Clifford, our dog, comes from a small village in a jungle valley in Honduras. Before moving to Ecuador he had trouble walking on paved roads, out of fear, never mind marble or wooden floors. Now we live in an apartment building with the type of floors he feels most uncomfortable with.
Clifford as a puppy in Honduras
But before you think we subjected him to animal cruelty, let me tell you about the fate of most Honduran dogs. In the best of the cases they get chained into a little garden outside a family home for the rest of their lives with practically no exercise or affection. But at least they get fed. In the worst of the cases they end up starving to death in the streets or perishing from rat poison.
Clifford with backpack, carrying his things on our move
Clifford and Sandra sleeping
So all in all Clifford got a good deal with us; he has adapted to the floors in the apartment (although he still freaks out when he has to walk from the living room to the office) and he has made a lot of dog friends.
Here he is running toward us in Parque Itchimbia in Quito, which is a really nice park we take him to on the weekends
Through Clifford we have also made some very nice dog friends over the last few months, and walking him helps us stay fit… ehm… more like Sandra… walking him helps Sandra stay fit. Every day we, or actually mainly Sandra, take him to our neighbourhood park.
Parque Floresta
Sometimes we also walk our neighbour’s dogs with Clifford, like here we have three dogs on one leash.
Sometimes we also walk our neighbour’s dogs with Clifford, like here we have three dogs on one leash.
Generally people here in Ecuador are very dog friendly and there is definitely a pet culture going on. There are even some services related to walking dogs in Parque Itchimbia and taking care of them while the owners are on vacation.
Hope all is well!
Chiara
Ta vie est belle, Chiara avec Sandra et Clifford. Merci de nous en faire profiter. Porte toi bien et prenez soin de vous.
Jeanne