By Jay Scott Kanes

Mimi, a tiny dog living on Lamma Island in Hong Kong, teaches every human she encounters valuable lessons on how best to deal with life's hard knocks.

“She really does,” said Sheila McClelland, who directs Lamma Animal Protection (LAP), an animal-welfare charity. The 18-month-old mini-Pomeranian came into Sheila's care earlier this year.

Injured in an attack by a larger canine, the jet-black, silky dog suffered paralysis in her hindquarters. Mimi's owners weren't sure how to care for her so Sheila took the task.

Little more than ankle-high, Mimi inspires with a remarkably chipper personality and can-do attitude. Misplaced pity when meeting her evaporates as she refuses to show dismay or regrets.

“She's delightfully good-spirited, well-behaved and gentle,” Sheila said.

I encountered Sheila, together with Mimi and several other LAP dogs, on a small beach. Equipped with a wheeled frame to support her inert rear legs, Mimi yipped gleefully while racing across the sand, into the ocean and back.

Homeward bound, Mimi set the pace uphill. Her front legs pounded the path, and wheels churned. As I jogged ahead to photograph this tiny miracle, she accelerated, and I needed an all-out sprint to overtake the mini-dog. I aimed my camera, but the target moved too fast, tough to keep in-frame. At best, she appeared as a dark blur.

Always active, Mimi resides at Sheila's hillside home along with more than 20 dogs and 15 cats, most awaiting adoption. Mimi's the smallest, except for kittens. She also needs the most care. Paralysis renders her unable to control urination. Four times a day, Sheila or her assistant, Lyn Penaflorido, carries Mimi to a chosen spot and squeezes the tiny dog's rear torso, manually emptying her bladder.

Mimi returns all favors with her affection and positive outlook. Even without wheels, Mimi drags her back-legs across smooth floor tiles fast enough to stay at Sheila's heels. Sometimes she pauses to wrestle with a cat, and they grapple until Mimi realizes that Sheila has moved elsewhere. Then the tiny dog scoots in pursuit.

Technically, Mimi's available for adoption, like other LAP animals. But Sheila plans to keep this tiny companion. “Mimi would need a remarkable family,” she said. “Most people lack the time to give her adequate care and affection.”

Sheila's proud of Mimi, the small dog with a giant spirit. And truthfully, Mimi may be the most cheerful dog in Hong Kong.

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Young Mimi's 'delightfully good spirited'.


Sheila joins Mimi at the beach.


A time comes to beachcomb.


Mimi's rear wheels work even on sand.


Two buddies join Mimi in a pose.


Mimi (right) supervises kitten care.

Here come the many poses of Mimi....