The Encounter

Miles and I travelled to Taiwan for a "around-the-island" bike tour. On Day 8, we arrived in Hualien, planning to see the famous Taroko Gorge National Park. While dropping our gear at the train station, we met a beautiful, stray black dog. She was sweet, soulful, and looking for a friend. After sharing a piece of breakfast, we headed toward the park. Little did we know that she had already chosen us to be her humans.

Riding thru the National Park

She followed us to breakfast. Then she followed us to a 7-Eleven 4km away. Then, she followed into the National Park. Miles warned me not to get attached, knowing how heartbreaking it would be to leave her behind. But as she ran alongside our bikes for 15 kms, refusing to leave our side even as the roads grew steep, even as it was raining non-stop all day... it was already too late. I was already in tears at the thought of saying goodbye.

The Rescue

When she eventually grew tired, we couldn't just leave her in the park. Miles tucked her into his jacket and carried her back to the station. She never left our side throughout the day. A trip to the washroom? She came with us. Picking up lunch? She came with us. We knew we had to take her with us. We settled her into a cardboard box, and the train station staff helped us tape it up so she’d be safe for the ride.

That night, we camped in Yilan and made a comfy spot for Taroko in the vestibule of our tent. She wasn't leashed or tethered. We figured if she were to leave, then it wasn't meant to be. Hearing her soft snoring filled my heart. She guarded the door of our tent and we woke up with her waiting for us to start the day.

We finished our tour in Keelung with our new family member in tow. We bought a doggy backpack so that we could travel with her by bike more easily, and also created a make-shift crate using cabbage baskets to take the train for the last part of our trip. We had to negotiate hard with the train station staff to be ok with this (in Mandarin!)

We quickly coordinated a dedicated team of drivers, pet-sitters, and vets in Taiwan to prepare Taroko for the biggest journey of her life.

What's next

Taroko is currently in Taichung completing the necessary medical treatments and paperwork to travel abroad. This includes various vaccinations and medical procedures such as blood tests, rabies shots, spay surgery, export documentation, and more.

Where the Funds Go

* Boarding & Food - safe housing and nutrition while she prepares to fly ($450 per month)

* Medical Care - bloodwork, x-rays, rabies vaccination, microchipping, and her spay surgery ($450)

* Export Paperwork - official government inspections and legal permits required for her to leave Taiwan ($515)

* Flight & Crate - her plane ticket and the specialized travel crate she needs for the 14-hour journey ($775)

* Transport - pet taxi and transport legs between the vet, boarding, and the airport in Taipei ($300)

Taroko ran 15 kms next to us while we were touring by bike - she was telling us that she'd do anything to stay with us. Now, we’re doing everything we can to bring her to her forever home in Toronto, where she'll never sleep on the streets or feed off of scraps again. Your help to get her across the finish line means the world to us.

With love and gratitude,

Taroko, Teresa, and Miles