Happy endings

Mikaela came to the sterilization action we did at the shelter on October 25. Very young, thin but nevertheless fresh, with that freshness of youth that no hardship can hide. 

As soon as she was sedated, we discovered that she was lying down. She had new and old bites on her body everywhere and we realized how much she suffered on the way and it was impossible for us to let her reintegrate. 

So Mikaela stayed with us, not only because she would not survive on the street, or at best she would live a hell, but also because she is a wonderful, young and tender dog who deserves to find a family of her own and live in love. 

Once she completes her treatment for ehrlichia, she will be ready for a forever home. 

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Mitsaki was born on the street. It was the only puppy we found when we went to pick up its mother for spaying, during the spaying campaign we held at the shelter in October of '25. 

For the two days that the mother was recovering from the spaying, Mitsaki stayed in a crate with us in the office. And as it sat in the crate, it seemed so alone, incredibly alone. 

So, we would take it out of the crate one by one every few hours and hold it in our arms. Sometimes it slept in one person's arms, sometimes in another's. On the third day, we tried to put it back with its mother, and the poor little one growled, and it broke our hearts into a thousand pieces. 

And Mitsaki returned to the office with us, and then it seemed even more alone than ever.

Mitsaki (which is NOT from Mitsos) we got from the surname of one of the volunteers whose lap he slept on. We used to call him that affectionately, and the name stuck.

That weekend he was vaccinated, and after the sterilization campaign he went into foster care, where he lives with other dogs, sleeps in a soft bed, and enjoys the warmth he first experienced during those four days at the shelter.

Once his vaccinations are complete, Mitsaki will be ready for a forever home.

There are dogs who seem to go unnoticed at first, and then, once you get to know them even a little, you wonder how you ever missed them.

Koula is one of those dogs. She came to us for spaying during our October neutering campaign. Small, quiet, with a face that looks at you with gentle curiosity. The more time we spent around her, the clearer it became that she wasn’t a dog meant to go back where she came from. So she stayed. And since then, she has been part of our everyday life.

Koula is very social. She enjoys human company and likes being close. She is affectionate without being demanding, warm without being overwhelming. She stays by your side, follows you around, sits quietly, and simply enjoys the presence of people. She has no nervous energy and does not seek chaos.

At first, she was a little unsure and confused, which was only natural. That changed quickly. Day by day, she grew more confident, moved more freely, and clearly showed how much she enjoys this new life and how easily she can adapt to a home environment. She is an easy dog, one that does not require special handling or prior experience. She needs a person, a routine, and stability, and in return she offers affection and companionship.

Koula is a dog for a home, for the couch, and for relaxed walks. If you are looking for a social, gentle, and calm companion to become part of your everyday life, Koula is truly worth meeting.

Mika wasn’t meant to stay with us. She came to our spay–neuter action in October along with a group of adult dogs who would later be returned to their area.

Small and thin, it was clear she was too young to be spayed. And so she stayed. On the first day, she wouldn’t come close to anyone. The next day, she took a couple of small steps forward. When the treats appeared, she started to trust us.

Mika may not have started life under the best circumstances, but she has an innate sweetness and a character that grows more beautiful every day. She’s a little explorer, eager to understand the world around her, asking only for time and a chance. She has everything she needs to become a wonderful dog; she just needs someone to show her what it means to grow up with stability.

Now that we’ve seen her open up, relax, and enjoy herself, we can no longer imagine her returning to the life she had before. She’s ready for a home that will allow her to be herself, and in return she will give all of her love. If you’re that person, you’ll watch her blossom right before your eyes.

Her name couldn’t be more fitting: Zoe, meaning Life.

When we took her from the municipal shelter of Krestena and placed her in the back seat of the car to bring her to Athens, we weren’t sure whether to name her at all. She was in such a critical condition that we feared she might not survive the journey. But the person transporting her decided to call her “Zoe,” in the hope that it might bring her luck. And it did.

Zoe arrived severely emaciated, unable to walk, and with a deep pressure wound on her hip. Her condition appeared to be the result of prolonged starvation. With consistent care, she slowly began to recover. Day by day, with patience and persistence, the people caring for her helped her stand and encouraged her to walk. They never gave up on her. And then, she did it, she walked. Today, her only remaining issue is limited vision in one eye, which does not affect her daily life.

Zoe has transformed or rather, she has finally revealed who she always was beneath that fragile body we placed on the back seat, checking again and again if she was still breathing. She is now the gentle, joyful, affectionate, and playful dog she was meant to be, but was once denied the chance to become. From here on, her life will only get happier and that happiness will be complete when she finally finds a home of her own.