We prefer to call it the facts of life in Greece and elsewhere. It is a deeply sentimental tribute to all animals and to the activists around the world who champion their cause. My heartfelt thanks to those friends and associates in Greece who give me inspiration and encouragement.

This venue is a "politically incorrect", non conventional, graphic documentation, irreverent and exasperated commentary and editorial on world nations and shameful societies in denial!

WAG is an international political lobby and advocacy force based in New York City. Our purpose is to expose the brutal abuse and blatant neglect of all animals - companion, farmed, captive, and wild - be it in the United States of America, the states of the European Union, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Romania, Brazil, China, Korea or the islands of the Caribbean - and lobby for reform.

Greece is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinarily beautiful countries in the world. It would appear to be a utopian venue for weddings, honeymoons and anniversary celebrations, and is without a doubt, the world's vacation and holiday Mecca.

"Greece is a relatively small country, but has accounted for a remarkable number of developments in the trek of mankind through history. Whether you are going to see the culture or loaf on the islands, Greece is a top travel destination for a good reason." Richard Monk.

Greece was home to some of the earliest advanced civilizations. From the Minoans of the second BC millennium to Mycenaeans who established the basis of the current language; the country has produced cultural, philosophical, political and sport advancements unrivaled by others.

Yet, sadly, we have been forced to detail another Greek reality in dramatic form after years of diplomacy, negotiation and the offer of professional assistance from international animal welfare organizations have been ignored.

Sadly, Mr. Monk neglects to note an important feature of life in Greece; that the companion and farmed animals unfortunate to be born in Greece, continue to exist in a living hell of brutal abuse and neglect and that what we have here, is the complete failure of Greek authorities to recognize this issue. Their categorical dismissal and denial of this malignant growth on the image of Greece is more than peculiar!

Count among the remarkable number of developments, the ever increasing cruelty to the animals that share this ravishing land of ancient history and the ever increasing indifference of a government facing scandal after scandal.

Please also note the merciless attacks upon the many Greek and foreign animal advocates in Greece who exhibit compassion and actively rescue the victims of inhumanity. It certainly does appear that man has trekked to new depths in Greece.

Fortunately, it is becoming more well known that Greece conceals a deep, dark murky secret. The human rights of Greek and foreign humane activists are being violated. Foreign activists have been thrown in jail and computers confiscated.

The Greek Government and the Ministry of Agriculture posture with an overt indifference to the horrifying plight of domestic and farmed animals, captive and wild. Ludicrous allegations of dog trafficking for commercial gain are rampant and the paranoia of vigilante citizens groups reigns.

What a pity that a country with such a luminary past is so resistant to positive change and is so consumed with denial. One would think that Greece would wish to move beyond the status quo. It would appear that The "Cradle of Civilization" is in dire need of a "re birth".

The barely heard whispers of Greece's ancient and glorious past are quickly becoming inaudible!

Greek culture boasts the ancient Acropolis, priceless antiquities, Poseidon, the "Live Your Myth In Greece" campaign launched by the Greek Ministry of Tourism.

Greek island hopping among the gems of the Aegean, yacht chartering, mouth watering moussaka, the fiery national drinks ouzo and metaxa and the impassioned dance, "hasapiko". But she conceals, and not too well, a blatant disregard for animal activism and Greek animal advocacy.

"Housekeeping" for the onslaught of tourists to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games hosted by the city of Athens, included the hideous, mass slaughter of thousands of abandoned Greek dogs and cats.

WAG spearheaded a campaign to bring the carnage to the world's attention, with the hope that adverse publicity would catalyze a platform of animal welfare reforms.

The world responded; but Greece appears to be in the clutches of a dysfunctional, bureaucratic senslessness and exercises a powerful failure to champion the cause of animal rights and the cause of those compassionate Greek citizens who do battle for the animals.

Present day cruelty towards Greece's animals is shameful and we question the lack of sanctions against Greece by the European Union and individual Parliament- arians. As well, too few Greek citizens are involved in lobbying their government for reform and performing compassionate acts of rescue.

Sadly, there are some salaried animal welfare advocates in Greece who appear to be living in a fantasy world and continue to report to their financial supporters that progress is being made in all areas of the country - more fiction that fact if you view reality devoid of personal agenda. If you wish to remain on a payroll, you measure your words and actions. The truth of the matter is that too many animals exist in a living hell. Sheer fact is that apathetic government officials, embroiled in one scandal after another, lack of interest and compassion and the Ministry of Agriculture and it's rabid persecution of Greek and foreign animal activists is repelling and indefensible. End of story!

Turkey
Istanbul is a city of wonders and the Istanbul twilight will mesmerize you. But the daylight and the twilight possess dark corners and hidden horrors. A 13-year-old boy threw fuel at a stray dog and set it ablaze in front of a silent neighborhood that watched the dog's painful writhing.

It was reported that stones were also thrown at the burning dog. The sorrowful plight of Turkeys animals is a blight upon a country with an astonishing history and a magical ambiance. Please access the Turkish page. The treatment of Turkish animals is an indignity to the teachings of Mohammed. Turkey is in negotiations to become a member of the European Union. As a member state it will be obligated, due to social correctness, to parallel European behavior towards her animals, not just her people and their economic survival. But will it?

Serbia &
Montenegro
"The war is over, but the brutal massacre continues"!

The atrocities of a brutal civil war have been over for years, but the cruel and senseless slaughter of animals continues unabated. A bloated and incompetent government scorns those animal advocates on the ground, striving to make a difference! Their constant cried for help and mercy go unanswered. Unless Serbia pulls herself up by her bootstraps, she will become just another recorded failure for the dustbin of history.

Portugal
Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.

A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms.

The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EU in 1986. Portugal needs to create a new "heyday" and enter the race to elevate the status of the country's farmed and companion animals.

Spain
"Nataku, a 12 month old dog, was trying to survive as one of the many aban- doned animals in Madrid. He could hardly find any food and his skeletal body was riddled with ticks. Then his luck turned suddenly for the worse: one or more sadists threw acid and smothered his tormented body.

The acid seeped into his ears, and pierced his eyes, and as he fought desperately to rid himself of the caustic assault, the acid also burned his legs.

He was found in a ditch by the road howling in agony, writing in pain; almost unable to breathe due to the acid fumes." He no longer suffers and no further commentary is necessary.