Man, what a day! I swear, being a vet in Ioannina is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I roll into the clinic on Kountouriotou Street, coffee in hand, ready to tackle whatever comes my way. Little did I know, today was gonna be a wild ride.
First off, I get a call about a stray dog. Poor thing was wandering around near the lake, looking all sad and lost. I mean, who wouldn’t be? The view of Lake Pamvotis is stunning, but that dog? Just a mess. I hop in my car, zoom down to the waterfront, and there he is—scruffy, dirty, and giving me those big puppy eyes. Ugh, my heart!
I scoop him up, and he’s all wiggly and happy. I name him “Pavlos” after the lake. Classic, right? Anyway, I take him back to the clinic, and while I’m checking him out, my phone buzzes. It’s my buddy Nikos. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta come to the bazaar on Averof Street later!” I’m like, “Nikos, I’m knee-deep in dog fur here!” But he insists.
So, I finish up with Pavlos, who, by the way, is super chill. He’s gonna need a bath, though. I mean, he smells like he rolled in something... not great. But whatever, I’m happy to help. I give him some food, and he’s scarfing it down like he hasn’t eaten in days.
Then, boom! A cat comes in. Not just any cat, but a feisty little tabby named “Mitsos.” This dude is hissing like he’s auditioning for a horror movie. I’m trying to calm him down, but he’s having none of it. I’m like, “Chill, Mitsos! I’m not here to hurt you!” But he’s not buying it.
After a wrestling match with Mitsos, I finally get him checked out. He’s fine, just a little grumpy. I get a call from a frantic lady on Kapsali Street. Her parrot, “Polly,” has flown the coop. I’m like, “Seriously? A parrot?” But hey, I’m a vet, not a bird whisperer.
I rush over, and there’s this whole neighborhood search party. I’m thinking, “This is Ioannina, not a reality show!” We’re looking up trees, under cars, and finally, we spot Polly chilling on a branch, squawking like she owns the place. I’m like, “Great, now I’m a bird catcher too.”
After a few failed attempts, I finally coax her down with some crackers. The lady is crying tears of joy, and I’m just relieved I didn’t have to climb a tree.
Finally, I get a break. I head to the bazaar on Averof Street. It’s packed! The smell of grilled souvlaki hits me like a freight train. I grab a plate, and it’s like heaven in my mouth. I sit down by the fountain, watching the world go by. Ioannina is beautiful, man. The old castle, the cobblestone streets, the vibe—it’s all so alive.
But then, my phone buzzes again. It’s my boss. “We need you back at the clinic. Urgent case!” I’m like, “Seriously? Can’t a guy eat in peace?” But duty calls. I rush back, and there’s a cat with a broken leg. I’m like, “Great, just what I needed.”
I patch up the little furball, and as I’m finishing up, I can’t help but laugh. This day was a whirlwind. From strays to parrots to broken legs, it’s all part of the job.
As I finally close up the clinic, I think about Pavlos. He’s gonna need a home. I can’t just leave him out there. So, I decide to take him home with me.
Driving through Ioannina at night, the lights reflecting on the lake, I feel this warmth in my heart. It’s been a crazy day, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I mean, who else gets to save animals and eat souvlaki in the same day?
So, here’s to another wild day in Ioannina. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!