Erickson: The Littlest Malamute

Erickson: The Littlest Malamute

Hi. I’m Erickson!

I’ve traveled halfway around the world to look for some humans of my own. Could they be you?

Let me tell you how I got here all the way from Hong Kong. It all happened because there is such a thing as being too cute.

My puppyhood!

Far away in Asia, there was a pet shop. I left my mommy and got put in a cage there. I was an adorable ball of fluff. A human couldn’t resist my cuteness and took me home.

Just like in America, some humans get dogs without knowing what we’re like.

I ran around and chewed things.

My human said I got too big and naughty, but I was just having fun!

In six months, I grew into a giant puppy.

I didn’t go out for walks and just stayed in the apartment. I didn’t get good food to eat.

Maybe that’s why ended up being so small.

My second home My first human didn’t want me anymore. Another one took me in. For a year, I lived in a small apartment in Mongkok, a very crowded place in Hong Kong with many buildings and people.

I was very hungry and got lots of nice food!

I got to go on walks outdoors for the first time! And I met many dog friends!

The “Adopt, Don’t Shop” place When the people in Mongkok couldn’t keep me anymore, they sent me to a place in Hong Kong that finds new homes for doggies, just like the Humane Society of Missouri. After I arrived, people kept saying, “He’s so thin!” and “Look at his bones!”

Everyone thought I was cute because I’m so small for a malamute. People started calling me “the teacup Malamute!”

I love my new friends Best of all, I was happy to meet nice humans. A few invited me to stay over in their homes. There was Brian, then Jonathan and then Carrie. I got lots of chew toys and treats. I went on hikes and swimming in the sea.

Happy to be in St. Louis I even went with humans at night to places they call “bars” and met lots of other nice people from the city.

I was so thankful and having so much fun that I tried to be a good boy and learned lots of obedience commands. I got the hang of walking politely with a human on a leash.

I love being with humans!

One day, Jonathan told me about a place far away called St. Louis. He said people and dogs there have yards with grass, not like in the crowded big city. He told me about something called “snow” and said I would like playing in it. I’m not sure about this snow thing, so will have to take his word for it.

Most important, everyone told me that St. Louis is where I will find my humans for life.

My likes and dislikes Are you my human? Let me tell you some things I like so you can see if you are.

I love food. I will do anything for food!

I like chew toys and playing tug of war.

I don’t like to be left alone, but other than that I’m brave. I’m not scared of any kind of people, other dogs or even blow dryers!

I like going for walks and swimming in the sea.

I like just hanging out, especially with boy humans.

I love to hear my name. Every time someone says, “Eric,” I can’t help but to look at them!

Most of all, I love people.

Sometimes I’m so happy I forget I’m not supposed to jump on or put my mouth around people. I’ll try to remember!

Message from my auntie

Special thanks to

My Aunt Carrie asked me to tell you this:

Lifelong Animal Protection Charity (LAP) for taking me in when I found myself abandoned and homeless once again. All the LAP volunteers who put up with my jumping, mouthing and antics and showered me with love.

“Erickson is a loving and highly intelligent young dog. He is always happy and brightens the day of everyone he meets! He has gained nearly 15 pounds since he was surrendered to the shelter here in Hong Kong and can stand to continue to put on lean muscle mass.

“At the moment, Eric’s boisterous nature may not be right for very young children, but he is easy to train and with the right gentle leadership will be a loyal and fun companion as either a one-person or family dog.

“Eric is house-trained, but can still have accidents if under stress in new situations or from being left alone. This is totally understandable given his history, and I’m confident that he will be fine once he feels secure in a permanent home.

“Eric loves cuddles. He loves to play. He loves treats. I am sending him to St. Louis with all my love and the best wishes of all his friends in Hong Kong for a happy life. Erickson is a very special dog and whoever ends up with him will be very lucky indeed!”

Thanks, Aunt Carrie. I hope I find my humans soon!

My foster uncles and auntie Brian Lam, Jonathan Katz and Carrie Cheung for opening their doors and hearts to me and for walking, cuddling and feeding me every day. Connie Yuen for taking me out on adventures and for illustrating this book. Bruce Shu for ghost-writing my story.

Fanny Liang, pet travel consultant at Pet Holidays, for arranging my travel pro bono. Lorries Cheung, Gary Cheung and other kind people for buying my plane ticket. An anonymous Labrador retriever for giving me his airline crate after he finished using it for a vacation to Japan.

Francine Katz for picking me up at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, giving me a bath and kisses and driving me 300 miles to St. Louis. Kathy Warnick and all my new friends at the Human Society of Missouri for helping me to find my forever home.

It’s hard to believe that so many humans care so much about me now.

People have given their time, energy and financial donations so that I can have a better life. I may not fully comprehend the concept of gratitude, since I am a dog after all, but I certainly feel the tremendous love and caring around me! Love you all!

Note to Erickson’s future family When you welcomed Eric to your home, he brought with him the best wishes and hopes of the many humans he has already touched in his life.

Please help us to finish this book by telling us about you and Eric’s new life. Contact us by email at msmao@maoshanc.com. We will complete the storybook with new illustrations.

Wishing you all the very best with our special friend Eric at your side!

Printed in Hong Kong August 2018