Whitey The Dog, our Village mascot

When I arrived at the Village guesthouse, Whitey was lying on the road. As the Village Director and Whitey’s owner, Charlton, came to greet us, my new canine friend lazily got up to allow Charlton to pass by. He did not have the energy of a puppy, but Whitey’s eyes were kind and his hair a charming mess.

That was my introduction to the SOS Village mascot—who lives a life quite different from that of the many stray dogs that roam the streets of Namibia. Whitey is one of the few exceptions. He has a loving family who looks after him and rubs his belly on-demand. But even though he lives a happy and comfortable life in the Village, Whitey is still wild at heart! He prefers the open air and you’ll usually find him sleeping just outside the guest house.

Whitey was a constant, sweet companion during my time in Namibia. Every time we returned to the Village, I’d give him a friendly wave and he’d be the first one to welcome me back! This special dog was just one of the many friendly faces that greeted me at the Village after a long day of housework and filming.