For the Love of Mascots

My time in Bogotá is soon coming to an end, so I figured it was about time I wrote about our life in Colombia. From the moment I got here, I realized Bogotá is one of the most dog friendly cities I've ever been to. Dogs are everywhere - in cafes, restaurants, malls and shopping centers, parties, bars, and of course in all parks. Essentially, people really love their dogs and want to bring them along everywhere. So obviously Wauwa and I have been v happy here (as, in case you haven't noticed, I also like to bring him everywhere). In fact, people love their dogs so much here that they have developed every possible kind of service your dog may need. Long day at the office? Don't worry, there are dozens of dog walkers in every neighborhood. Feel bad for leaving your dog home alone? No worries, there are plenty of doggie day care camps in the mountains that will pick your dog up in a freaking doggie school bus right from your front door and drop him/her back off in the afternoon. Did Spot get dirty at camp? That's alright, just call the mobile groomer van to come by and wash him. Is Lassie getting a little chunky? Why take her to Doga (yes, thats yoga for dogs and no, Wauwa has not tried it). Too rainy to go to the park? Well, who needs the outdoors when there's a mall just for dogs right nearby. Alright, I think you get the picture.

While it is clear Rolos love their mascotas (lol, yes, pets are mascots in Spanish), it is curious that Bogotá doesn't actually have any dog parks. Quite the bummer for Wauwa, who's biggest joy in life is running around and play fighting with other fluffballs. The thing is, in Bogotá dogs are almost always off-leash. Most are super well-trained (thanks again to the Colombian doggo service industry), so they heel when mom or pop calls them. For this reason, most dogs get their play time during regular walks in the park. Wauwa, however, is a little a-hole who does not listen to me when there's something more fun going on, so I thought his play fighting days would be over. One Sunday, though, I walked to the end of our usual park. At the other end I found what seemed to be a dog park on steroids. Not only was it filled with dogs and their families, it was also filled with dog ice-cream salesmen, dog swimming pool promoters, live bands and all sorts of other Sunday Funday entertainment (I feel like that term probably started in Bogotá since Sundays are always fun here - highways turn into bike paths, the city provides free zumba classes in parks, EVERYONE is out and about). As a bonus, this park is big enough to keep Wauwa from running after cars (also, the fact that on Sundays there are bikes not cars helps) and the amount of furry friends ensures that he will be exhausted enough to come back to me when I call him.

All this off-leash playing, although fun for social puppers like Wauwa, can get pretty infuriating if you have shy or aggressive dogs. My folks' dogs, for example, are not social, do not like to play with other dogs, and are super protective if someone (dog or human) approaches. When I take them out I go through a lot of emotions from "get your damn poodle away from my dogs" to "where the f is this random dogs owner" to "are you an idiot? Do you not see my dog furiously growling and barking" ...and the list goes on. I mean, I get it, your dog is sweet and playful, but if you have no control over it, you probably shouldn't let it run free. Just the other day I saw three different dogs run onto a road and almost get hit by cars. As I said earlier, most dogs are well-trained, but by no means is it all dogs. But alas, it is what it is. Perhaps after an almost dog fight, one can go to Doga to meditate and calm down. Off-leash issues aside, Bogotá deserves a gold star for their dog friendliness. On top of all the services, hydration stations, and pet parking outside grocery stores, shelters in Bogotá proactively advocate for the notion of adopt don't shop. On Sundays (see, so much going on on Sundays), shelters bring their sweet pups to parks to promote adoption and earn donations. I gotta admit though, its super hard to walk by them and not adopt more puppers.

The fact that everyone loves dogs in Colombia has definitely made life easier. I've even taken Wauwa to business meetings cause hey who doesn't love dogs here?? It's also pretty easy to travel with your pooch, especially to the traditional weekend getaways around Bogotá. Most fincas (vacation homes) allow dogs and have huge yards for them to play in.

For a list of my favorite dog friendly places, see below.