On 6 December, Mr. Yang of Zhejiangzhou, an old man who is now 58 years old, walked alone through the open ground of the weeds, albeit at a shaky pace, but his eyes were firm and merciful.
Mr. Yang had been a major in clothing at a higher education institution in Hangzhou, but 20 years earlier he had chosen to leave that rich city and come to this quiet village, where he began his other identity, the helper of stray dogs.
In Hangzhou, 20 years ago, Mr. Yang remembered the stray dogs who were shaking in the back of the street alley and in the corner of the park. Their eyes were filled with fear and helplessness, which prevented him from ignoring the cruelty of the world. As a result, he sold his property in the centre of Hangzhou City and set up a life stop belonging to a stray animal.
This station is now home to many stray dogs. Whenever winter comes, Mr. Yang prepares them warm nests and sufficient food. Each dog was personally cared for by Mr. Yang, who invested in all his efforts, from treatment to training skills.
Today, Mr. Yang has adopted 230 stray dogs in his station. They may have been hurt, may have lost their trust, but here they have been accepted and cared for. They spend every day and night with Mr. Yang, every spring and autumn and winter.
Mr. Yang's life has become simple and full. Every morning, he prepares food for every dog, and every night he checks for every dog. In his eyes, every dog was his child and he was willing to pay for them.
Did you regret selling those properties? Mr. Yang laughed and shook his head, "I never regretted it. Those properties can be replaced by this station, which is the most worthwhile thing in my life." His eyes were filled with determination and satisfaction.
In this cold winter, Mr. Yang wears an old cotton tampons and holds an old food pot to feed his beloved dogs. His body appears even older and tougher in the after-effects of the sunset.
Twenty years later, Mr. Yang turned from a handsome young teacher to a pale-haired old man. His back is already cameled and his steps are no longer healthy. But his eyes remain firm and powerful. That's his respect for and love for life, and that's his care and commitment to animals.
He took care of every dog, both physically and mentally. He listens to their breath and feels their anger and sorrow. They are friends of one another, and they are dependent on one another. There is no difference between humans and animals in this station, but only mutual respect and care for life and life.
The cold winter has passed and spring's footsteps are getting closer. Mr. Yang is still working for the future of every dog. His dream was to create a world without stray dogs, and he hoped that people would be more respectful of life and more caring for every life.
"I'll keep on going," Mr. Yang said, "until I can't take care of them anymore." It is an old man's attachment and insistence, a fear and respect for life.
In this little village of Zhejiang Hang, there's an old man with him.
The story of the dogs is spreading. This story tells us what love and adherence, respect and acceptance are. Let us pay tribute to Mr. Yang and to all those who gave their lives! Let us work together to make this world full of love and respect!