I have taken so many pictures of stray dogs during my trip.  But the one I do not have any pictures of for some reason, is the one I still can’t stop thinking about.  I met her in Sarajevo.   I first saw her watching me.  I said “hello” and she smiled and hobbled over on three legs, holding up one of her front paws, which appeared to be broken.  I bent down to pet her and she instantly flopped onto her back so I could reach her belly.  Oh I was in love.

I sat down on the ground to make this easier and she rearranged herself so that her head was in my lap. I LOVED this dog.  At first I thought she must be someone’s pet due to her demeanor and love of belly rubs.  But she had the tell-tale ear tag of a stray dog.

After playing with her for a while, I had to say good-bye.  She began following me, hobbling with her broken leg still held up.  No, please stop, you are breaking my heart!  Sigh.  I told her “stay” and motioned “stop” with my hand.  She instantly sat down, wagging her tail.  She kept smiling at me with her tongue hanging out.  There is just no way she wasn’t once owned by someone.

I still think about her often.  It is killing me that she is still out there, likely still homeless.