Saving Man’s Best Friend

Capitan protecting his master

I’m a sucker for a good dog story. And I heard a great one today.

In 2005, Michael Guzman of Argentina bought a German shepherd for his son, who promptly named him Capitan. A year later, Guzman was dead and Capitan ran away from home. The dog reappeared a week later at the cemetery where Guzman was buried. He had found his master’s grave and proceeded to stand guard over it. Oddly enough, the family had never taken Capitan to the cemetery before; he just sniffed it out on his own.

That was six years ago. And believe it or not, but Capitan is still there.

Guzman’s son Damian has tried bringing the dog back home, but he always sneaks away and returns to the cemetery. The staff there takes care of Capitan and feeds him. And even though he wanders through the cemetery during the day, he always returns to his master’s grave at dusk. Capitan lies there all night and never misses a shift.

“I think he’s going to be there until he dies, too,” Damian said. “He’s looking after my dad.”

How awesome and heartwarming is that? It almost brought a tear to my eye the first time I heard the story, but aren’t a lot of dog stories like that—at least the ones that don’t focus on pit bulls killing their owners? Of course they are, and there is an obvious reason why: dogs kick ass. They are intelligent, loyal, loving, obedient (sometimes) and downright wonderful. And there’s a reason we call them “man’s best friend.”

Unfortunately, some people don’t treat dogs with the respect and kindness they deserve. Consider the current situation in South Korea.

“Dog Farm” (Photo credit: Abri_Beluga)

Every year in South Korea, more than two million dogs are killed for their meat, which is then sold in over 6,000 restaurants. I don’t mean to sound racist or naïve, but I know some Asian cultures eat strange things: poisonous Fugu pufferfish in Japan that can kill you if they aren’t prepared correctly; fertilized duck eggs called Baalut in the Philippines that are eaten after spending several weeks buried underground; and even live “drunken” shrimp in China that are swimming in rice wine until you bite their heads off. When I was younger, I even remember a local Chinese restaurant being closed down for serving cat meat on their buffet.

The difference with the dogs in South Korea is the manner in which they’re killed. Forget the fact that dogs are meant to be pets and companions, not food—maybe if you’re starving to death or something, but never under normal circumstances. These poor creatures are being raised by dog farms and then are burned, electrocuted, strangled or beaten to death for their meat. The government of South Korea is supposed to be enforcing laws to prevent animal torture, but they clearly aren’t. How else do you explain the huge market for dog meat in the country? The 6,000 restaurants I mentioned earlier haven’t been closed down, so it’s obvious the government is doing nothing.

The good news is that YOU can help make a difference. And together, we just might be able to help the abused dogs of South Korea by sending a message to the government and dog meat industry there.

United Dogs and Cats—in association with Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA)—posted an online petition to protest the cruel and inhumane killing of dogs in South Korea—sign it here. Once they receive a million signatures, the petition will be presented to officials in Seoul. And the last time I checked, they were at just over 650,000.

Please give these poor dogs your support by signing the petition. One moment of your time could mean the difference between life and death for these animals. Most of us have experienced the unconditional love and companionship a great dog can give. Personally, I can remember every dog I’ve ever had, and they were all special to me. Dogs are like family, and now they need our help.

Won’t you join us?