Dog Lover

Pets are a big deal and any family looks forward to having a new member as a huge commitment. That’s why Su Yun from Kunming City was excited to welcome a lovely pet dog into her household. The lady only had positive thoughts and vibes when she thought about their life with a pet.

Su Yun wanted her kids to feel the love of a furry family member while also gaining some level of responsibility. It’s common knowledge that dogs double as best friends who give you lots of hugs, licks and cuddles on a bad day. Sadly, Su Yun was about to have a very different experience.

 

A Welcome Addition

After pondering for a while, Su Yun felt convinced she had to get a dog. Her family needed some excitement added to the mix and she was sure a pet was what they all needed to make it happen. Especially since a dog was a lot less stressful than a human baby, so it was a better decision.

This is not to say that Su Yun was a terrible mother or that she didn’t like it, far from it. In fact, the lady had a fantastic relationship with her kids and she loved spending time with them. Su Yun just felt like a dog would make her and her family’s happiness complete.

 

Crossroads

Getting a dog isn’t an easy process because there are several factors to consider. One of the main factors that come up is whether to buy a pet or adopt one. Adopting saves a lot of creatures and gives them a second chance at life, but these animals tend to be slightly more challenging to handle.

Moreover, buying a puppy is pretty straightforward and the animal grows with the family making it easy to handle them. Even so, there’s a certain feeling of pride and accomplishment from adoption that buying just does not have; making all the work that choice entails worth it in the end.

  

The Joys Of A Pup

If you haven’t noticed already, Su Yun was a dog person and she was keen on getting her family one sooner than later. Anyone who’s owned a puppy knows how fun and entertaining these animals are. Moreover, kids love baby dogs and they are always a welcome distraction from their usual mischief, especially when the parents are busy.

Su Yun couldn’t help but picture all the adventures the kids would be up to with their puppy. To add on, they would probably end up making an iconic best friend that would forever make a mark in their lives – It was going to be an excellent experience for everyone.

 

Preparations

To ensure everything went well and she was well informed, Su Yun made a point of researching all the breeds she could think of online. She wanted to find the perfect fit, so there was no way she would take the matter lightly. The lady spent hours scouring the web looking at dog pictures and information on grooming and feeding.

Before long, Su Yun had the definitive list set up and ready to go. She knew what she wanted, and all that was left was finding the perfect fit. An excited Su Yun even got a cute dog collar and bed ready for the big day.

 

Simple Folk

Going by the statements above, you might end up thinking that Su Yun’s family is well off and they have more than enough money to splurge on a pet. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be farther from the truth as they were just simple folk trying their best to make the most of their situation.

Su Yun and her husband tried their best to make ends meet by working extra hours to feed their family and pay the bills. It had gotten to a point everyone was exhausted, and the kids even missed family time. That’s why the couple decided to go on a family vacation; their decision would have ramifications none could have predicted.

 

One For The Books

When the trip got announced, everyone in the household excitedly started making the necessary preparations. It was about time they got together and had fun as a family. Moreover, who doesn’t love a good vacation? The entire household was looking forward to waking up in a place that didn’t scream bills and pollution.

Additionally, this would be an excellent opportunity for the parents and kids to make up for the lost time by catching up and bonding. Everyone was joyful and prepared for a fun time but little did they know, even their pet-owning dream was about to be realized, albeit with a twist.

 

Bon Voyage

The vacation kicked off without a hitch, and everything was going according to plan. All the hours of adventure and relaxation were a welcome change of pace, and the whole family was relishing every moment. While the kids ran around and even the adults took some time off and relaxed to their heart’s content.

Just days after their vacation had begun, Su Yun and her family landed on one of the most surprises ever; a bunch of cute puppies! It was as if the universe was lining everything up to the lady’s desires, and everyone seemed to take on the surprise positively.

 

Love At First Sight

Su Yun had been dreaming of getting a pup for quite some time so bumping into a whole litter was a fantastic turn of events. The kids would be getting a new playmate soon, and all their mother’s dreams and intentions would be coming true.

Since the children had already taken an immediate liking to the litter, that first hurdle was now out of the way. It’s one thing owning a puppy or getting someone a puppy, but it’s a whole different story loving and caring for the creatures. You can’t force someone to bond with an animal; it has to come naturally.

 

The One

The reason getting a puppy had taken the family so long was due to the fact that the city life barely gave them any time to commit to their search. Any time they’d set aside time to get a pet, something would come up, or other responsibilities would overshadow their plans. That’s why this opportunity before them was not one to be taken lightly.

Su Yun joined her kids toying around with the puppies, and she immediately took one into her arms to share a moment with the animal. This particular pup warmed up to the lady pretty quickly, and Su Yun felt like she had found their new family member.

 

Do You Need A Pup?

Before long, a man came around and let the family know he was the owner of the cute litter of joy. Everyone was excited and nervous at the same time because there was a chance that the owner was not selling the puppies. If he weren’t, they would have difficulty letting go of the one they had already gotten attached to.

As luck would have it, the guy was looking for buyers, and he quickly got down to business with the family. The man claimed that these pups were the famed Tibetan Mastiff breeds meaning Su Yun’s family would soon be the proud owners of an exotic dog – What could possibly go wrong?

 

A Massive Choice

The seller was keen to inform Su Yun’s family that these dogs tended to be quite massive, and they can grow to an incredible 2 feet. Of course, that is a big deal considering how much food the creature would have to eat, but Su Yun felt convinced they could make it work, and this was the new family member they needed.

After all this impressive information, adoption was no longer an option as the family had made up their mind. Su Yun wanted to get the dog sooner than later, and this opportunity would not slip by. Nevertheless, they had no idea who the seller was; could that be an oversight?

 

Little Black

Su Yun, her husband and the stranger quickly managed to strike a favorable deal, and they were officially dog-parents now. So the family cut their vacation short and made their way home to begin their new life as a pet-owning family. It was a big moment, and we understand why they were all excited to head home and start living with their new pet.

Soon enough, Su Yun’s family settled on a name for their little friend based on the color of his fur. Thus they aptly named the puppy Little Black, and his jet black fur ensured the name fit like a glove, and the Yun’s were happy with their progress.

 

New Kid On The Block

Little Black and the kids quickly got along and were running around, causing havoc in the house in no time. The puppy was happy with his new family, and the kids were finally delighted to have a pet in their home. Su Yun’s plans were working out so far, and it turns out she was right.

Before long, Little Black was officially a family member as he was moved into the house to have him closer. Sadly, the humid air in the city had the animal on edge since it dampened his fur. Luckily, the dog bed was around to make up for any other discomforts Little Black might have had.

 

Picky Eater

We are unsure whether Little Black picked up on Su Yun’s intentions to please him no matter what or if he was just a picky eater, but the animal refused to eat dog food. That is quite uncharacteristic of dogs since they rarely refuse food and just eat whatever gets handed to them.

Su Yun got forced to test out various meal combinations to figure out what best works for their new pet, and that’s how she landed on fruits and noodles. Our furry little friend seemed to like this odd combination, and everything else was a bust – Exotic dogs had their quirks, it seemed.

 

Hearty Helpings

Besides the odd food combination, this dog had a humongous appetite. The family ended up forced to make several trips to the grocery store every week to satiate its hunger. It was a bit weird for them but considering this was their first dog, there was no way they’d question the situation.

Although Su Yun’s family tried their best to take care of the dog, it slowly became a problem. Little Black would finish their entire grocery stock in a week, making their household budget skyrocket. So was this really a puppy, or some kind of an alien with a black hole for a belly?

 

New Diet

As time went on, Little black’s needs seemed to evolve and become more specific. For example, the creature now wanted drier foods. To make matters worse, it was growing ever bigger, and its appetite was not far behind. By the end of the first year, the family’s furry companion was clearing two whole tubs of noodles and a large box of fruits on the side.

Despite the growing appetite and expenses, Su Yun’s family was keen on ensuring their pet had the best of what it needed. So they pulled their socks and dedicated most of their funds to take care of the creature, even if it was taking a toll.

 

Warnings

Luckily, the stranger had already told the family that the dog required a hearty diet, and he had warned them of the animal’s rapid growth rate. Nevertheless, despite the warnings, nothing had prepared them for such a situation, and Little Black was surpassing the family’s expectations.

The dog was 3 feet tall, which was already a foot taller than the stranger’s predictions. Surprisingly, Little Black still wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down; in fact, it looked like he was just getting started. The shocking revelations didn’t end there, though, and Su Yun would soon get treated to a spine-chilling spectacle one morning.

 

What’s That

Dogs are known to be full of surprises and actions that can leave us staring in awe and wonder. So far, Little Black had been a source of joy and excitement to the family. Everyone loved him, and despite the challenges he brought upon them, no one was complaining.

Due to his enormous size, the dog would knock over things as he moved about the house forcing Su Yun to organize her home constantly. Surprisingly, this wasn’t the scary bit that had Su Yu questioning her choices. That started one day when Su Yun found her lovely pet standing on its hind legs like a human; naturally, the poor lady found the sight quite shocking.

 

Culture Shock

This experience left Su Yun so much on edge that she stopped seeing Little Black as a dog for a moment. Canines don’t stand on their hind legs like human beings, whether exotic or not, so something wasn’t right. It was at this moment that Su Yun started investigating everything to that point.

Su Yun was scared of her pet now, and she was at a loss. She loved her dear dog, but it was clear something was off, and she had to struggle to keep her anxiety at bay. Of course, maybe she was mistaken, and Su Yun was just having difficulties dealing with the pressure of raising a large dog.

 

Awakening

Once Su Yun’s guard was up, everything changed. Her dog-lover instincts got pushed to the side, and the lady began keeping a lookout on her pet. She was a mother first and dog lover second, and Su Yun’s instincts were calling for a reassessment of the situation.

Su Yun started piecing things together and studying Little Black even more. There was definitely something fishy going on, and she would get to the bottom of it all. Her biggest fear was maybe their dog was a potential danger to the kids. Surprisingly, the truth was closer than she thought and all Su Yun needed to do was open her eyes in the right direction.

 

More Revelations

As time went on, Little Black seemed to be digging his grave in Su Yun’s eyes. Every day a new revelation would crop up. For one, the dog’s physical appearance started looking less and less like a dog, and no one could place their finger on why.

Little Black’s dental structure was even more pronounced than most guard dogs making the family wonder what was happening. On the other hand, their beloved pet seemed to have gotten quite more aggressive in the recent past. Every so often, the dog would snarl when touched, forcing the kids and other family members to forgo petting the creature altogether.

 

Not In The Contract

Another new development that had hit them was that their dog had recently taken a liking to walking on its hind legs instead of all fours. This wasn’t the usual dog tricks that other pets do when they want a treat; it was as if Little Black genuinely preferred walking on his hind feet.

Surprisingly, the creature barely struggled to do it even without any training. It was as if Little Black did it by instinct, and that had Su Yun worried. She now felt convinced more than ever something was up, and this was not what the family had signed up for.

  

Hard Times

The dog’s growth rate quickly became an indoor hazard, and the family knew they had to reassess their options. Su Yun found herself caught between a rock and a hard place because she knew she couldn’t keep the dog in the house, and the backyard was absolutely out of the question.

If the neighbors caught a glimpse of their pet, questions were bound to rise. To make matters worse, they couldn’t take their dog for a walk since it was only a matter of time before the creature started walking on his back legs in public, and things would go south from that point on.

 

A New Home

Su Yun decided to dedicate most of her free time researching big dogs, hoping to find answers to whatever was happening before her eyes. She genuinely wanted to make life easier for her pet, and the lady was not ready to give up on him just yet.

The family brainstormed and decided to build a house large enough for their pet to live in comfortably. This was the best course of action considering the disaster Little Black was causing in the man’s place. Of course, this was only a temporary solution, but it was better than anything they had had to deal with recently.

 

High Expectations, Low Rewards

There was a second reason why the family built a house for the creature. Little Black was finally big enough to become a guard dog. Although to be fair, he was already far larger than most guard dogs. Little Black might not be the best pet, but at least the family could sleep soundly knowing their home is well protected.

This thought process hit a pause as soon as it got put to action because the dog barely barked. The best the family could get from him if anything strange occurred around the compound was the growl. It was almost like barking was not in their pet’s nature, but how could that be?

 

Enough Is Enough

After seeing Little Black stand on its hind legs for the first time and getting the fright of her life, Su Yun had a sinister hunch in the back of her mind. So far, she had managed to keep the negative thoughts at bay, but as it turns out, she couldn’t ignore her gut feeling anymore.

Little Black was now the tallest being in the whole household, and that wasn’t something you could ignore. Su Yun Switched her research to Tibetan Mastiffs and began trying to find the exact family their massive furry pet might belong to. Just to be safe, she even looked up the breed’s characteristics and behaviors – Su Yun had no idea what awaited her.

 

Looking For Answers

Su Yun scoured extensive inches of the web, looking for information before landing on a pet forum where she was hoping to get more insight. So many people had raised relevant questions over there and brought their answers promptly, and she was sure she’d get the necessary information here.

Although the lady had her doubts, it was time she got the answers necessary to calm her anxious spirit. Su Yun promptly shared information about her dog and shared Little Black’s image on the forum, hoping to get a response ASAP. Luckily, it wasn’t long before a certified veterinarian returned to the lady with some hair-raising answers.

 

Impostor Syndrome

The veterinarian had some jaw-dropping news that would put any sensible person out of commission. As for Su Yun and her family, they had bonded with the creature for so long it would be pretty hard for them to connect the dots properly. It turns out the stranger had scammed the family, and Little Black was not a Tibetan Mastiff at all!

To make matters worse, it turns out their beloved dog was not even a canine in the first place. Instead, the family had unwittingly brought home a Himalayan black bear! This was not surprising because the creature’s native habitat happened to be very close to where the family was vacationing.

  

Reality Check

Su Yun’s family was already dealing with 3 feet, and it had them worried, but the vet had even more disturbing news. According to the guy, this animal was still growing, and it was probably going to get to 6 feet tall. Moreover, the bear would even grow even heavier and probably reach a staggering 440 pounds.

The more news the vet shared, the more Su Yun realized her days with little black were coming to an end. The vet advised her to contact the police to help them deal with the situation. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but there was no other way.

 

The Law 

When it comes to animal rights and protection, China is no different than the rest of the world. The country is quite strict, and their penalties are pretty severe when someone gets found breaking any of the wildlife laws. One of these laws is against keeping exotic pets, and that’s why Su Yun was in a challenging position.

Clearly, the family were victims of an elaborate scam but would the court turn a blind eye to their ignorance. After all, the legal system usually sticks to the mantra: Ignorance is no defense. On the other hand, Little Black had grown up with this family, so it was not that easy to give him up just like that.

 

No Choice

Trying to circumvent the legal system and save themselves some trouble, Su Yun’s family decided to reach out to a zoo with the hopes that they’d gladly accept Little Black in their establishment. Sadly, this turned out to be easier said than done since there were a few hurdles to consider.

For starters, Little Black was an undocumented animal, meaning he was not considered a legal resident of the family. The bear’s lack of a birth certificate sealed their fate as they couldn’t reach the creature’s original owner. Su Yun realized there was no other way but to call the cops.

 

Next Steps

Despite the bear’s domesticated nature, the officials were not ready to take any chances with the animal. So the cops arrived at the residence with some experts to assess the situation lest things turn ugly during Little Black’s extraction. On the other hand, the sheer size of the animal further complicated issues.

It was a bittersweet moment for the family since the bear had been a massive part of their life, but it needed better care. The team of behaviorists and vets tried their best to move the animal with as little fuss as possible. Even Su Yun’s advisor was among the group of vets meaning the bear was in safe hands.

 

Misery & Company

Su Yun wasn’t the only victim of this odd situation because it’s pretty difficult for ordinary people to tell apart wild animals from everyday pets, especially when they are cubs. A good example is a guy from Arizona, the US, who adopted a stray pup from the wild and named him Neo.

Everything went well till the pup clocked a year, and people noticed something odd about the animal. For some strange reason, Neo couldn’t adopt a domestic lifestyle. The young man struggled to make his pet happy at home until, luckily, a knowledgeable person could identify the creature to be a wolf cub, shocking everyone.

 

Nothing To Hide

The officials were keen to get to the bottom of Su Yun’s case, and they asked the family why they decided to give their lovely pet up. Of course, the lady had nothing to hide, and she told them she had no idea she had a bear in her household. This is why immediately after finding out, Su Yun took the necessary steps to fix things.

Her story added up, and the officers proceeded to do a medical check-up on the creature. Su Yun had nothing to worry about, considering the family had done their best to take care of the bear.

 

New Home

Expectedly, Little Black was relatively healthy, and the vets were impressed by the animal’s health. Once this was out of the way, the officers started preparing to move Little Black to the animal rescue center. To move the growing cub freely, the officers tranquilized the bear.

With Littel Black fast asleep, the journey was uneventful, and they managed to reach the facility without much fanfare. The officials at the facility were ready to welcome the animal with open arms. Everyone was surprised at how healthy and well-mannered the creature was. Su Yun’s family had done an exceptional job, and they deserved their due credit.

Fanfare

As soon as the tabloids and news outlets caught wind of this story, it blew up. Before long, Su Yun’s family became the trending topic, and everyone wanted to know how they managed to raise such an incredible creature so well. While on the other hand, some people doubted the authenticity of the story stating it’s hard not to tell these creatures apart.

That’s why ‘National Geographic’ saw this as an opportunity to spread awareness of this situation. It was an honest mistake that could happen to anyone. As for Su Yun’s neighbors, they were now not happy with the thought of having lived next to a wild creature unaware.

 

Unintentional Error

The ‘National Geographic’ coverage was incredibly beneficial to the global debate sparked by Su Yun’s story. So many stories came to light showing just how easy it is to mistake a wild animal for a domesticate done. It turns out that Su Yun’s family was not an isolated case.

As it turns out, dwelling in the city doesn’t allow people the luxury of being aware of nature and what it brings. That’s why it’s easier for the city folk to mistake wild animals and pets. So many people only focus on how cute a creature is and throw due diligence out of the window.

 

Truth Stays Triumphant

Su Yun owned up to her mistake quite quickly and was vocal about it. The stories piling up also gave the lady some hope that the hand of justice might be kind to her. Even so, she was still worried that the court might rule against the family despite it being an apparent mistake.

Luckily, the whole storm blew away as the police chose to let his case go. So far, everything they had seen was enough to convince them this was just a case of mistaken identity and an elaborate scam. Their main worry should be the shady seller, who is probably still going about his dangerous business.

 

All’s Well

Su Yun’s family was sad that they had lost their best friend, who had been part of their lives for two whole years. Nevertheless, the family was glad that Little Black was where he truly belonged. The animal rescue center was the best place for the creature, and he would be happy and well-cared-for there.

Despite the separation, their memories will remain with the family and the bear forever. That’s not to mention, considering how the police decided to let this case go, Su Yun’s family should be pretty happy that everything worked out in the end. As they say, all’s well that ends well.