Hello, I am Lulu, a toy poodle from China, with a hint of Bichon Frise (2%) coursing through my veins.
My second chance at life began in December 2021 when I was rescued from a dog meat truck in Langfeng, just outside Beijing. A compassionate local activist intervened, and then asked Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors to help accommodate the truckload of pups.
It was deduced that I was once a breeding dog until I reached the age of five when I was sold into the cruel dog meat trade.
One fateful day in July 2023, while my future Mum was grappling with sadness and longing for Darcy, she stumbled upon an elderly dog in need of a loving home on the Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors Instagram page. Although her initial inquiry about adopting him was declined, fate had other plans. Among the plethora of toy poodles under their care, the first photo sent to her was of me.
Mum later told me that it was my eyes that stopped her in her tracks. They reminded her of Darcy – soulful eyes. Despite considering other options, her thoughts invariably returned to me, and by late afternoon on that same day, she decided to adopt me. Originally named Cherry, Mum felt drawn to the name Lucy, a favourite middle name of Darcy given by on of her godparents. However, upon realising the abundance of dogs named Lucy, she decided to shorten it and named me Lulu, without realising that was Darcy’s original name from her breeder.
Thus commenced my arduous journey to meet my Mum. From Beijing, where I spent a restless night, to a delayed flight to Paris lasting over 12 hours, and finally arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, where Emily from Slaughterhouse Survivors greeted us and drove us across the border. I finally arrived in London on at 1:30 am on the 22 August, 2023, feeling fatigued and slightly bewildered as I observed Emily driving away in her car into the darkness of the night.
Initially cautious of being held by anyone, I would tense up. However, I’ve since come to learn that being cradled now just means affection and tenderness. I gladly bask in the warmth of cuddles and kisses – of which I get a lot of. They call me a living teddy!
Now, I am poised to embrace my happily ever after in the vibrant city of London and I’ve heard from others that life with Mum means discovering a whole lot of the rest of the world, alongside my rather eccentric brother, George!
Despite his eagerness to engage in play, I’m still learning the ropes in that department.
Lulu came from Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit.
