"Go!"
The dogs run excitedly.
Some run alongside their owners, others change directions on a whim. Though their paces vary, the joy of being together is the same.
[Lee Tae-hee / Owner of Baum (8 years old): He seems really happy today. He usually doesn't run much because of bad joints, but he kept running for almost 1 kilometer. It has been a long time since I saw him like this; he used to run a lot when he was young, and it is just wonderful.]
[Lee Sang-yeop / Owner of More: Since dogs have shorter lives than us, I want to show them more of the world and give them more experiences whenever I have time, no matter what...]
This is a competition entered by dogs living their "second lives."
These dogs share something in common: they were once abandoned before meeting new families.
Hoya was adopted from a shelter in August.
Though extremely timid, Hoya has changed after spending time with family.
[Kim Hyo-geun / Owner of Hoya: Because this is a child who was once locked up in a tiny space... Even now, he is still timid and reads the room a lot, but compared to before, he has become much brighter...]
Adopted in 2023, Billy even changed the daily routine of the family.
Climbing mountains together made them healthier, and the time the family spends together has increased.
[Lee Ji-hee / Owner of Billy: Because these are children who have been abandoned once, I think we need to bring them home more cautiously. Once they become family, they are children who love you infinitely, so the family ends up living a happier and healthier life. Because you truly gain a family.]
Marking the third Seoul Animal Protection Day this year, the Seoul Animal Happiness Festa was held on October 17 at Yeouido Hangang Park.
It is an event to enjoy with companion animals while reflecting on the meaning of proper care and respect for life.
[Seol Chae-hyun / Veterinarian: Ultimately, the goal is for owners and companion dogs to be happy. As long as these conditions—not causing a nuisance to others—are well met, I believe people can enjoy a happy companion life without overcomplicating things.]
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expand rescue animal protection and adoption support through its animal welfare support centers, while also increasing spaces where companion dogs can run and play.
[Oh Se-hoon / Mayor of Seoul: I sincerely ask that you also shoulder the responsibility all the way to the end. We are putting a lot of effort into facilitating adoptions, but when things do not go as intended, truly unfortunate events occur. I earnestly ask for your help so that we can stay together until the end and foster a desirable companion culture.]
As important as the joy of being together is the responsibility of staying together until the end.
It is a promise for humans and animals to be happy together.
(Reported by Sim Yeong-gu | Filmed by Park Woo-jin and Kim Sang-yun | Edited by Park Seo-yeon | Designed by Jang Ji-hye | Intern: Kim Hye-won | Produced by Knowledge Content IP Team | Production Support: Seoul Metropolitan Government)
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