The Syrian Refugee And His Dog

We learn daily about the plight of hundreds of Syrians fleeing a war-torn country. Desperate people who arrive in a Europe, often hostile, in search of a refuge. Usually the plays are anonymous, but on certain occasions we manage to give them a face and a name. This is the case of Aslan, a 17-year-old boy who has traveled more than 500 kilometers without ever abandoning his dog Rose, managing to reach the now sadly famous island of Lesbos.

Syrian refugee travels 500 kilometers with his dog

The young man traveled with little belongings, just a little food in his backpack and with his Siberian Husky puppy in a pet carrier. The animal had a passport to be able to travel from one country to another. 

“I love this dog, I need her,” said Aslan  who, when he had to flee Damascus, didn’t think twice and took his pet with him. The young man claims that, to get to Europe, he traveled over 500 kilometers.

It is estimated that every day over 5,000 people fleeing the war in Syria land on the Greek islands. There are also those, like Aslan, who decide not to abandon their pet. Like the refugee who crossed the sea with his cat Zaytouna (olive in Arabic). The image of this man with his cat has gone viral.

The story of the young Syrian who traveled over 500 kilometers without abandoning his dog Rose should be an example for all those who irresponsibly abandon their pets, treating them as objects.

Animals, the innocent victims of armed conflicts

The humanitarian drama, unleashed by all the war conflicts, overshadows the tragedy that animals suffer. 

Although the media rarely echo these stories, we must be aware that  animals also suffer, are injured or left to their fate.

War destroys everything

It should not be forgotten that in addition to pets, other animals are also the innocent victims of human beings’ wars, such as those found:

• In the wild
• In zoos
• On farms
• On the farms
• In the reserves

How can we forget the animals in the Gaza Zoo, which died of hunger and thirst as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .

A world of contradictions

Knowing that a Syrian refugee has traveled 500 kilometers in search of a better place to live without abandoning his dog should make us think. We think of all those people who abandon their pets, for no reason.

In a desperate situation, Aslan didn’t hesitate to take Rose with him. With his dog he faced a very hard journey, in the name of love and loyalty. Leaving the animal in Damascus, abandoned to its fate, was unthinkable for this brave boy.

At the same time, in places where life is easier and more peaceful, kennels and shelters welcome dozens and dozens of animals abandoned by irresponsible owners every day.

Horizon and utopia for Aslan and Rose

The Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano said: “I walk ten steps and the horizon moves ten steps further. As far as I walk, I will never reach it. What is utopia for? It is precisely for this: to walk “. We must not lose hope, a better world is possible: a world without wars and without abandonment.

It may sound utopian, but we have to keep walking. This is exactly what Aslan did with his dog: together they walk towards a better world for both of them.