Special friends of Truong Sa soldiers

In mid-April, under the burning sun, waves and wind at sea, whenever the ship carrying the working delegation to visit Truong Sa docked at any island, not only officers and soldiers welcomed guests, so did the "special hosts" - dogs on the island.

The dogs on the island come in many different breeds, fur colors and ages, but they all have in common that they adapt very well to the harsh environmental and climate conditions here.

For soldiers in the Truong Sa archipelago, dogs are like close friends, supporting soldiers in patrolling, guarding and protecting the island. They are also very friendly as they welcome visiting delegations.

On many islands, with narrow living spaces, Truong Sa dogs still "live well" in swimming, catching fish, breeding and becoming friendly residents.

The dogs are fed three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner and are not picky about food.

The names that the soldiers on the island gave the dogs impressed me the most. They are Bear, Sloth, Ghost, Xuka, Bun, Pig...

At any island or rig, you will see dogs running around following the soldiers and seem to be familiar to the guests.

"Having them makes me happy. In my free time, me and two friends on the rig duty often go to the farming area to play with the dogs", Hai said excitedly.

The young soldier shared that he was thinking of a meaningful and special name for the dog but had not yet thought of it. It is really a small dog that lives on a trestle house, dozens of meters above sea level, and becomes friends with the brave soldiers here.

Before leaving each island, among the hugs and waves of goodbye between people, there are also quiet, bewildered dogs running to the sea edge to stare intently as the boat leaves, bringing with them their loved ones, far away with the waters.

I suddenly remembered the emotional verse in the poem "Swim in" written by Mr. Hoang Hai Ly - a soldier of the Vietnam People's Army, when he had to leave his beloved dogs to return to the mainland...

By Nguyen Hong