Among the latest group of refugees is 17-year-old Aslan Al Hakim, who couldn’t bear to leave his beloved dog behind. “I need him”, he says.
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And if that isn’t enough to make you break out the tissues, a Facebook user named Rose Aslan responded to the post with the following comment. Just what Aslan is fleeing and how desperate his plight is isn’t elucidated upon, but his clean, white shoes and well-fed countenance suggests he hasn’t had the most arduous of journeys.
In the video, the teen appears to only carry a backpack and a small kennel for his dog.
He was told he would not be allowed to take little Rose across the Mediterranean but he wouldn’t take no for an answer and even made the dog her own passport for the journey.
“I love my dog”, was his reply when asked by the UNHCR why he chose to bring his pet with him.
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Aslan’s story is moving, but UNHCR reminds us that he is not alone in his commitment to his pet. When forced to flee home because of war, many people would never dream of leaving their pets behind.
