We all met him as “Loukanikos”. We did not know that the man who found him when he was a puppy had named him Theodoros. But, whatever his name was all foreign media agencies showed a great interest in him.

As Petros Katsakos writes in Avgi newsaper, Loukanikos posed on many magazine covers around the world and inspired people to write a song about him, whereas Times magazine included him in the 100 personalities of 2011. He was called a “riot” and “Greece’s front-line riot dog”.

He was unfazed by even the most violent of protests, even in the midst of thrown rocks, water canons, and tear gas. He was among the protesters fighting with his own way and barking at the police officers who were trying to suppress the Greek citizens.

He inhaled thousands of chemicals and tear gas thrown by police, his body was wounded by police officers’ kicks. About two years ago, Loukanikos disappeared from Syntagma Square where he used to be and he withdrew from the protests and demonstrations.

He returned home, tired and with serious health problems. He spent his last two years next to the man who cared him all these years.

He was about ten years old, but his health condition was getting worse due to the gas and chemicals he had inhaled during the demonstrations, his vet said.

Now, our four-legged hero who left his mark on the streets of Athens rests under a tree on a hill in the center of Athens. Loukanikos will not bark again at policemen, he will not receive again the friendly touch of protestors. Our friend, Loukanikos, left early for a world without tear gas, kicks and chemicals…