Jan 2 2005
While in recent years Greece has made great strides in the treatment of animals, stray and otherwise, it's still not uncommon to encounter hungry strays. Until recently, veterinary services for pet animals were few and far between, and even just a shop devoted to pets was a rare thing. This is definitely changing, and the more awareness generated about the plight of lost or abandoned companion animals, the better.Cats and Dogs in Minoan Crete
In ancient Crete, the animals may have fared better. Golden dogs were sacred to the goddess Diktynna. A golden dog was also said to protect the god Zeus. Some believe that this "golden dog" still survives on Crete, and may be the oldest surviving type of domesticated dog.
Domestic cats may have originally arrived as imports from Egypt, and they appear on the earlies Minoan seal stones. Minoans also had pet monkeys and other exotic animals; even lions may have survived on the island until the beginning of Minoan civilization.
Walk Around Crete in 50 Days
Going in Circles with the Ancient Minoans
