In 2017, a young Dalmatian pup named Emma Roo had a distressing experience at just eight weeks old. She was held captive in a Chinese slaughterhouse located in Xi’An where she unfortunately had to undergo the amputation of both her front legs and a part of her tail. This was a devastating process for the little pup who also had her ears shaved during this ordeal, as reported by Daily Mail.
It’s heartwarming to know that a puppy received proper care and attention at a veterinary clinic in Beijing after being rescued. After spending two years with a loving family, the puppy returned to the same vet in 2019. In China, not many people prefer adopting rescue dogs, so animal advocates reached out to the Dalmatian Rescue Association in South Florida. Emma, a devoted dog enthusiast, was moved by this touching story and decided to do something about it.
Meet Misha Hunt, a cheerful guest services coordinator hailing from the charming city of Charleston, South Carolina. One day, fate brought her face to face with Emma Roo, an endearing puppy that instantly captured Misha’s heart. Although they were different species, their connection was unique and touching. As time passed, Misha’s fondness for Emma Roo only grew stronger. Finally, on April 26th, 2020, Misha joyfully welcomed the fluffy pooch into her life as her beloved pet. She recalls the moment when Emma Roo first stole her heart like it was yesterday.
Emma’s injuries were a result of human behavior, a sad reality for lesser known breeds that are often mistreated with acts of brutality and violence. Misha mentioned that Emma has developed a fear of loud noises, possibly due to her past traumatic experiences.
Emma, a lovable pooch, was born with a deformity on one of her hind paws that caused her to lose some of her toes. Sadly, it was discovered that this was the reason why she was abandoned by her previous owners early on in life, as they believed that no one would want to adopt her. However, Emma’s luck turned around when she found a new home with Ms. Hunt. In the first few days of her adoption, Emma showed signs of anxiety by crying loudly when left alone and guarding her belongings, including her food, toys, and even random articles of clothing.
Ms. Hunt tried various techniques to ease Emma’s anxiety, but it wasn’t until she hired a male massage therapist that things started to improve. Emma had a deep-seated fear of men, and the gentle massages provided by the therapist helped her relax and overcome her fears. The therapist visits once a week and has been instrumental in improving Emma’s overall behavior. Emma is now a happy and well-adjusted dog, thanks to the love and care of her new family.
At the close of January 2020, Emma Roo made her way to the United States. However, shortly after her arrival, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world. Misha fondly recalls stumbling upon Emma Roo on the web and being captivated by her captivating amber-colored eyes, which seemed almost human-like. He firmly believed that their fateful meeting was meant to be.
Misha and Emma had the good fortune of receiving help from rescue organizations during their initial days. One such organization that went above and beyond for them was Dalmatian Rescue. Emma, who was a dog with two legs, received a specialized front wheel cart from them to assist her mobility. With the help of social media, Bionic Pets and Joey’s P.A.W held fundraising campaigns for Emma’s prosthetics, and they were successful in providing her with them. Emma Roo’s Instagram page has gained quite a following, with over ten thousand followers who receive regular updates on her progress and are encouraged to adopt rescue dogs.
Misha established a Facebook page to share the inspiring story of Emma Roo and to collect contributions for her custom cart. However, even after reaching her fundraising goal, she continues to maintain the page because she believes that Emma Roo’s story deserves to be heard by a wider audience. Misha reveals that Emma Roo’s personality is constantly evolving, and that brings her endless joy. Emma Roo now resides in a loving home where she enjoys playing catch and socializing with other dogs. The love and affection she receives from her new family have taught her that the world has limitless opportunities for adventure. Ms. Hunt also shares how Emma Roo loves spending time at the beach, where she enthusiastically swims and plays in the water.
Misha felt a heartwarming surge of emotions as she watched her furry companion play freely on the sandy beach without any limitations. The sight filled her with tears of happiness, and she resolved to become a voice for animals who could not speak for themselves. To this end, she has started selling t-shirts that carry an anti-animal cruelty message, and all profits from these sales are donated to organizations that work tirelessly in this field. Misha is particularly troubled by the annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival that takes place in China, where around 10,000 dogs are mercilessly slaughtered and consumed over ten days. Despite regulatory efforts, many countries still engage in this deplorable practice. Misha carefully brings up this issue when speaking to young audiences, but she remains unequivocal in her stance against the dog-meat industry. Moreover, she uses Emma’s story to reinforce the importance of accepting differently-abled dogs and to highlight that caring for them is not as challenging as many people think.
Many individuals have expressed their opinion that the dog ought to be put down because of her psychological distress. Nevertheless, when I observe this cheerful and lively pooch, weighing 25 pounds, I fail to comprehend why someone would contemplate terminating her existence.
According to Ms. Hunt, the key to ensuring a happy life for your beloved pets is to seek help from reliable organizations. She strongly believes that all dogs are heroes and they deserve a chance to have a fulfilling life. The inseparable best friends Tillie and Phoebe are the perfect example of this. Recently, Tillie’s unwavering loyalty to Phoebe earned her the title of hero. After the two dogs accidentally wandered away from their home, Phoebe fell into a cistern, but Tillie never left her friend’s side. She stayed by Phoebe’s side for seven days until their owner and rescue team finally rescued them.
Tillie and Phoebe, two inseparable friends residing in the same home, went missing in September after they went for a walk on Vashon Island. The pet owner grew anxious when they failed to return home that evening. Consequently, they contacted Vashon Island Pet Protectors for assistance. The owner mentioned that Tillie is cautious and always keeps the gate closed, but Phoebe loves to explore and stick with her friend. Despite extensive searches by volunteers across the island, Tillie and Phoebe have yet to be found. It is devastating that the two furry companions are still lost.
Carey, a dedicated volunteer at Vanish Island, revealed that they spent seven days combing the surroundings to locate Tillie. Their hard work and perseverance paid off as a farmer reported spotting a brownish dog on his land. The dog approached him before abruptly walking away towards a ravine. This piqued Carey’s interest in the area and she explored it. To her astonishment, she discovered that Tillie had been frantically seeking assistance. Unfortunately, Phoebe, Tillie’s friend, was trapped in a cistern and couldn’t escape.
Upon Carey’s arrival, Tillie did not display her usual excitement as she remained close to the cistern’s edge and pressed her head against it. According to Carey, had Tillie come running up to her, they would not have located Phoebe. Tillie showcased her genuine kindness and loyalty towards her furry companion by staying put and guiding Carey to Phoebe. This heartfelt moment brought tears to Carey’s eyes as Tillie knew it was her duty to rescue her friend. Had Tillie gone back home, Phoebe would have been trapped in the cistern without any hope of being found.
Fortunately, the two furry friends managed to survive an entire week in the open with surprisingly good health. They were able to get rainwater during their time in the wilderness, and even though they had little food, they were able to persevere until they were rescued. When the owner was reunited with her beloved pets, tears of joy filled her eyes, but this was not unexpected as dogs are known for their steadfast loyalty. It is a relief that we were able to find them safe and sound.