The Photobucket album
above made me think about dog eating in the Philippines. With the cold rainy and
sometimes even stormy season currently devastating the country these days, some
people rely on “hot” foods to keep them warm.
Two
sides of dog eating
There are two sides of dog
eating. One side says, dog meat is warm; thus, is perfect for cold areas and weather.
The other side says it is against animal rights. Not to mention studies or so
indicating that the meat from dogs are infested.
I’ve never tasted dog food
to confirm whether or not the meat indeed makes one warm. I thought I’ve had a
taste of it when I was younger when they served me a dish from a nearby
neighbors place’s special celebration. They told me it was dog meat after I
devoured the entire plate and then said they were only joking. But I remember
that it does taste good but is seemingly distinct and it was my first time to
ever have a share of something like it. Still, it wasn’t dog meat but goat
meat.
I’m no food scientist either
to agree with the notion that dog meat is contaminated. But our Moslem as well
as Adventist friends will agree that meat in general is filthy both literally
and figuratively. Well anyway, all types of meat can become dirty when not
handled properly. As for what the thought that it is against animal rights, I
wonder why only dogs, cats, and a few other animals have this right. How come other
animals like cows, pig, and chicken are allowed to be eaten?
For some cultures, dog
eating can be a way of life. It’s part of their tradition. Some may even use
dogs as part of their medical ritual or practice. Culture or not, I’d rather
take a look at dogs in the manner they were shown in the album above. I don’t
really want to the distaste of photos showing dogs being eaten and peddled on
the streets so I didn’t post any other photos where dogs are shown in a
different light other than the ones above.
So when you look at the
dogs in the album on top, can you still eat animals as cuddly and lovely as
they are? I’m not saying that other animals we eat are ugly. But you can’t deny
the fact that dogs can be considered cleaner from the outside as compared to
other animals.
Dogs in Baguio city
Those dogs in the album by
the way are owned by my former neighbor’s in Loakan, a barrio in Baguio that is
located near Kennon Road. Incidentally, this city is popular for the presence
of countless dogs. The popularity is both positive and negative at the same
time. Walk around Session Road especially in the late afternoon and you’d find
half bred puppies for sale. Go further down SM Baguio all throughout Burnham
Park particularly during weekends and you’d meet dog owners walking their dogs.
Some are azkals, local dogs based
from the term “asong kalye” or street
dogs, and most are either full bred or half bred imported dogs like Siberian
Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador, German Shepherd, Shi Tzu, Chow Chow, and
so much. Huskies will love the cold weather since they originally came from
chilly countries. But I believe Labradors and Golden Retrievers are plenty. Most
of them are half bred with native dogs. Drop by 50’s Diner too and you may
catch a glimpse of the owners Chow Chow which is always beside his red vintage
sports car.
As much as Baguio folks love
taking care of dogs, I’m sure you’d heard the horror of some people in the city
eating dogs too. How many smugglers of dogs from the lowlands were busted before
they even reach Baguio’s pines? All too many and we’ve seen a lot of them over national,
local, and web news.
As for me, I’m not a fan
of dog eating but neither will I condemn the act. What about you? What do you think?
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