Bakai's Story

Bakai Glad was born around August 1, 2006, in Southwest China. Bakai’s birth family was an indigenous minority, probably Miao, living in the mountains of Guizhou Province. When Bakai was six weeks old, his owner took him to the market held weekly in Bakai, China. A chance encounter with his current owner would forever influence his life. Mike Glad was walking through this market and spotted Bakai poking his head out of a cage. Mike took this picture because he felt empathy for the pup. About an hour later, Mike returned to the bridge entrance to this small market. Bakai was still available and had continued to push on the bamboo confines. Mike decided to take action and through some difficult negotiations bought Bakai for $5.00. Bakai’s name was selected to remind him of his ancestry. It is rumored he responds better to Mandarin commands. (He certainly doesn’t listen to English.)

Bakai’s journey to the United States took on many difficulties. First Bakai needed a passport and shots. His first flight from Guiyang to Hunan Province was uneventful. However, on the next leg to Bangkok, the airline pulled Bakai from the plane and separated his new owner from him. Thankfully Mike’s conscientious Chinese guide got a traveling doctor to take Bakai to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Through interpreters Mike secured help from the Thailand Airlines airfreight office to continue Bakai’s journey. Nearly 36 hours after separation, Bakai again joined Mike in Bangkok, as a tired, hungry and dirty puppy. Ten days later, the rest of this travel saga skips forward with stopovers in Singapore and Hong Kong, finally arriving in San Francisco. When at last Mike heard Bakai’s yelps in immigration, anxious feelings became relief. Bakai now resides in both Fremont, CA. and Modesto, CA. He is often seen running down the street being chased by his owners Mike or Jeanne Glad.