I decided to go to Cyprus for a few days in my travel plans. It so happens that I booked a room in a small mountain village. I did not realize this beforehand but it was a perfect break from the go go go of traveling. Cyprus is an island and that should be kept in mind for when I arrived I was handed my rent-a-car without anyone checking my license or taking my credit card. The agent was going to meet me at my lodgings later that evening. When he arrived he sat down at the table in my courtyard and was working on the paperwork. I opened the door to the street and this cute dog came running up to me. Now, I am an animal lover but I am not usually so fond of dogs. Very few dogs have ever broken the barrier where cats can do it in a second. He looked like he had yellow lab in him mixed with a smaller breed. He wagged his tail and was so submissive and friendly. I petted him, which my girlfriends will attest to is unusual, and let him in the courtyard. The guy situating the paperwork for the car asked about the dog and I said I had no idea where he came from. He looked at me weird but the dog was sweet as all hell and I did not think it was weird to be casual with unknown animals. It was sad though because although he was very friendly and sweet he was obviously way too skinny like he had not been fed in awhile. You would think that such a friendly dog would find a home easily but I guess not. I know that if I found this dog in the states and I was able to give him a home I would of in 2 seconds. That is saying a lot since I swear I am not a dog person. I went out driving today on the island and ordered lunch. I packed my leftover chicken to bring back later for him. I waited outside my gate when I got back and called for him. He came out of nowhere and I had him come into the courtyard. I grabbed the food and he got so excited. I put it down before him and it was gone in a frenzy. It just broke my heart seeing him so hungry. He was in hysterics and I had nothing more to give him. I felt bad and decided to order more for dinner than I could eat so I could bring the meat back for him. I ended up ordering a salad to fill me up and a hearty beef with onion dish with cous cous. I had most of the main meal packaged to go and came back to the gate. I called for him but he did not come. I walked down the street in the direction he came from earlier and he was sleeping against a wall. I called to him and here he came tail wagging and head down to be pet. I coaxed him back to my courtyard and watched as he devoured ever last drop of food. It makes me sad that such a good animal is not cared for. He had such a great temperament and personality that I wish I could do more. I am already thinking how can I smuggle food out from breakfast in the morning?
November 7, 2008 at 5:50 pm |
Poor puppy. It’s sad when the nicest creatures are the ones who are abandoned and overlooked.
November 7, 2008 at 6:16 pm |
You learn something new every day. I thought you were a dog lover in addition to your other pets. You owned two dogs didn’t you?
I am a huge dog lover, but am lukewarm on cats. I was bit by a stray cat when I was young. I was being nice to it, and it turned on me. I don’t trust them. but then again it could be that I had a bad experience with a cat, but have not had one with a dog yet.
I own several dogs and am around others all the time. There is also a cat in my house too.
The blog is a sad story. You are great for taking care of him/her. but the reality is that you will leave and he/she will be alone again.
It breaks my heart, yet your actions make me smile.
Thanks for sharing.
November 7, 2008 at 7:46 pm |
Pass him on my best wishes
November 7, 2008 at 8:33 pm |
a beautifull girl, a beautifull heart! what you do make for the smallest you will be returned in blessings!
November 8, 2008 at 9:47 am |
Life isn`t logical sometimes, the dog is sweet, but hasn`t someone to take care of him. At the same time the most beautiful and goodhearted girl in the world is single.
Some things are hard to believe, but that is life.
Atleast you gave the dog some good times, probably someone else will feed him like you did, soon.
Your heart is in the right spot.
November 8, 2008 at 5:11 pm |
Hi Aria,
You are very near of Turkey.Cyprus is very nice island.The Republic of Northern Cyprus Turkish is wonderful.Girne is very nice.Its Mediterranean beach is super.There are a lot of comfortable hotels in there.
Turkey is very near of Cyprus island.You can arrive in Turkey by plane or ship.
I advice to visit in Turkey.Istanbul is the most biggest city in Turkey.
There are a lot of historical and touristical places in there.Our Eagean and Mediterranean sea sides are wonderful.
After that,You are very friendly and kind.So You don’t think about this subject.
I advice you How you travel in The Republic of Northern Cyprus Turkish and Turkey.
I am waiting for you.
I kiss you sweet
November 9, 2008 at 4:35 pm |
I had the same thing happen to me on a trip to PV, Mexico. What I did is go to the store before I left and bought the biggest bag of dog food I could find. I left the food in the court yard with a note saying, “Please feed the dog.” The owner of the villa did not mind. There are all types of animals, children and adults in the same position as the, ‘Yellow Dog”. It makes you wonder what else can we do? Is the world self correcting or is it telling us to help each other? The more you travel the more you see. It opens your eyes to beauty and poverty.
November 9, 2008 at 5:48 pm |
I have found that a lot in Greece most of the cats and dogs are very skinny and hang around the tables in tavarnas waiting for a few scraps of food .
November 10, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
Oh, Ms. Aria, could you possibly be as sweet as you are pretty? One of these days I’m gonna get myself a good woman like you and a good dog, too – a shelter dog – and a cat, too – a black one. Those ones are lucky, right?
November 11, 2008 at 3:34 am |
Were it that I lived in Greece, I would beg for the delicious food, too.
Bring the dog home, Aria!
November 11, 2008 at 3:56 am |
im a dog person, the first dog i had was a stray my dad found, she was such a mush, a scary mush if she didnt know you, but it was all theatrics, i could play with her and shed be growling and id still be petting her as we played tug of war, she was part pitbull doberman and german shepard, with the cutest ears and a scary bark, im normally good with animals, but im not really a cat person, they are too tempermental usually, like my friends cat will attack you if you touch her belly and he’ll purposely roll over, i think its a game, because once in a while he’ll let me rub it, but i aunts cat you cant go near without getting attacked, almost everyone who has ever been in that house got attacked by it i like dogs better because they are bigger and more friendly, i want an ocelot or lynx because they are bigger, those are the only two i would get, i really want a silver or black fox
November 11, 2008 at 8:41 am |
HI
Loved all the pics u had posted on myspace when u were last time here in India
I follow all ur travels and its great to see u exploring all the parts of the world
So when to India next?A long long time ago when u were regular on myspace u told me that ull let me know when u were in India
.Still waiting for that msg
November 11, 2008 at 2:59 pm |
I am a cat person, most definitely, but I will not argue their ferocity. My cat, beautiful and bright as he is, is an evil beast. Most of his thoughts revolve around food and murder, and to wake me up he pokes me in the face with his razor-sharp nails. But I love the little jerk, and I’ve never considered living my life without a feline present.
November 12, 2008 at 3:19 am |
you should find a shelter for the dog. If hes starving that usually means hes domesticated and cant fend for himself
November 13, 2008 at 4:59 pm |
It’s always a difficult situation when you’re abroad and you come across animals that look neglected. The thing is you often find it’s just the way the local community treat there animals. To ‘the tourist’ it appears like neglect, but to the locals it’s the norm. In England a dog is a member of the family and stays in the house, in places other places in the world a dog would never ever be allowed to set foot in the house… if you see my point.
Aria, don’t ever go to a famers market in France. My god they have crate after crate of ducklings caged up and as soon as you go near them they go all excited and basically say ‘help get me out of here’. I nearly sold everything I own so I could buy a lake and set them free. Sad really, but that’s world culture for you.
November 26, 2008 at 4:59 am |
I love puppies,
i m so move with u words
November 26, 2008 at 12:24 pm |
What I find ironic is when we have so much compassion and love for cats and dogs, yet we aren’t concerned about the cows, calves, lambs, etc. that are slaughtered by the millions in factories on a daily basis just for the satisfaction of our tongues. Contrary to popular belief, meat is not an essential or required ingredient in the human diet.
I guess I just feel like if we’re going to be so concerned for cats and dogs, then we should be concerned across the board for ALL animals and ALL sentient life. Why cause unnecessary harm to any living creatures?
December 30, 2008 at 5:12 pm |
Hello Aria
Unfortunately, there are many homeless dogs and cats.
I live in Romania and also is a problem with them, because no one wants to do something. The vet clinics aren’t so “modern”, and for the executive the easy way is to catch and kill them.
Fortunately, there are people with soul, who take care of them, bring food and water to them, but are few.
You did a very good thing giving the poor dog food.
You are great Aria , many success in your work.
January 23, 2009 at 9:12 am |
it’s a shame that usually dogs,and cats sometimes that dont have a home,or their owners dont want to take care of them and they are abandoning them on the streets,which they finally die from starvation,or hitted by a car.I think every country should take care of those animals and give them a place where they can live in dignity.
March 1, 2009 at 8:52 pm |
Just checking to see if you’re still posting on this site as opposed to the others.
June 2, 2009 at 10:43 am |
I too am not very fond of dogs, but my fam and i are avid animal lovers and would have done the same.
I hungry animal, no matter what, is still a hungry animal.
I’m glad someone out there still cares.
thank you:)
-Gjestar