Who are you calling ugly? Wonky-faced dog called Alan becomes a TikTok star after his besotted owner posts goofy videos of him playing
- Alan, one-year-old Saluki-Boxer cross, has facial deformity causing nose to twist
- He was rescued by Johanna Handley, 41, from Godalming, Surrey, 10 months ago
- She set up a TikTok for Alan, to show him having fun, which has 138.9K followersA wonky-faced rescue pup has shot to TikTok fame after his owner started sharing adorable videos of the crooked canine to shut down 'haters' who call him 'ugly'.
Alan, a one-year-old Saluki-Boxer cross, has a severe facial deformity that causes his nose to twist and droop to the right so he's permanently flashing his bottom teeth.
Footage shows the playful dog, who was rescued 10 months ago, sitting with his owner on the couch and catching a treat off the kitchen counter. Alan also plays with his owners and another family pet during a clip, which shows him jumping around the room and play fighting with the other dog.
Alan, a one-year-old Saluki-Boxer cross, has a severe facial deformity that causes his nose to twist, but he has recently gone viral on TikTok with videos of him living his best life
The lively dog has the room in hysterics as he sprints around the room, even jumping up and hitting his owner in the face during the playful altercation.
In more hilarious footage, owner Johanna Handley, 41, from Godalming, Surrey, tries to 'teach Alan some manners' by holding a chip up and train him not to eat it.
Before she manages to put it on the floor, the cheeky animal, who has been wagging his tail in anticipation, steals it out of her hand.
Determined to prove how 'gorgeous' Alan is inside and out, mother-of-one Johanna set up a TikTok - using the name 'Alan the Ugly Dog' as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the 'haters'.
Joanna instantly fell in love with Alan's lopsided face, but quickly learned that not everyone found Alan's unusual appearance as beautiful as she does.
The fun videos of Alan living his best life have seen him shoot to internet stardom, and the page now has over 138.9K followers and 990.7K likes.
Owner Johanna Handley, 41, from Godalming, Surrey, rescued Alan 10 months ago and created the TikTok page to prove how 'gorgeous' Alan is inside and outBlown away by his fame, Johanna hopes Alan's TikTok, will encourage more people to adopt rescue dogs, and not shy away from those with differences.
Johanna said: 'I have had loads of nasty comments about Alan's appearance. I have had people tell me they'll give me money so he can get surgery to fix his face but there's no way.
'I actually had him evaluated by the vet for surgery because I worried about his future and possible breathing issues but the vet said he's perfectly healthy as he is.
'They'd have to break and reset his nose and jaw. It would be unimaginable pain for something that is purely cosmetic. There's no point putting him through that.'
She added: 'I do get lots of nasty comments about his TikTok username too. People find it incredibly offensive but it's meant to be tongue- in-cheek.
'The point is to show that Alan isn't ugly at all and shut down anyone who'd say anything mean about him just because of his differences.
Alan was found at two months old living as a stray in the desert in Doha, Qatar, but was rescued by the family who instantly fell in love with his lopsided face
'The haters can say whatever they want but Alan is our dog and we know he's gorgeous and really special.'
Despite a lot of negativity, Johanna has also been flooded with thousands of adoring comments from Alan's fans, and he can't go anywhere without being recognised.
Johanna said: 'Most of the comments and messages we get on his TikTok are so positive. People adore him.
'But now we'll be walking down the street with Alan and people say "look it's the TikTok dog".'
She added: 'Everyone has these preconceived notions about rescue dogs but they turn out to be the most amazing dogs because they know you rescued them. They have this eternal gratefulness.'
While he is now loving life with Johanna, her husband Dan Strutt, 41, their daughter Darcy, eight, and their menagerie of rescue pets Alan had a rocky start in life.
Alan was found at two months old living as a stray in the desert in Doha, Qatar
He was found at around two months old living as a stray in Doha, Qatar, with his mum, dad and seven siblings.
Johanna said: 'As soon as I saw Alan and his wonky face, I knew I was going to adopt him. I couldn't just walk away, I was instantly hooked.
'He's like a natural therapy dog. He has this joy about him. All the anxiety and stress of this year, you just put your hand on Alan and it all melts away.
She added: 'And he doesn't know what he looks like so it doesn't bother him. He's a delighted-with-life little dog.
'He's so much fun. He steals any food he can get his lips on and always wants to cuddle. He's so loving. He's a joy.'
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