Old guard dogs find new homes
Print Edition
At the Shanghai Guide Dog School in Pudong, Zhang Wenbo, 30, gently pats Ta Zhang, a 14-year-old guide dog, and takes him for a short walk.
After many years of faithful service, two aging guide dogs who have been waiting four years for warm-hearted owners to take care of them in their twilight years finally have a home.
The life span of Labradors is about 14 to 15 years, affecting the decision of adoption for most.
“I have a very complicated feeling,” Zhang told Shanghai Daily at the school in Lingang area. “I am very excited and happy to adopt Ta Zhang, but I am very frightened when thinking of his approaching departure given his age.”
Fang Yun (female) and Ta Zhang (male) are both 14-year-old Labradors, and both have assisted visually impaired people for almost a decade. Since their retirement, they had been waiting nearly four years for someone to adopt them.
They were among the first batch of guide dogs which started service in Shanghai back in 2008. Some of these dogs remain with their service persons; others have died. Only Fang Yun and Ta Zhang were without homes.
Adoption deals were signed yesterday at the school.
“It is very different from raising a pet and I struggled for a long time over the adoption decision because I know I am the person to accompany him to spend the last moment of his life,” said Zhang.
“It will be hard to say goodbye when we have a very deep bond.”
Zhang rescues a number of stray dogs.
“Company is the most important thing for Ta Zhang, and he appreciates it when I touch him. Other pet dogs and cats have a lot of attention and care, which are taken for granted, but guide dogs like Ta Zhang devote most of their life to humans, and nobody cares for them after they retire. It’s a pity.
“I was in tears when I learnt he needed adopting and saw his photos.”
Zhang is starting up his own business in advertising in Ningbo City, neighboring Zhejiang Province. He said he has a flexible schedule.
“I will take Ta Zhang to my work place and accompany him 24 hours,” he said.
Fang Yun has been adopted by 33-year-old Shanghai resident Alex Liao.
It was his second visit to the school. “When I read the adoption news, it touched my heart,” Liao recalled. “Fang Yun served people most of her life, now, I want to give her a family and make her happy and enjoy her final days.”
Liao said he was moved by the life of guide dogs.
“I know she will have many problems as an aging dog and her remaining days are counting down, but I am fully prepared for anything as the adoption decision was not made on impulse,” he said.
“I will treat Fang Yun like a family member.”
Liao said he would take Fang Yun to work in Baoshan District. “My colleagues love dogs as well and Fang Yun needs company all the time.”
At night, Liao said he will take Fang Yun back home.
“I am a very sensitive person and I think I will cry when she departs, but it will not affect my decision to adopt,” said Liao.
“I am more determined when seeing Fang Yun and I will take good care of her.”
Zhu Jun, a guide dog training teacher at the school, had mixed feelings about the adoptions. He has cared for the two dogs for two years, calling Ta Zhang “old grandpa Ta Zhang.”
“It is a departure for me and I am sad,” he said. “But I am happy they will have a warm home at the same time. The adopters have a good family environment and a strong sense of responsibility. They will care for Ta Zhang and Fang Yun from the heart.”
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