Never Giving Up w/ Peter Philipakos

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How Greek-American Soccer Player, Peter Philipakos, Rescued His Dog, Jack, From The Streets of Greece

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About The Episode

“Freedom Ride” is a series of individual stories on DSTP that focuses on guests telling their own inspiring, rescue-based tales.

Peter had always thought about having a dog, but it was never the right time. He did have a good reason - after all, he was a traveling soccer player. He had been selected to play professionally in Greece from a young age, and was living a great life.

However, a little bit into his career, he was falling into bad habits and not performing at the best of his abilities or giving off the best reputation. After wrapping up a contract with a team in Athens, the only team that wanted him at that point anymore was from a small town called Crete.

At the same time that Peter came there would turn out to be the same time that Jack the dog was born. However, they did not cross paths right away. Peter’s first year there, he never saw him. But Jack was busy just trying to survive. His initial owners tried to kill him, tried to make him fight, tried to tie him up – but Jack always persisted and made it through. He got to the point where he was roaming freely around the village, and some specific people started to give him some food and love when he would come around them. But he would also be picked on by some of the people in the nightlife scene who were drunk and acting out.

One night, Peter ran into Jack outside his apartment and gave him a slice of pizza. The next morning, Jack was waiting outside of his door and ended up following him around that whole day – even waiting while Peter had soccer practice and ran errands. Peter started to let Jack into his home and they began to form a bond.

In Europe, however, it’s normal for strays to be loose and walking around. The community looks out for them but no one necessarily takes them in. So when you combine that with the fact that Peter was still traveling around for soccer, he would just let Jack in while he was home and then the rest of the community would look out for him the rest of the time. At one point, Peter’s fiance Natasha visited and also formed a bond with Jack while Peter was out of town. That even further solidified their soon-to-be family.

The three of them became so close that they realized they couldn’t just let things keep going as they were, they had to take care of Jack more seriously. They became their own little pack. Peter retired early from soccer, at 30 years old, and they all eventually moved to Los Angeles. Their goal is always to make sure Jack has the best life, the best vets, the best diet, the best everything. And Jack couldn’t be happier to have his forever home be with them.

About The Guest - Peter Philipakos

Peter Philipakos is a retired Greek-American soccer/futbol/football midfield player. He found a stray dog, Jack, while playing in Greece. The two formed a close bond (along with Peter’s fiancé, Natasha) and grew inseparable. They decided to take him in and give this special dog a happy, forever home. Peter also decided to take an early retirement from playing the game he loved to make sure Jack had the best of everything. Now, the three of them live in Los Angeles, California, living a sunny new life.

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