For true animal lovers, there can never be too many fur children. And who can point fingers? Science has found many advantages of taking care of pets, including making owners fit, stress-free, and more responsible. Some creatures have also been found to be a big help in detecting illnesses in humans.
As such, it isn't surprising that a woman named Su Yun decided to get a pet for her family. After all, it would be nice to get a dog to allow everyone time to bond. However, they didn't expect that their lives would change with just one additional member, here's why:
Deciding to Get a Dog
Although there are many benefits to owning a pet, it is a decision that has to be thought of a lot because of the responsibility that comes with it. After all, it is pretty much like raising a child that has requirements like food, shelter, water, and healthcare.
One should also have to think about financial stability before getting a new animal. According to the American Kennel Club, the average annual cost of a dog is $3,085, and this would vary depending on the breed—the larger ones incurring more expenses.
Adopt Don't Shop
For Su Yun, she had thought long and hard about getting a new family member, and she certainly understood all the repercussions it could bring to the household. The next decision she would have to make was whether to adopt or buy a dog. When choosing pedigree canines, it comes with a hefty price tag.
Whereas when adopting, she would need to cover minor to no fees. Plus, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, around 3.1 million dogs enter shelters needing love and care.
Being a Dog Lover
Yun was definitely a dog person despite the incessant slipper-nibbling as well as potential 'accidents' in its new house. Chewing is quite normal for puppies, and as per Wagwalking.com, it may be a sign that they are looking for security when their owner is away.
She wasn't alone in being a dog lover, as many celebrities have vocally revealed their love for their four-legged companions. "Captain America" star Chris Evans is known for adopting Dodger in 2016 after seeing him while filming "Gifted." He even shares their bonding times on social media.
Preparing Everything for the Puppy
Now that Yun was set on raising a puppy, she knew she had to prepare the necessary things for the dog. This included buying new chew toys, a collar, and a leash to ensure that the "baby" would settle into the house nicely.
Her research also included learning how to introduce the new pet to her kids because little ones can play rough with such fluffy creatures. According to Parents.com, moms and dads must make sure they teach their children to be gentle with the animals and prepare necessary safety gates to ensure the pets get their personal space when needed.
A Trip That Would Change The Family's Life Forever
With getting a dog on her mind, Yun and her family decided to go on a much-needed vacation. After all, everybody needs a break, and even the kids would have fun during the getaway that they expected to be smooth sailing.
While busy enjoying the trip, Yun noticed a person selling puppies by the side of the road. Pets aren't customarily sold on the streets where pollution and fast cars prove to be great risks. Perhaps in awe of the cute animal and worried about its condition, she decided to shell out money on the spot.
'The One' For The Family
Although there was a litter of pups by the side of the road, Yun remembered the responsibility it would take to raise a single pet. It was heartbreaking that she couldn't get them all, but she knew that there was no way her family could give all of them a quality life.
The American Veterinary Medical Association warns potential pet owners to avoid impulse buying and only keep the number of animals that one can indeed provide for. They are to be invested in, meaning they need vaccinations and even insurance.
All About the Tibetan Mastiff
Once she asked the seller about the pup, Yun learned that she was about to buy a rare Tibetan Mastiff, which explained the thick fur and adorable round appearance. There was no way anyone wouldn't think that this animal was cute!
According to The Kennel Club, it is regarded as the biggest among the mastiff breed and was initially developed to help livestock grow up in the Himalayas. Unfortunately, only a few of the ancient dogs had survived the Chinese occupation of Tibet, which became the modern breed's foundation.
Raising a Tibetan Mastiff Is Hard Work
Yun may not have known about the great history of the Tibetan Mastiff, but its appearance and the instant connection were enough to convince her to get this specific puppy from the litter. However, raising this breed entails a lot of work, patience, and dedication.
A Tibetan Mastiff sports a heavy coat, so they need to be professionally groomed if owners aren't keen on regular brushing. The least a master could do is to use a slicker brush every week. However, according to the American Kennel Club, they shed massively every year.
Not Without Caveats
On top of the upkeep, the seller reminded Yun that this breed would grow up to over 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh around 100 pounds. This beast is not like any typical dog, and because of its size, it is powerful enough to take down a person.
Also, because it is a guard dog, the American Kennel Club warns that it doesn't do well with strangers. The often aloof creature is a softie when it comes to its immediate family members, so Yun shouldn't worry about the breed getting along with her kids. On the contrary, their new pet could help protect her little ones.
Naming The Puppy
Now 100 percent sure they would love the puppy with all their heart, Yun thought of naming the Tibetan Mastiff. They named the cuddly guy "Little Black" because of its size and color. This, of course, didn't take into account how big it would grow in just a short period.
Strangely, this nickname probably didn't do justice to its roots. After all, it is a widely celebrated breed. In 2014, a Tibetan Mastiff weighing almost 200 pounds and measuring around 30 inches was sold for a record $2 million in China.
Picky As A Child
Yun and her family were more than ready to make their puppy feel welcome in their house. They had researched the right food for a Tibetan Mastiff, including the appropriate commercially manufactured dog food.
As per the American Kennel Club, the diet should be in line with the pet's age, size, and sensitivity. The association also said that it is pretty standard for the breed to skip a meal because they only eat when hungry. However, for Yun's pet, they found that it seemed to hate any type of dog food.
Finding Food for Little Black
This was strange, to say the least because most puppies love to gulp milk and chow down on dog food. So Yun decided to experiment with different meals to find out which would fill the pet's daily nutrition needs. Interestingly, it turned out Little Black loved noodles and fruits!
There is nothing odd about feeding fruits to dogs. Apples, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, and cucumbers are just some of the most nutritious snacks that should be given in moderation. However, the American Kennel Club said it isn't advisable to feed them grapes, avocados, and tomatoes because these contain substances that are toxic to dogs.
Costly Maintenance
Because Little Black preferred an unusual combination of food, it became evident to Yun that she would need to visit the fruit aisle more often than she had imagined. More importantly, they noticed how their pet seemed to have a big appetite, and although it did seem bothersome, the family had never had a Tibet Mastiff before.
Still, they were puzzled as to the amount of food their animal could consume. Worse, as their pet grew, so did his appetite! They expectedly shelled out more than the $250 to $700 than the average for owners' expenses on dog food.
Big Appetite, Big Boy
After a year, they were surprised that they were spending tons of money just for their pet's food. Yun noticed how they seemed to be going overboard with their budget, and by this time, Little Black had grown so much that his name wasn't fitting anymore.
The dog was consuming two buckets of noodles and one box of fruits per day! Even though fruits are nutritious snacks for animals, they should be given in moderation. According to Dailypaw, fruits with too much dietary fiber content and sugar could cause an upset stomach.
Strange Growth
More than his dietary needs, Yun and her family began to notice how big Little Black had become in just a year. Imagine that the dog stood three feet tall, well over the average size of a Tibetan Mastiff. To make it weirder, it weighed around 250 pounds, which, again, exceeded the average weight for the breed.
This was becoming frightening for Yun and her family, especially since they didn't expect owning a pet would get out of hand. However, the English Mastiff holds the record for the heaviest as it can weigh up to 250 pounds, Treehugger reported.
Strange Behavior That Sent Chills Down Yun's Spine
Knowing that the English Mastiff could potentially be this big, Yun and her family probably found comfort in that fact. One strange fact is that the dog never learned any tricks as most canines do. Some of the most famous tricks include shaking hands, dropping dead, rolling over, and spinning.
Little Black, however, seemed to have only learned one trick: standing on his hind legs. Now, this act is done by other dogs as well, but Yun's pet was able to do this for prolonged periods as if it was walking like a human.
Yun Got The Shock of Her Life
This had Yun wondering about her pet even more. How could Little Black stand upright on his hind legs? As per Ultimate Pet Nutrition, it's not healthy for dogs to do this because it puts pressure on the hind legs to carry the body's weight. This may result in the deformation of the bones to accommodate the trick.
On top of this, Little Black was also starting to knock things over due to his size. Some dogs are simply mischievous, but Yun was slowly getting tired of cleaning the house every time this happened.
Getting Worried
There was no doubt that Yun was getting anxious about what she was seeing. This was Little Black, the family's pet whom they cared for since it was a puppy. Was she seeing things, or was it just a coincidence? No matter what, things just kept adding up, making it hard for her to decide on what to do.
Yun should be careful because pets can detect and mirror stress from their owners. In fact, studies have shown that the master's behavior can greatly affect their cuddly buddies, according to Hills Pet.
Observing Little Black Led to More Discovery
Since Little Black's unusual behavior had piqued Yun's curiosity, this saw her closely observing the animal in even more detail. By this time, there had been a role reversal—not many people realize that man's best friend is quite observant of their masters.
According to National Geographic, a study published in a journal called "Animal Behaviour" found that pooches also listen to their owners as well as their conversations with other people. They have also been known to read human facial expressions and even watch TV, as many hilarious videos have shown us.
Safety Remains The Priority
As with many pets, utmost caution must be practiced. Although Little Black grew up in Yun's household, meaning it was accustomed to being with the family, the clan needed to be careful around the animal.
Many studies have been conducted to identify the breeds that caused the most number of attacks on humans. As per a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study in the 1990s, pit bulls caused over 60 incidents. These days, however, advocates are decrying the discrimination toward canines, especially those branded as dangerous like pit bulls and rottweilers.
Unmissable Changes on Little Black
Yun soon noticed more changes that were just too terrifying to ignore. Apart from its size, the family had seen that some of Little Black's features had evolved into something quite unusual for dogs. For instance, the pet's teeth had begun to grow massive, even bigger than that of huge breeds like Pit Bulls.
According to Purina, adult dogs have an average of 42 pearly whites—22 at the bottom and 20 at the top. These animals typically have incisors at the front, often used for grooming, canines, premolars, and molars.
Not on Fours Anymore
Eventually, Yun and her family observed that their cuddly buddy seemed to have preferred walking on his hind legs. As established, this wasn't a norm for dogs because it could create health issues if done for an extended period.
Of course, this wasn't the same case as that of Dexter, the TikTok star who had gone viral after a video of him walking on his hind legs made the rounds on the Internet. After all, the pet had to adapt to its condition after injuring its front paws after being hit by a truck in a tragic accident in 2016.
Danger to Humans
Due to the pet's growth rate and the unusual behavior it displayed, Yun was understandably worried about taking Little Black out for a walk. The neighbors may not be so keen, too, on seeing such a huge beast walking on its hind legs. Due to its size, the owner was already anticipating the whispers and stares they would get.
Besides, if anything happens, neighbors could immediately call 911, and Yun probably didn't want their pet to be seized. If an accident occurred, the victim could file a case within two years of the attack.
Temporary Solution to a Big Problem
Yun and her husband thought of a temporary solution to their big problem: making Little Black a big dog house outside their home. It may sound like abandoning their pet, but the mess that the pooch had been making inside was already more than enough to handle.
Plus, as a Tibetan Mastiff, it was now Little Black's time to show what he could do to protect against strangers. However, it never barked, and only growled, which could mean a warning, as per the American Kennel Club. As such, Yun probably became even more anxious about their pet.
Little Black's Demeanor
Still, Yun had doubts about her dog. According to RT.com, the owner may have had worries about her pet, but she sometimes dismissed her thoughts because Little Black was sensitive and was always cautious. She also revealed that the animal was afraid without his masters.
Considering this was a guard dog, Little Black's fearfulness was weird for Yun. However, it is worth pointing out that some pooches are really afraid of humans due to lack of socialization or have had an experience of abuse, according to Pawshake. But there is still something worrisome about this, right?
Was Yun's Hunch Right?
Since Yun saw Little Black standing at her house, she couldn't simply get the picture out of her mind. There was no way their dog was perfectly fine, and the owner had a hunch that was seemingly turning out to be right after all the observations.
To her surprise, her husband was highly supportive of her decision to dig deeper about their pet. As per the American Kennel Club, a dog's body language can be observed from the wag of its tail. But in Yun's case, this appeared to be more than that.
Seeking Answers from The Internet
Confused, Yun took to the Internet to finally get a few insights about her pet. She shared an image of the massive dog in a forum filled with questions about the users' pets, too. After waiting for a while, a veterinarian lectured her with an eye-opening, unbelievable fact about her pooch.
The experts would need to see an animal in person to make a diagnosis, but at the time, Yun's picture of her pet was already enough to convince the vet about what they knew about. Thankfully, she and her husband didn't have to bring Little Black to the clinic because it would cost them more than they could imagine.
Shocking Revelation
The veterinarian's shocking revelation left Yun and her family at a loss for words. What will they do next? After learning that they had been taking care of a bear instead of a dog for two years, it only left them wondering what could have happened in that period.
In her mind, Yun replayed the news about bear attacks that she saw on TV. In October 2021, for instance, a cyclist was attacked by a 500-pound beast in Cantwell, Alaska but luckily survived after kicking the animal. The man was just riding when he spotted what seemed to be a furious beast sprinting toward him.
Safety Concerns about Little Black
Now that the cat (or bear) was out of the bag, Yun became sad, knowing that they really couldn't keep Little Black out of safety concerns. She understood that this creature would grow even bigger in the years to come and that a home is really not the best place for a wild animal.
The smallest species is the sun bear that averages 110 pounds, and the largest is the black bear that is usually found in the United States, according to Britannica. Despite their size, they can easily climb trees and swim when hunting.
Everything About Bears
Specifically, Yun's Little Black turned out to be an Asian black bear. As per the footage available of the animal, it had grown to three feet tall when the revelation happened. The Yunnan province native asserted that she brought home a puppy, but it grew into a bear.
Unfortunately, there are only a few of the Ursus Thibetanus left in the wilderness nowadays. They are omnivores and eat insects, fruits, vegetables, and other small mammals. According to Britannica, the white mark seemingly like a crescent moon on their chest makes them distinctive from other species.
Keeping Wild Animals
Experts advise against keeping wild animals as pets, explaining that the cons far outweigh the pros. Unusual creatures at home may sound cool, but it endangers both the animal and the humans' lives. Plus, they are generally unpredictable and could harm other pets as well.
Although caring for exotic animals can be learned and studied, the animals are genetically predisposed to living in the wild, Animal Sake stated. It isn't only unethical to keep them indoors and keep them away from their natural habitat, and this is also a big factor in the decreasing population of wild animals.
The Right Thing To Do
Despite the love for Little Black, Yun knew she had to turn over the bear. She couldn't provide the needs for the pet, especially since she is no expert at handling wild creatures. There was also no chance that she would put her kids' lives at risk, so the right thing to do was contact the authorities.
According to the law, it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets without a permit. Learning about this, Yun did the best thing, hoping that she wouldn't be reprimanded after she explained that she mistook the bear for a dog even if it sounded unbelievable.
Facing The Music
After reaching out to the police, Yun and her husband had to administer a tranquilizer to turn over Little Black to the authorities. There was no other way to transport the big animal safely without making it sleep first. No one could imagine how hard it must have been for the beast and the owner to make this big step.
According to the vice director of the police station, Yun and her husband would be given a less grave punishment assuming they could establish that everything was an accident and that they had no idea that they were keeping a wild animal.
Surrendering to A Rescue Center
Yun and the authorities transported the bear to the Yunnan Wildlife Rescue Center. They didn't know the details of where Little Black came from. Although it was known that she got it from the roadside, she didn't know how old the cub was at the time of the purchase.
Animal surrenders aren't a new concept, but it mostly happens to dogs and cats. Of the millions that enter the shelter in the United States, the ASPCA noted that around 920K animals are euthanized, which is why many organizations advocate the Adopt Don't Shop campaign.
Wildlife Exploitation
As for Yun and her husband, they were terrified of the repercussions of raising a black bear, an exotic one at that, in their home. There is a strict law surrounding the Asian black bear because the species is widely abused and exploited, especially in China.
Many people hunt them in forest regions and hillsides in Southeast Asia, too. This is despite the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' inclusion of the creature in its Red List of Threatened Species, according to a paper by Laura E. Tsai.
Reasons for Exploiting Asiatic Black Bears
But why do people exploit specifically the Asiatic black bear? In China, there are many uses of the animal's bile and gallbladder. These organs are used for medicinal purposes, the trade that funds the thousands of bile farms in Asia.
With a lifespan of around 25 years, the poor bears spend their lifetime in small cages in farms where their organs are painfully and invasively harvested, the National Geographic states. Other farmers used a catheter to extract bile, which also poses a health risk for the bears. This barbaric and inhumane act has been denounced several times by animal advocates and organizations.
Exploitation around The World
Unfortunately, the Asiatic black bear is hardly the first or last animal to be exploited for its organs. The controversial topic of xenotransplantation, the transplant of animal organs to humans, has been hotly debated, too, and many remain doubtful about killing the creatures.
In October 2021, a surgery dubbed a breakthrough saw a pig kidney successfully transferred to a human. According to the BBC, the recipient was on life support and was braindead. The American experts hoped this would address the shortage of donors, although the experiment had not been peer-reviewed yet.
Another Bear Mistaken for Another Animal
Weirdly, Yun's case wasn't isolated, leaving some authorities convinced that some are intentionally kept for trade. In 2019, Malaysian singer Zarith Sofia came under fire for keeping a bear in her flat after she mistook the animal for a stray dog.
One onlooker managed to take a snap of the bear peeping from the window and caught officers' attention of what happened, Unilad reported. The former reality star claimed she took what she thought was a pup in poor condition by the side of the road, hoping to nurse it back to health in her apartment.
Own Reason For Not Giving The Cub Back
Unlike Yun, Sofia had caught wind that she didn't bring home a dog early on. Although she may not have known about the specifics of the sun bear, she had the choice to contact rescue centers and the police but refused to do so because she knew the condition of the animals at the zoo.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks detained Sofia, who named the animal Bruno. In her defense, the celebrity claimed she didn't plan on exploiting the wild creature and instead wanted to save it from harm.
Confusion Among Other Animals
Apart from bears and dogs, there was an incident when people mistook a simple cat for a terrifying mountain lion! In 2013, an animal rescue group in California thought about capturing what they thought was a mountain lion weighing 25 pounds. However, the feline was simply a feral cat that neighbors called Man Face.
The cat was famous in San Joaquin County, and the community even had it neutered. So as you can see, confusion among animals is strangely common, but nothing beats Little Black's true-to-life tale. Hopefully, he is now in better hands and Yun's family has found a new pet.