Why did I fall in love with this country?

There are many reasons why I love Turkey. One of them is undoubtedly the love and care that Turks have for animals. I know this topic might seem banal to Turkish readers, but in today's article, I want to describe the extent of the Turkish love for animals through the eyes of a foreigner who has been living in Turkey for some time.

Before settling in Turkey, I had visited as a tourist several times, and each time I was amazed by the number of cats and dogs I saw on the streets of Istanbul. I couldn't explain this paradox to myself. How can so many animals live in a metropolis where 16 million people reside? How can these animals be so calm and comfortable in a city that doesn't even sleep at night? How can these animals add so much beauty even to dark side streets? How can these animals transfer so much positive energy to so many hurried people? How can these animals "color" the gloomy images of the city in winter or in the rain just with their presence? There is only one answer to all these questions: PEOPLE. Thanks to people, these animals are lucky enough to survive even on concrete walls or asphalt roads. If it weren't for the people, there wouldn't be so much "living" beauty around.

I know the attitude of foreigners towards Turks regarding street animals from dozens of sources. It is possible to see this on social media, in books, in movies, and in documentaries. Turks have proven to the whole world that their country can be a "home" to millions of cats and dogs, and that people in their country can live in harmony with these animals. It is not for nothing that I have noticed many times that foreigners liken Istanbul to a "cat paradise". Undoubtedly, we must also acknowledge that street animals in Istanbul contribute to the increase in tourist interest.

The love and care a people have for street animals says a lot about understanding that people. Even if some want to prove otherwise, we can say that those people cannot be bad. Love for animals does not let us forget that we are human. It would not be wrong to say that as long as these animals live, the human within us will also live.

I come from a country where there is no culture of looking after street animals every day. But I was lucky enough to see this in Turkey. It makes me happy that my child can learn this culture by seeing bowls full of food and water on every street corner, and carefully arranged houses where street animals can be protected from the cold, the sun, and dangers. I am glad that every morning before going to school, she does not forget to say "Goodbye" to our cat, and then to say goodbye by petting the cats in the garden of the building where we live.

While writing these words, I wished for a moment to be a child again. Not to know that there is so much evil in the world. Not to know that a law has been passed in a country in this world to euthanize millions of street dogs. Not to know that some living beings can kill other living beings.

Turks are known not only for the beauty of the country they have been gifted but also for the images of dogs warming themselves at the entrances of shops on cold winter days in Turkey. They are known for the images of bulldozers digging holes in the roads to save a kitten or puppy that accidentally fell into pits or sewers. Turks are known for the cats and dogs standing in front of butcher shops and the butchers who are happy to feed these animals. The animals also sit and wait calmly and quietly in front of the shops because they know that people have big hearts and there is enough meat for everyone. Turks are known for the images of every passerby petting the head of a cat or dog with love and great warmth. We must admit! The Turkish love for animals is a cultural and identity trait that many peoples would want to possess!

But now we ask ourselves. Why should Turks be known for killing street animals? Why were other methods not used to solve this problem? Why do so many lives have to die? What right do we humans have to take the lives of other living beings? Why do we think that this planet belongs only to us humans? Are we really this selfish and egocentric?

I refuse to believe that people can be this bad!