Our Best Friends

Cat sleeping in front of a restaurant. Or waiting for a taxi?

Here in Buenos Aires people seem to have an interesting relationship with cats and dogs. This is a big city with about 3 million people in the city proper, and closer to 13 million in the greater city. People are packed in tight, with most living in apartment buildings. It is much like New York or Chicago. The traffic is busy, loud and fast. Most people walk and take mass transit because the streets are so congested. You'd think in these circumstances that people would shy away from keeping pets. But this is not the case in Buenos Aires. They love their pets! People bring their pets everywhere and let them roam freely, as if they lived in small towns with dirt roads. 

People bring their dogs everywhere

You can see people walking dogs of all sizes. Often the dogs are on leashes, but not always. Many dogs walk somewhere near their owners, although not always. 

Joyful puppy chases pigeons in the park

You'd think that in a city this size, loose dogs and cats would be quite a problem. But it all seems to work. In nearly 4 weeks, I have not seen negative interactions, nor have I seen animals (with the exception of a few pigeons) hit by cars.

This dog was hanging out at a hospital. I couldn't tell if it was stray or just roaming around its owners.

In the swanky downtown neighborhoods it is very common to see professional dog walkers with big groups of dogs. They attach the leashes to a harness on their waist and walk. I'm always impressed at how well behaved the groups of dogs are.

Dog Walker

There are pet stores and veterinary offices just about every 2 blocks, all over the city.

Dog Food and Vet!

People dress their dogs in coats and little tutus. In tourist areas, dogs dressed in costumes pose for photos.

Pampered Pet

Working Dog--I don't think this is the photo pose they were hoping for

Shop owners let their pets, both cats and dogs, wander in and out of stores or sleep at the entrance.

Smart cat--this store sells meat 

Shop Dogs

Dogs here seem generally pretty laid back. They don't react much when we walk by them. My own two dogs jump on guests and bark at other dogs and I really haven't seen much of that here. Maybe it's different in the home.

Many people are conscientious about their pets, but many are not. Despite the occasional sign reminding people to clean up, there is poop all over the sidewalks.

Poopy Sidewalk

There are also a LOT of strays. I've noticed that it is common to see unneutered male dogs and cats here, and this probably contributes to the problem. Stray cats are everywhere. They are common in parks and protected areas such as the bushes and grass along the railroad tracks.

Park Cat

 They were also very common on the campus of the college where my husband was teaching. People there told me that the dumping or releasing of animals was a big problem on the campus and that there had been several instances of dog bites.

It's Prohibited to Abandon Animals, but...

But, as I said at the beginning, people in Buenos Aires love animals. I've seen kind souls in all parts of the city who set out food for the stray cats. They set out water and cat food, as well as milk and leftovers from dinner. I saw noodles at one cat feeding station. I watched 2 people about 2 hours apart feed cats in the same location at the campus. They were both surrounded by meowing, excited cats.

Cat Feeder  

Another Cat Feeder, 2 hours later 

Pasta, Milk and Cat Food 

Cat Lady at the Park

As for the stray dogs, so far I have had no problem with them, and in fact, I admire their independence, as well as the way they have adapted to get what they need from people. On one of our first trips downtown, my husband and I were heading towards some busy streets (3 lanes each direction) on our way from the train station. Suddenly, a large black dog trotted towards us. I was a little uneasy because I've always learned to stay away from strange dogs. But this one seemed friendly and even wagged its tail when it came near us. It walked along with us for a half block or so. When we came to the crosswalk to cross the busy road, the dog sat on the ground next to me and waited with us. The light changed and we crossed halfway. The dog went with us, and then sat next to us again in the middle. Then the light changed again and we all walked together to the other side, where the dog trotted off to do whatever it was it had planned. The dog had figured out that people know how to cross streets, so if it wanted to cross safely, it just needed to find some people and cross with them. That is one smart dog.

Smart Dog at Half-Way Point of Intersection

I've read that it is thought that the relationship between man and dog first arose because dogs recognized that people were a source of food (from scraps and garbage) and shelter. In exchange, the dogs protected their territory and provided protection for the humans. Eventually they began to enjoy each other's company. Match made in heaven. Cats were probably attracted to humans because of the rodents we would attract by storing food, and humans allowed the cats to stay because of the service they performed. Eventually the cats brainwashed the humans and convinced us to serve them by rewarding us with the occasional rub on our legs and by purring, all the while remaining aloof. Match made for cats. Little joke.

Dogs just like to be around people

Some dogs hang around sidewalk cafes in Buenos Aires, and they seem to get enough food from handouts, because I haven't seen any especially sickly looking dogs yet. The dogs move around from table to table, looking hopeful. No one seems to shoo them away. Last weekend I was at an outdoor cafe and a dog plopped down on the ground next to me and fell asleep. She wasn't begging for food--just napping. But if another dog tried to cross the street and come near the cafe, she would get up and bark a few times to chase if off. Then she came back and napped.

My Lunch Friend

Lunch Friend chases off interloper

Another day I was in a park on a very hot day and a big black dog walked past me and right into the lake in the middle of the park. It lay down in the water, got nice and wet and cool, had a drink, and then got out, shook off, and trotted away. No owner in sight.

Cooling off

I'm not passing judgement or saying if this is better or worse than the relationship between pets and people in the U.S. I know that cats roaming free pose a huge danger to bird populations, and all the stray dogs could carry disease for other dogs and for humans. Stray and outdoor cats are very common all over the world. Rabies is a problem in South America, and also in the U.S. But it's just interesting to me to observe the different attitudes with regard to pets as I travel in Argentina. I guess I'd describe the relationship as "tranquilo"--Spanish for "calm" or "easy". No one gets too excited, and everyone gets what they need.

Cemetery Cat