When we started building Villa Christina back in the 80’s we found a little black dog tied to a tree on our property. Someone had left her there to die and she became Spirtha, our first “hotel” dog.
She was joined by Sonia the Golden Cocker who became a great friend of whoever was doing a barbeque..and then Little Myrto who someone tried to steal in their suitcase.
Cats arrived by themselves and I’ve now given up trying to control them or even name them. I leave that to the children who are allowed to name one cat while they are staying (if we have new or unnamed ones). This has resulted in Cora, Chilla and lots of Mikes!
We also have an aviary with about 60 Budgerigars, 3 linneolated Parakeets and Ringo the Ring-necked Parrot. A fishpond with goldfish and Max the hedgehog are also members of our extended family but are rarely noticed or complained about.
Over the years the dogs came and went and now we have Rita, Chookie and Pluto plus a moving population of about 10 cats.
If you are an animal lover then you wont have a problem with this menagerie but if you are nervous around dogs, and cats are a nuisance, then Villa Christina is not for you. The dogs will run up barking and swinging their tails wanting to play and the cats will sit outside your door, staring at you and hoping for a free meal.
Pluto my largest dog usually approaches people with a “gift” in his mouth. He is part retriever and this is his way of saying he likes you.
We ask our guests not to feed the animals but with the cats it’s different as many are strays or wild cats who only come here in the summer months looking for a meal BUT we ask you not to feed them on your balconies as the next person who arrives may not be happy to find them waiting to share breakfast.
Many of my dogs were homeless or abandoned and I wish I could help more but it’s impossible.
The Animal Welfare of Zakynthos does a wonderful job with very few funds and there is also a program to take street dogs back to Germany. You can help by putting them on your passport and they fly back with you where an adoption family waits for them.
This costs you nothing and you would be rescuing animals that otherwise are condemned to a life of starvation on the streets.
If you would like to know more about this please go to the animal welfare site belowhttp://www.zawf.gr/index-en.php
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