My Life Changing Story - From Birth Machine to Beloved Sweetheart

▲ Breeder dog -- You Xi's amazing transformation

1. My Heartbreaking Story

Hello, my name is Youxi, an Akita whose ancestor is the famous, faithful Hachi. Some may even know the famous Masamune, who is my biological son. I was born on April 9, 2012 in Osaka, Japan. Because of my purebred lineage, I became a breeding dog from the moment I was born.

▲The most professional Japanese Akita Inu Competition - National Champion.

By Japanese Akita Dog Preservation Society

Due to my appearance, I was awarded first place in the Japanese Akita Dog Conference. My score was record-setting and has not since been surpassed. My excellent family pedigree and competition achievements together made me an ideal breeding candidate. So, since I was only one year old, I have been put to work reproducing offspring non-stop, the burden of which has been gradually wearing down my physical health.

When I was four years old, my Japanese owner sold me to a Chinese owner, who was also a breeder. An Akita's ideal breeding period is before four years of age. however, my new owner wanted to profit from the high price he paid for me. He also wanted to introduce my well-regarded lineage and genes to the Chinese market. Thus, my gentle temperament and appearance doomed me to be nothing more than a breeding tool. And so my breeding career continued, even as I aged.

I worked really hard, day after day, year after year, continually reproducing. At the age of eight, I gave birth to my last baby and could not go on anymore. Like all my children before, I was separated from my beautiful baby girl, never to see her again.

2. New Life - Finally Meeting You

July 2020 was when I gave birth to my last baby. I breast-fed her for about a month until September 2020. No longer a viable breeding dog, I was ready to accept my grim fate, to be tossed aside and left to die alone.

Most breeding dogs in China that have lost their breeding abilities are sold to restaurants. Luckily, my previous owner did not do that to me. Instead, I was adopted by my new dad!

To make sure I would not suffer from heatstroke in China's sweltering September heat, my wonderful new dad sent a special air-conditioned taxi to come to fetch me and bring me to my new home. When I finally arrived, I remember my dad was shocked to see the state I was in.

▲ Photo of You Xi taken at the time of the first encounter with her adopter

Who could have imagined that the once-renowned "Miss Beauty Pageant" and "No. 1 in Japan" now looked like a frail and sick old lady. I had lost almost all my fur, my tail looked more like that of a rat than of a dog. My back legs were weak and crooked, I could barely hold myself up. I was suffering from skin disease that affected nearly all my skin, from my snout to my tail.

The sores on my body smelled so bad that my new dad, even with 20 years of experience as a doctor, vomited from the stench. From all my years of breast-feeding with little breaks, my breasts were inflamed and my abdomen was black. Since I was never given time to properly rest and recover after each litter, my body was exhausted and I had so little energy. My next period arrived ahead of schedule, the blood was black and smelled so horrible that the family had to open the windows to let out the odor.

3. I’m So Happy To Have A Dad

My new dad diligently gave me medical baths, massages, tuina, and acupuncture every day. As I was not able to walk properly, my dad also treated me with moxibustion and even sheep placenta injections so that I could recover quickly. But I was still so weak that I would limp and lie down after just a few steps. Whenever that happened, my dad would kneel down to give me tuina and massage, even if it was on the side of the road.

You Xi's adopter giving her health recovery treatment

After I joined my new family, my father made all kinds of delicious foods to ensure I received all the proper nutrition. Back when I was at the puppy mill, I was given only one meal per day, and not a single snack. But now I was spoiled with so many tasty snacks that I had never tasted before, helping me gain some healthy weight.

After three months under my dad's dutiful care, it was clear how much I had improved, I was looking totally different from the sad sickly dog I was before. Even my previous owner saw how much better I looked. I had found such a perfect family.

↓ Before & After

4. Youxi's Journey of Liberation

On the first day I arrived at my new home, my dad performed the refuge of the Three Jewels ceremony for me: refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. From the first moment we met, my dad treated me more than just a dog, he treated me as family, as part of his life. He told me the cause and effect in Buddhism, and let me know that all my sufferings this life have a cause. At that time when listening, I could not control myself, and shed tears of gratitude and repent.

I have shed many tears over all the babies that have been taken away from me, so much that I developed cataracts at only eight years old. At the new home, I met my new siblings and friends of my dad. They were all diligently doing Dharma practices and helping other people in need. In this atmosphere, I feel a lot better and even my cataracts have slowly improved which is considered to be only curable via surgery.

I know I am so lucky to be adopted by my dad and I hope all my friends still suffering in puppy mills and breeding farms can be rescued and adopted just like me. I wish my dad and his friends great luck and success in their mission to save many more animals in need of help. I will do my best to help them on this journey! Now I have already taken refuge in the Three Jewels and am able to accompany my dad and his friends doing good deeds. It is such great happiness!

5. Youxi Supporting Dad

Later, my dad became incredibly busy suddenly. His cell phone was ringing day and night. I heard them talking about the Covid pandemic, about new free clinic programs, and global assistance. The news was making everyone more and more anxious. Whenever my dad was feeling stressed and under pressure, he would pet me and I would comfort him. This would cheer him up and he would be able to go back to work happier and with more energy.

You Xi's happy hours with her adopter

6. Regaining My Bark!

One day, my dad told me that he was bringing me and Shoufu, one of my older siblings, to Canada. I didn't know where Canada was. All I knew was that after two long flights and three days, I arrived in Toronto, Ontario on the night before Christmas Eve. It was here that I learned how to bark again.

In Japan, dog houses are normally very small, with a capacity of about 10 dogs each. There isn't much space for us in there. They were also situated in residential neighborhoods. In order to not disturb the neighbors, our vocal cords were cut at a very young age. My previous owners have never heard me bark. Additionally, to prevent me from biting people by accident, my legs were tied up and fastened to the ground and all my teeth were ground down to remove their sharp ends. Because of all these traumatic experiences, I can't help but tremble involuntarily when someone suddenly touches my head.

My dad massaged my neck and used ancestral chiropractic treatments to stimulate the muscles in my throat. After eight years, I was finally able to bark. My dad was so happy that he jumped up and down and danced around! I couldn't be happier, too. He lets me know that I am loved and worthy of being loved. He lets me know that I am safe and can bark freely. He always tells me that I am such a smart, loyal, and affectionate doggy!

7. Being Dad's Sweetheart

Wherever dad goes, I go with him. After all the suffering I have experienced, I now cherish this newfound love, even if it has come so late. Because of my age, I know that my time with dad is not going to be very long, but I am happy that I will spend the rest of my life with my wonderful father.

After we came to Canada, dad's work life was as busy as ever, he would often even forget to eat. Shoufu and I are always by his side, obediently guarding over our beloved dad.

My dad's friends in Canada would come over often and discuss all kinds of volunteering work, treatment, and animal rescue missions. I have heard them talking about flight volunteers a lot. They said that with the help of flight volunteers, a lot of animals like me will be able to find their forever homes, each with loving families. I really wish this will become true as soon as possible.

Now, quite a few airlines allow pets on their flights. At the time I left China, my dad prepared all kinds of travel documents for me. After we arrived at the airport, I was checked in as luggage. Once we landed at the Toronto airport, I was picked up from the luggage conveyor belt. Shoufu and I did not bother anybody during the entire flight.

I know that there are a lot of dogs suffering even more than myself. Now finally, there is hope that they can be adopted by kindhearted people. All we need are flight volunteers to help fly them out from China to join their new families. With your help, these animals can find loving parents of their very own and their forever families, never again having to fear being mistreated or locked in cages.

All you need to do is to meet with our volunteers at the airport. All the necessary documents will be prepared by our volunteers beforehand. They are familiar with the procedures and will have everything ready for you!

8. Youxi's Wishes

Now, I can run freely, bark happily, and have the life of a dog who is loved and well cared for. I could have never imagined I would be in this position. I could not even walk before, let alone run! My happiness is truly beyond words. Thanks to my dad and all his friends, thanks to their hard work and dedication, I am here today, a happy healthy dog!

Quoted from Khenpo Sherab Zangpo:

"In the face of the poor, the sick, the stray abandoned animal or other sentient beings who need help and comfort, some people would say that ‘our goal is to help all the sentient beings become a Buddha. It is not enough to help them with their temporary needs, and this will not wake them up from their ignorance.’ Sometimes, I wonder people saying these things are only making excuses for their laziness, stinginess and indifference."

Thank you to every friend who has helped us, we owe you our today and our tomorrow.