Valia Orfanidou saw a small black and white stray puppy emerge from the bushes and start trotting purposefully behind her car as she drove along a rural road in Greece.

She stopped her car and looked at him in amazement through the rearview mirror. Valia, a Greek animal rescuer, runs a blog called The Orphan Pet, where she shares her experiences with each rescue and the work she does.

“Oh no, not another one,” she thought. “There are between three and five million stray dogs in Greece. There’s no other option for those who no longer want their dogs—the streets here are like an open-admission shelter.”

This puppy was running behind my car in the middle of nowhere, so he came home with me.

IMAGE / The Orphan Pet

The driver stopped her vehicle and tried to approach the small dog to persuade him to get in. She spent over ten minutes trying to find a way to gain his trust.

“He hid behind the car wheels when I stopped. Every time I got closer, he would back away and hide again. When I took a step back, he would come out of hiding and bark at me as if he had something to say.”

The little dog seemed very happy, wagging his tail excitedly when the woman finally managed to pick him up and put him in the car. Valia rushed to a veterinarian, where, thankfully, it was discovered that the puppy was in excellent health despite living on the streets.

This puppy was running behind my car in the middle of nowhere, so he came home with me – YouTube

IMAGE / The Orphan Pet

The puppy, now known as Bandit, is living in a loving foster home in Athens. He is a very intelligent and active young dog who is thriving in a happy environment and maturing quickly.

He has a strong will and is independent. However, he is also incredibly devoted and eager to learn.

Angel’s rescue story. A puppy found sick and scared next to his dead brother – YouTube

IMAGE / The Orphan Pet

Bandit is now experiencing many new things. He enjoys soft, comfortable beds, healthy food, the unwavering affection of his caregivers, and pleasant walks where he can run until he gets tired.

Thanks to the help of Second Chance Animal Health Society, Bandit will soon find a forever home that will give him the love and care he deserves