These dogs was treated like gods at an annual celebration in China — a far cry from another summer festival in the country where thousands of pooches are treated like dinner.
The annual “dog-carrying festival” in Jiaobang, China is a tradition of the Miao people, who dress up dogs up in human clothing and parade them around in chairs — the way their ancient ancestors transported royalty in the 19th century.
The July festival honors the hounds for their ability to locate water.
Thousands of residents crowd the streets in tribal gowns cheering for the deity dogs, which are carried all over town and over bodies of water, according to Central European News.
One photo shows one of the mutt’s basking in the glory with its tongue sticking out as it is carried through the streets.
Another picture shows a white pup wearing a black coat getting some attention from one of the festival goers.
The puppy love is a far cry from the infamous Lychee and Dog Meat Festival that happened earlier this summer in Yulin, China.
People chow down on dog meat and lychees at the annual 10-day foodfest, which has been heavily criticized since it started in 2009 for its mistreatment of animals.
It is estimated that about 15,000 dogs– many of which are starved and abused–are gobbled up throughout the festival.
Here’s another place where dogs receive the royal treatment: