When we were leaving though we did see a little dog sitting outside a door shivering. There are quite a few stray dogs that run around in packs. But they never bother you and usually avoid you at all cost. But it certainly makes you want to adopt them all. That evening we were invited to a Russian birthday party.
Birthday parties are big here.
We were told an appropriate gift to bring was flowers. But they must always be in odd numbers never even. Even numbered flowers are for funerals and are bad luck. Just think a dozen roses is bad luck here. Russians love flowers almost as much as ice cream.