Syrian refugee carries cat to safety in Greece

Issue 
The Syrian refugee arrives in Greece with his cat.

It is a long and perilous journey for those fleeing war-torn Syria in hopes of reaching safety. But one such refugee refused to make journey without his cat.

Photos have emerged in Greek media showing the moment the unnamed refugee landed on the island of Lesbos, cradling the tiny cat he could not bear to leave behind. The man had few other possessions when he crossed the Mediterranean Sea, according to Greek news outlet Protothema.

Both the man and his cat, named Zaytouna —Arabic for "Olive"— reached Greece safely. Their journey is a perilous one. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 2600 people have died crossing the Mediterranean this year.

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