The inspiring story of Emma Roo, a beloved Dalmatian who had only two legs, took place in China in 2017 when she was caught in the cruel business of dog meat trade. Despite the agony and pain she experienced, her tale is one of triumph and optimism as she bounced back from the worst.
Emma’s rescue brought hope during a time of despair. She was rescued from a slaughterhouse in Xi’An, China when she was only 8 weeks old. Her state was heartbreaking as she had no front legs and had undergone mutilation with parts of her ears and tail removed. Emma had experienced unthinkable cruelty at such a young age.
Emma was fortunate enough to be rescued by kind-hearted individuals who immediately brought her to a veterinary clinic in Beijing. It was there where she began her journey towards recovery. Emma’s medical examination uncovered an issue with her hind leg, which could have been a sign for her to be sold for slaughter. Some believe that the adrenaline produced from limb removal without anesthesia can enhance meat quality.
In 2019, Emma was placed in foster care, but her journey took a new direction when she returned to the clinic. A group of rescuers was determined to provide her a better life and sought help from Dalmatian Rescue, a non-profit organization in South Florida, USA. Their goal was to find Emma a loving home overseas where dog adoptions were more common. Fortunately, Emma’s arrival in the United States in April 2020 was just before COVID-19 restrictions on animal exports. Volunteers shared her story on social media, hoping to find her a forever home.
Misha Rackcliff Hunt, a kind-hearted 27-year-old, came across Emma’s story and immediately felt a strong bond with her. She made the decision to adopt Emma and bring her to live in Charleston, South Carolina, where she would receive the love and attention she needed and deserved. Misha explained that Emma’s injuries were clearly caused by humans, which is sadly a frequent occurrence among breeds that are considered “unusual” and are often subjected to cruelty and abuse.
Despite the difficult experiences she went through, Misha is committed to assisting Emma in living a regular life. Emma still carries emotional scars and is afraid of certain sounds like chainsaws, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, and lawnmowers. She is also protective of her belongings and keeps some of Misha’s clothes close to her at all times, fearing that she might lose them. Due to her fear of men, Misha hired a male therapist to help Emma overcome this anxiety, which proved to be effective.
Misha didn’t hesitate to adopt Emma as she felt a strong connection with the dog. The paperwork was just a formality, as Misha had already made up her mind about being Emma’s mother. Emma’s life became much better after receiving aid from Dalmatian Rescue and Joey’s PAW organization. These organizations provided Emma with a specialized wheeled cart and prosthetics customized by Derrick Campana of Bionic Pets.
Emma is making steady progress through her regular therapy and indulges in weekly baths that she thoroughly enjoys. She has developed into a social butterfly with a massive following of 13,000 fans on Instagram and relishes in meeting new friends, both human and canine.
Although Emma faces challenges in controlling her prosthetics and stroller due to her unique body position, she remains playful and full of life. Emma revels in ball games, loves cuddling with stuffed animals, and eagerly socializes with other dogs in the park. She has also developed a newfound love for the beach which allows her to run freely on the soft sand, bringing immense joy to her and her companion, Misha.
Misha and Emma have made a significant impact through their online platform by bringing to attention the continuous problem with the dog meat industry, specifically the Yulin Dog Meat Festival that leads to the suffering of thousands of animals annually. Emma’s experience stands as an inspiring example that determination and empathy can make a difference in transforming lives and promoting change.