Argentina has a stray dog issue. Here they are called perros de la calle, dogs of the street. The situation is so bad that a there are raised baskets, and closed cages located on curbs in front of houses and apartment buildings where you put your trash for the garbage collector.
I don’t believe there are any type of dog catcher services. If there are, I’m sure those poor caught dogs would have maybe 3 days before they are killed. Instead there is a community of dog lovers who have set up Facebook pages, and arrange adoption events in the park. These same people go around and leave dog food and water on corners or in places where the dogs typically hang. They even make sweaters for the strays when it is cold.
The reasons for so many strays is very long. You have those horrible people who just leave their dog when they move, breed the dogs and if they don’t sell throw them out, and so on. The killer is the majority of people here don’t believe in spaying or neutering their dog.
When we go out in the morning with the fantastic 4, more often than not, a new stray on the street will follow us and play with the crew. These puppies break my heart as they start off a bit shy around my babies then warm up and start jumping and running around with them. At this point, I swear Zena just knows I’m starting to fall for the pup and she tries to wrap up play time to get me home before I fall in love. She’ll literally drag me home while the pup is following us.
If you stay for some time in a neighborhood, you’ll get to know the strays. They have their block or park or store that they hang out in or in front of. During the past 2 years we have come across a few that have stuck in my heart. Here are just a few stories of my street dogs.
There was Chico. He was a playful puppy looks part German Shepard or Doberman part Lab type. I met him when I was alone with Flora for the week. Flora hates being without her crew and I was trying to help her with separation issues. Chico clung to Flora. Anytime Flora was startled, he would run and bark at whatever scared her. He followed us home. I cried and cried because I just couldn’t take in another dog. The next day he was outside our home waiting for us to go walking. For the whole week Flora and I were alone he waited and followed. I tried to find him someone but no one could take him. At the time, I wasn’t aware of all the Facebook pages out there for situations like this. Then he disappeared until one day he shows up at the river where we take our dogs. He was with three other dogs. He was a bit aggressive. I broke my heart to see him aggressive as he was a very sweet dog. The street made him that way. I see Chico often. My dogs are scared of him. I say hi and check him out. However I can’t let go of the feeling that I failed him. I haven’t been able to get a photo of him. When I can I’ll post it.
About a year ago we were walking our dogs in the morning. Our route is to walk along the river cross this bridge that brings us to an island in the middle of the river. We let our dogs off leash so they can get a good run. This one morning there was a tiny dog sitting in the middle of the bridge to scared to move. I ran and immediately picked her up. Once she stopped shaking I put her down on the ground to play with the crew. Immediately I noticed something odd. She was in HEAT! She had no collar. I had to take her home. I couldn’t leave this tiny pup in heat alone in the cit
y full of dogs. She was so sweet and wonderful and thankful for saving her. This time I knew about the Facebook pages and posted her photo on everyone of them. No one claimed her nor did they want to adopt her. The next day we brought her to the vet and had her fixed. That weekend we brought her to one of the adoption events in the park. She was able to find someone deserving of her love, a nice young single woman.
Last story is probably the saddest and the reason I had to write it. Viejo and Grouchy have been living on our street for years just a few blocks down from our home. They are always together. They are fed by the neighborhood and we all seem to look out for them. However they have been in the streets for so long that I’m not sure how they would manage in a home. Grouchy is really grouchy like doesn’t want anyone near him but viejo. Viejo is cool wags his tail a bit and is Grouchy’s loyal co-pilot.
So again down by the river with the crew in the morning. I see Viejo on the other side. He seems to be smiling and watching our babies run around like freaks. I thought it was odd because he wasn’t with Grouchy and he was away from his area. I waved and said hi like I always do. The next morning same thing by the river running with the dogs and then I see a dog lying at the edge of the river. I got closer and it was Viejo. I couldn’t stop crying. Hell I’m crying right now.
I think I cried more for Grouchy because his best and only friend is gone. Grouchy is alone in the streets. I didn’t see him for weeks until today. He is still Grouchy and wouldn’t let me near him. Zena was also dragging me away as I started to cry again.
So here’s to all the perros de la calle out there. They figure out how to get along in life and enjoy the small moments. I wish I could adopt them all.
When I saw Grouchy today I was coming home from checking out one of the adoption events in the park. This one was for dogs with disabilities, DISCAS. If you really want a good cry check out their Facebook page and look for Osito. He has a degenerative bone disease and can’t walk. I saw him and wow did he have a great attitude and was so happy.
running with dogs 