Žorik memorial, Arsenal Keskus, Tallinn
"The homeless street dog Žorik lived in Kalamaja and managed to avoid being taken to a shelter for over fifteen year. He was even called the phantom dog because he always seemed to disappear into thin air when someone tried to catch him. The local residents took care of him, doing everything they could to ensure Žorik’s days were spent in freedom. The exact age of the dog is not known, but according to different sources, he lived somewhere between 15 to 22 years.
There probably aren’t as many varied stories about any other Estonian dog. According to one legend, Žorik was born in the summer of 2001 in the territory of Bekker Port. According to other accounts, however, he was born in 2007 in the area of Suur-Patarei Street. Both stories have something in common: the entire litter, along with their mother, was initially caught and taken to a shelter, but Žorik and his brother managed to escape. Miraculously, the puppies found their way back to Kalamaja, and after spending a short time around Balti Jaam Railway Station, they moved closer to the Sitsi district.
For several years, the dogs lived near Paljassaare Port, but after his brother’s death in a car accident, Žorik chose his new home to be Arsenal Center on Tööstuse Street as his new home. In addition to befriending humans, the stray dog also befriended homeless cats, and together, they spent many years sleeping side by side in a rundown shack’s courtyard.
In his final days, the Animal Rescue Group NPO took over the responsibility of caring for and feeding the elderly dog. In his last year of life, Žorik’s health was quite poor, and he often fell asleep on the road, disrupting traffic while being partially deaf. Primarily for his own safety, the decision was finally made to capture the dog and take him to a foster home.
Žorik passed away on January 17, 2022. On the International Animal Day, October 4, 2022, a monument dedicated to him and all the other homeless street animals was put up in front of the Arsenal Center under the leadership of the Animal Rescue Group. The sculpture is placed exactly where Žorik used to sit daily, welcoming visitors to the center."
Source and in Estonian and Russian here
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