The Dogs' Hero

I was told, in my first week of studying at Ioannina University, that the stray dogs which roam freely around campus are of an ancient breed. Whilst this fact might need to be taken with a pinch of salt, the lives of the dogs here are most certainly unique. Afterall, it isn't often that you see a collective of over 15 dogs, of different breeds and ages, which look far from stray and seem to roam around as if the campus is primarily their home. 

The reason these dogs appear so healthy might all be down to one man. 

He's known around campus as a dog whisperer, a canteen bread hoarder and a leftovers recycler. Cycling the paths of the campus, come rain or shine, the man in question looks out for all of the dogs that inhabit the university grounds. His typical daily activities include but are not limited to: attending the canteen at peak times (during lunch and dinner) and scavenging for the 'good bits' on the conveyor belt of half-eaten trays of food. Filling large plastic containers with bread, rice, meat and even salad, he then treats the dogs to a full meal of appetising cooked foods. 

He interestingly describes himself as a "quiet protester", keen to engage in conversation about his mission with students on campus. He seeks volunteers to support him and witnesses to speak up about the good intentions of his activities. 

When I temporarily interrupted his action of filling containers of food to find out more and to help him with the dogs, he described his mission in clear and concise terms. He intends to look after the dogs and to entertain them by feeding them left overs; they eat almost everything including "something healthy", a pinch of salad, and even love to play with a bread roll. Having assisted with carrying one of the containers of food outside to a hungry dog, it was highlighted just how much benefit can be derived from food which would have otherwise gone to waste. 

Unfortunately, his positive mission isn't easy to carry out and complete on campus. Earlier in the week, he described his fear of being followed and observed by "undercover security", by which I believe he means campus guards, who I have myself have witnessed patrolling the campus in a distinctive white car. He also described the increase in people who want to harm the dogs over the past few years, those of which he also describes as attempting to smuggle him into the back of their cars whilst they hunt the dogs without resistance. Whilst picking up left over foods, he also described the antagonism he faces from the canteen staff, whom he named "political enemies", who fight against him to dispose of the food from the trays before he can manage to collect it. 

Other conversations with him revealed that Ioannina's hatred towards the strays is just one of many problems he has with the nation as a whole. He also briefly mentioned his complaints about the prosperous patisserie and bakery industry in Greece, arguing that it promotes a sugary diet without warning about its health risks. 

He is a mysterious character, to say the least, whose role at the university, other than a lover of dogs, is unclear. However, his determination despite his unpopularity amongst the people is certainly inspiring.