Dogs, El Bolson

(KF) The Dogs of Argentina

My favourites are the ones with curly tails like the three little pigs. They tend to have shorter legs, a rolling trot and a tail that bounces along behind, almost touching their backs. I’m certain they are proud of their tails. Then there are the ones with ridiculously large fluffy ears. You’d swear they are half bat, and the little munchkins with a bit of everything in them, with wispy hair, black or tan, pokey out eyes and extremely waggy tails. Very ugly, but very sweet.
What strikes me is how healthy they are. They aren’t fat, like in Great Britain, they have beautiful shiny coats, and clean white teeth. Many have no particular owner, but they are looked after and well.
My attitude to dog ownership has changed here. I used to think dogs needed an owner to be happy but here dogs practically roam free, they are fed and they have normal behaviour. They are all over you like a rash if you pat them – they know their place in the pecking order and that’s important for a dog.




(JF)
El Bolsón is laidback. 'Hippies rejoice!', shouts Lonely Planet. Less wealthy families sporting Goretex ski jackets and 4x4s enjoying the annual ski holiday, more hand knitted leg warmers, dreadlocks and funky satchels. I now have a pretty good idea of what it’s like to kiss men with beards. A party in the woods ended with half the guests sleeping somewhere to the sound of softly played drums and guitar, stuffed with corn fritters and bean paste.