Meet Bradley
Bradley is a Golden Retriever rescued from a dog meat slaughterhouse in East Asia. AGN worked directly with No Dogs Left Behind, established to rescue dogs from the dog meat trade slaughterhouses in East Asia. They go through extensive protocols, procedures and vetting to be relocated to the US to find their forever homes. If you have not read about the dog meat trade in East Asia and the “Yulin Dog Meat Festival”, we encourage you to do your research. Bradley has made wonderful progress, but will continue to be a special project requiring a commitment to his needs. Bradley is a true survivor and symbol of hope!
Hang onto your heart as I’ll steal it in an instant! Hi, I’m Bradley, a walking miracle! I’m a sweet, soulful gentleman who’s learning kindness for the first time in the United States. I’m blossoming each day as I find the joy and happiness of becoming the Golden that I’m meant to be. My passport from East Asia states that I’m 6 years old. My estimated DOB is 7/13/17. I weigh approximately 70 pounds. I had to be shaved down due to severe matting and filth. I have a beautiful, thick coat that is growing in nicely. *See my photo while in East Asia to see me with full coat, although terrible condition.
I was rescued from a dog meat slaughter house in East Asia. I show a bit of doggie PTSD occasionally from my sad past. Only feel sorrow for me for a moment as I’m thriving and overcoming all that I’ve endured. I’m experiencing love, happiness and fun for the first time…and oh boy, how I’m enjoying life in my foster home! My foster mom say I’m a “keeper”, but she knows that her role is to help me find my forever family so she can help more Goldens in need.
Attributes
Personality Traits
Sweet, laid back, happy, curious, friendly and little hesitant of new experiences, but learn quickly. “Velcro shadow” who loves attention and affection, especially belly rubs. I struggle in the beginning with trust issues around my resources, but soon relax in that trust of you. The foundation of my behavior is the need to feel safe, secure and trust the human or dog I’m with. Kind voices are needed as raised voices are scary! Foster mom calls me a “big ole teddy bear” who’s going to give purpose to someone’s life. I’m that special!
I have a bit of PTSD with resources, especially food. This is from having to survive in the slaughter house with many other dogs and the way I was fed by the butcher. I have food aggression IF food is not managed appropriately around me. I go into survival mode if food is placed randomly on the floor where I feel I have to be defensive to get the food or if you try to take it away from me. I likely had to fight to eat to survive. GOOD NEWS… AGN has a protocol that works perfectly. It includes trust, leaving me alone and never trying to take something away from me. Just wait until I walk away. It’s not hard. You just have to gain my trust around my resources and recognize my communication. I now trust foster mom and take treats out of her flat palm (I like Cheetos!) or lick something yummy from her spoon. I just need someone who’s fully committed to following the management protocol that works.
Status with People
Social and friendly with all people, eagerly greeting them in a polite manner. I’m a “leaner” for love. I have not been around young children, but good with teenagers. I really love everyone I’ve met!
Status with Dogs
Good with the female Golden I’ve met here in the U.S. She’s also a survivor of the dog meat trade in Asia. We did well together…sniffed to greet, and then started exploring the yard together. We became fast friends. I lived in a tiny kennel in China with many dogs at the slaughterhouse so making sure I feel safe with another dog is critical. I should never be fed around another dog due to my past and resource guarding of food. I’d likely do best with dogs who are calm, laid back and neutral in temperament. I’d likely be playful with a dog once I felt safe.
Status with Cats
Cats unknown, but I’m a critter chaser.
Favorite Toys
Learning to play with toys! I’ve discovered the fun of the toy basket. I also enjoy a Lick Mat. I will chase after the ball and bring it back, but I get bored after a few retrieves. Due to my resource guarding, having two balls to throw during fetch is key…it’s as simple as that! My foster will show you how.
Energy Level
Lower energy overall with energetic moments. I’m not a fan of the heat, so likely will be a little more energetic when the weather cools down.
House Trained
Yes with only a couple of accidents…remember that a house is new for me. Schedule is key and recognizing when I’m telling you I need to go out.
Crate Trained
CANNOT BE CRATED! Because of my background and the excessive days crated to get to the US and Nashville, a crate is not my friend. In my foster home I have free roam without issue. I’m not left for long periods of time.
House Manners
Great house manners, especially since it’s new for me. I don’t bother things and I’m not destructive. I sleep in my foster family’s room, typically on the floor on the air vent vs. the dog bed. I love the cool air. Hopefully soon I’ll learn the luxury of a comfy dog bed. I don’t get on the furniture, but will bump up against the bed to wake you up in the mornings.
Leash Manners
Leash and harness coming out make me so excited! I’m getting better with shorter leashes as I’ve been accustomed to 30-50 ft. leads in the beginning. I do great on my Walk Your Dog With Love Harness.
Exercise
Have a 1 acre yard that I love to explore and chase critters. I play a game of fetch every day with foster mom (remember to use two balls). I also go on walks through the neighborhood. I LOVE my walks so my harness and leash bring me joy when I see them. It’s fun learning the world outside of my foster home, but I do get hot quickly so morning walks are best.
Car Rides
Work in progress as it triggers past trauma, but getting better each time. I like to ride and lie down nicely in the backseat. Getting in and out of the car is the challenge. I may protest a bit. Foster mom tosses treats in the car and I usually jump right in and out. I need to associate the car with positive things so joys rides to go for a walk somewhere is what I’m working on now. Time, practice and patience is the key.
Basic Commands
“Sit” and I’m working on “Come”. The secret to recall is extreme happiness, praise and treats when I come to you. ** I know my name very well and AGN asks that you do NOT change it as it will be confusing to me and disrupt my transition to a new home.
Storm Phobia
May pace a bit if the storm is at night, but typically not bothered.
Things I need in my Forever Home
- Someone who is dog experienced and understands what I’ve been through being rescued from a dog meat slaughterhouse. I may not carry physical scars, but I remember the horror, creating the survival need for food aggression. This will decrease as I move further along in time from my sad past and develop trust with you.
- Someone committed to my resource guarding protocols. If you follow the proven method that works with me, it’s a non-issue, but you, and everyone around me, MUST be dedicated to it! I trust my foster mom enough to take treats from her palm and lick off of her spoon. She can be appropriately around my food as I trust her. You’ll get there, too!
- Someone who’s home more often than not. Someone who doesn’t work, works from home or works part time. I’ve been void of kind human interaction for a long time. Now, it’s time for me to get the attention I deserve. Plus, our time together increases trust and our bond. Trust is everything to me! I’ve made tremendous progress in my foster home because of the dedicated time and work they’ve done with me.
- NO CRATING due to background of excessive caging and crating. Baby gates only if you need to block off and area. I’m fine with free roam in the home.
- Lower to moderately active family that who likes to go on daily walks, and maybe I can work up to going on hikes.
- Best as an only dog due to resource guarding of food, but I’d do well to have dog friends that I’m compatible with.
- Due to no history of living with children and no children in my foster home, children should be in their teenage years. They must have grown up around dogs and understand the importance of managing my food protocols correctly.
- AGN requests that you keep the name given as Bradley knows his name and it was given by his rescue volunteers in China. They chose an American name to symbolize my bright future.
Adopting a “China Dog” means a commitment to a special project. I’m still learning new things each day. I’ll need constant positive reinforcement, along with patience and understanding. I come with a sad past and I’ll carry that past with me, but my resilience is amazing. I need someone/family that is easy going, patient, and a commitment to my needs. I’m a wonderful Golden who’ll take hold of your heart and change your life forever. If I could talk, I could write a book as to what I’ve experienced in my life. Out of those experiences I’ve always been void of unconditional love. I’m not perfect, but I have so much love and life to share with you. I’m a special fella with a special story. I’m a survivor!
Photos by Pawzitively Purrfect.
