Today we’d like to introduce you to Dina Ho.
Hi Dina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I want to say my hobby of taking in stray animals from the street started when I found my dog in someone’s garbage 10 year ago. There he was, the most disgusting little thing I’ve ever seen, and I loved him immediately! I’ve always known the animal overpopulation problem in Houston, but I didn’t really think much of it except that there was a problem and I acknowledged that it existed.
Way later in life, I stumbled upon a gray dog laying in the bushes. She was trying to keep her newborn babies warm in her lap and next to her was some of her babies that didn’t make it. It looked like she had dug them a shallow grave. So I stood there and started to cry because it seemed like the sane thing to do in that moment and then I took her home with me.
After that day, I started fostering, capturing all of cuteness, and eventually posting their day to day activities. It’s absolutely wild the following I’ve accumulated in the past few years. They watch my fosters come into my home, grow, play, sleep, mess things up around my house, me yelling their name with some added profanity, and leave for their new adventure.
Obviously, the hardest part of fostering is saying bye to the cute little puppy that’s been licking your face for the past 4-8 weeks. I usually have to carry that sadness alone but NOW! I get to share the sadness with 300k people. 😉
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth rode is such an understatement. This road has been paved with aggressively adorable things such as: puppy kisses, tiny barks, yawns where they stick their tongue out, and little paws we like to call toe beans.
Imagine a baby animal valentines day card in real life.
I’m just kidding. Fostering is not for the faint of heart. The history of these animals are unclear and you don’t know what they’ve been through before they were placed in your home, so I always keep that in mind.
The worst thing that I experienced was losing one of my fosters to distemper. She was on a slow decline since the day the vet told me she was going to die. On her last day, I woke up and she climbed on top of my chest to lay (she’s 3lbs). She made a little squeaked, looked at me, licked my face, and laid back down on my chest. 15 mins later she had a seizure. I can’t tell you what I was feeling but I just rocked her until the seizure was over. Then we drove to the vet. I got her a piece of fried chicken from KFC and she licked it with her tail wagging a little. Finally at the vet, I held her till she drew her last breath.
It’s safe to say that I was crying uncontrollably the entire time. It was hard for me to imagine doing that again but there really is so many animals day to day that needed help, I eventually started fostering again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
It’s very simple. I foster a puppy in need and show their day to day life with me. That’s basically it. It’s an endorphin overload.
I think I’m known for my endearing content but that’s definitely not a bad thing to be recognized for. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the massive following I have acquired by just doing my normal day to day.
I am most proud of the pups I am able to help. They usually come to me sick and beaten down. They leave me ready to chew some baseboards and pee in inappropriate places, and I am overjoyed by their manifestation.
I feel like what sets me apart from others is that I live in a revolving door of chaotic cuteness. I have no idea what is going to happen but I’m here for the excitement and am willing to share that with whoever wants to see it.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I couldn’t have done any of this without the organizations that were able to take in these animals. They provide the food, supplies, and medical care that these animals needed. It takes a part of the worry away for me as their caretaker. When it’s time for them to find a forever home these organizations step in and place them in the right home.
My favorite organization to foster for is the Houston SPCA.
Everything you need for your pet is provided in-house and their foster department does a great job at communicating with you.
Contact Info:
- Email: diem.pawrudd@gmail.com
- Website: www.pawrudd.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pawruddd
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pawruddd
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pawrudd
