As
a Vietnamese, I am often reminded of the cultural differences that exist between my country and others. One such difference is the treatment of animals, specifically dogs. In Vietnam, dogs are often seen as either a pest or a commodity. They are kept chained up outside or in small cages and are only valued for their meat or to protect property. Recently, I had an encounter on the road that reminded me of the stark contrast in the way we perceive and treat dogs. I was driving down a rural road when I saw a stray dog sitting in the middle of the road. Being a dog lover myself, I stopped my car and got out to check on the dog. It was a small, scrappy-looking dog with matted fur and a collar that was too tight for its neck. As I got closer, the dog started barking and growling at me. I tried to approach it slowly and calmly, but it continued to snap at me. Finally, I sat down a few feet away and just waited. After a few minutes, the dog began to calm down and eventually crawled towards me, tail wagging. I noticed that it had a cut on its leg, so I decided to take it to a vet. On the way to the vet, the dog sat next to me in the car and kept licking my hand. It was clear that it had been badly treated in the past and was afraid of people. At the vet's office, we discovered that the dog was malnourished and had an infection in its cut. The vet treated the infection and gave the dog a check-up. I decided to keep the dog with me and give it a new home. As I reflected on this experience, I couldn't help but think about the different ways that people treat dogs around the world. In Vietnam, dogs are often viewed as dirty or dangerous animals that need to be kept at a safe distance. In other countries, however, dogs are considered beloved members of the family and are given the same care and affection as a human being. This encounter with the stray dog made me realize that we need to change the way we view and treat animals in Vietnam. We need to recognize that dogs are not just property or pests, but living beings that deserve love and care. We need to create a culture of compassion towards animals and educate people about responsible pet ownership. In conclusion, my encounter with the stray dog on the road was a wake-up call for me. It reminded me that we have a long way to go in terms of animal welfare in Vietnam. But it also gave me hope that change is possible, one dog at a time. As a society, we need to do better by our furry friends and create a world where all animals are treated with kindness and respect.