animal

Ever since I was a child, animals have always been a part of my life. Growing up with my grandparents in Pandan, we had different kinds of pets - dogs, cats, bees, pigs, chickens, fishes, a carabao, and even a turtle then. They were common parts of our lives. My Lolo being a farmer always had a carabao with him. I even experienced riding at its back and the mere smell of this animal now (the smell of the earth) triggers a lot of early childhood memories. Sometimes I could not recall those exact memories, but the warm feeling and the joy return.The carabao is the national animal of the Philippines and is a basic need among farmers. This animal helps in plowing the fields to prepare them for the planting of palay (rice plant). It is also employed in pulling heavy logs and
(c) the Philippines
in the long-distance carriage of sacks of rice and copra. One of the advantages that it gives to farmers is that it is able to manage through muddy and rocky roads because of its strong body.
The carabao was made the national animal of the Philippines not only because of its benefits to farmers but because it symbolizes a lot of Filipino traits, foremost of which are industry and perseverance.My Lolo's last carabao was sold unexpectedly because it got into an accident. It lost one of its horns when it got into a fight with another carabao. Sad :(

Well anyway, Lolo decided to get another carabao. And last time when I got home, it was already there. And guess what? To my surprise, its color is white! In my whole life, I've never seen a white carabao, not even in pictures. In fact, I wasn't aware that there is a white carabao, until I saw this one with my own eyes. I surfed the net looking for information, and I indeed found some pictures showing a white carabao. Well, wonder... The wonders of nature are endless!