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The internet has long had a soft spot for two things: adorable animals and Star Wars. A small rescue dog named Mork somehow manages to combine both, and his uncanny resemblance to Baby Yoda has turned him into an online sensation with well over 100,000 followers on Instagram. But behind the viral photos is a survival story far more serious than his internet fame suggests.
Mork was pulled from a meat truck in China by Harbin SHS, a rescue organization working to intervene before dogs are sold into the country’s dog meat trade. He arrived in such poor condition that he had to be hospitalized immediately and nearly didn’t make it. Once he stabilized, he was flown to the United States through Road Dogs & Rescue and adopted by the organization’s founder, Nikki Carvey.
Speaking with the outlet that first covered his story, Carvey explained that Mork was one of a group of dogs rescued together from the meat truck, and that despite growing awareness, dogs in the region are still routinely sold for meat. She credited the women running Harbin SHS with saving thousands of animals by nursing them back to health and partnering with international rescues, like Road Dogs, to find them permanent homes. Road Dogs alone has placed more than 50 dogs into loving families, Mork included. Carvey said that the moment she saw his photo, she knew he was meant to be hers.
Mork’s road to recovery has been a long one. Rescued the previous October, he weighed just 12.4 pounds when he arrived from China and was diagnosed with irritable bowel disorder. He also came with a number of congenital issues linked to poor breeding practices, including problems with his heart, breathing, and jaw. Since then, he has gained five pounds, and Carvey is working with veterinary specialists and experimenting with home-cooked diets and supplements to help him reach a healthy goal weight of around 20 pounds.
Despite his rough start, Carvey describes Mork as sweet and affectionate, though still learning to trust and be loved after everything he’s been through. His favorite pastime, she said, is simply sitting in the sun. She’s been struck by how strongly people have responded to him online, saying his story seems to resonate especially with people going through hard times, some of whom have reached out to say Mork’s photos make them smile during difficult moments.
Carvey hopes Mork’s popularity can do more than entertain; she wants his story to raise awareness both about the dog meat trade and about adoption in general, pointing out that some of the most wonderful dogs come from shelters and rescues rather than breeders. She has also declined requests to run a DNA test to determine his exact breed mix, worried that identifying it could inspire people to intentionally breed dogs to resemble him, health complications and all.
Looking ahead, Carvey’s plan is to first get Mork to full health, and then train him as a therapy dog so he can visit nursing homes and hospitals. She believes his unusual appearance and gentle nature could help bring comfort to people in those settings, calling it his mission to share love and wonder with everyone he meets.
Original story here.
