“The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue” ~ Anonymous
Those of you who read my blog will know that I have a soft spot for dogs. Although I love to travel, I eventually find myself missing my own animals, so when I’m away I seem to notice dogs more, and they always remind me of home.
In 2007 my husband and I were in Thailand, sitting at a cafe outside MBK Centre, a big Thai shopping Mall. The security guards were out in force for some grand opening of a new store. They had run red carpet up to the entrance, and used gold ropes to mark out a path for the dignitaries. There were fresh flowers, and it all looked very grand. Except for the scruffy stray dog who was sleeping right in the middle of the carpet. He was covered in scabby wounds, and his eyes were weeping and sore. You could see all his ribs. He was not a good looking dog by any stretch of the imagination.
The Thai security were so patient with this stubborn stray. They never raised their voice, they never resorted to aggression or frustration. They just kept politely moving him on.
But no matter how many times the guards good naturedly herded the dog away, he kept coming back and lying down on that red carpet. Finally, we watched in amazement as the guards pooled some money and sent the youngest man off to a street food vendor. He bought some grilled meat on sticks, and used it to lure the dog away, just moments before the VIPs showed up. The dog obediently ate all of his bribes, the Official Party moved inside the building, and the dog went back to lie at the top of the steps in the sun, happy with his full belly.
It really made my day seeing the kindness of the guards and the gentle regard they had for the stray dog. Weeks later, safe back at my farm, I looked through my photos and wondered what would become of that MBK mutt – one hungry stray in a city of so many other homeless animals.
Fast forward to 2012, and we find ourselves back at MBK. As I am walking along one of the overpasses towards the centre, I am stunned to see the same dog. He is sleek, fat and healthy – busy engaged in eating a bag of soup noodles that a lady has bought from a vendor just for him.
I burst out smiling. It was like running into an old friend.
I didn’t have my phone or camera with me, but to my surprise, when I googled MBK here was a picture of Rambo – who has become quite the celebrity over the past few years. He even has his own fan page on facebook.
Hooray for dogs, and hooray for the people who treat strays with love and compassion. May we all learn to have such regard for each other.
*All images from Rambo’s facebook fan page.
I’m a dog person too (well, I love all the creatures) and your story warms my heart. Thank you for sharing a dog story with a happy twist in it. I wonder though how Rambo was able to get a Face Book page without a mobile phone and the ability to text… (FB now has a verification process that involves a mobile phone and texting).
Thanks for Story.Rambo of us to MBK. But he will always live in the hearts of Thailand.
Thanks for share his lovely story, many thais love him so much. But sad news is he just passed away last week from cancer. U can go to his fb Page we made a small funeral for him. Hope he will happy up there:(
Sadly he passed away last month.
Thanks for your story, very touchy.
Rambo just passed away…RIP
Glad to hear.
But have the bad news .
Rambo died on 21 November last.
RIP. Rambo :’-(
Rambo just passed away a week ago. We miss him so much but his girlfriend still be there.
Rambo just pass away for a few weeks ago
Rambo died a week ago after he had a surgery to get out his tumor.
Sorry for the sad news but he will be in our hearts forever.
I found it before dies.
Thank you so much for writing this for Rambo.
Sorry…Just to let U know..Rambo passed away some week ago…RIP…
Amazing! He is very photogenic 🙂
I don’t know if anyone are still following this homepage. Anyway, it is very sad but I think I have to inform that he just passed away yesterday.
he’s gone…just for let you all know..Y__Y
He just passed away yesterday. RIP.
rambo mbk dog Dead
https://www.facebook.com/rambo.mbk.dog?fref=ts
Hey, Rambo just passed away today. Naturally, I guess.
ref: http://www.facebook.com/rambo.mbk.dog?fref=ts
Update: it’s cancer. someone raised fund to help Rambo, but he passed away anyway RIP
Thanks for sharing…..made my day !!! 🙂
Me too – I adore dogs and have such a huge soft spot for them. Unfortunately my son is allergic so I love to visit friends with dogs or hug the dogs I meet in the streets 🙂
Loved this story Nicole, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you are enjoying Thailand.
Annette xxx
Very cool! Hi Rambo you lucky guy!
It’s beautiful that the a dogs are so well treated. I had heard the Thai people were very gentle.
Thanks for sharing the loving kindness story… Love, Protect and not kill Animals…our lovely friends.Cheers!
Oh Nic, that brings tears to the eyes. Reminds me also of the dog my sister and I befriended on Koh Samui when I was about 12 and she was 10. We adored that dog. She had saggy boobs from the pups she’d had, her hair was the same colour as the sand we all three dug and played in. I think we were there about 2 weeks or so and spent every day with her on the beach, building a beach shanty out of driftwood and palmfronds for us to play in, and her to enjoy the shade of. I wonder whatever became of her … xx
Hehe I knew there was something special about him. Lovely story. xx
What a lovely story. ❤
that is awesome. and it’s great to see they are decent to strays there. so many places they are not. xoxo, sm
What a good story! I love that he has a FB page. That’s a dog that’s got it made. 🙂