Dog Blog

 Welcome to the Dog Blog.

Zaragoza loves dogs. Our apartment complex, along with many others, borders the exterior of a large park, and at all hours you can see people with their dogs.

Now the park does have a few caged dog runs and a doggy obstacle course -

But most of the dogs roam the cage-free paths and grasses of the park freely, without leash, relatively alongside their humans. Big dogs, little dogs, huskies, chihuahuas, bulldogs - I saw a long-haired poodle this week. All kinds of dogs, and mostly they behave well with each other and the people.

Not that the dogs don't get into trouble now and again. (It was a hot day, so this dog on the bottom left decided to play in the fountain.)

As I've mentioned before, people also take their dogs everywhere. As you walk by stores, you will often see a dog (or two) "parked" out front while their companion shops.

One dog above; two dogs below.

Of course, while people in Spain love dogs, they don't always enjoy picking up after their dogs, so you learn to watch your step.

On the other extreme, I saw one woman slide a newspaper underneath her dog as it was dropping its business, keeping the excrement from soiling the sidewalk whatsoever. I wish I would have been quicker with my camera there.

This sign on the street encourages dog owners to clean up after their dogs - spraying sidewalks with water after their dog urinates, or picking up the droppings - so fines are unnecessary. I have seen a couple dog owners with spray bottles, but not many.

While we're not permitted to have a dog in our apartment, Spain loves dogs. Apart from pigeons, magpies, an occasional lizard, and bugs, we see A LOT of dogs every day.

I apologize for there not being more pictures of these dogs, but as we're still getting to know our neighbors, we don't want to insult anybody by going around and taking pictures of their dogs without permission - and I don't feel comfortable going up to strangers and asking, "Hey, can I get a picture of your dog?"

So, for your entertainment, here are some pictures of NOT dogs.

The Zaragoza mascot or symbol is the lion.

This is not the sausage I expected when I ordered.

NOT a dog...

Also NOT dogs...

Apparently this is how Zaragoza feels about cats...

And these are our current pets at home, having their daily puppy pileup.

P.S. - We also see a lot of greyhounds, presumably rescues...?