Dog Waits Outside Hotel Hoping for Food—Couple on Vacation Does One Better

While on vacation in Turkey, a couple noticed a friendly face greeting them at the hotel, tugging on their hearts and forcing them to make new plans.

A couple spotted a large dog sitting outside their hotel in Turkey, day and night. The dog, now named Aslan, looked starving and dehydrated. His ears were cut off, but he always appeared hopeful when the couple came around, as they showed in this week’s TikTok video posted to the account @aslan.rosh. Aslan lit up as the couple approached, wagging his tail with excitement.

The couple believed no one looked after the dog, noting in the comment section of their recent TikTok video that residents of this rural town “were afraid of Aslan” and they referred to him as a “pest.” They asked residents if he had an owner, but he did not, and the town believed he was dumped there by a farmer.

They couldn’t ignore Aslan. They fed him and gave him water for about a week while they stayed at this hotel. When it was time to leave, they couldn’t. They knew they needed to help Aslan.

The husband eventually took Aslan to the vet, where he received an IV because of his severe dehydration. Then they started the process of bringing him back to Colorado, which the couple wrote included following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and boarding him.

Newsweek reached out to @aslan.rosh via email for additional information.

The couple felt especially thankful to find Aslan when they did, as a new law in Turkey passed over the summer, known as the “massacre law,” which opponents say puts stray dogs at risk of euthanasia or being neglected in overcrowded animal shelters.

The Associated Press reported that the legislation requires municipalities to collect stray dogs and house them in shelters, where they will be vaccinated, neutered and spayed. The dogs will then be made available for adoption, but those in pain, terminally ill or considered a health risk to humans could be euthanized.

Touched by the couple’s selfless act, the TikTok video amassed over 1.6 million views and 235,300 likes within three days of posting.

“From cold hard streets…To warm silk sheets…that dog is living HIGH END now…What a lucky boy…You folks are very kind for saving him,” said a viewer.

A second commented: “He knew you would be his saviour. Thank you for your kindness.”

Another added: “And he’s so sweet and loving with all those kisses. Thank you for saving this sweet baby.”

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