My Life in Argentina and Beyond

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.

Nadia died early in the morning of Thursday, June 10, 1999. It must have been at around 2 A.M. That’s when she must have noticed that the candle on her night table had caught on something, probably a piece of paper. She must have rushed to the kitchen and got some pots and pans to make noise. But nobody came to her aid until somebody on her floor (the 10th) noticed that there was smoke coming from under the door. The fire dept. found her with her hand clutching the house keys. Otranto and Niebla, her 2 older dogs died with her. The Rolex watch she was wearing (a souvenir of her prosperous days) was stolen by somebody. May She rest in Peace!

Monday, June 9, 2008: Tomorrow it will be 9 years. Nadia died 9 years ago in that horrible fire. It was a Thursday morning and she did everything she could to ask for help. No one came until it was too late. She died of asphixiation, with two of her dogs, Otranto and Niebla. The firemen found her next to the front door. She had been clutching the house keys.