Wang Yan bought a dog slaughterhouse and turned it into a shelter

[Cibach]

When my Dad was a young officer in the Merchant Navy his ship would often call into Hong Kong. One day he found himself outside what he thought was a pet shop, but was horrified to discover that it was a butcher shop with all the animals still alive and on show. There was one small dog, terrified and in a panic, so on the spur of the moment, he went in and bought it. He paid by the pound, but was insistent that the dog be alive. He took him back to his ship and introduced him to the captain who was moved by the tale and Taffy, as they called him, became a  member of the ship's compliment. He travelled the world with my Dad for about 5 years and was a firm favourite with all who met him. He mellowed into a relaxed and friendly dog. He was very firmly attached to my Dad. In those days animals had to spend 6 months in quarantine if they were to enter the UK and the time came for my Dad to come ashore and take exams to become a ship's master. He strongly felt that 6 months would be far too long for Taffy to be "locked" up as he was used to the run of the ship, and it would have proved very difficult to visit him.
During his travels in the far East my Dad and his fellow officers had always been made welcome by any American forces that they encountered and Dad had made good friends with an American Air Officer who had a family of 2 small children who loved Taffy. So he offered Taffy to this family and they jumped at the chance.
Dad told us how his heart lurched as he saw Taffy lead down the gangplank by his friend. Taffy turned to look back and wagged his tail and was then greeted with squeals of delight by the children, and was clearly happy in their company.
Years later Dad heard that Taffy had returned to the States with the family and lived out his life in the countryside of Montana.
Not a bad life for a poor little butcher shop dog. He travelled the world on ship, and then settled to retirement in the countryside.
Dad often told us this story, not for praise for saving Taffy, but because he felt guilty about having to leave the other animals behind. He said he could still hear the noise of the animals in that shop.