There is no better way to be stared at in Tirana than to be seen keeping company with street dogs and even touching them. Pedestrians, runners, cyclists and motorists all turned to stare on the way by. One guy was staring so hard that he went off the road and started heading towards the lake.
Apart from staring most people don't actually say anything. Only one person has ever commented. He said that the dogs were dirty. Which they are - they live on the street, they find their food among the garbage. But I don't understand why people are concerned about dirty dogs when every street in this city has a pile of overflowing garbage, often blocking the pavement and often located directly outside a restaurant or cafe. Our own fine street has two such piles.
In fact, if it weren't for the dogs eating the garbage and probably killing the rats that feed on the garbage the place would be an even worse mess. Dirty dogs are the least of this city's health and safety problems.
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Hey, don't be too hard on Albania. Greece (a European Country) has so many stray dogs in some areas, it's scary. In my area which is supposed to be a nice area, I try to go for a nice jog around my quiet neighborhood and I'm chased for kilometers by a trail of barking mutts. I call the police and they just shrug, and can't do much.
Now, I like Dogs and don't harbor any ill will towards them, but I just don't believe the Greek's mentality of "Oh, the dogs need to be free". Well, when I can't take a jog or walk my infant for a stroll without having to be on guard for dogs, then that's too much. Yes, many of them are friendly, but a few of them are not, and this is what worries me.
But, I have a compromise or bribe for them. I always carry a soft envelope of dog food and if I see a dog who appears aggressive, I open the envelope and let the food spill out onto the pavement and then keep jogging away. No dog has continued to chase me once the "Gravy Train" has rolled....
Anyways, I see Albania is now starting to get on your nerves, which is what they call Phase II in a foreigners' experience in their new country.
Congrats Alwyn, your honeymoon Phase with Albania has ended.....
Scruffy, I saw lots of very large stray dogs in Athens which surprised me. And I can certainly understand your concern when there are kids involved.
The honeymoon phase actually ended after I came back from Prague - I've just been trying not to let it show too much.
Sorry I have no pictures of Athens - forgot to bring my camera.
Anonymous, I've heard they had problems in Prishtina - I also heard that one of NATOs many tasks was to shoot them. I know that in some rural areas they have had the same problem with packs of dogs becoming very aggressive. Maybe being in the city and being around people makes them more wary and less confident.
Anna, I had a friend who was chased through the park in daylight by a group of dogs, though I have not yet had any problems other than being barked at. Having said that, I am also wary of unknown dogs coming my way after dark.