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 lived in Cadiz?
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 had been living in an apartment in Paris for 12 years. I spent my days sniffing under the front door and barking to warn my mistresses of any new intruders in the building. An activity that demands attention and an ear. I took this job very seriously, and with the installation of offices on our doorstep, between the comings and goings of couriers and employees, what a lot of work! It was enough to make you bark! My mistresses, who have a content creation agency and an advertising agency since 2019 wanted a change of scenery, so they moved to Cadiz, where we'd been vacationing 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 for us. But I don’t need a space like that , even if it’s nice of them to have thought of it.
The “casco antiguo” of Cádiz is almost entirely pedestrian-friendly; 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 room 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: Affirmative. Our owners always carry a bottle of water filled with soap or spray detergent. That's the rule here. Gaditans love their city and they respect it. The streets, squares and flowerbeds are always dachshund-clean. In fact, that's how you recognize a toutouriste - they don't have their bottle and their owners don't clean up their urine stains.
I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that if an owner doesn't spray and doesn't have his bottle, he risks being fined by the municipal police. And frankly, other cities like Paris could follow suit.
Anne Hidalgo is from the province of Cadiz, she should know... There's no need to make a fuss with the water from the Seine, there's 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 tourists have gone home, from October onwards, we'll be able to walk on all the beaches of Cadiz without any problem. I love the Caleta at low tide, I can even go as far as the fort.
So you lead a dream dog's life?
Fitz: Yes, I live my best life. I'm serene and tolerate the heat very well, thanks to the wind in my hair.
When I have too much, I make an appointment at my hairdressing salon, which also belongs to the Avila clinic in Puerta de Tierra. I've got the whole package!
I'm groomed, my hair is styled; there's a great team of vets and assistants, all looking after me. Just perfect!
And if I'm in the mood for special kibbles or toys,
is the place to go shopping in Cadiz. I have an incredible choice of stores.
If you don't know where they are yet...
➽ Enjoy a visit with Karine, one of my mistresses. 👇
🍀𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙯 𝘾𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙭 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙞 𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙮 𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙯
