About
Internet famous rescue dog and social media personality known for his distinctive crooked smile and inspiring rescue story. He is especially known for his viral videos on TikTok and Instagram @alanthewonkydog where his unusual facial structure and gentle personality helped him gain millions of followers.
Before fame
He started out as a puppy who was born in Qatar and living near a construction site. He was discovered by Johanna Handley who was living in Qatar at the time. She learned about the dogs and decided to rescue them before they were forced to leave the site. He immediately stood out because of his crooked jaw and unusual appearance. She worried that other families might overlook him because he looked different, so she adopted him herself and became his owner. He first began appearing in social media videos around 2020-2021 when his owner started sharing clips and photos of his daily life on TikTok and Instagram. He gained widespread recognition in 2021 when his story was featured on Good Morning America.
Trivia
He is also known for inspiring the book The Story of Alan the Wonky Dog which was published in 2023. He is also associated with a digital self-care booklet called For Difficult Days which uses his images and calming messages to help people experiencing stress, anxiety, or emotional struggles. His face looks unusual but his owner has said that he eats, runs, plays, and breathes completely normally,
Family life
He was born around 2019 in Doha, Qatar, where he lived as a stray puppy with his mother, father, and several siblings near a construction site before he was adopted by Johanna Handley. His siblings were also rescued and eventually adopted by families in different countries. He eventually moved with his adoptive family from Qatar to Île de Ré, France. He has lived with Johanna Handley, her husband Dan Strutt, their daughter Darcy, and several other rescue animals.
Associated with
He appeared on Good Morning America which is hosted by television personalities including Robin Roberts.
