March 21, 2008, In praise of street dogs, By JoAnn Greenwood

I went to the opera at the Palacio de Bellas Artes the other night to see Puccini’s Tosca, followed by drinks on the 41st floor of the Torre Latinoamericana (just across the street). It was an evening that mixed culture and glamour in a way that felt very “big city.”

In the rarified richness of coastal Connecticut where I live most of the year I am confronted daily with an array of designer dogs passing my house. From Akitas to Welsh corgies, hairless, barkless, water, fire (house), Communist (Habanese), you name it. They practically wear price tags.

Are some of these dogs accessories?

When the owners quiz me about my little San Miguel mutt I smile sweetly and declare, “She’s a Perrita de Calle.” It never fails to impress.

Truly, I have owned two purebred shelties (rescued, of course) and adored them. It never occurred to me to own anything else. But last year a little street dog named Georgie came into our lives and the love affair borders on grandmotherhood. Now, I would own nothing but a street dog. I’ll tell you why.

Well, I guess they have to be to survive without homes or someone to look after them. Georgie can solve almost any spatial problem while charming the pants off anyone. When she was rescued here in Mexico she was house-trained to use the patio. Upon arrival in Connecticut (this dog had never seen snow or wide-board floors), she immediately figured out to use the outdoors.

Returning to the house in San Miguel, she reverted to using the patio and now that we are guests at a friend’s house with a patio she is waiting to go outside. I think that’s pretty smart!

Street dogs are adaptable

Get in the car, stay in a motel, live for days at the babysitter’s house, fly under the seat in the airplane, have a baby pull her ears, be very, very quiet when someone’s sick or sad, put her paw very gently on a newly-operated knee, dance like a circus dog for the little kids, run like the wind in the autumn leaves—Georgie seems to intuit the best behavior for the moment and adapts perfectly to the situation and to the people who love her.

Street dogs are grateful

Now, I’ll let Georgie dictate this one. “I love my house and my mom, even if I do have to wear ribbons on my collar and a doggie seat harness in the car. I get to go along almost everywhere and I sleep in a bed with sheets and on a down sofa in the daytime. I know I’ll never be hungry or cold or scared again.”

Ever notice the blindly adoring dogs that follow their owners down the street without a leash? Yes, grateful street dogs.

Own a Perrito de Calle of your own

So, dear friends, if you’re committed to a preferred purebred, put your name on our

call list and you’ll hear from us when your favorite breed comes in. Otherwise, come and have a look at the smart, adaptable and grateful dogs. They’re not all beautiful, but they will adore you. Street dogs rock and when you take one into your life, you, too, will have the status of owning a Perrito de Calle of your own.

Daisy and Puddin’

One of our rockingest street dogs is Daisy, relatively new, but rescued and cared for by Constance Stevenson, our volunteer photographer. Daisy is a young medium/small spayed female San Miguel Especial, the most common and hardiest and smartest breed. She is also well-behaved, apparently housebroken, intensely sentimental, affectionate and brave. She is waiting for you. And so is a young pup, Puddin’, two months old, brown and short haired, healthy, energetic, friendly, funny and waiting. Please consider joining the chic Mexican street dog owners association who preen, strut and show off the best of the best!

We are located at Los Pinos 7 just off Calzada de la Estación (Canal) near the main bus station. Our hours are Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm. You are welcome to browse or just visit.