This stray dog, not even two years old, just went through an epic “rescue” and ended up at HPA — a dog & cat rescue in Hanoi co-founded by Ms. Phạm Khánh Quỳnh and Ms. Nguyễn Lê Thùy Linh.
Honestly, I don’t really remember what life was like when I was little — whether I had parents or if I was born a stray. The closest thing to a memory is being hungry all the time, sometimes eating, sometimes not. Every day I’d rummage through trash or sneak up to restaurants for scraps. It was dangerous, but on lucky days I’d get enough to last a few days.
(That’s me back when I wandered around every day.)
You might think being a stray means freedom and adventure. But let me tell you, drifting around like that is more scary than fun. I was always on edge, so people labeled me aggressive. Really, I had to bare my teeth and growl to protect myself. I’d been beaten before — once I nearly got caught. Storms and hunger were nothing compared to the fear of being captured. I saw friends get beaten and locked in cages; I heard them whine and I couldn’t help. For us, being caught usually meant a ruined life — never being a dog again.
But you can’t run forever. One day people came with snares and sticks. I was super alert. A woman even brought a pretty dog and a delicious sausage to lure me, but I wasn’t going to fall for that! Her friend chased me for two full loops around the huge lake. In the panic I spotted an abandoned house and leapt inside. I caught my breath watching the guy outside panting — I was impressed with myself. What an escape!
(I hid in an abandoned house while they still tried to chase me.)
The next day I was just hanging out by the lake chatting with two pretty lady dogs when — bam — I was ambushed. A snare slipped over my neck. In that instant I thought: “It’s over for me, the gray stray dog.” But I kept struggling, hoping to break free. I howled and then switched to full growl-mode, ready to fight. Oddly, the two humans didn’t hit me or look angry; they kept soothing me. That confused me. My dog friends told me humans would beat you to death if they caught you. But these two just kept petting and calming me.
(I got caught while gossiping with a friend on the windy embankment. I blame the girl dog — dumb luck!)
After barking myself hoarse, I got tired. I thought: if they’re not doing anything, maybe I should calm down and watch what they’ll do next. Turns out they took me to this place called a vet. There was a gentle woman who felt me all over and then fed me a full meal. Everyone was so kind — even when I whimpered and barked, they stayed gentle. I slept with a full belly.
The next morning they took me to a place full of other dogs. They were all so happy and lively — nothing like the scary places my friends warned me about where a dog goes in and is “done for.” After meeting the others they told me this was HPA — Hanoi Pet Adoption, a rescue for dogs and cats.
For the first time in my life, I had a home. The staff started calling me Lợi Lợi because they said I was clever. I’m a bit embarrassed but also proud.
(It turned out I was admitted to a hospital — gosh, I was sure I was going to die!)