A few days ago I went to a nearby forest after the first snow fell and it is hard to experience those charms on the streets of a big city, and there I know for sure that I will enjoy the untouched snow.
The post I am writing now does not fit totally into the form of community, because the dog is not mine (apologies to that), although I think it is superfluous to mention, considering the fact how many strays I meet a day on the streets, it may be necessary to remind ourselves that they have nowhere to go.
I grew up with different types of animals and I can't turn my head and pretend I don't see them.
No shelter, no food.
I almost got out of the woods and as I was crossing a narrow but very busy traffic street I saw a huge dog standing in the middle as cars passed by him on both sides, not intending to slow down.
Then I somehow called him to step aside and he came right away as if waiting for someone to notice him.
Look at those sad eyes ....
The dog is very big, if he stood on his paws he would be tall up to my shoulders. Once the dogs chased me just because I was riding a bike, I was never attacked by a stray, so I was not afraid of him either.
There was no necklace around his neck, which only indicates to me that he has no owner, he is not starved, but his stomach is empty and he walked the path with me all the time, either next to me or behind me, but never in front (that was cute)
If he stayed a few steps behind me, he would run back to me very fast and walk exactly so that his head was placed straight under my hand.
The only thing I had in mind was how to get to the nearest store and get him some food, bread, meat, and whatever, but in this part of town, the store was not within 2km.
Then we continued to walk together, dogs, unlike cats, are dependent on people, a cat is a hunter and will provide food for itself at any time of the year, for dogs it is a little harder unless they find something next to the container.
Our system does not deal too much with strays, and I notice that people prefer to buy a pet "tailor-made", because of the pedigree or whatever, as if ordinary is unworthy of a "luxury" life.
I never bought an animal, I always picked them on the streets and adopted them whenever I had the chance, unfortunately, I could not take this dog home, I live with two cats in the apartment.
The only thing I could do was take him to where there were more people (maybe someone will pay attention) and feed him temporarily.
And then we came across a bypass hill, a couple of dogs were playing around their owners.
And he saw them too, here my empathy reached level 1000, I secretly hoped that he might run to them and I started to leave slowly, but he noticed me and ran again back to me.
And finally, the first store I came across was for pets, a coincidence?
I went inside, I was greeted by a well-groomed golden retriever, I explained to the owners what I needed and for whom, since I found it in their area I thought he might know the owners if they exist at all, but nothing.
He immediately stuck his snout into the bag with granules right in front of the pet shop.
I picked up the food, we took a few more steps further to the first building, I placed the food on dry concrete, and then 2 more dogs came.
And here came the time of our separation.
I looked behind me a few more times, but he wasn't following me anymore, he found friends.
My mission was over.
I am aware of the fact that millions of people on this planet are also starving, but they can still afford at least one meal a day or way to produce it.
Animals can't do that, winter has just begun, so if you don't mind, you can always have some leftover food in your backpack that you will throw away, however - make some furry soul happy with it instead of wasting it.
This bag with 1 kg of granules cost about 120 rsd (approximately to 1 euro)
If you see them - feed them, it will remind you that you are just a simple living being like they are.
Just sayin`
Thank you all for your attention 🙌