This morning on my way to the intern house I stopped to buy a skewer of bbq chicken from a street vendor. Soon I looked down and realized I was being followed by an eager, fluffy white soi dog.
No, this isn't the name of a new line of vegan hot dogs. These are the dogs that inhabit the streets of Thailand, in abundance. The word soi (ซอย) means street or lane in Thai - the smaller streets of neighborhoods. Hence, the dogs that hang out in the street all day, some strays and some owned but allowed to roam, are referred to as soi dogs. I actually didn't hear this phrase until I'd been here a few months and had lunch with a backpacker girl I met. I think it has a nicer ring to it than "mangy mutt."
You might have an idea of how these soi dogs must look. Emaciated, flee bitten, ears missing from squabbles with the other doggies. This is definitely true for some, but for the most part these dogs are pretty healthy. These aren't the dogs you find in Tijuana that look like they're on their last leg (or last two legs?). In Thailand people take care of the strays. People leave food and water out for them. They aren't abused. This is because the people of Thailand love their king.
Huh? 'Is the king a dog?' you may be asking yourself now. I hope you're not asking that, because that would be ridiculous. No, but the king loves dogs. He has adopted numerous dogs and made them part of the royal household. One of these strays in particular, Tong Daeng (meaning copper), touched the King's heart so much that he wrote a book about the dog which became a bestseller in Thailand. When the King wore a shirt with a picture of Tong Daeng, it started a fashion craze as Thais rushed to buy a Tong Daeng shirt of their own.
"Most adopted stray dogs are usually humble and exceptionally faithful to their owners, as if they are grateful for the kindness they receive. Moreover, they are not inferior to imported dogs in intelligence. Some are attractive or have a distinctive smart look, like Tong Daeng," writes the king. When you add to this the cost of pet store dogs, the health problems they often inherit from inbreeding, and the infamous conditions of puppy mills, I think the king has the right idea. Sure there are good reasons to shop around for that perfect puppy that will match your purse and loafers. Maybe you want a purebred because you're looking for a certain characteristic. Or maybe you're fearful about bringing home a dog with a questionable past that might light the house on fire when you're not looking. Either way, take a look at your local shelter first and consider giving a stray a second chance.
More about the king and Tong Daeng: http://www.carefordogs.org/his-majesty-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-compassion-to-stray-dogs/
You might have an idea of how these soi dogs must look. Emaciated, flee bitten, ears missing from squabbles with the other doggies. This is definitely true for some, but for the most part these dogs are pretty healthy. These aren't the dogs you find in Tijuana that look like they're on their last leg (or last two legs?). In Thailand people take care of the strays. People leave food and water out for them. They aren't abused. This is because the people of Thailand love their king.
Huh? 'Is the king a dog?' you may be asking yourself now. I hope you're not asking that, because that would be ridiculous. No, but the king loves dogs. He has adopted numerous dogs and made them part of the royal household. One of these strays in particular, Tong Daeng (meaning copper), touched the King's heart so much that he wrote a book about the dog which became a bestseller in Thailand. When the King wore a shirt with a picture of Tong Daeng, it started a fashion craze as Thais rushed to buy a Tong Daeng shirt of their own.
"Most adopted stray dogs are usually humble and exceptionally faithful to their owners, as if they are grateful for the kindness they receive. Moreover, they are not inferior to imported dogs in intelligence. Some are attractive or have a distinctive smart look, like Tong Daeng," writes the king. When you add to this the cost of pet store dogs, the health problems they often inherit from inbreeding, and the infamous conditions of puppy mills, I think the king has the right idea. Sure there are good reasons to shop around for that perfect puppy that will match your purse and loafers. Maybe you want a purebred because you're looking for a certain characteristic. Or maybe you're fearful about bringing home a dog with a questionable past that might light the house on fire when you're not looking. Either way, take a look at your local shelter first and consider giving a stray a second chance.
More about the king and Tong Daeng: http://www.carefordogs.org/his-majesty-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-compassion-to-stray-dogs/
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