Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/backpack-and-toad/
Two adorable bonded bulldogs got a second chance at life after being rescued from the meat trade, and they finally found a forever home to call their own!
Backpack and Toad were found by rescuers with Harbin SHS Animal Rescue, along with 11 other dogs.
Rachel Hinman explained to The Dodo that all 13 dogs had been left abandoned on a property in China and they were destined for the meat trade.
The loanshark for the property was going to give all the sick, neglected dogs to the meat industry but Rachel and her team stepped in to take the dogs instead.
Among the poor pups were Backpack and Toad. Backpack was so sick and thin that she was right on the brink of death. Thankfully, she was able to pull through with proper medical care. Toad was a little healthier but still required some TLC.
In the end, all 13 dogs would go on to find forever homes through the organization, but the rescuers didn’t want to see Backpack and Toad be separated. The two had such an intense, sweet bond – it was like they were sisters!
Rather than separate them, Harbin SHS Animal Rescue volunteers worked to find a home that would take both dogs. And as luck would have it, they were connected with Jed Ballou in the United States.
Jed lives in the Seattle area in Washington state and he was interested in adopting both Backpack and Toad. It was going to be a long journey to get them, but he was willing to take that on.
Around a year after the two pups were rescued, they got to meet Jed for the very first time and it was a huge success!
They met in Los Angeles, California, and Toad immediately hit it off with Jed. Despite everything she’d been through, she was trusting, loving, and just excited to have someone to love on! Backpack was a little more reserved, but with Toad’s help, she felt comfortable enough to go with Jed and start her new life.
Speaking with The Dodo, Jed said when he got Backpack and Toad home, they were “totally clueless to everything that a typical domesticated dog would be aware of.”
He let them “figure things out” and refused to push them into anything they weren’t comfortable or ready for. He knew going into adopting them that they wouldn’t be like regular dogs because of what they went through before being rescued, but he’s willing to give them the love and space they need to overcome their challenges and thrive.
It’s been over a year since Backpack and Toad found their way into Jed’s life and over two years since they were rescued from the meat trade. While Toad has adjusted flawlessly to life with a loving owner, Backpack still struggles from the trauma she faced as a puppy.
Jed shared on Instagram that Backpack suffers from extreme anxiety and described her as a very “difficult dog.” He loves her and is doing his best to care for her, but she has to be medicated to help her cope with day-to-day life.
Thankfully, Toad is right by her side to help ease her discomfort and the two are making the most of their new home, new family, and new chance at life.
Check out the video below:
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You can keep up with Backpack and Toad on Instagram, @toad_n_backpack.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
