Many families choose to adopt a dog to complete their household, with dogs being the most popular pets worldwide. One family decided to embrace this idea and adopt a dog, eager to welcome a new furry friend into their lives.
They were thrilled to find what they believed was a special breed, excitedly preparing for their new addition. However, their joy soon gave way to apprehension as they discovered something peculiar about their new puppy.
A New Beginning.
Su Yun and her family resided in Kunming City, located in the southwest province of China. As a dedicated mother, Su Yun led a busy life raising her two children alongside her husband.
Although they considered themselves an average family, this perception was about to shift dramatically when Su Yun decided that a dog would be the perfect addition to their home.
Unbeknownst to them, this decision would profoundly alter their lives, eventually thrusting them into the limelight and making them a household name.
The Trip That Altered Their Path.
Managing young children can be demanding, often necessitating a break to rejuvenate and refresh. This was precisely what Su Yun had in mind when she planned a long-awaited family vacation in 2016, which everyone eagerly anticipated.
As the departure date drew near, Su Yun meticulously prepared for the trip. Yet, despite her best efforts, unforeseen events were inevitable — one of which was an unexpected encounter with a group of puppies.
An Unexpected Discovery.
After months of eagerly anticipating their vacation, Su Yun and her children finally set out on their trip. During a leisurely stroll, they stumbled upon a litter of puppies available for adoption.
Her children had longed for a puppy, and Su Yun’s heart softened at the sight of the adorable pups. Unable to resist, she decided it was time to welcome a new furry friend into their lives.
A Cautionary Tale.
Upon purchasing the puppy, the seller provided Su Yun with some crucial details about their new pet. He informed her that the puppy was a Tibetan Mastiff, a breed known for its impressive size,
with adults reaching up to 180 pounds and standing over two feet tall. Despite the warning, the family chose to adopt the puppy, naming him Little Black due to his dark fur and the anticipation of his eventual size.
A New Member of the Family.
Throughout the remainder of their vacation, the family grew fond of Little Black and eagerly anticipated bringing him to his new home.
Once back, they faced the decision of whether to keep him as an indoor or outdoor pet. The climate in Kunming City allowed for pets to comfortably live outside, but they wanted to ensure Little Black remained close to them.
A New Home.
Ultimately, the family decided to raise Little Black as an indoor dog, keeping him close and integrated into family life. As Little Black grew, it became evident that he had a substantial appetite for a small puppy. Nevertheless, he seemed to be adjusting well to his new environment, and the family felt reassured that they had made the right choice.
Insatiable Hunger.
As promised, Little Black quickly outgrew his initial size. However, one thing that stood out was his insatiable appetite. While it’s normal for puppies to eat a lot to support their growth, Little Black’s consumption was staggering. His diet was anything but ordinary—every day, he would devour an entire box of fruit and two full buckets of noodles!
The Problem with Little Black’s Eating.
Unlike most dogs, who would likely be sick from such a peculiar diet, Little Black seemed unaffected and even more eager to eat. This unusual behaviour quickly escalated, causing concern for his family. By the time Little Black turned one year old, Su Yun had already spent a small fortune on his food.
He Kept Growing.
As time went on, Little Black continued to grow, and so did his appetite. Initially, the family was merely concerned about how much he was eating, but soon they began to worry about his size as well.
The family had anticipated that their dog would be large, but they were caught off guard by just how enormous he was becoming. By the time he was three years old, Little Black weighed over 250 pounds and stood more than three feet tall.
Su Yun Noticed Something Unusual in the Kitchen.
Though it’s not uncommon for dogs to exceed the average size for their breed, there were additional signs that Little Black might not be quite what they expected. One day, Su Yun witnessed something in the kitchen that she couldn’t ignore.
She saw Little Black standing on his hind legs, much like a human would. At that moment, Su Yun realised there was something seriously amiss with Little Black and felt compelled to investigate further.
Searching for Answers.
Remarkably, Su Yun’s observation of Little Black standing on his hind legs wasn’t a rare occurrence. It began to happen more frequently, and it deeply unsettled her.
Determined to uncover what was happening, Su Yun started scrutinising Little Black more closely. She observed that his teeth were proportional to his size and noted that, as he grew, his snout became more pronounced than that of a typical Tibetan Mastiff.
He Outgrew the House.
As Su Yun’s concern for their pet grew, her children revealed the attention they received for having the largest dog around. The news about their unique canine quickly spread through the neighbourhood.
However, Little Black’s size eventually became a problem: he was too large to fit inside the house. Consequently, the family had to construct a makeshift shelter in the backyard for him, but this solution did little to resolve their issues.
Behavioral Changes.
Little Black’s increasing size, along with his unusual dental features and snout, indicated that something was amiss. More troubling, however, was his escalating aggression.
Although no one was hurt, Little Black began to exhibit hostility towards Su Yun and her family. Su Yun also noticed that Little Black never barked; instead, his vocalisations resembled a roar, unlike any typical dog sounds.
Growing Fear.
By the time Little Black turned two, Su Yun’s fear of him had intensified. Despite living outside due to his size, Little Black made her incredibly uneasy.
Su Yun found it nearly impossible to get him on a leash for walks. Concerned for her family’s safety, Su Yun turned to the Internet, hoping to understand more about her extraordinary pet, convinced that she had adopted something far from ordinary.
Unveiling the Truth.
Su Yun’s investigation into Little Black’s unusually large teeth, weight, and ability to stand on its hind legs revealed an astonishing truth. What she had believed to be a Tibetan Mastiff was, in fact, something entirely different.
To her shock, Su Yun discovered that her beloved puppy was actually a black bear. Faced with this startling revelation, she was unsure how to proceed but knew she needed to act to ensure her family’s safety.
More Than Just a Black Bear.
Further research uncovered that Little Black was not just any black bear but an Asiatic Black Bear, also known as a Tibetan Bear or Himalayan Bear. This breed, while medium-sized compared to other bears, can weigh up to 440 pounds & stand over six feet tall—much larger than Su Yun had realised.
A Complicated Situation.
Fortunately, Asiatic Black Bears primarily eat plants and are not carnivorous. However, they can become aggressive if provoked, and Su Yun’s family had not yet experienced any incidents. Despite this, Su Yun understood the gravity of the situation, particularly since owning a bear in China could lead to legal consequences. She recognized that she needed to resolve the issue promptly.
Seeking Professional Help.
Although Su Yun and her family had grown attached to Little Black, she knew a bear was not suited for a home environment. Her first step was to contact the local zoo to inquire about relocating the bear. However, without a birth certificate for Little Black, the zoo was unable to accept him. Su Yun found herself at a crossroads, unsure of how to manage the situation but aware that action was needed.
Contacting the Authorities.
Despite her anxiety, Su Yun decided it was necessary to call the police. She had not intentionally purchased a bear; she had been led to believe it was a Tibetan Mastiff. She had also never mistreated Little Black, providing the best care she could under the circumstances. After making the call, the police & wildlife experts from the Forest Public Security Bureau arrived promptly.
Explaining Her Situation,
Upon their arrival, Su Yun shared her account of the situation and responded to their questions. She explained in an interview, “As Little Black grew, he increasingly resembled a bear […] and I was afraid of bears.” The authorities listened carefully before proceeding to the backyard.
Officials’ Astonishment.
In the backyard, the police & forestry officials were taken aback by the sight of a massive animal in a cage. It was immediately clear that the creature was not a dog, and upon closer inspection, they confirmed it was indeed a bear. They began questioning Su Yun about where she had adopted Little Black, how she had cared for him, and why it took so long for her to realise the truth.
Handling the Situation.
As the police gathered more details about how Su Yun and her family accidentally ended up with a bear, wildlife experts sprang into action to care for Little Black. Their priority was to ensure the bear’s well-being by checking for injuries, malnutrition, and overall health.
Su Yun, on the other hand, anxiously awaited any repercussions for having a bear in her home. She hoped for understanding and leniency regarding the unusual situation.
Everything Checked Out.
After a thorough examination, wildlife experts determined that Little Black was healthy, well-fed, and content in his current environment. The next challenge was arranging his safe transfer to a nearby wildlife rescue centre. The best solution was to tranquilise Little Black to ensure a smooth and secure move.
All Eyes Were On Su Yun.
Once Little Black was relocated to the wildlife centre, Su Yun’s fears became a reality. The revelation that she had unknowingly kept a potentially dangerous bear at home sparked widespread controversy. The story quickly gained traction, with many questioning how Su Yun could have mistaken a bear for a dog. National Geographic’s coverage of the story turned it into a viral sensation, prompting others to share similar tales of mistakenly adopting the wrong animals.
The Verdict.
Su Yun’s continued cooperation with the police proved beneficial in the end. Despite Asiatic Bears being a protected species in China, her willingness to assist helped her avoid jail time. She was reassured that any potential penalties would be minimised due to her cooperation.
Although the ordeal was challenging for both Little Black and Su Yun’s family, the outcome was ultimately positive. Little Black found a new, suitable home, and Su Yun’s family no longer had a bear in their yard. Despite missing their former pet, Su Yun and her family remain hopeful for a future reunion with Little Black.
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