Remember the beautiful Gold Retriever girl, GeGe (Princess), the dog I left behind in Yulin (where the infamous Dog Meat "Festival" is held)? She just passed away at the age of 13.
My heart is broken. The last time I saw her was in December 2024. I had not seen her in 4 years. She was already very frail. I knew I needed to be prepared, but as you all know, you can never really be prepared to lose a beloved pet.
We both got very emotional. When she recognized me, GeGe tried very hard to get to me quickly on her weak legs. Tears came running down my face.
I also felt anger. How could anyone kill and eat a wonderful creature like GeGe, our best friend?
I left her behind in Yulin very reluctantly, but in hindsight, I am so glad that I did. In her short 13 years of life, GeGe played with at least ten thousand kids in Yulin, teaching them that dogs are wonderful animals who deserve our kindness and appreciation.
Yulin children love Golden Retrievers, so Ge Ge was always the most popular dog at our community events. She had such a great temperament. She never got mad or bared her teeth, even when kids grabbed her ears or her tail. She was a source of joy and transformation.
We believe that giving children the opportunity to have up-close and personal interactions with dogs and cats is one of the most effective ways to change how they perceive these awesome animals. Encouraging kids and their parents to see dogs and cats as family, not food.
Your support has allowed us to build a strong team in Yulin. They have organized many community events and changed many hearts and minds.
GeGe may have crossed over the rainbow bridge, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of everyone she touched.
Thank you, GeGe. You might not know it, but you have saved many dogs and cats. Because of you, thousands of young kids in Yulin will grow up loving animals. We promise you that we will not stop until the cruel trade has ended for good.
Andrea, Founder and Executive, Duo Duo Project