Bao
Bao
My name is: Bao
I came from: China
Now I live in: London
My favourite things are: WALKIES, belly rubs, meaty treats and people I know!
Bao’s story
Bao was one of the last dogs to be rehomed as part of Underdog’s Freedom Flight 50 initiative with their partner rescue Slaughterhouse Survivors in Harbin, China in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we were really moved by the campaign and wanted to give a home to another foreign rescue, we already had a Cypriot rescue pup at home and wanted to ensure a new addition would suit all of us.
Fate intervened a few months later as we noticed via social media that Bao had made his way over from China to Greenwich, SE London, and was decompressing well at a foster home with another dog. We reached out to Eve about arranging a meet up with Bao, hoping that if he got along with our dog Marlo, that we might be able to give him a supportive and loving home. After an extremely rough start to life, we wanted nothing more than to offer him the kindness he so deserved.
From the moment we met him, we could see his potential. He was understandably nervous around humans he didn’t know and preferred his space, but would joyfully play with other dogs and tentatively accept high value treats (hello sausage!) from us. He was smaller and scrawnier than expected, and had the most adorable smile and majestic tail that wagged and wagged when he was relaxed and playing outdoors.
Growing from a family of 3 to 4 came with its teething issues, especially in the first few months. Being more of a beta personality meant Bao regularly had his food stolen by Marlo, while Marlo became jealous now he was no longer the only dog in our lives. Underdog were so supportive with getting us remote behavioural support, so that we could create new feeding routines and areas to suit both dogs and their very different eating habits, and better manage Marlo’s jealousy and resource guarding of his humans.
Each milestone with Bao was so special, given that he has every reason to distrust humans based on his formative experiences. The first time he jumped onto our sofa and allowed the tiniest of strokes. The first time he played chase with his new brother. After three weeks of living with us, he let my husband Scott pet him - being more averse to men than women. The pride you sense in him every time he learns a new trick. Every time he makes a new friend when out walking in the park. Every time he doesn’t scream at another dog of East Asian breeding when out walking in the park! The moment he realises, maybe after 4 or 5 times meeting someone new and patient, that he can settle and relax around them. When he jumps onto the sofa next to people he's just met and casually lounges.
Beneath his fear and defence mechanism is so much trust and so much love - he is a cheeky, fun loving boy that adores being outside in the park, will beg for belly rubs by “running” while lying on his side, addicted to junky treats, and a sucker for cuddles on a soft sofa or rug.
He is a constant reminder of how resilience and trust can be rebuilt, even after the most difficult of experiences. Treating him with patience and advocating for his needs (he wears an “I am nervous” cape when out in public and we are regularly asking people to give him space) has also helped us be more patient with ourselves and our family, and advocate for our own boundaries more. The joys of being his family more than make up for the challenges along the way, and we cannot thank Underdog and Harbin SHS for bringing our boy home to us.