On Mondays and Tuesdays, I am at my little place in the mountains. I kind of enjoy it there except for the VPN issue I have with my computer. I have figured out ways to deal with the situation, but I will not elaborate about it here.
Anyway, the other day after I came out of the cafeteria (where I did not enjoy a thoroughly mediocre meal of mystery fried rice and pork flavored tofu) I was greeted by the cutest, saddest, most forlorn puppy I have met in a long time.
Outside of the door of the cafeteria (the back door actually) there was a tiny white poodle puppy that was coming up to people, tail wagging, begging for some food. He was very filthy and needed his eyes cleaned. I reached down and petted him and he playfully nipped my finger, perhaps checking to see if I had a treat for him. He was still very much a young, bouncy puppy.
For the rest of the day, I kept thinking about and figuring out a plan to go get the puppy, give him a bath, get him some food, and smuggle him back to Wuhan with me.
I saw him later that day and he was still bouncing around the same area. I surmised that he is a pet or stray that workers at the school have adopted. He was not skinny at all, just filthy.
After a few beers (Tsintgao of course) I walked down from my apartments and looked for him. He must have gone to his filthy place where he sleeps.
The next morning, I did not see him. I had resolved myself to picking him up and at least giving him a bath.
I did see him at lunch time, but I was in a rush. Fortunately, it looks like I was correct in that the workers had put a bowl of rice and meat out for him. So if he doesn't get sick, I will definitely catch him and give him a bath, maybe buy him some real dog food too.
It is something of a difficult and slippery slope. I can give some kindness to this dog, and perhaps it will live longer. Will it only make it more difficult for the dog when I am unable to continue to care for it? I have resolved myself to not acquiring any pets while here, because when I eventually leave I cannot bear the thought of what their fate could be. I know, from experience, that most chinese people do not seem to view dogs or cats in the same way that westerners do. I do see people with well cared for dogs and have found a dog grooming place near my work, which means there are people who care for dogs and cats.
However, today, while walking past a pet store (where they keep large dogs in cages that are not of a suitable size) I saw a grown man kick a dog that was inside a cage. As I walked past, I heard the dog yelping and crying. I did yell as I passed the door, but had to keep moving. I heard the dog crying or a good 100 yards down the street. I felt very angry and sad in a deep sort of way. I could feel that dogs fear in the helpless yelping it made. I have to pass that pet store everytime I go to school in Shiyan.
I see way too many dogs out on the loose. I see them running frightened through traffic. It breaks my heart.
I think that I have to help the little puppy. I cannot hope that he will be there next time I see him. If he is, he is. If he is gone, there is nothing I can do about it.
Anyway, the other day after I came out of the cafeteria (where I did not enjoy a thoroughly mediocre meal of mystery fried rice and pork flavored tofu) I was greeted by the cutest, saddest, most forlorn puppy I have met in a long time.
Outside of the door of the cafeteria (the back door actually) there was a tiny white poodle puppy that was coming up to people, tail wagging, begging for some food. He was very filthy and needed his eyes cleaned. I reached down and petted him and he playfully nipped my finger, perhaps checking to see if I had a treat for him. He was still very much a young, bouncy puppy.
For the rest of the day, I kept thinking about and figuring out a plan to go get the puppy, give him a bath, get him some food, and smuggle him back to Wuhan with me.
I saw him later that day and he was still bouncing around the same area. I surmised that he is a pet or stray that workers at the school have adopted. He was not skinny at all, just filthy.
After a few beers (Tsintgao of course) I walked down from my apartments and looked for him. He must have gone to his filthy place where he sleeps.
The next morning, I did not see him. I had resolved myself to picking him up and at least giving him a bath.
I did see him at lunch time, but I was in a rush. Fortunately, it looks like I was correct in that the workers had put a bowl of rice and meat out for him. So if he doesn't get sick, I will definitely catch him and give him a bath, maybe buy him some real dog food too.
It is something of a difficult and slippery slope. I can give some kindness to this dog, and perhaps it will live longer. Will it only make it more difficult for the dog when I am unable to continue to care for it? I have resolved myself to not acquiring any pets while here, because when I eventually leave I cannot bear the thought of what their fate could be. I know, from experience, that most chinese people do not seem to view dogs or cats in the same way that westerners do. I do see people with well cared for dogs and have found a dog grooming place near my work, which means there are people who care for dogs and cats.
However, today, while walking past a pet store (where they keep large dogs in cages that are not of a suitable size) I saw a grown man kick a dog that was inside a cage. As I walked past, I heard the dog yelping and crying. I did yell as I passed the door, but had to keep moving. I heard the dog crying or a good 100 yards down the street. I felt very angry and sad in a deep sort of way. I could feel that dogs fear in the helpless yelping it made. I have to pass that pet store everytime I go to school in Shiyan.
I see way too many dogs out on the loose. I see them running frightened through traffic. It breaks my heart.
I think that I have to help the little puppy. I cannot hope that he will be there next time I see him. If he is, he is. If he is gone, there is nothing I can do about it.
If you see the puppy again, help it, however you can. Your need to see that pup through is what distinguishes you as a "Westerner" and a human, AND as a man (in how you define yourself) so hold onto that. No, you likely cannot adopt the puppy, and maybe he won't survive too long, but if you see the creature again, you can likely see him through another day. And that will help you endure, my friend :-)
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