I used to think pets were a concept associated with the city - where dogs and cats are kept in apartments, given names, dressed and taken for walks. But when I set foot in the Northwest, I understood: Here, four-legged friends are not just pets, but also an indispensable part of village life.
From the dirt yard to the wooden steps, from the rooster crowing in the early morning to the eyes of the dog lying guarding the door, everything has its own rhythm of life - close, simple and full of love.
Guardians and friends of children
In the Northwest, almost every house has a dog. Not on a leash, not trained, but they always know their duties: From guarding the house, guarding the flock, to becoming friends with children in the village, the dogs here always fulfill their "responsibilities".
I once saw a little Hmong girl playing with her dog. She sat drawing on the sand and occasionally petting the dog. The dog lay obediently next to its owner, its round eyes wide open as if it was concentrating, its black, wet nose occasionally twitching at its nostrils. Perhaps the dog was listening to its owner's story, or perhaps it was simply sitting guarding to make sure she was always safe.
Once I spent the night in the village, and in the morning I woke up to find the dog lying right in front of the door, eyes half-closed, but ears always perked up as if listening. That feeling of security - not from the lock, but from the presence of a four-legged friend.
Unlike dogs, the cats here are quieter and more reserved. They don’t seem to like places that are too crowded or noisy. Their daily hobby is just to lie on the kitchen roof or sunbathe on the porch, curl up in a warm corner of the blanket to sleep. They don’t cling to people, don’t need to be woken up, but are always there when the family has a meal, when there are guests, or when the weather turns cold, to let people touch and caress them.
Cats are a soft part of highland life.
Special four-legged friends
What is special in the Northwest is that not only dogs and cats are considered pets, but any animal raised and cared for by the family is a part of the family, a pet of the village.
Chickens and ducks in the village chirped around the yard, ran after the children, and were sometimes even picked up and petted. Poultry in the Northwest is not only considered a source of food, but also a friend who helps farmers - waking people up to go to the fields.
Even large livestock such as cows are an integral part of life in the Northwest. Cows are not like other village pets. They are valuable assets, the family’s draught animals, and the adults’ companions on the fields.
I will always remember the image of cows in the Northwest - gentle eyes, slow gait, as if carrying the calmness of the mountains and forests.
How Northwesterners treat pets
Northwesterners do not call dogs and cats "pets", do not buy toys or prepackaged food, but the way they treat their four-legged friends is extremely affectionate. Dogs eat with the family, cats sleep in blankets, chickens are named, cows are petted after each hard day of plowing.
In the mountains and forests of the Northwest, there seems to be no distinction between "raising for fun" and "raising for work", because all animals here are a part of human life. Those animals not only help with housework and gardening, but are also present in every moment: when people are happy, sad, tired, or reunited.
I once saw an old man sitting and stroking his old dog, saying and laughing: "It has lived with me for a long time. Now it is old like me, it should lie down more." That sentence made me see more clearly the bond between humans and pets - no need for anything luxurious, just simple time and presence.
Conclusion
In the mountains and forests of the Northwest, four-legged friends do not need to be called "pets" to become special. Because they are present in human life as a natural part, like the breath of the village - friendly, loyal, and full of emotions.
If one day you come to the Northwest, pay attention to the quiet eyes, small footsteps, and familiar cries. Because sometimes, what makes us remember a land forever is not the beautiful scenery, but the lovely four-legged friends.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Trung Huynh
