My Life in Argentina and Beyond

Monday, November 30, 2009: A year ago today he was still alive. I miss my little Pekingese and his aristocratic soul. I miss being understood by him and I miss seeing him. For the rest of my life I will feel guilty because I didn't bring him to the U.S. with me. I left him with whom I thought would take good care of him. Now I don't know if this was so. I know that I didn't have to pretend with Chiquito. He didn't judge me and he didn't laugh when I told him (by example) who I was.

I miss my dogs. I miss Rubio—Rubio, the star German Shepherd, the loyal companion par excellence. Rubio was a dog that should have lived forever. Leo was the dog I had to give up for his own good. Leo was my protector but we had terrible neighbors and they made life very difficult for us. Chiquito—the Pekingese with the soul of an aristocrat. Chiquito, who was a connoisseur of what was beautiful and expensive. Then there was Otranto, my friend Nadia’s older dog. He and I understood each other with just one look. I didn’t even have to say a word—he knew. Niebla, Otranto’s half brother, was such a finicky eater that caviar would not have been good enough for him. They are gone now and I will not forget them. Each brought something to my life that was unique and not to be repeated again.

Thursday, November 12, 2009: Just before I close my eyes at inght, I think of him once more. I see Chiquito as he was when I met him and the blocks that we used to walk stretch out before me. Then I ask him to forgive me. I should have brought him over here to the U.S. almost 2 years ago

Saturday, August 8, 2009: Of all the unfortunate experiences I have had this time back in the U.S., the unexpected death of my dog in Argentina is the one that I regret the most. That is the one thing that makes me sadder than all the rest. Chiquito was a stray that I adopted shortly before my trip over here. I wish I had been able to bring him with me (I had his doggie passport and everything). The reception we would have received (Chiquito, Lauchita and me) would not have been good. Nevertheless, it would have been better to get him on the plane. If anybody was my soul mate, that dog was.

Monday, February 9, 2009: Chiquito is still alive and we are walking down the streets of Vicente Lopez again. I remember him always. I cannot help but think about my aristocratic dog and how he changed my life.

Saturday, January 3, 2009: I am so tired of the overseas stress! I am so exhausted with dealing with people who have to be prodded and pushed to do what they're paid to do. It seems that after Chiquito's death, the fumigators did notgo to fumigate the place where he was being kept and now the fleas have multiplied themselves. I asked people to call the fumigators, but apparently nobody called them.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008: I will never forget Chiquito's eyes when they looked up at me. I will never forget his tight little body walking fast to get me to the best neighborhoods. He was a great companion and a great dog.

Monday, December 15, 2008: My dog Chiquito is gone. He could not be saved. Chiquito had anemia and he couldn't walk. He stopped walking Thursday night. I miss him and our walks, those long aristocratic walks we both loved so well.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008: I haven't seen him in almost 4 months. When I go to bed at night I wonder if he is eating well. I ask myself myself if I did the right thing. Was it right for me to leave Chiquiyo behind? It's all the way in Argentina and Argentina is very far away. But bringing him here would not have been good. This house is too crowded and there too many animals living in it already. But I miss him.I feel a part of me is not here where it should be.