To lead a dog's life, " tener una vida de perro " in Spanish, or to live a painful and trying situation. That's in the figurative sense.
But in the literal sense, what does it mean to lead a dog's life in Cadiz?
We interviewed Fitz, a "perrotano " fox terrier . In other words, the Gaditan dog.
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 and bitches, or " mascotas " in Spanish, are very common here, andthe gaditans love us as much as their children. It's great to meet new people. They're welcoming. They talk to me, pet me, sniff me. Sometimes too much! Now that I'm 14, I like to wander around at my own pace.
The town is frequented by the English, too. They come to taste the vermouths, sherries, muscatels and dry white wines that are specialities of the region. So as soon as they see me, they say: "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 a small park facing the sea with a special pavement for us. But I don't need such a space, although it's nice of you to have thought of it.
Cadiz's "casco antiguo" is almost pedestrianized, so it's very easy to get around the city. As if the city was made for us too.
So I went back to my favorite activity: sniffing. In the streets, in the squares, everywhere! At last, I've got room to go left and right without risking being run over.
Are you sniffing around? What are you talking about?
Fitz: There are lots of girlfriends and boyfriends in this town, as I was saying.
Greyhounds, Bichons, Pugs...Dogs too, like Marc Zuckerberg's dog, you know the one that looks like a mop or a Rasta dog with the locks hanging off.
I'm not one to say "I can't smell it", without judging. So I check every trace of their passage. And the best thing about this place is thatthere are lots of flowers and trees and places.
My truffle has a field day. Because in Cadiz, the flowerbeds are not forbidden to dogs, nor are the lawns. It's a life-changing experience!
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
