A year ago, I wrote a story about my friend Carla Walker in Athens, Greece. She is a dog lover since childhood, has a menagerie of her own strays (18), and for the past several decades has boarded dogs for owners who are traveling and need a home away from home for their pet. Since moving to a different rural location without any infrastructure five years ago, Carla has been seeking supportive ways to rebuild and resume her business while caretaking her own dogs. When I wrote her extraordinary life story, it offered the possibility of contributing to this mission. For the complete history and Carla’s connection with Cabby Tennis and Maddy Hewitt, read Carla’s Dogs.

Here is what has transpired over the past year through voluntary crowd funding. Last September a large cement base was constructed behind the “View House” where it is backed by the stone wall of the property. This was to serve as the foundation for three large individual kennels which were purchased and shipped, unassembled, on pallets from northern Greece. 

In February, Cabby Tennis spent days building three steel kennels consisting of many pieces, bolted them together and to the wall behind, with Carla assisting and supervising. The roof lines were angled and tiled to drain rainwater over the wall. Extra caulking was applied to the exterior and interior bases to also prevent water from running inside during heavy rains. 

In April the kennels were carpeted with soft, green Astroturf for color and comfort. They are now ready to be outfitted with dog houses, and soon, animals for boarding.

Also, a computer was purchased so Carla now has the means to rebuild her website and advertise for short term dog boarding and the ability to Adopt-a-Pet virtually, which will contribute to consistent upkeep for food, vaccinations, medications, and vet care for the tribe.

For those who have donated to complete these projects over the past year, a heartfelt THANK YOU. There is still future work requiring financial support including exterior and interior painting, ceiling insulation and repair throughout the inside of the house to keep people and animals warm and dry in all seasons. There are ongoing monthly expenses for food, neutering and spaying, and vet care for the full-time resident dogs. 

For anyone who loves dogs or a good dog story, there is a way to contribute or re-contribute to the future welfare and maintenance of Carla’s Magical Dog Kingdom.

You can donate to a VENMO account in the U.S. established for this purpose. If you already have an account, search the VENMO app for: Cabby Tennis @Dog-Kingdom. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and email address on the form. For another way to contribute, contact Wendy at windowtoalifeoverseas@gmail.com

Carla is steadfast and unflinching in doing her part of good work in the world. She may have encountered more obstacles than many of us, but she is strongly committed to providing shelter and care for the four-legged creatures who live under her roof and run happily around the garden and olive orchard. Her unshakeable affirmation of purpose in providing animals with a good life is a reminder of how we can all make a difference, even with small acts of kindness.