Save Us

I've talked about Ankara's street dog problem before: the incessant barking, the dog fights at 3am, the trash that gets sprauled about. While those things are irritating it's really the stalking by knarly-fanged, hungry- looking dogs that concerns me. Across the street from the back entrance of our new apartment (where we park our car) is a partially finished apartment building (unfinished buildings are not uncommon here because people start to build and then run out of money). On any given day as many as six street dogs can be found lounging under the shelter of boards or milling around the trash that people have dumped at the site. They look like this:

Okay, not really. That's just what pulled up when I googled "scary dog".

Anyway, if it's true that dogs can smell fear then they can smell me a mile away. When I go to my car they study my every move. They watch my children. They wait to see what kind of goodies we've got on us. A few nights ago, as I unloaded groceries, three dogs came toward me with swift, steady motions, and then stood a few feet away and salivated. I would have immediately tossed my 10 lira chicken (=$7 chicken) to them to save my own hide, but luckily I escaped with all my purchases.

Some might claim that I've built the the ferociousness of these dogs up in my mind a bit. And, that may be. But, my concerns are not unfounded. I have a friend who was bitten right outside her apartment complex door, and know of several children that have been followed by these ownerless beasts.

So, blog readers, I need help. Send me ideas (humane, non life- threatening ideas) on how to keep these dogs at bay. Your suggestions will be put into action and then you can rest in the knowledge that you took part in saving me and my children from being eaten by dogs.