In 2017, a Dalmatian puppy named Emma Roo, who was only eight weeks old at the time, had to undergo a traumatic experience when two of her legs were amputated in a Chinese slaughterhouse. This heartbreaking event occurred in Xi’An, China. Her front legs were removed, and in addition, the tops of her ears and a section of her tail were shaved off, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Luckily, a puppy was saved and received proper care at a veterinary clinic located in Beijing. After spending two years with a foster family, the puppy was later brought back to the same veterinarian hospital in 2019. Upon discovering that rescue dog adoptions aren’t highly favored in China, animal advocates reached out to the Dalmatian Rescue Association located in South Florida. Through the heartwarming story of Emma, a devoted dog enthusiast was moved to action.
Misha Hunt, a 27-year-old guest services coordinator from Charleston, South Carolina, found herself smitten with Emma Roo the moment they met. The two quickly formed a special connection as both humans and furry companions. Finally, on April 26th, 2020, Hunt officially became the proud owner of the adorable puppy. As she fondly recalls, Emma Roo stole her heart from the very beginning.
Emma’s injuries were caused by humans, which is unfortunately a common occurrence for “rarer” breeds who are often subjected to torture and dismemberment. Misha shares that Emma is frightened of loud, chainsaw-like sounds due to her past traumatic experiences.
The unfortunate canine also suffers from a congenital abnormality on her hind paw, resulting in a few missing toes. A veterinarian who attended to her revealed that this was the reason for her early abandonment since she was deemed unsellable. Ms. Hunt recounts Emma’s emotional journey during her first few days in her new home. She would screech loudly whenever left alone and fiercely guard her food and toys, going as far as protecting random pieces of clothing. Emma is also apprehensive of men, so Ms. Hunt hired a male massage therapist who now visits once a week – this has greatly improved Emma’s behavior.
In late January 2020, Emma Roo was sent to the US, and shortly afterward, the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide. Misha fondly recalls first encountering Emma Roo online, admiring her uncannily human-like amber eyes and feeling certain that fate had brought them together.
Right from the start, Misha and Emma received help from rescue organizations. To support her furry friend with two legs, Dalmatian Rescue went the extra mile and helped Emma get a front wheel cart that was customized especially for her. Emma’s prosthetics were provided by Bionic Pets and Joey’s P.A.W, thanks to a successful fundraising campaign that gained traction on social media.
In addition to that, Emma Roo’s Instagram boasts a massive following of more than ten thousand people who are constantly updated on Emma’s progress and inspired to consider adopting rescue dogs.
According to Misha, the Facebook page was created to share Emma Roo’s story and raise funds for her custom-made cart. However, she continues to maintain the page as she believes that her furry friend’s story deserves to be shared with the world. Misha mentions that Emma Roo’s personality is shining through more each day, which fills her heart with joy. Emma Roo is now living in a loving home where she enjoys playing catch and socializing with other dogs. The love and care she receives has helped her understand that there are many fun activities to do in the world. Ms. Hunt shares that Emma Roo loves going to the beach the most because she enjoys swimming and playing in the water.
The sandy beach brings immense joy to Misha’s furry friend as she joyfully gallops around without restrictions. Witnessing her happiness made Misha shed tears of delight. She strongly advocates for standing up for those who can’t and sells t-shirts with the message, donating the profits to organizations fighting animal cruelty. Misha highlights the horrifying Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China where approximately 10,000 dogs are brutally killed and consumed each year in a 10-day event. Despite legislation, this practice continues in many countries. Misha takes care to discuss this issue sensitively with younger audiences but remains a vocal opponent of the dog-meat trade. Through Emma’s tale, she also promotes the idea of differently-abled canines and emphasizes that caring for them is not as challenging as people may assume.
Many individuals have expressed their opinion that the dog should have been put down due to her distress, however, as I observe this jovial and cheerful dog weighing twenty-five pounds, I am unable to fathom the idea of wanting to terminate her existence.
According to Ms. Hunt, the best way to ensure a good life for your puppies is to seek help from reputable organizations. She strongly believes that dogs are real heroes and that every dog deserves a fair shot at life.
