Estonians erect statue in memory of stray dog

Zorik lived in the Tallinn neighbourhood of Kalamaja for about 12 years

The statue was funded by donations  (AP)

A black and white stray dog from Tallinn, Estonia, has been immortalised in a statue following his rehoming in the countryside.

The dog is called Zorik and has long been a presence in a neighbourhood in Tallinn. At around 12 years old he has been taken in by a family in the countryside to live out his days in more peaceful surroundings.

Residents of the neighbourhood miss him so much that they have put up a statue in his memory. The statue was funded by donations and has been made by a local artist.

Heiki Valner, the animal rescue volunteer behind the idea of a statue of Zorik said: “People donated for the monument” she added that “they still follow his fate even though he is already old and frail.”

The statue stands in front of a shopping centre and shows Zorik with a cat nestled between his paws. He has upright ears and shaggy hair around his mouth. It is apparently intended as a tribute not only to Zorik, but to all strays. Zorik used to spend time with stray cats which is why the statue includes one.

Residents of the neighbourhood say that the stray first appeared in the area about 12 years ago as a pup and has been in Kalamaja ever since.

Kalamaja, traditionally a working-class area around the port, is now becoming popular with Estonian hipsters. A group of them have now opened a cafe named “Zorik” in the area.

Ms Valner called the dog “a point of social integration” saying that he was able to touch “everyone” both young and old, Estonian and Russian. A Russian-speaking woman apparently used to feed him, as did the Estonian hipsters.

In a society where the divide between Estonians and Russians is felt, Zorik helped to unite the neighbourhood.

Zorik refused to be housed in a conventional way and Ms Valner called him a “free spirit.” Due to concerns for his safety, animal rescue eventually stepped in and gave him a new home, outside the city.

"In the end he was so senile that he would just fall asleep on the railway or tram tracks or just here on the road, so that cars had to drive around him," Ms Valner said.

Zorik has apparently tried to escape back to his old neighbourhood a few times but has now become too old to do so. His new owner, Viktoria Ger, calls him a “peculiar dog” who doesn’t like to be near people or to be petted. 

She puts this down to him having been hurt by humans during his life and so “he doesn't trust people.”

Ms Valner suggested his story “was a contest of good and evil," adding that some people tried to get rid of him, whilst others looked out for him. This time, she said, “kindness won.”