Dog sitters

He discovered his vocation as a dog sitter when he was given a Labrador retriever for adoption. Until then he did not know that he had such sympathy for this species. Suddenly he was seen everywhere with his dog Virgilio.

He put it that way because ─he said it─ it helped him get out of the Hell of depression. And yes, in his case, having dogs was therapeutic. Then Kika would arrive, a dog of so many breeds that it can only be called a mixed breed.

Lola would come soon, a bull dog terrier who had a very difficult past, full of violence and psychological trauma. Eventually Benji would arrive, a dachshund who was mysteriously missing.

Fortunately my friend and his wife ─also a lover of charity towards dogs─ live in a huge house in a neighborhood with vast vacant lots where the puppies in question can go out for a walk.

His house, by the way, is set up more for man’s best friends than for humans. When I go to visit a chorus of barks greets me and I am allowed to come like a gang of children eager for hugs and pampering.

And counting

The times we have gone out together, my dog-sitting friends and I have observed how their pupils dilate and fill with compassion every time they see a stray dog. His pocket immediately reminds them that they could no longer support one more specimen, but, if it were up to them, the family would grow more.

Recently the lady rescuer told me that she would like to set up a hotel for dogs. I remain silent, waiting for the moment to tell him that it is a splendid idea and that there is already a platform for cell phones that could help them make their dream come true.

Juan Carlos Cruz