Man’s best friend

As an avowed dog lover, it seems to me many people in the United States have dog hang-ups. In their minds, a dog running free in the park or neighborhood is grounds for military intervention or at least a panic attack.

It´s probably a good thing many of these Americans never travel abroad.

And while the potential for dog interactions likely doesn’t figure into their travel avoidance behaviors, it probably should given the reality in most of the world outside the US borders.

Throughout our travels, we’ve encountered man’s (and woman’s) best friend in a wide range of settings. From the menus of Vietnam to the streets of Dar es Salaam, dogs are everywhere. Running, barking, skittering away from kicks and cars, dogs rule the roost in the developing world.

But here in Argentina, the dog is elevated to a different level. There actually seems to be genuine affection for these four-legged amigos. And as a result, their presence is even more common.

For example, unlike in Southeast Asia, dogs seem almost welcome in some restaurants in Argentina. And I don’t mean in the stir fry.

In the towns around Salta, we had the pleasure of sharing our meals with furry friends on several occasions. And mostly, they were well behaved, simply looking for a scrap or two to fuel their next incursion around the pueblo.

In the United States, a dog in a restaurant better be attached to a blind person or be subject to immediate incarceration.

And like a big Karma wheel, the Argentine love of dogs is reflected back in the dog behavior. Sure they still bark and we crossed paths with the occasional yipper (Aside: David and Kim, we saw many dogs resembling Mr. Chompers. Has he ever travelled abroad?), but mostly dogs in Argentina were very friendly. Tails wagged, scruffs were offered for a scratch and generally our interactions were very pleasant.

It was actually quite refreshing to see people demonstrating affection for the village curs.

When we return to the US, we (maybe one of us more than the other) are considering getting a dog. And if we do, I will make it part of my mission to spread the dog love within my own country.