Saving China's Dogs

[fureverywhere]

<<<If you're squeamish or cry easily you might not want to read this>>>

I was reading the newest issue of Bark magazine last night. There's an editorial by this gentleman who deserves sainthood for his rescue work in China. There is an annual celebration that lasts for ten days. It's not unlike a pig roast in the states except it's dog. Not only are they bred to be eaten but it's believed that adrenaline release makes the meat more tender. So these dogs are tortured as well. The author has made four trips to Asia so far. He is trying to at least educate who he can. But he also points out that it's difficult to change a culture completely.

In China dogs are seen as a food source. In many Arab countries dogs are pests like rats. It doesn't make sense to us but then again we butcher cows in huge numbers. Explain that to someone who believes cows are sacred. But the author went to several countries posing as a buyer. So far he has rescued 249 dogs. Single handedly saving that many pups is a noble calling. That he's trying to advocate in any way he can. The sad thing though when you think about it is all the pups he can't save. Back to the pig analogy. If someone came to the US and tried to save pigs slaughtered for meat...and saved 249...
It's their culture but it's a country you couldn't pay me to visit.

 

[Debby]

It's a sad fact that the Asian cultures by and large, don't care at all for animals. Whether it's the beautiful tigers that they breed and starve to death for 'tiger wine' or the racoon dogs that get skinned alive or dogs and cats that are tortured to death by various means or the animals that they cut pieces off of while they are alive, they don't care. It's changing very, very slowly but in my opinion not fast enough. We in the West should remember too, that anytime you buy a hat or a jacket that has a fur trim or those horrid little furry 'ornament/toys' that look like cats or dogs, you're supporting that brutality.

 

[Ruthanne]

<<<If you're squeamish or cry easily you might not want to read this>>>

I was reading the newest issue of Bark magazine last night. There's an editorial by this gentleman who deserves sainthood for his rescue work in China. There is an annual celebration that lasts for ten days. It's not unlike a pig roast in the states except it's dog. Not only are they bred to be eaten but it's believed that adrenaline release makes the meat more tender. So these dogs are tortured as well. The author has made four trips to Asia so far. He is trying to at least educate who he can. But he also points out that it's difficult to change a culture completely.

In China dogs are seen as a food source. In many Arab countries dogs are pests like rats. It doesn't make sense to us but then again we butcher cows in huge numbers. Explain that to someone who believes cows are sacred. But the author went to several countries posing as a buyer. So far he has rescued 249 dogs. Single handedly saving that many pups is a noble calling. That he's trying to advocate in any way he can. The sad thing though when you think about it is all the pups he can't save. Back to the pig analogy. If someone came to the US and tried to save pigs slaughtered for meat...and saved 249...
It's their culture but it's a country you couldn't pay me to visit.

I've heard of others, too, who rescue dogs in China. I saw an article about a woman who's been doing it for 26 years. I think it's great that people are trying to help the dogs.

I agree about us killing cows and pigs and think it's deplorable. They live in such bad conditions often, too. It's a dark side of human beings.

 

[jujube]

When we lived in Turkey back in the late 60's and early 70's, dogs were not looked upon kindly, especially stray dogs.

When I was there last spring, I was amazed to see the difference in attitude. Every large town or city has a group that round up stray dogs, have them spayed/neutered and mark their ears with tags so that they can try to keep up on their shots. Then they live happily on the streets. The dogs are the friendliest things you've ever seen. Storekeepers put out food and water and there are groups that build dog houses for them. You'll be walking down the street and right in the middle of the sidewalk, there's a dog house.

A young man in Istanbul has invented a vending machine that you pour the water from your plastic disposable water bottle into, then insert your bottle. The machine then dispenses water and dog food. Recycling the bottles helps pay for the machines.

 

[fureverywhere]

Isn't that beautiful? Turkey is ahead of us on that. It's a positive trend though that they've started creating pet food banks. In urban and rural areas some people struggle to feed the humans in the family nevermind a pet. Some people food banks have even caught on. You can pick up a bag of groceries and a bag of kibble or kitty food in one trip.

 

[Debby]

I admire people who can be there in the field, rescuing and helping and I don't know how they manage to not give in to grief all the time! Huge hearts and such immensely strong souls!

 

[fureverywhere]

You're right Debby, instant sainthood for all of them. I couldn't do it, it would wreck me thinking of all the ones I couldn't save. Even if Sophie wasn't dog aggressive...I'd be one of them "foster fails". You're in my home more than a week and I just have to keep you.