Motivation to write is to me a big enigma. I have been meaning to resume my blog with discipline as the necessary water I know I need to give my thirsty brain. Yet, only corny images like these come to mind. What to do?

Maybe focusing on something completely different from what I know I need to write about is the answer. So here it comes.

I love dogs. My grandfather used to have german Sheppards. They were outside the house and always a bit muddy and distant. But I always loved them. For some strange reason they were all called “Yuta”.

My parents also had german Sheppards and kept the name tradition. At some point they had the terrible idea of getting me a bunny. Long story short, the dog killed the bunny and I got to see that up close. To think about it, I didn’t have good luck with pets growing up. I got a tiny chick at a bazaar, and he died when he moved to my bed in the middle of the night. I got a dog, and someone opened the door to the street and that was it. Another one was a gift from a friend and her mother changed her mind and took it back.

None of that did diminish my love for dogs. For birds, yes, but not for dogs.

When I moved to Chile many years ago, I was walking to work with a friend when 2 hairless dogs came around. They must have been thrown out to die by the river but somehow found us. I promised I would adopt them if they came back to our path that night. And they did.

I only remember Juana as I had to find a home for the other one before they both ate the furniture and walls of my rental. Juana stayed with me until she died in 2013. She lived in 2 other houses in Chile and 2 apartments in New York. She was destined to have a good life. I loved her so much. She still has a facebook page: Juana the Dog. Check it out. She was a gorgeous latin american stray dog.

She walked with me through the Gates exhibit in Central Park. She ran with me by the East River. She enjoyed the snow and the heat.

She was one hell of a dog. I miss her. A toast to her and you all for a wonderful 2024!