China: Dogs “skip Tet” to protect national treasures
During the Lunar New Year this year, dogs are considered lucky mascots and are loved by many families. However, few people know that there are silent “four-legged warriors” who even give up “celebrating Tet” to protect the most famous place in China.
Mr. Chang Fumao and his "four-legged friend". Photo: Reuters
Located in the heart of Beijing (China), the Forbidden City is one of the most important historical sites in this country. Here, every time the New Year comes, 23 dogs in the guard team work non-stop, never having a complete New Year.
“New Year’s is no different from any other day. Thieves don’t avoid the holidays to ‘do their business’, and neither do we,” said Chang Fumao, 59, who heads the dog patrol unit. “We have to be on guard 24 hours a day.”
Starting his career at the age of 20, Mr. Chang has more than 30 years of experience in raising dogs. For many years, his “four-legged friends” have accompanied him during meals and sleep.
A dog in training. Photo: Reuters
For these dogs, Tet is something very far away. Photo: Reuters
“We have a pretty simple life. I feed them in the morning, clean their cages, train them, feed them again, clean them up and train them again,” said Mr. Chang, as he trained his dog to attack an intruder.
With this profession, he has a special privilege: when night falls and the tourists leave, the Forbidden City is completely his, beautiful and strangely quiet.
Built in the early 17th century, the Forbidden City is located north of Thien An Men Square, covering a total of 74 hectares, with 9,999 rooms and surrounded by a moat. Today, the palace is truly a national treasure of China with many valuable antiquities. According to Reuters, last year, this relic sold 16.7 million tickets, more than many other famous tourist destinations.
