Stray dog crowned king of the Pyramid of Khafre

In Egypt, a stray dog named Apollo gained fame after a video of him frolicking on top of the Pyramid of Khafre went viral on social media. The video, taken by Alex Lang, a paraglider pilot, on October 14, 2024, captured the moment when Lang spotted Apollo confidently standing atop the 448-foot limestone monument in the Giza complex, a site that is off-limits for climbing. Apollo's playful demeanor led social media users to draw parallels to Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god often depicted with a jackal's head, though local animal welfare advocates pointed out that his true name is Apollo. His identity was confirmed by Ibrahim Elbendary, who, along with co-founder Vicki Michelle Brown, works at the American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation. Elbendary recognized the dog by his distinctive coloring and tail curl. Over the past three years, the rescue foundation has provided consistent care, including food and medical support, for Apollo and his family, which includes eight siblings and their pack mother. The attention surrounding Apollo's antics has highlighted the ongoing efforts of those dedicated to caring for stray animals in the area.