To have a dog’s life—“tener una vida de perro”in Spanish—or to be going through a difficult and trying situation. That’s the figurative meaning.
But in the literal sense, what’s it really like to have a dog’s life in Cádiz?
We interviewed Fitz, a “Perrotano” fox terrier . In other words, the dog from Cádiz.
Fitz, How long have you been living in Cádiz?
Fitz: After getting the compulsory rabies vaccination for travel to Spain, I arrived in December 2020 and have been living in a tower since July 2021.
Why the move?
Fitz: I’d been living in an apartment in Paris for 12 years. I spent my days sniffing under the front door and barking to alert my owners to any new intruders in the building. It was a job that required focus and a keen ear. I took this job very seriously, and with offices set up on our landing—between the comings and goings of couriers and employees—what a workload! It was enough to make my bark go hoarse! My owners, who have a content creation, event planning, and advertising agency since 2019 wanted a change of scenery, so they moved to Cádiz, a city where we’d been going on vacation since 2015.
How did your arrival go?
Fitz: Dogs—"mascotas"in Spanish—are everywhere here;the people of Cádiz love us just as much as their own children. It’s really nice to meet new faces. They’re so welcoming. People talk to me, pet me, and sniff me. Sometimes a little too much! At my age—I’m 14—I like to take it easy and stroll at my own pace.
The city is also popular with the English. They come here to enjoy vermouth, sherry, muscatel, or dry white wines—the region’s specialties . So as soon as they see me, they exclaim, “Oh, puppy fox terrier!” All because I still look like a kid!
*puppy
Do you find yourself in parks specially designed for dogs?
Fitz: There is indeed a small park facing the sea with a special surface just for us. But I don’t need a space like that, even though it’s nice of them to have thought of it.
Cádiz’s “casco antiguo” is almost entirely pedestrian-only, so it’s very easy to get around the city. It’s as if it were made for us, too.
So I’ve gone back to my favorite activity: sniffing. In the streets, in the squares—everywhere! I finally have the freedom to go right or left without risking getting run over.
Are you sniffing around? What are you talking about?
Fitz: There are lots of dog friends in this city, like I was telling you.
Greyhounds, Bichons, Pugs… Dogslike Mark Zuckerberg’s, you know, the one that looks like a mop, or a Rasta dog with dreadlocks hanging down.
I’m not the type to say “I can’t stand him” without judging. So I check out every trace of where they’ve been. And what’s great here is thatthere are lots of flowers and trees, and open spaces.
My nose is having a field day. Because in Cádiz, flower beds aren’t off-limits to dogs, nor are the lawns. It’s a game-changer!
And the squares and flowerbeds remain well-maintained despite your visits?
Fitz: That’s right. Our owners always carry a water bottle filled with soap or detergent to spray around. That’s the rule here. The people of Cadiz love their city and respect it. Whether it’s the streets, the squares, or the flower beds, everything is always spotless. In fact, that’s how you spot the “dog tourists”—they don’t have their bottles, and their owners don’t clean up after them.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if a dog owner doesn’t spray and doesn’t have their bottle, they risk a fine from the municipal enforcement service. And frankly, other cities like Paris could follow suit.
Anne Hidalgo, the former mayor of Paris, is originally from the province of Cádiz—she should have known… No need to make a big deal out of it or fuss over water from the Seine—there’s always seawater, hehe.
Yes, all roads lead to the sea in Cadiz, but are you allowed to swim?
Fitz: Since the start of summer 2024, we’ve had our own beach. And once the dog tourists have gone home, starting in October we can once again walk around without any trouble on all the beaches in Cádiz.I love La Caleta at low tide—I can even walk all the way to the fort.
So you lead a dream dog's life?
Fitz: Yes, I'm living my best life. I'm calm and handle the heat very well thanks the breeze running through my fur.
When it gets to be too much, I make an appointment at my grooming salon, which is also part of the Avila Clinic in Puerta de Tierra. I’ve got it all!
I get medical care and grooming; there’s a great team of vets and assistants, all taking great care of me. It’s perfect!
And if I’m in the mood for some special kibble or a toy,
I go shopping in Cádiz. I have an incredible selection of shops to choose from.
If you don't know where they are yet...
➽ How about we put together your Cadix?😉