A heartbreaking story of a young man helplessly watching his beloved 7-year-old dog weaken day by day due to a fishing hook stuck in its throat
As the Tet holiday approaches, people from big cities rush back to their hometowns to reunite with family. Most return with joy and excitement. But for Facebook user L.N., this return was filled with sorrow and disappointment—unlike any visit home before.
Instead of being greeted at the gate by his dog wagging its tail in excitement, he found it lying weakly, tears streaming from its eyes, unable to move—because a fishing hook had been lodged in its throat and couldn’t be removed.
Despite attempts to seek medical help from nearby veterinary clinics, most places declined due to the Tet holiday or lack of expertise to perform surgery on dogs. Helplessly, the young man watched his loyal companion become weaker and weaker, lying still instead of joyfully running around as it once had.
On Facebook, L.N. shared his heartbreak:
“See the picture? That’s my dog. It’s been with us for 7–8 years now. It’s our loyal guard dog. It’s been around since I was little, and I have so many memories with it.
One day, it went to the local market to find food. Unfortunately, it swallowed a fishing hook, likely thrown away with fish guts. The women at the market often discard fish with hooks still in them.
Don’t blame me for letting it roam—it’s common in the countryside for dogs to wander freely. That hook has been in its throat for 2–3 months, but I didn’t know because I study in Saigon.
Normally, when I come home, it would run to greet me wagging its tail. But this time, it didn’t. I found it lying there like this. And my family didn’t take it for surgery either.
There are no proper vet clinics in the countryside—only basic injections, no proper surgical setups. I tried to find one, but most vets refused, citing the Tet holiday. But I know the real reason—they simply don’t have the skills to perform surgery.
If anyone here is studying veterinary medicine, please take it seriously and study further. We need more professionals in rural areas. I’m truly heartbroken. If anyone knows a vet in Vung Tau who can help, please let me know. I love this dog so much.”
His post quickly went viral, with many sending emotional support and hoping for a miracle recovery.
“Poor thing… having a hook in its throat for 2–3 months must have caused terrible pain and infection. If you really love it, try taking it to Saigon. There might be vets there who can help,” one user commented.
“I had three dogs before—one died of intestinal bleeding because no one took it to a proper clinic. I still regret it. Please don’t give up—try everything you can. It’s been suffering for months,” another wrote.
Many people in Vung Tau are now trying to help by searching for local animal rescue centers and veterinary hospitals, urging the young man to hurry and save the dog, while also asking him to update them on the dog’s condition.