It's humbling to think about the things our dogs are willing to do for us. They learn our language, (including all the baby talk words), memorize our habits and routines, guard our homes and families and give us unconditional loyalty and love. It's no wonder dogs are known as "man's best friend" (although it's usually women who end up feeding them). Deep down, we know our dogs are better than us, and we spend our lives with them trying to live up to their friendship. It's like the guy saying his prayers: "Dear Lord," he says, "please help me become the person my dog thinks I am."

In the history of Western civilization, Greece is known for its art, science, philosophy, democracy and military prowess. Now, the once proud and dominant country has fallen on hard economic times. The people have lost confidence in their leadership, and there is rioting in the streets. Humiliated and desperate, Greece is now reduced to begging for handouts from countries Ancient Greece once easily conquered. The 300 Spartans who defeated a Persian army of 7,000 in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC are long dead, but their spirit lives on - at least in a stray dog named Loukanikos, living in present-day Athens.

Protesters in Athens have adopted the now-famous "riot dog" as one of their own. Loukanikos (Louk, for short), whose name means "sausage" - because, well, that's what he eats - is a stray that has reportedly not missed a riot in two years. There are websites devoted to Louk's exploits, songs composed in his honor. There are You Tube videos showing Louk charging through clouds of tear gas into a phalanx of armed riot police. Louk may be a homeless mongrel but he has the heart of a lion.

Throughout military history, dogs have fought alongside their masters. Mastiffs and Rottweilers fought in Caesar's army. Even in more modern times, dogs have distinguished themselves in battle.

Judy, an English pointer, was awarded the Dickin Medal for valor in 1946 for her contribution to the British war effort. Judy sailed with the Royal Navy, using her uncanny talent for pointing out approaching Japanese aircraft before anybody else could hear them. After her ship was sunk, Judy was, along with her fellow sailors, taken prisoner and was the only animal ever officially registered as a prisoner of war.

Sergeant Stubby was a bulldog stray, discovered wandering around on the Yale campus in 1917. Stubby eventually made his way to the 102nd Infantry and served in four offenses in France, suffering a wounded leg from a German grenade. After his recovery, Stubby returned to the trenches where he was gassed and learned to warn his fellow soldiers of the whine of incoming gas attacks.

Gander, a Newfoundland, fought for Canada in WWII. Gander is credited with twice driving back attacks against wounded Canadian soldiers. In a final act of bravery, Gander picked up a thrown Japanese grenade and ran with it back to the enemy lines before it exploded.

Who knows why Loukanikos chose to side with the protesters? But the dog's unwavering courage against the government's riot police does suggest a kind of moral certainty. And it looks like Athens can expect more of the same from Louk - at least as long as the sausage holds out.