I was going to write something about the people I met here and how amazing the coffee shop across the street from my apartment is, but then I remembered that dogs exist.
Athens has its fair share of dogs around, however most of them are strays. These dogs are huge, like think St. Bernard size, and they just lay around in the sun, you know, being dogs. I’d love to just sit down with them and spread my love around, but I know they’re probably covered with bugs and things, not to mention the fact that they might not be used to love. As sad as that makes me that they don’t have a home, I know that they must get fed pretty well living off handouts from caring tourists.
Most people here who own a dog have very small dogs. It’s probably easier that way since everybody lives in apartments without space for a big dog to get our and play. On the rare occasion that I’ve seen a golden retriever or a lab I always take the time to stop and appreciate them from afar (I should learn how to ask to pet people’s dogs in Greek).
Today I saw an amazing thing though. I was walking down the street and saw a lady walking with her service dog! I get so used to seeing these good boys on campus that I’ve taken them for granted, until now. I’d like to document that European Services Dogs are just as proud and happy to be helping their human as American Service Dogs.
If you, dear reader, have a dog near you, please give them a nice pet from me because I haven’t had too many chances here.
-Jack Schwab
PS: The more time that I’m here walking around, the more I notice incredible dogs. Every day I walk past this park and there are dog owners all over the place walking their dogs and letting them play with each other. Recently, I saw my favorite Athenian dog. They were this fairly old golden retriever, the kind of old where they get the wise, gray face, just sitting on a wall with their human, waiting for some fun to happen or maybe just enjoying spending time with their best friend.