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Description
Rain again- falling down from the sky like it plans to drown everything. Unusual for Greece at this time of the year they say, but never the less it rains a lot. I wonder what the pup is doing - no shelter, just a few rocks to protect her against the harsh weather…all alone hiding in the bushes beside the street.

The rain stops, the sun comes out again to burn our skin.
She heard the car already. Her fur is still soaked with water, but she doesn't care- we are here, a moment of companionship. Tail wagging, body held close to the ground, as if she is still unsure whether we really won't hurt her, she runs to us. I wonder how old she really is…two months? Her mother left her a week ago - happens in stray dogs. They are too unorganized to raise their pups most of the time. What's left is a young life that will soon vanish.
I hope the beautiful white hunting dog we saw the first days of our stay here in Greece just changed her territory… I know that there are other explanations.
I pull the can of dog food out of my bag and the pup gets excited: food! Food means life. It takes just a few moments for her to eat anything I offer. Her belly is full - she will survive another day. At least the hunger won't take her life today- other enemies still remain. I remember Klaus words "I saw people here jump out of a car to smash a turtle’s head" "Why?" I asked. "I have no idea..." he answered. That's how this world here works. An animal’s life doesn't count much. They are there to work. If they can't do it anymore ... well. Poison is a common solution. Who doesn't get killed by his former masters ends up abandoned in the mountains. "They had a 17 year old donkey that wasn't able to work anymore....they left him in a place without water or food and it was bleeding from his eyes" That's what a Greek boy told me. I saw the pity for the animal in his eyes – hope for a better future.
Being at the local festival in one of the villages around I wonder for the hundredth time how people that are so warm and kind to strangers can be so ignorant and cruel towards other creatures. Old and young dance together and welcome everybody – in Greek the word for stranger and guest are the same. Why do they see their animals so differently? Working together all day for years - "I don't have a relationship to it".
A car drives by. People stop at the parking spot close to the pups hideout. The dog lifts its head and stands up. I see the fear in her young round eyes – distrust, her tail between the legs she runs into the bushes again. Behavior that could save her life. Adaptation? Almost no experience with humans and she knows already the most important rule for dogs here: Don't be too trustful! All dogs here are shy - even the ones that have an owner who cares for them. Working machines - not all of them. I think about Irma the spotted mutt belonging to an Athenian woman who came to visit her mother. Never the less: Irma is as well shy towards strangers, rolls belly up fast, lowers her body all the time to get sure everybody notices her servility. Irma’s owner watches her with a concerned look, when she plays in our camp "I'm afraid" she says and I ask her why "because of the poison...." - It's not just strays that suffer.

There is no future for "my" puppy in this country that doesn't want her. I asked the people around for a solution - they are willing to help....not all Greek people ignore the situation of animals in their country. Not all are uncaring. However there is no way...no home for her here. "If somebody will take her she will end up on the street again sooner or later...if she didn't get killed..." always the same answer. If there is a shelter, some place to bring her, where she will be safe? – There isn't, they are sorry and watch me with a compassionate gaze. My fellow students are worried as well. Time's ticking....what will happen to her when I leave back to Germany?
There is no other way: she has to come with me. Klaus is not happy but my decision is made. I looked into her eyes - a gaze as if she begged me to help her- and made a promise… Xara of Lamia - that shall be your name now. Xara means Joy. I will bring you home.
It’s thanks to Nico that everything works – she borrows me the money I need. Everybody helps where they can. Problems remain: there are some irregularities with her passport – nothing is on time. Afraid again that she might have to stay here….
The vet in Makrakomi helps us – “No problem, we’ll fix that!” Thank you, man, thank you! Now the only problem left is to take her on the plane: “No place in the cargo compartment – she has to join me in the cabin. Problem is to find a fitting pet box – she’s already quite a large dog. “No, the box has to have this and that size – no exceptions.” The only box we get is a bit too large for the airline and a bit too small for Xara…
We’ll see what the airline will say – no time to get something else. It has to work!
Trembling again: the airline states that the box doesn’t fit. I ask if they really think that I will leave the dog behind…they get the manager. After discussing for an endless time Xara is allowed on the plane. It took a load off my mind.
Xara is next to me in the plane. A wonderful girl - I never saw such a relaxed dog. 4 hours driving to Athens- check in, 3 hours of flight. Carefree she's sleeping in her pet box while the plane carries her towards her new life. You will make your new owner very happy. “I didn’t believe you would really do it – the entire struggle…” Well Klaus: saving a life is always worth the effort…I told you.

Description
Rain again- falling down from the sky like it plans to drown everything. Unusual for Greece at this time of the year they say, but never the less it rains a lot. I wonder what the pup is doing - no shelter, just a few rocks to protect her against the harsh weather…all alone hiding in the bushes beside the street.

The rain stops, the sun comes out again to burn our skin.
She heard the car already. Her fur is still soaked with water, but she doesn't care- we are here, a moment of companionship. Tail wagging, body held close to the ground, as if she is still unsure whether we really won't hurt her, she runs to us. I wonder how old she really is…two months? Her mother left her a week ago - happens in stray dogs. They are too unorganized to raise their pups most of the time. What's left is a young life that will soon vanish.
I hope the beautiful white hunting dog we saw the first days of our stay here in Greece just changed her territory… I know that there are other explanations.
I pull the can of dog food out of my bag and the pup gets excited: food! Food means life. It takes just a few moments for her to eat anything I offer. Her belly is full - she will survive another day. At least the hunger won't take her life today- other enemies still remain. I remember Klaus words "I saw people here jump out of a car to smash a turtle’s head" "Why?" I asked. "I have no idea..." he answered. That's how this world here works. An animal’s life doesn't count much. They are there to work. If they can't do it anymore ... well. Poison is a common solution. Who doesn't get killed by his former masters ends up abandoned in the mountains. "They had a 17 year old donkey that wasn't able to work anymore....they left him in a place without water or food and it was bleeding from his eyes" That's what a Greek boy told me. I saw the pity for the animal in his eyes – hope for a better future.
Being at the local festival in one of the villages around I wonder for the hundredth time how people that are so warm and kind to strangers can be so ignorant and cruel towards other creatures. Old and young dance together and welcome everybody – in Greek the word for stranger and guest are the same. Why do they see their animals so differently? Working together all day for years - "I don't have a relationship to it".
A car drives by. People stop at the parking spot close to the pups hideout. The dog lifts its head and stands up. I see the fear in her young round eyes – distrust, her tail between the legs she runs into the bushes again. Behavior that could save her life. Adaptation? Almost no experience with humans and she knows already the most important rule for dogs here: Don't be too trustful! All dogs here are shy - even the ones that have an owner who cares for them. Working machines - not all of them. I think about Irma the spotted mutt belonging to an Athenian woman who came to visit her mother. Never the less: Irma is as well shy towards strangers, rolls belly up fast, lowers her body all the time to get sure everybody notices her servility. Irma’s owner watches her with a concerned look, when she plays in our camp "I'm afraid" she says and I ask her why "because of the poison...." - It's not just strays that suffer.

There is no future for "my" puppy in this country that doesn't want her. I asked the people around for a solution - they are willing to help....not all Greek people ignore the situation of animals in their country. Not all are uncaring. However there is no way...no home for her here. "If somebody will take her she will end up on the street again sooner or later...if she didn't get killed..." always the same answer. If there is a shelter, some place to bring her, where she will be safe? – There isn't, they are sorry and watch me with a compassionate gaze. My fellow students are worried as well. Time's ticking....what will happen to her when I leave back to Germany?
There is no other way: she has to come with me. Klaus is not happy but my decision is made. I looked into her eyes - a gaze as if she begged me to help her- and made a promise… Xara of Lamia - that shall be your name now. Xara means Joy. I will bring you home.
It’s thanks to Nico that everything works – she borrows me the money I need. Everybody helps where they can. Problems remain: there are some irregularities with her passport – nothing is on time. Afraid again that she might have to stay here….
The vet in Makrakomi helps us – “No problem, we’ll fix that!” Thank you, man, thank you! Now the only problem left is to take her on the plane: “No place in the cargo compartment – she has to join me in the cabin. Problem is to find a fitting pet box – she’s already quite a large dog. “No, the box has to have this and that size – no exceptions.” The only box we get is a bit too large for the airline and a bit too small for Xara…
We’ll see what the airline will say – no time to get something else. It has to work!
Trembling again: the airline states that the box doesn’t fit. I ask if they really think that I will leave the dog behind…they get the manager. After discussing for an endless time Xara is allowed on the plane. It took a load off my mind.
Xara is next to me in the plane. A wonderful girl - I never saw such a relaxed dog. 4 hours driving to Athens- check in, 3 hours of flight. Carefree she's sleeping in her pet box while the plane carries her towards her new life. You will make your new owner very happy. “I didn’t believe you would really do it – the entire struggle…” Well Klaus: saving a life is always worth the effort…I told you.