Zi Yin and her sisters had always wanted a puppy. When the time came for a little addition to their family, they did their research beforehand to make sure they were well-prepared.
Zi Yin knew she wanted a Pomeranian, so she set about looking for a breeder. “We were careful to source someone who was responsible as we were told that small breeds are prone to chronic health problems,” she tells FMT.
After months of searching, Zi Yin found a breeder and fell in love with one pup in particular. She decided to name her little bundle of joy Man Tao.
The one-year-old pooch may seem tame and approachable on the outside but don’t be fooled – Man Tao is ever-ready to attack, especially anyone who messes with her family.
“She is fiercely protective of her owners,” Zi Yin says fondly.
Man Tao’s attachment to her humans also makes leaving her alone very difficult. And when she’s not busy being a bodyguard, the perky pup is full of curiosity, has a taste for adventure and loves to explore new things.
As feisty as she can be, Man Tao has her fair share of fears. According to Zi Yin, Man Tao is terribly afraid of heights and “can’t even walk down the stairs”.
She is also afraid of water, and although they have tried to get her to overcome it, Man Tao absolutely does not like swimming.
Curiously, another item that Man Tao is absolutely terrified of is a soft toy in the shape of bread. Zi Yin and her family can’t figure out why.
This cheeky hound is very active and enjoys going for short walks and hikes with her human family. “She also loves to play in the grass and play fetch,” Zi Yin shares.
Of course, being so young, Man Tao does get a little naughty – she enjoys stealing her humans’ slippers and hiding them.
“She also likes to steal any cloth or tissues she finds around the house,” Zi Yin adds.
After a day of playing outdoors and being mischievous, nothing beats taking a nice, long nap in an air-conditioned room.
“She has her own dog bed but she prefers to sleep under our beds, chairs and even cupboards”, where she can dream of all the mischief she can get up to the next day, Zi Yin says.
Although she is small, Man Tao has a huge appetite and especially loves to eat hard-boiled eggs and boiled chicken, as well as fresh fruit.
“Her favourites are mangoes, apples and dragonfruit,” Zi Yin shares, adding that her Pomerianian companion also enjoys yoghurt.
Man Tao knows tricks such as spin, sit and high-five, but the one trick she has perfected is what Zi Yin calls “bang bang”.
“If we point a gun at her using our hands, she will actually lay flat and pretend to be dead,” Zi Yin laughs.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.