2025-2026 Central Asia Adventure – Special Report – Dogs in Istanbul
Some of my long-term readers may remember that I belong a Facebook group called “Grumpy Expats.” It’s a place where people living overseas can ask questions about housing, visas, schools, government bureaucracy, language, local customs and the like, but it’s also a place to vent about whatever shitfuckery is going on around you in your new home. Everyone is supportive because we’ve all “been there, done that” far, far away from home and the only rule is “Respect The Grump”. We do get the occasional Ungrump when something goes unexpectedly well. My first big ungrump was a 2022 post from Karen Swartz-Hammer saying she was going to be defending her PhD thesis in Turku Finland and none of her friends and family would be there to support her and cheer her on, on one of the biggest days of her life. I happened to be in Estonia at the time so I jumped on a ferry then a tram then a train then a taxi and made it in time to be in the audience for her defense and the awarding of her new title of Dr. Karen.
Well, Grumpy Expats came through again when I saw a post in August by Mia Rake about her efforts to help street dogs in Istanbul. I was about to kick off my fall trip through central Asia and was already planning on going to Istanbul, so I made contact and we agreed to meet up. Airplane, train, train, taxi and a short walk got me to her block in the city suburbs and we went out to meet her local family of the sweetest dogs, living in an abandoned construction zone. She has the biggest heart taking care of the feeding of the dogs, but also arranging for medical care for injuries and spaying & neutering, and is working on a long-term plan for some form of safe permanent housing, all by herself and out of her own pocket. The Turkish government has come up with yet another plan to “take care of the dog problem” and she is scrambling to find some kind of a solution quickly. We walked the neighbourhood, meeting all of her doggos, setting up the food for the day and enjoying the love that only a happy dog can give. She showed me the vet office that does some services for her, then we had a nice pastry lunch and talked about the trials and tribulations of life overseas. As I was leaving she gave me a wonderful gift and I gave her a donation towards future feeding and care.
If you’re so inclined, please contact Mia and send her happy vibes or a donation to help support her efforts, your heart will grow three sizes I guarantee it! This is her LinkTree with bios of all of the dogs and cats, her TikTok where she posts her care for them, an adopt/foster form and links to the different ways to donate: https://linktr.ee/Miarake
