Rupert is a magnificent Alaskan Malamute whose life was almost cut tragically short.
Born in China, this very fluffy pup belonged to an owner who grew tired of him once he was no longer a puppy. The owner then tried to sell him at a dog meat market north of Beijing.
Saved from the meat trade
Thanks to the charity "No To Dog Meat", Rupert was saved from this terrible fate and a cruel slaughter. While the consumption of dog meat is becoming less popular in China and faces growing opposition, it still has its followers. This is particularly true during the Yulin festival, held annually in the southwest of the country to celebrate the practice. For the past decade, "No To Dog Meat" has been campaigning against this event, which has shocked many animal welfare organisations and the public.
While working to end the festival, the charity regularly rescues dogs to save them from the worst, and Rupert was given a second chance at life.
Rescued from the clutches of his former owner, who had tried to have all his teeth removed before selling him for his meat, this magnificent Alaskan Malamute was put up for adoption by the charity.
A 1,000-mile journey to a new home
Rupert and his teddy bear face quickly won the heart of a woman named Nikki Swannell. She had owned an Alaskan Malamute before and had found it hard to get over his passing. But upon seeing Rupert, she decided to open her heart again and prepared to go and collect him.
The flight from China was arriving in Paris, and even though Nikki lives in Yorkshire, England, she didn't hesitate to make the 1,000-mile journey to the airport to welcome Rupert and bring him home.
Since then, she has discovered an adorable, very gentle and well-behaved dog, and she can't understand how his former owner could have considered such a terrible fate for him. The very chatty pup adores his new family and never fails to show his joy. Despite all the horrors he has endured, he always has a huge smile on his face!