Dog Stories
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Six Locals and Their Beloved Pooches
Photos by Rodolfo Benitez
Alberto (Albie) Shih Tzu, Age 2
Owner
Gloria Baez, Vice President, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
Dog Story
Gloria Baez adopted Albie after the loss of her previous Shih Tzu, Kato. “I was not attached to him at first. He was very cute, very sweet, very lovable. Yes, but I could not attach. Then he won me over.” Albie does not do tricks, “but he understands most things I say, like when I tell him we’re going outside, or when I say ‘No,’ which he tends to ignore.” His cutest attribute? Turning his head sideways when he doesn’t understand something. His most endearing attribute? “He will sleep on you. He will sleep in my arms like a baby for an hour, when I’m reading a book or watching television. I’ve never had that before.” The biggest challenge? “Except for my next-door neighbor’s dog, he is not friendly [with other dogs]. He barks and pretends he is an attack dog, so I have to walk him early in the morning or late, when there aren’t a lot of dogs out.” – J.P. Faber
Isabella (Isa) Rhodesian Ridgeback-Shar-Pei Mix, Age 2
Owner
Esther Prinz, Owner, Coco Bella
Dog Story
Isabella (aka Isa) was a puppy when she appeared on the front porch of Alessandro Ceccarelli Hodel, a friend of Coco Bella owner Esther Prinz. After Isa remained on the porch for two days, Hodel took her in. When work trips kept him away, Prinz began pet sitting Isa, sometimes for a month at a time. “She claimed me,” Prinz says. “She was like, ‘I like you. You are mine, too.’” As Hodel’s work schedule became more demanding, Isa officially became Prinz’s on February 7, the anniversary of her purchase of Coco Bella. “I got both of the biggest beauties in my life on February 7,” she says. The two-year-old rescue now spends most days at Coco Bella, where visitors are caught off guard by how Prinz talks to her. Since Isa was trained in German by Hodel, English commands don’t always work. “I had to learn German to be able to communicate,” Prinz says, laughing. For Prinz, who runs Coco Bella alone, Isa’s presence makes the long days easier. “Just having her happiness, her spirit, helps so much,” she says.– Amanda Martell
Benz Labradoodle, Age 5
Owner
Dorys Martin – Founder & Vice President, Torrealba Family Foundation
Dog Story
“Benz is the joy of our family,” says Dorys Martin. “Since he arrived, he has transformed our lives and filled our home with love and companionship. He has taught us that words aren’t always necessary; sometimes, his mere presence is enough to lift our spirits and make us smile.” He is a big dog, something he doesn’t seem to understand as an overly affectionate Labradoodle that has been with the family since he was a puppy. “He can knock you right over when he is happy to see you. Sometimes I have to brace myself when I see him coming to greet me,” she says. While Benz is “noble, intelligent and very obedient,” he has clearly made his choice for top human in the family – Dorys. “He’s extremely protective and jealous regarding those he loves. In fact, he doesn’t let anyone get too close to me; not even my children can hug me without Benz immediately appearing to make sure everything is okay.”– Monica Raucci
Winnie French Bulldog, Age 2
Dundee Australian Shepherd, Age 9
Brady Golden Retriever, Age 10
Owner
Richard Lara, attorney and city commissioner, and wife Bertha
Dog Story
All three of the Lara dogs were adopted at birth, and all come with unique personalities. Winnie is the diva, Dundee is the guard dog, and Brady is gentle and curious. “I may be a city commissioner, which is a humbling thing to be sure, but at home the chain of command is pretty clear. I’m below Brady, Dundee and Winnie in that chain of command, and it’s Winnie who’s convinced she’s the one with executive authority.” All three have become what Lara would call ‘house dogs’ who are content to stay inside with the air-conditioning on. “They’re kind of more like giant overstuffed animals. Sometimes they have to be reminded they’re dogs,” says Lara. As for sleeping arrangements, all three have their own beds, but at the first sign of a storm they climb onto the Lara bed. “I don’t know how they divide it up, but they all have their spot when it starts to rain or if there’s a little bit of thunder,” he says. “It’s crazy looking at that point.” – J.P. Faber
Duke German Shepherd, Age 7
Owner
Natty Elias, Coral Gables resident
Dog Story
The only small-sized thing about Duke is his name. At 7 years old, the 72-pound German Shepherd has taught his owner Natty Elias just how big a heart can grow and how loyally a dog can love. Any memory of his youthful misbehavior has been quickly replaced by his obedient yet sparky personality – meaning he’s selective about which toys he fetches, and he’ll “sit” as long as you have a bacon treat, pancake bite, or even ‘café con leche’ in close proximity. “He’s unaware of his weight and size… he’ll sleep almost on top of me every night, and if I release his paw from my grip he’ll push me to hold it again,” says Elias. Duke is her third German Shepherd, but his presence in her life seems eternal. “His ‘one love’ is me. Es un gran compañero.” – Sofia Alfaro