internet.

"It's a good story, about this dog, surviving that long," he said.

He has asked for tape recordings of Hokget's barks and howls to include in a possible recording.

The Kaua'i Humane Society and the Hawaiian Humane Society are planning special events for Hokget's release from quarantine Aug. 30, including a 9 a.m. reception that day at the Kaua'i facility, and activities upon her arrival in Honolulu later that day.

Rhoades said that since Hokget is comfortable with her, she will bring the dog to Honolulu and personally deliver her to her new home with the Kuo clan.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.