China had a truly horrific start in life, but it looks like she finally found her happy ending.
The badly-beaten German Shepherd, saved by the Oxford-based K-9 Stray Rescue League, was adopted by Chris Fisk about 10 days ago. She’s now living in a loving home in Pontiac.
‘I wanted to get a dog and I figured it was better to get one that needed help instead of buying a puppy or something like that,? said Fisk, a 41-year-old who does security work for a hospital in Southfield.
China came to live at the rescue league’s kennel on Metamora Rd. back in late March.
She had been brutally beaten and left for dead beneath some dirt and plywood in a Bay City trailer park.
One of Fisk’s friends sent him links to the K-9 Stray Rescue League website containing information about China and another dog looking for a home.
‘China’s story was so rough I wanted to look at her first. I felt sorry for her,? he said. ‘I went out there and saw her, played with her for a while and she seemed like a sweet dog.?
Healthwise China seems to be fine.
‘Every now and then she loses her balance. I’m assuming that’s from the neurological trauma,? Fisk said. ‘Usually after she’s been laying down for a while, she’ll stand up and kind of wobble a little bit. But otherwise, she’s doing good.?
Her new home includes a cat, a fellow rescue. They’re still getting to know each other.
‘As long as the cat’s not running, they’re fine,? Fisk said. ‘When the cat runs, she wants to chase her.?
China’s new life includes a new name.
‘I changed her name to Kate,? Fisk said. ‘It’s a simpler name. It’s got two hard sounds in it, so I thought it would be easier for her to learn. They said she wasn’t responding to China anyway.?