Hello. I’m Tyson. Don’t be scared by my size — my heart is bigger than my body. I was found crushed somewhere in Skaramangas… Maybe I once had a home, maybe not. I don’t want to remember, it doesn’t matter anymore. I only remember that I was in a lot of pain. And then some people picked me up. They took care of me. I had an operation, it didn’t go perfectly, but I’m walking — a little limping, yes, but don’t feel sorry for me. I go for walks, as much as you want, without whining.
They put me in a place by myself. There were other dogs around. I’m not complaining, I have food and a place to sleep, but I would be arrogant if I asked for anything more? Every Sunday some people come and we go for a walk in the mountains. We have a great time! We walk and they give us treats and cuddles! Am I being presumptuous if I say that I like both? I don’t always accompany the same person, but so far everyone I’ve accompanied has a sweetness in their eyes when they look at me and in their voice when they talk to me! Maybe that’s what makes me crave human contact, no matter how strange it may seem to you.
On the last walk I couldn’t follow, my leg hurt a lot and I turned back. The next Saturday they came again and took me. They put me in a place where while I was still everything around me was moving. I sat down and didn’t react, they spoke to me tenderly and gave me treats and that reassured me. We arrived at a nice place with trees, they told me that there was a festival and that people who love my kind would come. They made me sit down and the person I was accompanying started petting and giving me treats again. Since I was already in pain, I didn’t want much, so I took a break. People were passing by and stopping in front of me. They smiled at me, caressed me and spoke sweetly to me. I was impressed, they asked about me. How old am I, how long have I been at the shelter, where did they find me and other such informations. Strange, this was the first time this had happened, so many people wanting to know about me, who didn’t know me and I didn’t know them. Many said that I would like a yard. And that’s another thing! How did they know what I would like? But just because some people asked themselves what I would want surpasses me! Do you know what I want most? I’ve thought about it in the countless hours I’ve spent sitting there at the shelter. I want a person to be my human, to take care of only that person and to be my whole world! If I’m not asking for much, I would also like a sofa to lie my body on as I receive caresses. Yes, and caresses. Especially caresses… Ah, look when I sit down and turn on my back on walks! There you can see happiness. Only then I have to go back to the shelter. I don’t want to. I can’t explain it to you any other way. While you’re on the couch at home! Am I asking for too much? Tell me. Is it unreasonable that I don’t want to be alone anymore?
To get back to the festival, you know, everyone loved me! You can’t imagine how many people passed by and fell in love with me. Really, I’m not saying this with arrogance, it’s true, it was visible in their eyes and I could smell it. Some thought about taking me home, I’m sure. The girl I was with was also trying to convince them how good I am and how much fun they would have with me. But I don’t know if it was effective that she kept petting me in front of them because that shows possessiveness. Maybe she forgot. The goal was to find me a family, not to show that we were family. I got up 2-3 times to go further and do the basics. Let’s not get attached to Koreans either. I also made my contacts on the walk! Even after I played a little, a little friend of mine wasn’t afraid of me even though I was, as they say, big. Strange, huh? People are more afraid of me than small dogs! Anyway, my leg was killing me from the pain and so we went back to our place near the kiosk. They were selling things to provide us with the necessities. I’m not saying I’m petting first, but my tummy is hungry and I’m not a drop, to maintain my body I need quantity. The girl you’re talking about saw me on the walk I was going and not going and started observing me closely. She calls the head of the club (because don’t you think she doesn’t take initiatives) and started telling her about my leg, that it looks swollen and that I’m having trouble walking. Come on, girl, you’re a match, you were late but you figured it out. Of course, it’s because I have Jovian patience and don’t whine. I won’t tell you much, they shout something else and as soon as I hear the word veterinarian, the snakes start to tie me up. They put a muzzle on me, give me an injection, put me down and the festival begins. The dishonest one killed me! I was patient, patient but I was writhing in pain. I didn’t move at all. 3 of them were holding me and I had the girl, don’t be afraid my boy and don’t be afraid my boy and I could smell her anxiety. Nice consolation. May they have flattened me and everyone above not miss the spectacle. Air, guys, air, go a little further, the dog is suffering and the other one, the burnt one, is struggling to clean my wound, a little empathy doesn’t hurt. Don’t you have a TV in your homes?
However, as soon as he finished and took off my gag, I can’t say I was relieved. What were they afraid of, lest I bite them? If I wanted to, I would eat iron, where would I be stuck? I’m just smart and I understood that they wanted my best. Well, I let out a little growl mixed with crying, but from the pain. The doctors looked at me with compassion and treated me well, so I don’t hold grudges. I didn’t hold grudges against others, and those who didn’t treat me well will I hold grudges against them?
So after the torture was over and the girl I was accompanying calmed down, it was time to go back. I understood and even though I was injured, I walked to the car. That’s what they say when you’re still and everything around you moves. We get to the shelter but I didn’t want to get out. Not out of stubbornness. Out of necessity. I wanted to stay there. I had a great time! This girl I was accompanying and had become my crush could take me home. But she made it clear to me that she can’t because she has 4 kittens, right? She says one is aggressive, Ha ha I laughed. Excuses as always. It doesn’t matter, where the poor thing is and his fate. I took my sore legs and went back to the shelter. The next day, they came but they didn’t take me with them, I was upset. I stood up proudly to show them that I had no problem and I was shouting. I didn’t want to be left behind. I wanted cuddles and companionship, I was already better. They don’t understand, I’ve been through worse. They’re leaving without me. It’s like I’ve missed more opportunities to find a home. The next day, another one came and took me and took me to the vet again. I’m not saying it’s good, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves! This has tired me out, I won’t hide it from you every time another person comes and takes me. Don’t think, for a dog it’s tiring, it has to adapt immediately, a different person means different habits, different smells, everything is different, how do you cope? The worst thing is that he took me back to the shelter and again I didn’t want to get out of the car. But who listens to me? They do whatever they want. This is why I would like a home, a person. To give him all my love, all my devotion and to be a worthy companion! Okay, I will want mine too, but it’s not that much anymore, love, caresses, walks, food and a warm corner to share my life. Because as Arvanitaki said, “A life not shared is a life stolen.” I am also a music lover!
To not overstate the point, I am 8 years old. I know how to love. I don’t pull on walks, I don’t bark without reason, I don’t ask for much. A couch and a person. That’s all. To no longer feel like a stray. Call me “ours”.
And I will repay you with all my heart. All of it. Forever.
With love,
Tyson 🐾