‘Dog meat is seen as a luxury in China, so people will pay more for it than for beef or chicken and the way they make the meat more tender is by effectively torturing the dogs,’ explained Sharon.
‘I had several sleepless nights trying to decide if I could offer to adopt Henry.
‘I just kept thinking “who’s going to want him?” The shelter wasn’t even sure he could survive the long flight out of China and if he did make it, I knew he would need a lifelong commitment to take care of him.’
Now living at home with Sharon’s two other dogs, Henry has to wear a padded nappy for extra protection, incontinence pads, and a babygro to stop them from slipping off.
When she first met him Sharon said she was shaking with nerves. ‘It was a very emotional first meeting,’ she said.
‘It wasn’t love at first sight from him, though. He growled when I first touched him, but he was in a lot of pain and I understood that.
‘Then, when we said our goodbyes and I strapped him into the car to bring him home with me, he looked up at me and I swear he was smiling.’
His mobility aid has also become a hit at special needs schools he has visited, especially with the children in wheelchairs who immediately identify with the cute canine.
‘Henry is such a happy, cheeky and feisty little dog,’ added Sharon. He is a real advocate for disabled dogs and proof you can have a good quality of life even when you need wheels.
‘While people say I rescued Henry, I think he rescued me.’
Sharon wants to help other dogs like Henry come out of the meat trade industry and has set up a Go Fund Me page. You can donate here.
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