This Chinese Family Adopted A Dog, But Then The Truth Came Out

Welcome Home, Little Black

Su and the rest of the family returned from their holiday with big smiles plastered on their faces. They were thrilled to formally introduce the new pet to their home. Before they got back to the house, they were already trying to come up with a name for their newest companion. In the end, they agreed that he should be ‘Little Black’. After getting home, they put a leash on him and allowed him to get to know his new surroundings. They decided that Little Black was there to stay. When it was time to feed the pup, Su was glad to find that he had no problems eating.

Welcome Home, Little Black

No Problems Eating In The Least

After seeing how well Little Black ate during feeding time, they came to the conclusion that he was comfortable in the new environment he was in. They also took it to mean that he had already adapted to their home. The family was hoping that he would grow up into a healthy Tibetan Mastiff. They got their wish. Only a month later, Su was delighted to see how well the new family pet was growing up. His weight was going up quickly. The entire family felt thrilled to see that he was faring well. They continued to feed him as much food as he wanted since they were all looking forward to seeing him all grown up.

No Problems Eating In The Least

Suspicious Of Her Beloved Little Black

Although they were happy to see Little Black getting bigger and bigger with each passing day, they eventually got curious how it was possible for him to grow up that fast. Alarm bells were already ringing in Su’s head, but she decided to simply shrug her suspicions off. However, things started to change when, much to her shock, she found Little Black standing on his hind legs! Even though she was aware that dogs can do that, there was a strange image that came to her mind after seeing her beloved pet doing it. She thought that Little Black looked less like a dog and more like another animal.

Suspicious Of Her Beloved Little Black

Way Too Big

After seeing just how much Little Black could eat, Su kept feeding him as much food as he could take. When Little Black turned a year old, the entire family decided it was time to put him on a diet because he looked rather insatiable. “A box of fruits and two buckets of noodles every day,” they said. By the time he got to the age of two, Su was starting to feel a bit scared of her own dog. Of course, there are times when pet owners prefer bigger pets than smaller ones. However, Little Black definitely defied any expectations. He was already 250 pounds heavy and 3 feet tall!

Way Too Big

Not Like Other Dogs

Apart from the fact that he was bigger than they expected, Su also took note that he had features she had never noticed in other dogs before. The pet owner knew that it made perfect sense for Su to have such big teeth to go with his size. However, it continued to bother her. There was more to the story – there was another thing that bothered her. Little Black continued to stand up on his hind legs instead of walking on all fours. When you consider his size, it is only reasonable for her to feel afraid every single time he did that. That was how she figured out that Little Black was not actually a dog.

Not Like Other Dogs

Confused And Scared

Su was not the only one who thought Little Black was scary. In the beginning, the rest of the family thought it was amazing to have such a big dog. However, they could not help but feel scared and confused when they came to see him in the backhouse and found him growling and standing up. That was yet another thing about the dog that made him odd. Little Black did not bark, he roared and growled instead! His features continued to get stronger and bigger as time passed. The entire family also came to realize that he was no dog: “The more he grew, the more like a bear he looked and acted.”

Confused And Scared

Little Black Was Getting More Dangerous

When Su and the family realized the truth about their dog, Su felt absolutely frightened and found herself at a loss for what to do. Their pet was actually a bear, and he was no longer a cub. Although she did make a bond with Little Black, she could not help but think about the possibility of him eating her family alive should he ever go hungry. In the meantime, she tried to do the best thing she could and fed him first. When she was giving him his meal, she decided it was time to ask for help from the local animal rescue team as soon as possible. There was no one else who would know how to deal with this.

Little Black Was Getting More Dangerous

The National Geographic Did A Story About It

The discovery this family made got a lot of interest from both the press and the general public. After all, it was a fascinating tale not only to the local population but also to an international audience. Who could possibly make a mistake as big as this one? National Geographic even covered the story and told the story we already know: the family thought Little Black was a dog, but they actually adopted a bear!

The National Geographic Did A Story About It

Local Authorities Came To Help

A couple of minutes after talking to the authorities on the phone, the officers from the Yiliang County Forest Public Security Bureau got into action and dropped by their home. They saw that Su was telling the truth, so they did the necessary procedures and handled the bear. “I am a little scared of bears,” Su confessed to the local authorities. While she was talking to them, she also admitted that she had no idea that the pet they adopted was not a dog. Of course, she also did know that they were not permitted to take in wild animals. She was not aware that it counted as a violation of laws as well as regulations on forest public security.

Local Authorities Came To Help

What Little Black Actually Was

When the police officers arrived at their home, they found Little Black busy eating his meal. What they found in the back house was an Asiatic Black Bear in good condition. Su and the family were all shocked to finally know what type of animal they had been raising the whole time. They were truly clueless in those two years that they had Little Black in their home: “At the time, it was said that it was only a small Tibetan mastiff. After taking it home, it has been used as a Tibetan mastiff. Later, the more he started to look like a black bear.” The story would attract the attention of international media outfits such as Business Insider, People Magazine, and National Geographic. Readers were intrigued by the fascinating story of Little Black the bear.

What Little Black Actually Was

The Asiatic Black Bear

Do you know what an Asiatic Black Bear is? If not, perhaps you know it better by the names Moon Bear, Himalayan Bear, or Tibetan Bear. This kind of bear is common in certain parts of Asia including various countries in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. They are known for their huge size as well as their omnivorous nature. These creatures often have glossy black or brown coats, though they have a feature unique to them. We are referring to the white line over the chest that resembles a crescent moon. The bear is well known in Singapore, Korea, Japan, and especially in China. In these countries, there are people who believe their internal organs can be used for various medicinal reasons.

The Asiatic Black Bear

Stumbling Into Little Black During The Vacation

Since Asiatic Black Bears are very famous in China, it was truly possible for Su to meet Little Black during their vacation. There are numerous “bear farms” in the country that raise this particular kind of bears to harvest their internal organs since they are common ingredients in traditional medicine. According to IUCN, there are more than 17,000 bears in nearly 70 farms in China. Su felt like the person they bought the pet from was aware that Little Black was a bear the whole time. Even though she felt sad about letting go of him, Su knew that it was illegal to keep a wild animal and that they did not have the means to give him the life he deserved.

Stumbling Into Little Black During The Vacation

Making Bear Mistakes

Su felt rather embarrassed for the big mistake they made. For two years, Su and the family thought they were raising a dog only to find out the truth when he was already an adult bear! Although she felt very ashamed about what went down, this was actually not the first time such a thing happened. In the past, local authorities also had to deal with similar requests and inquiries in different parts of the country. Baby cubs have such innocent and fluffy features that they could be easily mistaken for puppies. Not to mention that they are all adorable! It must have felt impossible not to adopt the creatures.

Making Bear Mistakes

What The Local Authorities Had To Say

After the officials found Little Black, the first thing they did was to conduct a speedy check-up on him. The forest public security team and police officers took note that this bear was one meter tall and weighed around 200 kilograms. During his time with the family, Little Black truly grew from a cub to a fully-grown bear. They also checked if he had any scars or sickness, but they came to the conclusion that he was actually in perfect health. They had to transport the bear to the Yunnan Wildlife Rescue Center to do more tests on him, but they decided to use anesthesia on the bear. After all, he was way too big.

What The Local Authorities Had To Say

A Reminder from the Authorities

Just before the forest public security team delivered the bear to the wildlife rescue center, they told Su once more about the mistake she made. They only wanted to give the issues more awareness since the phenomenon was a recurring one in the country. They said, “The forest public security reminds the public that all animals belonging to the state to protect animals, whether hunting, killing, domestication, reproduction, sale, etc., need to obtain a permit before they can be implemented. Otherwise, it is illegal and the light will be made by the wildlife protection department. Administrative punishment may be a serious crime. At the same time, there are still major security risks.”

A Reminder from the Authorities

Saying Their Goodbyes

When Little Black was taken to the wildlife center, the family admitted that they felt lonely about saying goodbye to him. Even though they were admittedly scared of him, they still spent two years with Little Black! It did not matter if he was a bear or a dog as they considered him to be a part of the family. Su said, “Although I was a little afraid of the black bear, I have raised him for two years and have feelings. I know that after the black bear, I am afraid that if I am hurt, I will raise the broth and fruit every day.”

Saying Their Goodbyes

Neither the First Nor The Last

Even though Asiatic Black Bears are common in China, it appears that most people do not know the difference between these bears and the others. “Bear farms” are in operation in different parts of the country, so it is not all that surprising to hear people running into the cubs. However, the unfortunate thing is that they look a lot like puppies. The bear mistakes might sound like something extraordinary, but the truth is that they have happened fairly often in the past. In China, there have actually been quite a number of cases in which people mistook cubs for puppies.

Neither the First Nor The Last

A Case Like Theirs

In fact, the same thing happened only three years ago. A farmer mistakenly took in a black bear under the impression that he adopted a black puppy! In 2015, the Yunnan farmer met the abandoned puppy that he discovered somewhere in the neighborhood. He must have felt pity for the adorable little creature and decided to simply take the baby home with him. He eventually named the pup Scorpion. After seeing just how good he was at eating, the farmer kept feeding him until he got his fill. As the pet grew up, he noticed right away that something was amiss. However, he continued to raise Scorpion even after he realized that this was not a dog but a bear. Tragically, the local authorities got a report about a bear in the area and took Scorpio away.

A Case Like Theirs

Not A “Small Milk Dog” After All”

It really does seem like the phenomenon is an actual trend in the country. In 2015, it was another farmer who took in what he thought was a “small milk dog” during his time in the mountains. The Lijiang resident was also smitten with the adorable baby creature and had zero ideas about its true identity. At night, he slept beside the little animal and even shared his meals with what he thought was a dog. However, he eventually noticed that it would not stop growing. After taking a closer look at the creature’s features, he realized his so-called “small milk dog” was, in fact, a black bear! There was nothing left to do but surrender his buddy to the local authorities.

Not A “Small Milk Dog After All”

Bonedigger And Milo

We all know just how difficult it can be to find a true friend. However, your entire life changes when you get lucky and strike gold. Let us now focus on the one-in-a-kind friendship between a ferocious lion by the name of Bonedigger and a tiny Dachshund by the name of Milo. No one ever expected that these different animals would have such a strong bond, but they succeeded in doing it anyway. If you are a sucker for heartwarming stories about polar opposites, you are in for a treat. These best friends have a great bond, and we have photos as proof for you. Their friendship story is special, but that was expected since these two animals are special in their own right as well. Keep reading to see how it all happened.

Bonedigger is a massive male lion. He has a weight of around 500 pounds as well as the potential to kill other animals and even human beings. Despite this, he is a soft-hearted creature who has a soft spot for a dog called Milo. The two friends could not be any more different from each other, yet they both went through difficulties that led them to their meeting. Since then, they have become inseparable. Everyone should hear about the story of the friendship between Bonedigger and Milo. Although no one expected them to bond like this, their love and tolerance for each other are admirable. They do not care about how different they are as long as they can hang out with each other! If you ask us, that is true love.

Bonedigger And Milo

Spending Time Together

Bonedigger and Milo reside in an animal park called G.W. Exotic Animal Park, which is located in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Although Milo is not what you would describe as exotic, he became famous after all the time he spent with the local king of the jungle. As a matter of fact, there are several Dachshunds at the animal park and all of them are friends with Bonedigger. However, Milo happens to be his favorite. They were both raised by Mr. Reinke, who is an amazing human being himself. He has a special way with these animals and even created the park home where they can spend time together and foster their special bonds. He is also an interesting person, but we will talk more about his story in a little while. This is important since it has something to do with Bonedigger and Milo.

Spending Time Together

The Incredible Mr. Reinke

Mr. Reinke is a unique human being, though you could probably tell. He is the one responsible for looking after the animals, and he loves them a lot. He is a double amputee who uses two prosthetic legs to get around, though his condition does not slow him down. Since he cannot rely on his limbs, he has decided to dedicate his life to animals with health problems. He has been using his time to care for Bonedigger, Milo, and the rest of the population at the animal park for several years now. Although he underwent a lot of problems in the past, he did not once lose his compassion or love for animals. Besides, the animals do not care if he does not have legs anyway! As you can see here, they appreciate him for what he does.

The Incredible Mr. Reinke

Their Own Mode Of Communication

According to him, what makes the friendship between Milo and Bonedigger so amazing is the fact that these two had a way to communicate with one another. Even though they had very different backgrounds, they are still able to “talk” to each other and have no problems understanding what the other wants to say. Bonedigger roars fiercely in the same way other lions do, but Milo does not run or cower. Instead, he huffs back as if to give him some advice or tell him to calm down. Even though no one knows what the two are talking about, it is clear that these animals have come up with their own ways to communicate. It is definitely incredible to see this and even park visitors could notice it if they keep an eye on the lion and the dog.

Their Own Mode Of Communication

Sharing Is Caring

Even someone who is used to dealing with animals like Mr. Reinke thinks it is interesting to watch the way the two interact. Not only is Bonedigger gentle and careful when it comes to Milo, but he does not even hesitate to share food with him. The lion gets to enjoy large portions of raw meat as a meal. However, he does not eat alone because he is fond of sharing his dinner with his Milo and the rest of his Dachshund friends on the animal farm. This is definitely a dynamic that Mr. Reinke has never seen before, which explains his surprise. After all, lions are generally aggressive when it comes to food. Bonedigger was a huge fellow, so he could finish it all up by himself if he was not generous enough to share with others. The world would be a much nicer place if humans were as kind as this lion!

Sharing Is Caring

The Best Of Friends

There is a good chance that you have never before seen a Dachshund a lion acting as buddy-buddy as this pair. However, it seems like anything is possible when you are in the G.W. Exotic Animal Park. These pals would not found each other had they not been brought to the animal park. They would not have the opportunity to spend their days together, play and rest with each other, and “talk” in that unique way. There is no shortage of affection between these two, which is why people adore seeing photos and videos of these friends. They play fight and snuggle, but Bonedigger always takes great care not to hurt the dog. Even though there is a size difference there, they still nap and eat together. However, the truth is that things were not always like this for them.

The Best Of Friends

Not All Fun And Games

There is something that we have failed to mention until this moment: Bonedigger is sick. He has various health issues that have made life hard for this lion. The condition actually affects just about anything he does. It continues to be a serious problem for the animal, though he still gets to enjoy life and have fun. He still enjoys hanging out and playing with Milo and even though some days are worse for him, it must help that he has his best pal around him at all times. They try to have as much fun as they could get, which is already more than we can say about some healthy people out there. Keep reading to learn about his debilitating disease as well as how Milo keeps the lion healthy in both physically and mentally.

Not All Fun And Games

His Struggles

So, what exactly is his diagnosis? If you must know, Bonedigger has a metabolic bone disease, which is behind his constant exhaustion and health issues. It gives him ongoing health problems, induces chronic pain and renders him weak. He now knows how to handle the disease, although he would not have gotten to that point if it were not for Milo. When the lion is feeling ill, down or even incapacitated, Milo never fails to be there to motivate him and raise his spirits. Their friendship came about for a special reason. If Milo was not around, we do not know how Bonedigger would be doing. He also likes to be around Mr. Reinke and acts friendly with the other dachshunds at the animal park. However, no one could ever replace Milo in his heart!

His Struggles

Another Close Friendship

If you look at these photos of Mr. Reinke and the lion, you will likely think of him as some sort of lion tamer. Although it is nothing short of bizarre to see Bonedigger get along well with Milo, you could say the same thing about him and a person! Mr. Reinke does not fear Bonedigger even though he is a massive lion. He does not mind at all to get close to Bonedigger, and the lion feels the same way as you can see in the way he is spread out across those prosthetic legs. These two might not be as close as Bonedigger and Milo are, although we still think there is something special between them. And no, this is not because Mr. Reinke is a lion tamer! What could it be?

Another Close Friendship

Going All The Way Back

The primary reason that Bonedigger and Mr. Reinke are this close is that the latter has been feeding the former by hand since he was a cub. When the lion was a baby, it was Mr. Reinke who took care of him and ensured he was fed enough good. This was the beginning of their unique bond, which we have already seen in photos earlier in the article. However, they took things even further when Mr. Reinke trained Bonedigger to follow some commands. The lion listens and does as instructed, not unlike dogs who can do tricks. When the bond is as strong as this one between a lion and the person who raised him since he was a cub, there are more things that you could do than you could with a wild lion. When you look at the friendship between Milo and Bonedigger, it is clear that the lion gets lots of moral support.

Going All The Way Back

A Fellow Cat

Now, it is no secret by now that Bonedigger has no problems with humans and dogs, but how does he feel about cats? There are other large cats at the animal park. In particular, there is a tiger there by the name of Tony who was raised in captivity as well. Unlike Bonedigger, this feline is perfectly healthy and does not suffer from any health-related problems. The two of them grew up together and while they do like to spend time together, they just do not have the same friendship that Bonedigger has with Milo. Tony himself gets a lot of visitors at the animal park as many like to watch him wander around and play. Who can blame them for being fascinated by this magnificent animal? We all know that tigers are fascinating creatures in their own right!

A Fellow Cat

Unusual Love For Felines

Perhaps you have already figured out that Mr. Reinke likes cats, especially big ones like lions and tigers. There are lots of people who think he is brave for working with huge felines like these when they have a reputation for being ferocious predators. Mr. Reinke knows exactly what they are capable of doing and yet decides to dedicate his life to helping animals out and giving them the assistance they need like he managed to do with Bonedigger and Tony. It is certainly impressive as many people could not even get close to a lion and survive to tell the story. He has always been fond of animals and even though many people are terrified of these exotic creatures, they are right up his alley. It certainly seems like he is in his element when he takes care of these cats.

Unusual Love For Felines

Tippy The Tiger Cub

Tony and Bonedigger might be the resident big cats at the animal park, but that does not mean that Mr. Reinke limits himself to helping other felines. As a matter of fact, they recently started taking care of some cute tigers! They require feeding and special care since they are still babies, but it is no problem as this kind man was eager to take care of the cubs. The one you are looking at below is called Tippy. Cubs appear to be smaller versions of the species, although you will notice that they are still significantly bigger than your regular housecat. It is no wonder many people feel nervous around them. For this family, however, tiger cubs only add more fun to the park. And do not get into thinking that Mr. Reinke is the only person who works there! However, let us first see who else came with Tippy.

Tippy The Tiger Cub

His Little Brother

Tippy did not arrive at the G.W. Exotic Animal Park on his own as his baby brother called Orlando also came with him! The two of them fight and play together, not unlike other sets of siblings. They may act ridiculous now, though they will eventually get calmer as they grow older. Mr. Reinke hopes that they will grow up to be good friends with Milo and the rest of the Dachshunds. He is hoping that other special friendships will form since there is a chance that Bonedigger will not live all that long. The cubs will likely ease the pain for his human caretakers and maybe for the dogs as well. In the meantime, Tippy and Orlando entertain Mr. Reinke and his wife with their antics. Let us meet the love of his life this time.

His Little Brother

Mrs. Kristi Reinke

Kristi Reinke is the name of Mr. Reinke’s wife. Just like him, she is also interested in animals. The two of them are passionate about helping animals, especially those from the wild. She helps him take care of the tiger cubs on the regular and knows that it is important for them to grow up into fine felines. She helps feed the animals on the park and loves Tony, Milo, Bonedigger and everyone else there! We will have you know that she plays a huge role in the raising and training of these creatures. After all, we doubt that a single person can do everything there is to do on the farm. They did not stop with a lion and a few tigers, however. As a matter of fact, the family has experienced a drastic change recently.

Mrs. Kristi Reinke

The Best Life

Mr. and Mrs. Reinke only need a bear if they want to make the Jungle Book a reality at the park. Can you just imagine how fun it must be to get up in the morning have two baby tigers jump on you? However, let us not neglect the other animals as well – look at that monkey below! It is easy to see just how much the couple loves animals, and we are glad they do not mind opening their hearts and doors to all of them. How admirable is it that the family is willing to treasure all the creatures there? However, they are not keeping the animals to themselves. They decided to spread the fun and love of being surrounded by these creatures by getting more family members on the team. Let us now get a closer look at who else helps out at the park.

The Best Life

The Nephews

We have all heard of the cool uncle, but we think that Mr. Reinke is on a different level altogether. He allows his nephews to chill with the baby tigers and feed the other animals at the park! That is one vacation story that will blow everything else out of the water. They do not only get to enjoy and have a unique experience, but they also have the chance to learn about animals and the ways to take care of them. That is a priceless education on its own. According to the boys, their favorite part about it is going to the animal farm and playing with the tigers. Well, that must have been a no-brainer! We would gladly abandon video games and even plans with friends to do that.

The Nephews

Taking Lots Of Photos

A lot of wild animals have a tendency to hide from cameras, but you will find lots of creatures up for a photo or two when you go to the animal park. Orlando and Tippy, the baby tigers, are used to photos by now and will even gamely pose for your cameras! They seem to enjoy being in the spotlight, so you can just imagine how many photos of them are around. This is actually another highlight for the Reinke nephews when they help out. They get to take lots of selfies with the adorable little brothers. We doubt anyone else on Instagram has a shot like this one. If you are regularly around tiger babies, we are sure that you will have even more followers on social media. The two cubs are just that irresistible, trust us.

Taking Lots Of Photos

Just Like You And Your Siblings

As you will notice from the photo below, Orlando does not stand a chance since Tippy, his big brother, is always in charge. The older cub will never allow him to forget who gets to call the shots! Even though the image does not look all that good, these two cubs are perpetually rolling around and tackling each other like kittens. They are significantly bigger than the average kitten or an adult housecat, yet they are equally as fun-loving and playful. It is always amusing to see them in action. They will soon be much bigger and finally get to play with the older felines at the park. Even though they are still tiny and easy to hold now, the two will soon be much too big for the boys to pick up. By then, their playmates would become Bonedigger and Tony, the resident cats at the animal park.

Just Like You And Your Siblings

An Unusual Family

You can probably tell that it is not only the animals who have lots of fun at the animal park. The humans are in on it as well! Milo and Bonedigger get to enjoy their special relationship and will continue to do so until one of them passes away. However, the other dogs also like to hang out with the big lion. The humans at the farm also have a blast hanging out with the animals and each other. In a nutshell, the animal park is basically nothing more than a huge family whose members happen to come from different species. It will continue to grow as they shelter more animals in need of help. We would never have guessed it would be possible for different creatures to become the best of friends, and yet here we are. We are glad that Bonedigger and Milo found each other after everything that they have been through!

An Unusual Family