Mexico, Mexico, Mexico… We hear so many things about Mexico. Some good like corona and pristine beaches, some bad like drugs and weapons, most exaggerated and unrealistic, and few that are true for better or worst. Here you can find a short description of the pet culture in Mexico, from the point of view of a Mexican and a Bulgarian, living in Puebla, Mexico.
There’s a lot to be said about Mexicans and their dogs, and to be honest not a lot of it is good, yet there is still hope (how dramatic, I know).
Not so long ago, pet culture in Mexico was practically non-existent. Dogs were viewed as just animals to serve a purpose, slaves to the human kind. Much like horses are seen in many parts of the world, dogs would be found in front yards chained to a post barking at passersby and salesmen and seldom at intruders. They were fed scraps and kicked if they tried to escape or when they were too loud.
That is not the reality now a day, but it is still not optimal. In segregated rural areas it hasn’t changed much at all. First hand I have experienced this:
I used to work at a coffee farm in a very segregated part of Mexico. There were sheep at the farm and shepherd dogs. One shepherd dog wasn’t like the rest, and instead of protecting the sheep, one night he decided he could get away with eating one. The next day when the people found a dead sheep and blood on the dog’s face, they chopped his tail with a machete. Unbelievable, I know! But these things happen in specific segregated rural areas where there is a lot to be said about the people’s mentality as well, but that is a different subject. In urbanized regions or close to cities and towns, people are more sophisticated.
The trend is shifting in Mexico regarding dog ownership, but not necessarily for the best. Today, dogs aren’t maltreated as badly as they used to be, but instead of the neglected slave guardian that was fed scraps, now dogs became an accessory and a symbol of status. Kings that have everything they need, toys, premium quality food, the best veterinarians, but are just as neglected. They spend all day at home, and if they are lucky and their owners have money a dog walker takes them out once a day, but most remain at home where from time to time the owner gives them a pat in the back.
There is a reason our last WOOFisode was about activities. We want to encourage people to regard their dogs as part of the family, as friends and companions, as living things and not objects. People have to understand their dog’s behavior, needs, expressions, and in return the dog will understand yours and be attentive of your needs in whatever way he/she can help. But the only way that can happen is by spending time with your pet.
For those of you foreigners reading this, please don’t get me wrong. There is a lot of people doing something about it, wanting to change the general perception of dog ownership and creating more opportunities for dog lovers in Mexico. We met a guy in Puerto Vallarta who teaches how to best surf with a dog (so both dog and human can have fun). Pet friendly hotels are slowly becoming a trend in coastal areas of Mexico like Acapulco and Cancún, Mexican Airlines like Interjet have adopted pet friendly policies allowing each passenger to travel with 50kg each, and if your dog fits into those 50kg, you don’t have to pay a cent.
In Puebla, group dog walks and beauty contests are rising, at least drawing attention to dogs, yet those are still inadequate activities, more for the entertainment of the human than the dog. We are now trying to create a space where people can train agility, guard and protection, sniffing, and also socialize and rehabilitate their dogs in a safe environment, with experts at hand; it will be the first such place in Puebla.
Positive change is happening, and even though it is slow and difficult we remain optimist that a pet friendly mentality will spread soon enough, and that the future in Mexico will be a pet friendly one.
To achieve that, we want to invite everyone reading this article to help in everyway they can. It can be just talking to your fellow neighbors about it, sharing this post, or traveling to Mexico with your pets. Anything that can help change people’s mentality towards dogs in Mexico and everywhere around the world!
(Our featured image was provided by http://www.kulfoto.com)
El Dogerino 