24 SEPTEMBER 2018

DOGS

I HAVE RARELY SEEN DOGS IN VIETNAM, MAYBE BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE STILL EAT DOG MEAT. THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO OUTLAW THIS PRACTICE AND SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES HAVE BANNED IT, BUT STILL, THE ONLY CANINES I HAVE SEEN ARE SMALL PETS, USUALLY ON A LEASH. THIS IS IN MARKED CONTRAST TO CAMBODIA WHERE DOGS RAN LOOSE ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE LATTER USUALLY WERE SKINNY LONG-LEGGED CREATURES WHICH IN ANY CASE WOULD NOT OFFER MUCH OF A MEAL.

I TRIED FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO CATCH A PICTURE OF A SMALL CURLY-HAIRED BROWN DOG SITTING IN A BIRD CAGE, BUT WHENEVER I SAW IT I FAILED TO HAVE MY CAMERA WITH ME. THEN ONE MISTY-RAINY MORNING I DID GET A SHOT, WITH THE PUP SITTING IN THE CAGE UNDER AN UMBRELLA. AND I AT LAST GOT A PHOTOGRAPH OF A LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE DOG WEARING LIME GREEN BOOTIES IN THE WET WEATHER.

SO MUCH FOR DOGS IN VIETNAM.