SURVIVORS OF THE DOG MEAT TRADE / ADOPTION STORIES
SAMWISE THE BRAVE was a beautiful, joyful pup who was particularly excited to make friends with the people who visited Farm 15. Each time I would approach his cage, his paw would stretch out to me, and he would flop on his back for belly rubs. He really stayed with me after I left the farm. Sam has his own Instagram (@Samwise_the_brave_dog). His family describe him as gentle and respectful, yet vocal when he wants something. He gets very excited to go on adventures with his adoptive family, and his parents take him hiking or camping regularly.
WILF was a young pup on Farm 15, sharing a cage with his sibling and mother. His first steps as a family dog weren’t easy. Wilf was concerned with everything, from people to stairs to the collar and leash. It took a few days before he even let his new humans touch him, but smart Wilf has since adapted like a champ, learning countless tricks along the way. Now he is one happy dog!
SOJU BEAR was just a tiny chubby puppy when I photographed him on Farm 15 in South Korea. He was living in a wire cage with his siblings and mom. He grew up to become a gorgeous doggie, full of personality. Soju loves snow, long walks, napping and his family. Even though he was only a baby on the farm, it has left an imprint on him. He has vivid dreams, hates being confined in a crate, is afraid of large trucks and cardboard boxes. Soju might not be super cuddly, but in the morning he’ll meet his family with lots of wiggles and kisses, and they know it’s from the heart. Soju has his own Instagram (@Soju_Bear).
CHEWY lived on Farm 15, the farm I visited with HSI. He was a high energy, typical Golden on the farm. His living conditions were sad, but he at least had his own enclosure where he could romp around, unlike the mutts who lived in small, painful, dirty cages. The farmer definitively had his favorites!
Chewy scored a home with HSI's president. He had a bumpy ride at first, struggling to adjust to life as a homed pet. He is afraid of other dogs, would jump all over people and grab their clothes, would stay up all night stress-barking, eat his own feces… Chewy was a project for sure. But with the help of a professional dog behaviorist, lots of love and patience, Chewy’s family was able to turn things around and now Chewy is a lovable, adjusted companion. His best friend is his cat brother. He did fabulous during our photoshoot! These days, Chewy loves to bring a toy on his walks, or lay his head on them during his naps. He has a menagerie of about 15 stuffies to choose from, and carefully picks one every day.
BAMBI is a tiny long-haired Chihuahua who traveled back from South Korea with me. I like to joke that she was my emotional support dog as I processed what I had experienced on the dog meat farm. It was fun to be reunited for this photoshoot, now that she is living a wonderful life with her mom, Lindsey. Bambi loves to wave her paw to request belly rubs. She gets the zoomies after her bath and is just the sweetest little girl.
ABBY was a mom with puppies, and a large scar across her shoulder. When Abby first arrived in her adoptive home, she feared rugs and stairs, and was quite timid. Over time, she’s become more confident, and will now let her family know when she’d like to go on walks and if it’s time for her treat. Abby enjoys hiking, wading in water, and running around off-leash.
Daisy was just a puppy when she was adopted years ago, and she’s grown into a beautiful, gentle dog. She absolutely loves veggies and will shamelessly walk up to a stranger’s glass at a bar and start lapping out of it. Daisy sleeps like a teenager, her dad says; she’ll snore and grumble, and let you know that, no, she isn’t ready to wake up yet.
MINNOW is a sensitive dog who was rescued and adopted in 2015 by Abbie and her family of rescued parrots, dogs, kittens, chickens, and turkeys. Minnow now enjoys digging in the dirt or foraging alongside the chickens, and she and her mom are soulmates. Abbie says, “I was living life in shades of gray until Minnow came along, and my life turned to color.”
WINNIE is blind and can be a little nervous. She doesn’t like being held for too long, or loud noises, or to be woken up in her sleep. Her parents have noticed that Winnie loves meditation music — she has a favorite artist, Deva Premal — who soothes her. She loves sleeping by the fireplace, and freeze-dried sweet potatoes are her favorite snack.