Chilean dogs in winter
The best thing about Santiago in the winter is the love everyone shows the street dogs. As soon as it gets colder, puppies around town start sportin’ new sweaters and the trend is, quite frankly, aw-inducingly adorable.
All bundled up!
Chile is known around the world for its overpopulation of homeless dogs (many people here have a cultural/religious belief against fixing them). But what a lot of people might not realize is that the locals often go out of their way to care for the 2.5 million or so dogs who roam the streets. It’s not uncommon to see shopkeepers and homeowners putting out bowls of water and food for the pups year-round. While many other countries in South America also have street dogs, I’ve never noticed the locals care for them as Chileans do.
Taking a nap in the metro station.
Going for a jog in her new winter sweater.
Some dogs don’t need sweaters. Here’s Simba, whom I’ve affectionately named for his flowing mane and because he lives on Los Leones (the lions) in front of my school.
—JDF
