CubaPLUS Magazine

Anyone who has not lived with a dog as a pet surely does not know the most unconditional and faithful friend of man.

That statement is not a belief, it is, without a doubt, a great reality demonstrated through all time. This four-legged animal that whoever decides to have at home, becomes another member of the family, because if there is joy at home, he is happy, but if there is sadness from some unpleasant event, the dog also feels and expresses it.

It does not matter if these animals are of one race or another –there are 534 races in the world divided into 10 groups. according to the International Cynological Federation (FCI) -whatever its size. There is no doubt that each one, with his or her characteristics, will always lavish owners with love, loyalty to the point of death, keep company and care.

And precisely because of this condition of fidelity, even far superior than some humans, it was decided in 2004, motivated by the immense importance of these animals in the daily life of people, they are honored for their unwavering dedication and love. There are numerous stories of dogs faithful until the death of their masters.

The most transcendent was that of Hachiko, an Akita breed, who accompanied its caretaker Professor, every day. Eisaburo Ueno, to his classes at the University of Tokyo, and was waiting for him at Shibuya station to return home together. Unfortunately, the professor died suddenly in 1925 and Hachiko remained at the station, waiting for his owner, for 9 years. This earned him a statue raised in his honor where it always waited for him.

In Cuba, there are also stories of faithful dogs. One of the best known is Rinti. In the capital cemetery of Colón, there is a tombstone with a sculpture of a woman lying down and with her dog at her feet, made with hewn stone and a phrase that reads: faithful until death, Rinti. The work honors Rinti's loyalty to her owner, North American Jeannette Ryder, resident in Cuba in the early 20th century, where she founded the humanitarian organization called Protector Society of Children, Animals and Plants, also known as Bando de Piedad.

According to the story, her dog lay down at the foot of the tomb that houses the remains of its owner and great protector and it did not eat or drink the water that workers of the cemetery offered it until he died. Today the sculpture is known as “The Tomb of Loyalty”. Regarding this, in Cuba it is also celebrated, every second Sunday of April the Dog Day, to honor the work carried out by that benefactor, who died on 11th April 1931, in favor of these noble animals, honor them and, at the same time, increase the canine culture in the population.

On the other hand, the celebration created on July 21, the aim is to raise awareness among people about the large number of puppies that are abandoned to their fate, or those that hope to be adopted by a family or a shelter. It is estimated that for 70% of dogs, there are no homes in the world.

Dogs, in addition to being man's best friends, help in multiple tasks: they are guides, aid police, firefighters and, of course, are companions. So don't forget the saying that goes: “The more I know people, the more I love my dog”. If you don't already have a dog at home as a pet, decide and adopt one. It doesn't matter if it's of a legitimate race or “sato” because they will always profess great love and, above all, loyalty to death.