Another forgotten Mama Dog?

[red dog]

* Name: Hwinsuni or Rapunzel

* City/Location: Ms. Jung's new shelter, Daejeon Paws, located near the Galma subway station

* Breed: Jindo (mix?)

* Sex: Female

* Spayed: Not yet, but this is a condition of adoption

* Age: Adult, maybe 4-6 years old

* Size: Rapunzel is a bit smaller than average for a Jindo, so medium sized--but definitely a big dog by Korean standards

* Health status/ vaccinations: Rapunzel/Hwinsuni is healthy, heartworm negative and up to date on DHHPL. (Adopters should talk with their vets about other shots.)

* Behaviour/personality: Hwinsuni is shy and a bit touch-sensitive, but she's a nice dog who walks well on a leash and is quite friendly even when she's intimidated by a group of strange visitors. She shares a pen with her daughter, Angel, and they get along fine.

* Rescue story: Ms. Jung rescued more than a dozen Jindos between 2005 and 2007--she says all the Jindos currently at Daejeon Paws were going to be turned into meat.

Even with help from Sylvia, it's hard to keep track of all Ms. Jung's Jindo rescue stories. One group of Jindo dogs was being loaded onto a truck on the way to a dog market when Ms. Jung intervened; another group was already on the truck; other dogs were already in the hands of dog meat traders or in danger of being sold to dog meat traders. From what I understand, Rapunzel was on the way to slaughter along with two or three puppies. It's hard to be sure if she and those other dogs are biologically related, but Ms. Jung refers to her as their mother.

The Jindo dog is Korean National Treasure No. 53, and this national treasure has been waiting for a home most of her life. If you aren't in a position to adopt, please consider fostering.

* Adoption fee for domestic adopters: 50,000 won (to be donated to Daejeon PAWS)

* Domestic adoption procedure: See How to Adopt (http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/index.php?pageid=how-to-adopt) section, follow all instructions there, and fill out an application. Please send it to nationaltreasuresneedhomes (at) gmail.com.

* International applicants: Please check back for more information soon. The procedure may be stricter because we will need to be very sure about you.

For more information about Jindo dogs, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Jindo and all the linked sites.

Here’s some information about Jindo behaviour and the kind of home these dogs need:

Characteristics of a Jindo: http://www.treasuredk9s.org/KoreanJindo/CharacteristicsofaJindo/tabid/56/Default.aspx

Benefits and challenges: http://www.jindoproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4:benefits-and-challenges-of-owning-a-jindo-&catid=4:education&Itemid=4

Jindo Tales: http://www.jindotales.com/

In 2010 ARK had some amazing Jindo success stories. The following Jindos are either adopted or in foster care with adoptions pending:

Hey (formerly Britney/Baeksuni): http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3684

Jinger: http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4156&page=5 and http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4186

Copper: http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4777&highlight=copper

Tanpoong (formerly Boksil): http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3622

* Photo credit: Hamish took this picture of Hwinsuni/Rapunzel at Daejeon Paws on January 29, 2011. More of Hamish's great photography and footage from the trip is on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2104981&id=1329574207), Shutterfly (http://arkhamish.shutterfly.com/pictures) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/hamiekorea). Thanks also go to Brown for providing the other beautiful pictures in this thread and more information about Rapunzel/Hwinsuni's personality.

[red dog]

I think Rapunzel is on the left and Angel is on the right in this picture. Brown has promised to send me some nicer pictures, and when she does I'll change the thumbnail.

[Brown]

Hwinsuni is a sweet and friendly dog who has been living in a tiny cage for a long time. She LOVES to go for walks and has been a bit stubborn about going back in her cage afterwards - not that I blame her of course! She is very strong, but doesn't pull much on the leash, even when first getting out of her cage - I have been able to walk her alongside other large dogs with both leashes in one hand. As you can see from the bum-sniffing picture of Hwinsuni and Copper (sorry, but all the other pictures I have of the two of them together are of their butts - this was the only one with both their faces), Hwinsuni gets along fine with other dogs. She was the dog that made friends with Cutie Pie through the cage mesh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBOfAmOmtbA

and never showed any aggression to the little yappy dog in the cage next to hers, so I would guess she is fine with most dogs, regardless of size.
Please give her a chance to run around and show you what a great companion she could be.

[Brown]

I think Rapunzel is on the left and Angel is on the right in this picture. Brown has promised to send me some nicer pictures, and when she does I'll change the thumbnails.

Our posts overlapped :) Here are a couple more pics.

[red dog]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures! So she's fine with humans, not touch sensitive at all?

[Brown]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures! So she's fine with humans, not touch sensitive at all?
She was always fine letting me touch her when we were out walking, although I didn't pet her much - didn't want to disturb her sniffing time - but she did growl a little sometimes when I lifted her back in her cage. I'm not sure how much of that was being touch sensitive (having her haunches and chest touched), or whether she just really, really didn't want to get back in her cage. She was so excited to get out, she wet herself a couple of times when I opened her cage door - she loves to walk and would make a great hiking companion.

[red dog]

She was always fine letting me touch her when we were out walking, although I didn't pet her much - didn't want to disturb her sniffing time - but she did growl a little sometimes when I lifted her back in her cage. I'm not sure how much of that was being touch sensitive (having her haunches and chest touched), or whether she just really, really didn't want to get back in her cage. She was so excited to get out, she wet herself a couple of times when I opened her cage door - she loves to walk and would make a great hiking companion.

Thanks for this information. In that case, I'd like to encourage volunteers to take her out for walks and will try to walk her myself too--but I'll ask Ms. Jung to leash her up and put her back.

[Daisy95]

My little Jinger lets out little growls too and sometimes still does. She has never bitten at all, but it's just her way of saying "Hey, back off I don't care for that or I'm scared" But she has never even come close to biting. She never growls at me anymore but does to strangers.

[red dog]

My little Jinger lets out little growls too and sometimes still does. She has never bitten at all, but it's just her way of saying "Hey, back off I don't care for that or I'm scared" But she has never even come close to biting. She never growls at me anymore but does to strangers.

Bangsiri and Pedro do that too, and I trust them 100 percent not to bite. I just don't know Rapunzel very well yet, so I'd rather be careful and ask Ms. Jung for help at first because all the dogs know her and she's used to handling them. Hopefully Ms. Jung will get more volunteers and/or foster parents soon, and we'll be in a position to give out more reliable information about all the Jindos.

[Daisy95]

I agree it's better to be safe. Jindo's are very loyal dogs. Jinger trusts me now 100% but they make you earn that trust :)

[Brown]

Thanks for this information. In that case, I'd like to encourage volunteers to take her out for walks and will try to walk her myself too--but I'll ask Ms. Jung to leash her up and put her back.

Hwinsuni understands that leashing her means she is going for a walk, and has never shown anything other than excitement about that. She NEVER growled at me when I lifted her OUT of the cage :) - it's just the going back in part she hates.

[red dog]

Thanks for this information. I hope we can organize a volunteer trip soon.

[red dog]

I've heard the Jindos are happier since they moved back to Daejeon and that Rapunzel is taking good care of Angel. I hope to have more pictures and an update soon.

[red dog]

Walked Rapunzel with no problem yesterday. She's a great dog.

[red dog]

The vet who is helping Ms. Jung has everything he needs to do the blood tests on all the Jindos--but there was a snowstorm on the day he was going to visit the shelter. We should know more about this girl's health status by the weekend.

[giantsfan24]

I know the adoption cost is 50,000 Won(which is about 44 USD) but how much to get her 'prepped' for a US adoption, including air fare to ship her to southern california and any vet costs?

[red dog]

Thanks for your interest! Rapunzel's health check-up is scheduled this weekend, so we'll know by then if she needs treatment for any health problem. Assuming she doesn't, she'll need her rabies shot, spay surgery, a crate and health certificate before going home. It's hard to say how much it might come to but I'd estimate the flight would cost at least $1,000.

I'd love to see her get a good home, but before doing an international adoption we'd have to be very sure it was a good fit because we wouldn't be able to take her back if the adoption didn't work out.

Have you tried contacting this group (http://jindoproject.org/)? It's based in California and there seem to be quite a lot of homeless Jindos there. Ideally we could work with them to place some of our angels, but I don't know if they'd agree to it.

[giantsfan24]

Wow $1000...I know that's what a passenger(read human) ticket might cost but a cargo ticket should be considerably less expensive. Well, if it turns out that is what cargo would cost, I would not mind being put on some sort of courier list if you have one(as in the person would declare it as their cargo and so save money). I of course would pay the cost and labor involved. If you know of any traveler from Korea going to the States who you think would be comfortable doing this, PLEASE let me know.

To answer all three of your posted replies(thank you for getting back so quickly)...yes, I know jindoproject.org quite well. In fact I was all set to adopt Kings Lee but my move to a new place took longer than expected and by the time I was ready, he was adopted 2 weeks prior(completely my fault, as I was the one holding up the adoption).

Yeah, it seams, especially in so cal, to be a little uncommon for there to be so few Jindos but such is the case.

Personally, I love this breed so much that given all things equal, would prefer to rescue from Korea since it seams they are less likely to be adopted over there and there is probably a purer bloodline. Again, if you get any further info on cargo costs or a courier service, please let me know.

[AsR]

Unfortunately it does cost over $1000 to ship a Jindo her size as cargo (unaccompanied). I just shipped my 2 from Korea to the US (one with me as "excess baggage" and one unaccompanied as cargo. Sheila, who I shipped unaccompanied and who is about the same size as Rapunzel, cost about $1600 for her airline ticket, crate, vaccinations, etc. Joey, who I took on my flight, was a total of about $370 ($260 for the airline fee + $10 for export certificate) and about $100 for a large-sized crate.

I don't in any way want to discourage you from adopting, but that is the reality of the transportation prices for a dog her size.

[red dog]

Thanks for the information, AsR. I know it can be quite expensive for one dog to fly individually, but sometimes rescuers have a group of dogs shipped together to save on costs. I've sent a message to the Jindo Project to see if there's any way they could help coordinate an international adoption, and I hope they'll get back to me. It seems risky to place a dog overseas with someone we don't know--I'd feel much better if we had a local contact who could do the home check and provide back-up in the event that things didn't work out.

[giantsfan24]

Yeah, the Jindo Project seams to be the most active but right now, with seamingly no Jindos, not much they can do for me here. What I can do is post any info you want me to post on various Jindo rescue facebook pages and maybe we could coordinate a multidog shipment. From what it sounds like, there are at least 3 that seam to be ready for a home. The least financially risky option is to find 1 or a group of people willing to claim a Jindo as their own cargo(paid by us).

Go ahead and give me all the contact info you want and I'll post it on a few facebook pages over here.

[red dog]

Hwinsuni is healthy and heartworm negative. I hope she can be spayed soon in preparation for adoption.

[giantsfan24]

Awesome, now all we need is a courier or to steal the beamer from star trek to get her over here :) If we can make it happen, she/ or Brownie has a home in so cal waiting for her for now(I am still searching so cal for Jindos)

[Daisy95]

giantsfan this is AWESOME! I didn't realize there were any Jindo rescue's groups in the United States. I was thinking over the weekend about trying to find some home's for these guys in the US because they have been in the shelters so long over here :(

[giantsfan24]

Well yes and no. I would be the home to either Brownie or Hwinsuni(maybe kangaroo). The only Jindo Rescues that may be able to help is jindoproject.org or treasuredk9s.org

If you can arrange an economical way to get them over here, I can guarantee at least 1 home right now(me).

[red dog]

Giantsfan24, thanks for your continued interest. I have really gotten sidetracked lately but I'm hoping we can still make this happen. I never heard back from the Jindo Project despite several attempts to contact them, but I've been meaning to talk to Kristen from TreasuredK9s. Unfortunately it's going to be difficult to organize a mass rescue because they just don't have enough foster homes, so if you were to adopt a Jindo from the States you'd have to pay around 1.2 million to 1.4 million won to have her shipped out to you. Otherwise, as you say we'd have to look for a courier. Are you near LA airport?

[giantsfan24]

Yes, I am within 45 min of almost any airport in southern california, including LAX.

Yeah, I knew the mass rescue thing probably wouldn't work. I just posted for a courier in the pet travel section. It makes no sense. I costs them(the airline) just as much to ship as cargo as it does to have someone claim it as luggage yet they charge 3-4 times the price. But, it is what it is so hopefully a reputable courier will show up.

[red dog]

Thanks, and remember there is also an application and screening process. Even though I was unsuccessful in contacting the Jindo Project, their procedure looks like a thorough one:

http://www.jindoproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=7

Here's the Treasured K9 adoption page:

http://www.treasuredk9s.org/About/AdoptionProcess/tabid/67/Default.aspx

I will speak to some experienced Jindo people about the best way to proceed in a case like this, and in the meantime thanks for looking for a courier.

[red dog]

I saw this sweetie yesterday and she was a bit wary of all the visitors, but she was curious and approached us carefully before wagging her tail for us. I took her for a walk and she's quite good on a leash--no real pulling or trying to escape.

She is touch-sensitive and gave me a warning when I was petting her around the mouth, though. When Hamish petted her too suddenly, she yelped. Obviously this is not an uncontrollable problem that should prevent her from getting adopted and living a normal life, but it's something to be aware of and probably means she needs an adult-only home.

http://www.youtube.com/hamiekorea#p/u/35/lxPySu3wHRM

http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/../gallery/files/4/2/hwinsuni-rapunzel-jan-2011.jpg

[red dog]

I've done my best to clean up the original post in this thread (fixing broken links, replacing outdated photo credits) so that it's as informative and up to date as possible. I hope I've struck the right balance between promoting the Jindos in their best light and making potential adopters aware that they're going to need to be 110 percent committed to their new family member. The adoption success stories show that these dogs can adjust to indoor life even after many years in less than ideal conditions, but all the adopters who took them home are extremely devoted.

Anyway, I hope these threads aren't getting too cluttered or turning into teal deer. Please share the links and help our beautiful Jindo friends get real homes.

[red dog]

Hwinsuni: http://www.youtube.com/hamiekorea#p/u/42/1GlM1NCYFPA, http://www.youtube.com/hamiekorea#p/u/53/7-2T093jEug and http://www.youtube.com/hamiekorea#p/u/54/Y_YyRAAJe8A (with her daughter Angel in the back)

[lcavegirl]

Hwansuni was much more social with me today! She was very eager for her walk today, compared to when I went a couple of weeks ago. She is really good on the leash...but she doesn't like being touched when she is on the leash...she had gotten into some pine needles and I went to brush them off and she didn't like that, she didn't bite...but she told me that she didn't want any of it. I think with more socialization she will begin to let people touch her more.

[annie]

http://i52.tinypic.com/eqs4md.jpg

Picture - kfulton

[giantsfan24]

Awe!!!

[lcavegirl]

A pic from yesterdays trip to Daejeon Paws!

[Beckitiny]

I've been walking the jindos for the last four weeks. I only go during the week as I only have time during weekdays. I was wondering are all the Jindos out the back up for fostering and/or adoption? I spend about 2-3 hours there but my korean isn't very good at all so commnication is sometimes a problem but that doesn't worry me. Earlier in this thread it mentioned about finding out about the health of all the Jindos - does anyone have any idea?

[lcavegirl]

I've been walking the jindos for the last four weeks. I only go during the week as I only have time during weekdays. I was wondering are all the Jindos out the back up for fostering and/or adoption? I spend about 2-3 hours there but my korean isn't very good at all so commnication is sometimes a problem but that doesn't worry me. Earlier in this thread it mentioned about finding out about the health of all the Jindos - does anyone have any idea?

Thank you so much for walking them during the week! Yes all the jindos are up for adoption/fostering. But remember that Vanilla and Samsuni must be the only dogs in the household as they are very aggressive towards other dogs. I believe that they have all had health checks and Cody (the first one on the back wall next to the DP building) is the only one who has heartworm, so we should really try to get on fundraising for her so that she can start treatment. I believe that all the jindos have received the necessary vaccines, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Beckitiny]

thanks again. Although I've been there for 4 weeks names are still a weakness! I wouldnt be able to adopt and honestly I would like a trial run of one week - just to see if the dog can warm to me - I know relationships take time to develop but (much longer than a week) but I am really worried about the dog being alone in the apartment and how he/she would cope with this siutuation. Exercising her/him twice a day is no problem. Do you think a trial would be possible? I previously filled in an application form for a cat but have had difficulties getting to Asan so I ended up going to Paws and fell inlove with the dog in the corner at the back and the first Jindo on the right as you enter the Jindo kennel area.

[Brown]

All of them should be up-to-date with their DHLPP vaccine (although have probably never been vaccinated against rabies), and all have been vetted recently. As lcavegirl says, Cody has early stage heart-worm, which is very treatable, but the others are all seemingly healthy. They do need to be spayed (Kangaroo, the only male, is already neutered).
They have spent years in shelters, so if you can foster or adopt one that would be amazing. Before you take one home, though, I would go to the shelter with a volunteer who can definitely identify the dogs for you in case it is Vanilla or Samsuni you are thinking about taking in - both are lovely with people, but neither can be trusted around other dogs. Samsuni has part of her ear missing and, I assume, a big scar around her mouth (from a fight a few months ago); Vanilla is fluffier than the others (I think maybe she is a mix - jindo/samoyed or something like that).

[Beckitiny]

Than k you for taking the time to reply. The two are Vanilla and Samsuni. I have a two room apt so I'm hoping either one would be able to adjust. I will definately have someone go with me prior to fostering just to confirm and help with translation etc. I'm going up there again today I didnt go there for four days last week and then when I went on Tuesday there were 3 more dogs! She really has a heart of gold.

[red dog]

I'm sorry for the late reply but thank you for offering to foster Vanilla or Samsuni!!! You're only taking one of them, not both, right? Either dog would have to be the only nonhuman in the household and you'd have to be very careful when taking her out for walks ... I even wonder if muzzling might be a good idea (although we haven't done it so far)?

So you have no other animals at home, right? Have you contacted Sylvia yet? She would be a good person to talk to and could help you communicate with Ms. Jung.

It will be so great if Vanilla or Samsuni gets a real home. :)

[red dog]

Than k you for taking the time to reply. The two are Vanilla and Samsuni. I have a two room apt so I'm hoping either one would be able to adjust. I will definately have someone go with me prior to fostering just to confirm and help with translation etc. I'm going up there again today I didnt go there for four days last week and then when I went on Tuesday there were 3 more dogs! She really has a heart of gold.

Have you filled out a fostering application or talked to anyone about fostering?

[Daisy95]

This would be fantastic!

They may "improve" some when out of the shelter. At least enough to take walks outside. I don't think they will ever be able to live with another animal.

When you say there were Three More Dogs there, were they big dogs? Jindos?

[red dog]

When you say there were Three More Dogs there, were they big dogs? Jindos?

I'd like to know that too ... Daisy95, you were at Daejeon Paws recently, weren't you? Did you see any new dogs?

[Daisy95]

No, I didn't get to go my car is having issues. The last time I was there, there weren't any other Jindo's or big dogs.

[Beckitiny]

There was a puppy jindo (3months) and one that had been neutered - both of those dogs weren't there the previous three weeks that I had been volunteering. It was the first time that I had seen them.

I have previously filled in an application form, I have thought, re-thought, message people to the point of annoyance and thought some more. I would be able to take any animal until after April 30th as family are visiting and I will be travelling between Daejeon and Cheong ju Frequently. Except having your own car - is there any other way you can transport animals around Korea? In the UK you can just take them on a bus, but clearly with a jindo that is not an option. I'm going to Paws again tomorrow. I'm still clearly torn between a cat and the Jindos. I know they are completly different and needs are different lifestyles are different but I'm not sure how much they would really improve. They do get a lot of love from Mrs Jung and I know any sort of training may take a long long time (having spoke to a number of people) because they are already 3/4. I couldn't adopt because of the quarantine cost etc....Honestly I just think that because I am over analysing, I should do what I know I can do and foster a cat and just continue volunteering - at least I can still help both where as if I fostered a Jindo I wouldn't have time to walk my jindo and travel to Galma.

[jejudogs]

Any updates on this sweetheart?

[Beckitiny]

I went to the shelter yesterday and walked most ofthe Jindos. They seem great - the weather getting warmer doesnt help but they all seem happy enough. One of the smaller dogs gave birth on Monday to 8 pups. As well as that Mrs Jung has rescued a kitten (she explained she had no mother) and another cat although I'm not sure why she has the second cat (about 1 year - although I never can tell with strays). The kitten is so tiny! The smaller dogs seem much happier now they have a bigger space so roam with some of the dogs going upstaires.

I did take one of the jindos out and after about 10 minutes she lay down and wouldn't move! It was quite amusing I guess the heat is starting to get to them - It was really cool in the forest.

[Scottlt]

I am looking for a younger Jindo can anyone help me?:confused:

[red dog]

Have you seen the thread for Campbell's (http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5499)? (What a silly name!)

[Karen]

Any updates about Hwinsuni?

[Karen]

Hi all,

Just to let you know that I've moved this thread into the Volunteering forum because there have not been any new updates about Hwinsuni, however this thread contains a lot of good information about Jindo rescues in the United States, shipping dogs overseas, and Mrs. Jung's private shelter in Daejeon, where Hwinsuni lives.

If a volunteer has visited Daejeon Paws Shelter recently, please start a new thread for Hwinsuni... feel free copy some of the information posted here previously. Thanks!

[red dog]

I'm really sorry I let the thread expire. I'm pretty sure Hwinsuni and her sisters, brother and daughter are all still at Daejeon Paws and need homes, but I'm wary of taking any out of town trips right now. I really hope someone will consider them ... so sad to see them getting older at the shelter ...

[Karen]

Hi red dog,

No problem, I understand you live really far from them. Hopefully someone in or near Daejeon can get volunteer trips to Daejeon Paws shelter going on a more regular basis. Fingers crossed!