My name is: Bobby Bear
I came from: China
Now I live in: West Yorkshire
My favourite things are: Zoomies in open spaces, pinching things and hiding them under the bed, playing with Mum’s dressing gown while she’s trying to walk around, chewy sticks, but most of cuddles

Bobby’s story

I lost my beloved dog, Teddy, in December 2018. I was heartbroken, but whilst I missed a dog being in my life I couldn’t even think about getting another one that wasn’t Teddy. People said I should think about it and that I would love it the same, but I said I wouldn’t and I couldn’t. I stopped going for walks because I just cried when Teddy wasn’t there when I turned around. Everything I did reminded me he had gone. Six months on and I still felt the same. I was a member of a few dog charities so would see lots of pictures of dogs needing homes and I almost enquired about some, but then told myself I wasn’t ready. Last August I saw a photograph on a post a friend shared of Bobby and something in me knew this was the dog I would adopt. I can’t explain how I knew, but I just did. I sent a message instantly saying I was interested and after a bit of correspondence and a home check via FaceTime I was approved to be Bobby’s adopter. Because Bobby’s transport was already arranged for the following week I didn’t have long to wait and was told he would be with me in about 7 to 10 days.

 So, the day Bobby was coming to his new home with me arrived. It was a long day getting updates on travel, but he finally arrived at 3:00am on Tuesday 20th August. It wasn’t the ideal time and being handed a new dog in the dark by a stranger and taking him into my home felt surreal. I didn’t really know what to do next. Bobby was understandably confused and distressed. He had been through such a long and challenging journey. I gave him some food and a drink and let him into my back garden where he ran around in circles, then I laid down with him on the bed. He must have been exhausted as he did settle down and have a sleep (I didn’t).

This is the bit where I will be honest and admit to having a minor wobble about the whole thing…On his first full day I really wasn’t prepared and didn’t know what to do. I have never had a rescue before. He was manic, going to toilet in the house, biting and nipping a lot, running around the house and jumping all over things. Probably because I hadn’t had much sleep I was starting to wonder if I had done the right thing. I didn’t instantly bond with him and kept comparing him to Teddy. I feel awful saying this, but if Underdog had contacted me that day I think I would have said that it might be best to find Bobby another home. I had a word with myself and said I would give it two months and see how I felt.

Well, I didn’t need two months. Within a couple of weeks I had fallen in love with him. We just needed time to get to know each other and start our own routine. Bobby’s behaviour settled and he started learning to go to the toilet outside (it wasn’t instant, but that wasn’t his fault). He was timid at first on his walks (I suspect he had never really had them). He sniffed a lot and investigated grass, plants, flowers etc. like he had never seen them before and he seemed confused by the open spaces. Now, he loves his walks, is very confident and likes a good run around with other dogs. He remembers people that give him treats and is very good with children when they want to stroke him (which happens a lot).

So now, me and Bobby spend our days walking, running, cuddling, playing etc. He follows me everywhere and makes me laugh all the time. He is a bit of celebrity in my town. We get stopped a lot (he is super cute) and people love hearing his story. I can’t quite believe it myself, that this tiny little dog came all the way from China into my life. It was meant to be and I can’t imagine my life without him. I will never know what his life was like before, but whatever has happened it would seem that Bobby has been able to forget all about it and just enjoy his new life. He will know love for the rest of his life and I now know that you can love another dog after losing one (we needed each other).

I wanted to be honest about how I felt those first few days because I am sure I am not the first person to experience that. I just want to urge anybody else going through similar experiences not to give up, I promise you, you will not feel that way for very long and then it is just pure love!

My experience with Underdog International was wonderful. They made transporting a dog all the way from China to my front door in West Yorkshire seem so easy (I am sure it is not). I keep in touch and send updates periodically. I can’t recommend adopting a dog through them enough.

- Louise