Animals in Peru,  Crossing Cultures

Looking for Love, Doggie-style

 

The come-ons are written in Spanish and taped to a wooden counter by the cash register:

” I’m handsome, neat, and my name is Chester. I’m looking for a hot little bitch who’s crazy for me!”

“I’m playful and loving, with a good character. Searching for a beautiful girlfriend to make a family. (Please call my owner’s cell phone number.)”

Many include color photos of the machos, like this one for “Diego”:

“Hi, my name is Diego and I’m a 4-year-old bombón Lab. I’m searching for a girlfriend. It’s already time to think about the future.”

 

El Fotógrafo and I check out the signs each week when we bring Lola in for a grooming at the neighborhood pet store.

Lola’s 13 months old now and has just finished her first celo (heat). That milestone qualifies her as a senorita here in Peru, where few people spay or neuter their dogs.

In other words, she’s now ready for us to consider whether any of the available bachelors is right for her.

We plan to mate Lola on her third heat, when she’s around two years old. That event is a year away, but, to paraphrase Diego, it’s never too soon to start planning.

I’ve never been in this position before — checking out prospective boyfriends/studs for my dog.

Like most Americans, I’ve always had pets that were fixed, dogs and cats alike. Having an “intact” female is new territory for me. It entrails more work and more worry, but it also deepens my emotional connection with Lola, as I described in “Es Hembrita?”

My dog deserves the best. That especially goes for her future novio.

El Fotógrafo and El Híjo agree with me.

That perspective subtly changes what happens when we’re out with Lola – say, walking her in the park or meeting new dogs.

For instance, we’ll see a good-looking chocolate Lab and its owner walking by Parque Tradiciones, and both Lola and I will perk up:

Another dog to play with, Lola thinks.

Hmmm, wonder if it’s male? I’m thinking.

Then, after a quick check between the legs, Could this be the one?

The habit of scouting for a future father of Lola’s puppies is becoming so engrained, EF and I do it even when Lola’s not with us.

EF had a meeting at the Marriott Hotel by the Miraflores Malecon, last week, and before parking the car, he was asked to pull over to have it checked for bombs. (Security in Lima is tight these days, due to APEC.)

The guard brought over a dog to sniff the trunk, and Jorge went on Lola Alert.

It was a beautiful five-year-old black field Labrador, with a glossy coat and a sweet disposition.

“He’s really smart,” the guard added.

“Hey, I might have found a match for Lola,” EF told me later.

The idea tempting: Lola and the Gentle Bomb-sniffing Lab. What a pair.

In the meantime, we keep looking.

I have a mind to make up a sign for Lola, to hang in the pet store when she’s ready to get serious:

“Two-year-old black Lab with a big butt and a heart of gold seeks fun-loving, healthy male Lab for discreet encounters. Must love long romps in the park, playing fetch and swimming at El Silencio. Up to date with shots, worm medicines, no fleas.

Ready for fatherhood? Let’s fall in puppy love.”

For a serious dose of cuteness, check out this YouTube video of Lab puppies taking a siesta:

I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.

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