From auction block to loving home: China netizens remember celebrity dog’s heartwarming journey

China’s first abandoned dog, Deng Deng, who was famously sold at judicial auction, recently died after spending five joyous years in his new home. He is fondly remembered on social media.The owner of the 13-year-old Shiba Inu, identified as Shu, announced Deng Deng’s death on April 7 via a heartfelt social media post.“The dog auctioned for 160,000 yuan (US$23,000) has peacefully returned to the doggy planet, surrounded by his loving family. I hope everyone remembers him with thoughts of ‘love,’” Shu expressed.Many took to social media to bid farewell to Deng Deng, reminiscing about his extraordinary life as China’s first abandoned dog who underwent a judicial auction.Many took to social media to honour Deng Deng, reminiscing about his extraordinary life as China’s first abandoned dog, who was sold at a judicial auction. Photo: mp.weixin.qq.comIn 2018, a Beijing court decided to auction him off to settle a debt owed by his previous owner to a pet school. This man, identified only by the surname Xiao, had abandoned Deng Deng at the school in 2014 when he was just one year old, having only paid for one year’s fees before vanishing.After several failed attempts to contact him, the pet school had no choice but to take the matter to court. Despite efforts, the court could not reach Xiao either and ultimately decided to auction off the dog. The event attracted over 2,600 registrants, with 300,000 people following it closely.In 2018, a Beijing court decided to auction him off to settle a debt owed by his previous owner to a pet school. Photo: mp.weixin.qq.comJust moments before the auction, Xiao called from the US, claiming he had lost contact information for the pet school. He promptly paid the more than 60,000-yuan (US$8,800) debt and promised to collect Deng Deng by Christmas, but then disappeared again.In 2021, Deng Deng was put up for auction once more, this time with an opening bid of 500 yuan. A total of 480 participants submitted bids, resulting in 664 offers, and Deng Deng was finally sold for 160,010 yuan.His new owner, an ordinary office worker from Shenzhen in southern China, over 2,000 km away from the pet school, felt compelled to adopt Deng Deng due to his fame and feared he might end up being exploited by live-streaming companies. He kept his bidding strategy modest, only increasing his bid by 10 yuan (US$1.5) at a time, and had to borrow money to finalise the purchase.The devoted owner fulfilled his promise and provided Deng Deng with a nurturing home, often updating followers online with stories of Deng Deng’s health and happiness. Photo: mp.weixin.qq.comThe court settled Xiao’s outstanding 40,000-yuan debt to the pet school with the auction proceeds and returned the remainder to Xiao, as Deng Deng’s original owner. This decision drew criticism from online observers and Shu alike, but nothing could be changed.Further ReadingShu fulfilled his promise and provided Deng Deng with a loving home. He often updated followers online, showcasing Deng Deng’s health and happiness.In his announcement of Deng Deng’s passing, Shu shared a poignant reflection from the dog’s perspective:“I have seen mountains and seas. I have fallen asleep in the arms of those who loved me. I have experienced the sweetness and bitterness of love and have been at the mercy of fate. Now, I embrace love in its entirety.”Deng Deng died in the arms of those who loved him after experiencing the sweetness and sorrow of love, finding himself at the mercy of fate. Photo: mp.weixin.qq.com“Sending my best wishes to everyone on the blue planet. Please cherish peace and love.”Many remembered Deng Deng fondly and expressed gratitude to Shu for providing such a fulfilling life.“Deng Deng’s wait was not in vain. He spent his final days with those who truly loved him,” one commented.“I always felt that Deng Deng was happy with Shu’s family even if he did not post videos often,” another added.