Mê Thú Cưng - Pet Magazine for Vietnam Số 7, Tập 2 | Issue 7, Volume 2 | Page 62

Mê Thú Cưng

Hướng dẫn Quyền chủ thú cưng 58 65

Both Sunshine and Chica are ‘pleaser’ dogs. House
training was easy as they do try hard to please me.
However, I don’t humanize them. I am one of those who
don’t appreciate ‘dancing bears in a circus’, so dogs have
to be dogs. They are animals and all animals, humans
included, have their needs. For dogs, they need to be in a
pack; they need to hunt, run, form territory, etc. My role is
just to ensure their instincts do not encroach into other
humans the wrong way. Like aggressiveness, biting or
even attack.
A warning though to anyone who dare enter my house
uninvited. These guard dogs will lick you to death!

Also, briefly describe your overall
experiences and feelings of having pets in
Vietnam?
There’s mixed feelings when having dogs in Vietnam.
On one hand there are people who will defend their
rights to eat dog meat; to the horror of dog lovers. On
another hand, there are a small but growing number
who want a dog as a pet.

unawareness of dogs. For instance, if you scream while
running away from a dog, you only excite the dog to
hunt; to run towards you to catch you. They don’t have
hands but they do have teeth.
Indeed, there is a huge need to create awareness. Not
to sound condescending towards being ‘ignorant’,
but to help to educate, in general. By saying this, I
personally believe that having been educated, doesn’t
require Vietnamese people to think or behave like I
do. But that they should become aware and develop
an appreciation towards dogs other than just for their
meat. Understanding that dogs can be understood, can
sometimes understand you and can provide emotional
support is very enlightening. It is this awareness of
alternative choices in developing relationships with
dogs that many people in Vietnam need.

Finally, what advice would you give to young
Vietnamese pet owners in becoming good
dog owners?

There is an increasing number of people who want to
As an Expat, it still humours me when people ask me my have their first dog in Vietnam. Sadly, pet sellers are only
age within seconds of meeting me the first time, so that for profits (most have no idea what they are selling) and
they know how to address me correctly. Yet, it disturbs many new owners only buy for ‘cuteness’ or ‘pedigree’.
me when people ask how much I sp V