Our baby Formosan Mountain Dog (aka Taiwan Dog)

When we adopted Wrigley, we didn't really understand the type of dog we were adopting.  He was adorable and the kids fell in love with him.  That was reason enough to take him home.  Since he's been with us, he has been a true joy bringing so many laughs and smiles to our home.  I, for one, had no idea how attached I would get to this little guy, but it certainly didn't take long.  Sure, he chews up anything and everything and occasionally he digs a couple of holes in the backyard that Mark quickly has to re-sod.  But honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better dog.

Rocket Dog Rescue is the organization we rescued him from.  When they told us he had been rescued from Taiwan and had just come to the United States, I didn't really believe what I was hearing.  Rescued from TAIWAN?  Don't we have enough dogs here in the United States to rescue?  It wasn't until we started doing research at home that we learned about the Animal Rescue Team Taiwan.  When you read about what they are doing to save these poor puppies lives, you just have to think WOW.  And we got to be a part of it (and get an awesome dog at that!)

I've always wondered what he looked like as a puppy or what his life was like in Taiwan.  Did he live on the streets?  Was he starving?  Was he abused?

Well, we got word today from his rescuer and foster parent.  This was the email she sent to us and the pictures she attached.  I was brought to tears. We are so blessed we found you Wrigley!

"Dear Mark

    I am really thrilled with tears of joy to receive your letter and photos. After these months, we are very happy to know that he is being taken very good care of. Thank you so much for giving him a sweet and loving home. This is also what we are looking forward to. My efforts finally pay off, and I really appreciate you for giving so much praise to Formosan dogs. I pray God to bless you and your whole family. Taiwan is a small island. Here due to the lack of people’s awareness about animal protection, dogs are often abandoned or abused. We often see poor stray dogs in streets and so many in shelters. Actually, Fromosan dogs are very loyal, protective for their owners and homes. It’s a pity that many people here don’t cherish them. We don’t have animal cops here, and I am sorry and sad about the situation in Taiwan, so I made up my mind to help those poor dogs here, and I have been working on it for several years.

 I would like to share with you more pictures about Bubble Gum when he was a little puppy, so you can keep them as a memory.
They are all from shelter,I rescue them and left the shelter , because they are about to face euthanasia, we only have 12 days,I saw them so sad, they are so cute pups, if there is no any adopted, they will die, we rescue, health and foster care, do many medicial checks, and find to airline flights,pay flights cost,
4/3 they are from Taiwan fly to SFO,rocketdog resure help Taiwan dogs and let them participate....Bubble Gum with brother and sister are all in the same day to get adoption...when I knew this good news,I was so surprised and grateful..."

Yenchi chen
 

The first 3 photos are from when he was in the shelter very close to being euthanized.  The rest we assume are from when he was in the care of Yenchi.

And this is our little guy now.  He's put on a whopping 10 pounds in the last month and his brown spots on his eyes have faded.  He absolutely LOVES other dogs.  When we go to the dog park he immediately greets and plays with the other dogs.  He's still very timid with new people (especially people that come to the house) and he'll bark at them but he's getting much better at going up to people while we are out.  And his tail is always wagging way up high -- a true sign of his happiness.  Love this sweet pup!