YEREVAN — It was my last day in Armenia. I had travelled there to report on the elevation of the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), to the rank of Bishop by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.
I decided to walk through the streets of Yerevan and people watch.
On a side street, I saw a young, tall man holding the leash of his dog, who was shaking uncontrollably, his eyes planted firmly on the man’s face. I approached him and asked if everything was alright. Looking sadly at the dog, he did not answer. I asked if he lived in Armenia. He said he was from Damascus, Syria, and his parents, who had fled the war in Syria, were now living in Yerevan.
He said he would be returning to Damascus, because as a goldsmith, he would receive more work and higher pay in order to support his parents. Why had he brought his dog with him if he was returning to Damascus, I asked.
Looking at the dog, he quietly answered that he would be giving up the pup to a friend because there was regular bombing in Damascus and he did not want the dog to be killed.
Soon a woman joined him. She was carrying a bag. She apparently had gone shopping and had bought clothes and food for the puppy.
