Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

August 12, 2008

As promised here are pictures of Papito, my new puppy.

It’s amazing how walking around with a puppy changes all of Santiago. All of a sudden people look you in the eye and smile. That never happens in this city. Old ladies will stop you, make small talk and pet your dog. Construction workers don’t scream obscene things at you as you walk by, instead, they coo at the canine on the end your leash — and then as you walk away they scream even more disgusting dog related obscenities at your back — but hey, at least they’re respectful to your face.

Anyways, suddenly with Papito by my side, this whole country is so much friendlier. The funny thing is, as Emily pointed out, people who walk right by stray dogs and homeless people and don’t even blink will coo and gush over a mutt as long just because it’s on the end of a leash. Weird. I wonder if I started taking homeless people out for walks if Santiaguinos would suddenly notice them too.

Papito was clearly a house dog before she was either abandoned or lost by her previous owners. She’s house trained, kind of obedient in a puppy sort of way, and has only chewed up papers we’ve left on the floor but nothing important. She knows not to get in the bed, but sleeps on the futon. And she doesn’t bark. Clearly strays are the way to go. You have your pick of the billions that are roaming the streets of Santiago, and if you’re lucky, your new puppy will come fully trained. I’d love to think that she was lost but somehow I can’t quite believe that. People dumping pets they get sick of on the streets is a pretty big problem here. Whoever let her go is crazy.

PS. Don’t forget to fill out my short survey and you will be entered to a win a set of my postcards! Survey runs until Friday.

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24 Comments

Kyle . . I am in utter shock! Kelsey will be totally jealous. Papito is darling though and already somehow looks loyal to you and Seba! You may need Mila twice a week now!!

Comment by Ritamae — August 12, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

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She’s adorable! And I think you’ve fallen in love. I’m glad she’s also broadened your outlook of Santiago too.

When we lived out at my grandparent’s house in the country we’d find animals dumped all the time. It was strange and sad. We had a ton of strays because we couldn’t just not feed them. Sometimes we’d be lucky and the vet would take a few in.

I remember as a kid finding a dog and since it had tags calling the pound and finding the family. They came and picked him up from way across town. Later I wondered if the parents got sick of the dog and dumped him, but forgot to remove his tags. I guess I’ll never know. The kids were really happy to see him though.

Comment by Ordinary Girl — August 12, 2008 @ 5:39 pm

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Haha, mom, I knew you would be shocked! Tell Kelsey to come visit me and Papito

O.G. isn’t it sad to see dumped animals? I bet the parents did try to get rid of the dog, but you probably made those kids lives when you brought that dog back!!!! Seba’s aunt is like the neighborhood stray taker inner where she lives. At one point she had twenty street dogs that all lived in her huge back yard. She spent all her money on food for them. Then her friend who loves animals equally as much as she does offered to take them to her country home where they would have more space. So they’re gone now, but I have no doubt she will begin taking them in again soon

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — August 12, 2008 @ 5:47 pm

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I’ve always had great luck with adopting strays! Good for you! She’s lovely.

Comment by RiverGirl — August 12, 2008 @ 5:52 pm

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She’s so beautiful … it’s hard to believe someone could give her up, but, unfortunately, it happens all the time.

I’ve found I meet SO many more people walking the dogs, especially now that I have two. I think people feel sorry for me because the puppy pulls all over the place and barks like a maniac, but still, they’re the reason I met all 6 people I knew in our old neighborhood.

Comment by Kristen — August 12, 2008 @ 6:45 pm

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Kyle,

Have you ever seen a picture of my dog Moose?! Papito looks just like him!! Is she an english setter?!

I can’t believe how mean people can be to their pets… with Moose being a puppy himself there have been many times where I just want to give up on him. But then all it takes is a single look in his eyes and I realize he deserves better than that.

Enjoy having a new love in your life, and be grateful that she doesn’t chew on anything of great importance!!

-Haley-

Comment by hazeymae — August 12, 2008 @ 7:02 pm

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Stop telling people to fill out your survey!!!!!!! I want to win and then less people, the more chance I have.

Comment by Clare — August 12, 2008 @ 7:38 pm

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the best thing about your puppy..is her name!!!

sheÂ´s cute!

Comment by Valentina — August 12, 2008 @ 9:00 pm

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yay! i can’t believe you got a puppy! i can’t wait to meet papito, we will become fast friends and go for walks and smile and laugh together. HA! i’m feeling a bit loopy, but honestly, i’m so excited to see you again…i get back sunday!

Comment by Emita — August 12, 2008 @ 9:05 pm

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She is adorable. Will you be upset if the Vet was wrong about how big she is going to get?

Comment by Reb — August 12, 2008 @ 11:43 pm

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Very adorable….but one question….why did you name your girl dog “little daddy”?

Comment by Rachel — August 12, 2008 @ 11:59 pm

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How cute is Papito! IÂ´m so happy for you and Seba. Puppies are awesome….IÂ´m still trying to convince my husband to let us get one!!

Comment by Tyffanie — August 13, 2008 @ 4:39 am

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Sounds like you’re in love.
My humble recomendation would be to take Papito to the Vet’s as soon as possible. My husband once found the cutest stray but too late we noticed it had distemper, which makes him tremble all over. He’s now taking the same medicine that people with Parkinson’s take.

Comment by Florencia — August 13, 2008 @ 6:25 am

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Aww, those are beautiful photos. I bet dogs are good for attracting lots of comments too

I remember reading an article several years ago by an Arab man living in the US who said once he got a dog and started walking it around the neighborhood, people started being friendly instead of eyeing him like he was a terrorist.

Comment by PastaQueen — August 13, 2008 @ 6:42 am

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Oh my! So adorable! I’m so happy for you. Congrats on your new addition.

The strays here break my heart. One thing I’ve noticed is that they are all so sweet. Even after being abused and neglected they are still kind to humans.

I miss my girl so much, but I get to see her in December!

Comment by Lori - Blondie in Brazil — August 13, 2008 @ 8:17 am

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ItÂ´s beautiful, yes! I love doggies…
And I was on way to ask u the same question: why did you choose that name for a female dog? ItÂ´s curious!

Comment by Irantzu — August 13, 2008 @ 11:18 am

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Congrats, what a beauty!

Comment by kumichan83 — August 13, 2008 @ 11:54 am

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She’s beautiful!

Comment by Lisa B. — August 13, 2008 @ 12:07 pm

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Well done for you! Too many strays out there – and too much prejudice against the “perros callejeros” – have a great life together and get those vaccines – and some neutering – done soon!
Wembley

Comment by Anonymous — August 13, 2008 @ 1:36 pm

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awwww, you should post her on lolcats; http://icanhascheezburger.com/

Comment by Anonymous — August 13, 2008 @ 4:13 pm

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adorable!

Comment by Leigh — August 14, 2008 @ 10:43 am

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Sooooooo cute!

Comment by Maurey — August 15, 2008 @ 8:45 am

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You don’t let your dog sleep in your bed with you??? This is one of the things I miss the most about the States, being in bed with B. and our dog and cat. The love you feel is overwhelming. Of course, in my family pets are considered family members. That’s just how we roll.

She really is adorable and I’m glad you took her in–can’t wait to meet her! B. and I have wanted to adopt stray dogs down here about a thousand times, but it makes no sense for a million reasons. I assume you realize how difficult it will be to travel around the world with a dog, though (or else that you have someone willing to care for her in your absence). Just getting her from Chile to the US would be a huge hassle and very taxing to the dog.

Comment by Anya Degenshein — August 17, 2008 @ 11:18 am

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OMG, so cute! She looks like the perfect sweet puppy. Congratulations!

Comment by cat — August 20, 2008 @ 2:53 pm

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