29.04.2025 18:12
After sharing half of his toast, 38-year-old Ömer Özer, who set off from the Keşan district of Edirne with his dog, whom he named 'Yoldaş' (Comrade), has been traveling across Turkey for 3.5 years, planting saplings in every city with the slogan "81 provinces, 81 saplings, I am walking for the forests."
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Citizen Ömer Özer started a walk from the Keşan district of Edirne in 2021 to raise awareness about the environment after the forest fires.
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE TOAST HE OFFERED Özer, who set out with the slogan "81 provinces, 81 saplings, I walk for the forests," has traveled to 64 provinces so far, collecting many memories with his dog named "Yoldaş," which followed him after he offered half of his toast.
WALKING AND PLANTING SAPLINGS WITH 'YOLDAŞ' FOR 3.5 YEARS Özer, who plants saplings in every city he visits, reached Amasya, his 65th province, after a long journey. He continues to explore the country with his dog, planting saplings. Calling himself "Traveler Ömer," he stated that he has been on a walking tour of Turkey for 3.5 years and that his days are spent on the roads.
"SOMETIMES WE STAY IN A BEAUTIFUL MOSQUE, SOMETIMES A VILLAGER HOSTS US" Özer, who encounters many different stories on the roads, expressed: "With my sweet dog 'Yoldaş,' who followed me in Edirne Keşan, we have been traveling all over Turkey for 3.5 years, planting a sapling in every city we reach. From here, we will head towards Çorum Alaca, God willing. It's such a journey. Sometimes we stay in the Naçar Mountains, sometimes in a beautiful mosque or a hotel, and sometimes a villager hosts us. There were times we set up a tent on the mountain and slept in the rain, under the lightning. There were also times we slept in comfortable places, but generally, since we travel through rural areas, we always have the same concern in our minds all day; where will I sleep at night, will I find a place with water, will my supplies be enough, how far is it to the district? These are the calculations of kilometers and loads; the disadvantages of being a pedestrian. Being a pedestrian is very different from other journeys. This difficult journey actually values our saplings."
"I RAISED HER PUPPIES, WE HIT THE ROAD AGAIN" Özer, who expressed that he has a true friendship with his dog, said that she followed him after he offered her a toast. He used the expression, "I said it would go for a day or two," but it didn't. He noted: "Since you are coming, let your name be (Yoldaş). I came from Thrace to Istanbul, and it turned out she was pregnant and couldn't walk. The veterinarian said, 'She can't walk like this.' We took her home to Manisa, I took care of her puppies for 4 months, raised them, and we hit the road again.
"SHE BECAME A 'YOLDAŞ' WHO SACRIFICED HER LIFE FOR ME" She had puppies again, and I carried three puppies from Ordu Bolaman to Sivas Şarkışla, and I found them homes. Then we went down to Adana from there. Finally, we had her spayed so she could be comfortable on the road. A lot of hardship. When we stayed among bears and wild boars, 'Yoldaş' became the guard. There were times she chased jackals all night and got injured on her leg. We experienced many things, but she became a 'Yoldaş' who sacrificed her life for me.
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