A stray dog sits in front of the Great Pyramid of Khoufou at the Giza Plateau on the outskirts of Cairo, on November 14, 2024. — AFP
Under the scorching Egyptian sun, visitors at the Giza Pyramids marveled at the ancient structures, but some were captivated by a different kind of spectacle. 'There he is,' a Polish tourist exclaimed to his wife as they noticed a scruffy dog perched on one of the stones. They were referring to Apollo, a stray who gained instant fame last month after a video of him scaling the Great Pyramid of Khafre went viral. The footage, captured by American paragliding enthusiast Alex Lang and shared by his friend Marshall Mosher, showed Apollo boldly climbing the 136-meter monument, barking at birds from the peak. 'He was acting like a king,' Lang remarked to AFP.
As news of Apollo's daring ascent spread globally, interest surged in the dogs that have long resided among the ancient stones. 'He is climbing over there,' said Arkadiusz Jurys, a tourist from Poland, straining to get a better view. 'It is unusual,' he added, noting how Apollo seemed to survey the crowd from above. Diego Vega from Argentina felt a unique connection with the dogs, saying, 'Connecting with them feels like connecting with the pharaohs,' as he petted a member of Apollo's pack.
Apollo's newfound fame has led local guides to incorporate him and his pack into their tours. 'This is Anubis,' one guide told two American tourists, likening Apollo, now dubbed the 'pyramid puppy,' to the ancient Egyptian god of the dead, often depicted with a jackal's head. 'He and his pack are now part of our tour conversations,' said Sobhi Fakhry, another guide. Businesses around the Giza plateau are also benefiting. Umm Basma, a 43-year-old souvenir seller near the Khafre pyramid, reported increased sales due to the influx of tourists eager to meet the so-called pyramid dogs. 'We've always seen these dogs climbing the pyramids, but we never thought they would become a blessing for us,' she said.
A pyramid guard, who wished to remain anonymous, also mentioned that some celebrities had paid for permits to have their dogs photographed with Apollo. Apollo, a three-year-old Baladi dog, is part of a pack of about eight that has made its home among the ancient ruins. Known for their resilience, intelligence, and ability to survive Egypt's harsh climate, these local dogs have found a unique niche. Ibrahim El Bendary, co-founder of the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation, which monitors the pyramid dogs, described Apollo as the pack's 'alpha male.' 'He is the bravest and strongest in his pack,' El Bendary said.
Apollo was born in a rocky crevice within the Khafre pyramid, where his mother, Laika, found shelter. Sadly, not all of Apollo's siblings survived the site's perilous heights. A compassionate guard eventually relocated Laika to a safer spot, where Apollo now stands out with his distinctive curled tail and confident demeanor. Lang and Marshall's initial interest was in the daring canine climber, but their visit led to a deeper connection with Cairo's stray dogs. Mosher decided to adopt a puppy from the pack: Anubi, Apollo's daughter, who will join him in the US after receiving necessary care in Egypt.
At the pyramids, local animal care groups are collaborating with the government to set up food and water stations for the strays, as well as for other animals like camels and horses. A permanent veterinary center will be established at the pyramids, with staff receiving animal care training, according to Egypt's tourism minister. Vicki Michelle Brown, the other co-founder of the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation, believes Apollo's story can make a difference. 'It sheds so much light on the dogs and cats that are here,' Brown said. 'I definitely believe him (Apollo) climbing the pyramids can help all of the dogs in Egypt to have a better life.'
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