Let Sleeping Dogs Lie - The Athens Version

No where in the world has the phrase "let sleeping dogs lie" been taken with more seriousness than in downtown Athens, Greece. All around the central city, near the parliament building and in the most exclusive of shopping districts, you will find, you guessed it, sleeping dogs. They must be either protected by some obscure Greek statute or have an unspoken reverential place among the ancient Greek deities. For there they are, as is this happy guy, sleeping wherever and whenever the mood strikes them.The dogs of Athens, asleep, are everywhere and they are totally ignored. Here is a resting canine on the steps of the Grand Hotel Bretagne.

There is another perspective, that of noted dog psychiatrist, Dr. Dennis Fetko. He states there is good reason, avoidance of danger, to let the dog alone. Whichever is true, in Athens, they let sleeping dogs lie.

Another view is taken by a recent visitor to Athens. http://www.athensguide.com/straydogs/guardianangels.htm

This article puts forth the proposition that the stray dogs of Athens are in fact "guardian angels." So far I have only seen them sleeping. Maybe only at night they come awake. Sort of like Dracula guardian angels...... Is that a mixed metaphor?

http://www.terrificpets.com/articles/stories.asp?art=5

Author: Dennis Fetko, Ph.D.
Website: http://drdogsbehaviorsolutions.com
Description: The author, Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., "Dr. Dog" is a world-renowned animal behaviorist whose accomplishments range from appearing on the 20/20 television show and managing the reintroduction of captive-bred Arabian Oryx into the Saudi Arabian National Wildlife Research Center to making a presentation at the South American Veterinary Congress. Dr. Fetko's audios and ebooks detail his fast, easy--and even fun--methods to eliminate your dog's behavior problems. Learn more at http://drdogsbehaviorsolutions.com. Sphere: Related Content