Dog Restaurant In Mexico Prompts Question, “What Is It With Latinos And Their Dogs?”

The launch of “Bow Wow Deli,” a new restaurant for dogs in Mexico, got us thinking about two stereotypes associated with Latinos when it comes to their animals, the most prevalent being that we’re terrible pet owners with two or seventeen blind, three-legged dogs dying of heat exhaustion in our yards. Then there’s the idea of the super-rich (and super-silly) Latin American Princess who matches her outfits to those of the barking tarantula she calls a dog. 

We’ve previously addressed the issue of why it is that some Latinos don’t feel the need to treat their dogs like family members - or give them names or attention or food other than what lizard they can catch. But what about those who, say, have a pug back home in Miami? A pug, that, perhaps, we attempted to dress up in tiny polo shirts until he grew too fat for them. What of these lunatics?

The distinction is simple: We don’t need the pug to protect our yard by attacking that old man who lives next door and used to watch us while we undressed. Because that old man died. And we have an alarm system. And I we finally bought drapes.

This little dog’s sole purpose is to soak up love like a giant, wheezing, farting sponge. He’s meant to be cuddled and spoiled and become a tiny family member. He’s not our protector or our weapon. And, because this weird little creature has become a member of the family, their arises the need to anthropomorphize him. First, one gives it a name. Then, one assigns personality traits, ie “Barnaby sure is a joker!” “Millicent is shy.” “Bugsy is prone to alcohol abuse and pedophilia.”And, sometimes, one might feel compelled to dress these dogs like human beings or take them to fancy restaurants. Sometimes.

SERIOUSLY, HOW CAN YOU RESIST?!

What it comes down to, basically, is that different dogs have different roles. And we are pretty much just as insane, neglectful, loving, obsessive and weird about our canine companions as anyone else. We’re just louder about it. Because we’re spicy.

Anyway. At least this didn’t turn out to be about what we originally thought when pitched a story about a “dog restaurant opening in Mexico.” So. There’s that: