Houssein Hamze Stays in Lebanon to Care for Animals Amidst War

A dog saved Houssein Hamze from a bomb. When war returned, he stayed to care for Lebanon’s animals

In normal times the Mashala shelter founder takes in strays, but in wartime, he is the only lifeline for animals in the area During Israel’s 2006 war against Hezbollah, Houssein Hamze woke up one night to the sound of barking. Alarmed, he got up to check on the dog – his first rescue pet. Moments later, a bomb dropped next to his home and a piece of shrapnel landed right where he had been sleeping. “I swear to God, he really saved me from death. Animals always possess a sixth sense we don’t h...

By William Christou in Zefta; photographs by Oliver Marsden