Southeast Asia is chockfull of stray dogs. Apparently, especially
in Buddhist countries, homeless animals aren’t given the poor treatment or
apathy that they receive in the Western world. They are more like public pets;
well-fed, oftentimes given collars and a place to sleep, stray animals do quite
well in this part of the world. Among all the stray dogs and the care they are
given, two phenomena strike me as absolutely delightful.
A bizarre canine trend has been popping up with increased
frequency in Northern Thailand; as the weather has been getting colder, we have
seen a distinct rise in the number of dogs wearing clothing. I don’t mean Chihuahuas
and Pomeranians, on which accessories are common, but rather on your average,
run of the mill stray mutts. Dog-specific clothes, sometimes, but also human
hand-me-downs, sweater vests, old t-shirts and the like. People are going around and dressing these dogs in random articles of clothing. Just trotting down the
street, happy and warm, stray dogs in human clothing.
My number one, favorite phenomenon among dogs in Southeast
Asia: I love little dogs with massive heads. To be more accurate, their heads
are the size of an average dog head, but atop a squat little body with extra
short legs. The result is pure hilarity. Just looking at them, I feel joy so
pronounced it typically spills out as a giggle fit. These dogs, a minority in
Thailand, made up the majority of stray dogs in Central Vietnam. I am not a dog person by any means, but if ever I happen to own
a dog, it will have to have this unique body shape.
