The Lonely Street Dogs of Copan

As is the case in most cities I've visited that weren't American or European, stray dogs are everywhere, skittish, and treated as a nuisance by local populations.

It was no different down in Guatemala and Honduras. In Copan, different dogs seem to prowl certain territories, and our street was no different.

Upon our first visit to the Via Via, the hotel/hostel we didn't stay at, there had been a spotted mutt napping in the entry lounge area. It looked almost like a Dalmatian.

Later on we'd see it running up and down the street, barking occasionally. He'd stand on the stoop of the Via Via, examining his claim, and if any dog even started coming down his street, he would go after them, barking, snarling, biting, fighting...basically getting them the hell off his land.

Sometimes those other dogs were substantially bigger than him, but most times they were of equal stature or smaller.

We mentioned how "tough your dog is" to someone who spent a large amount of time at the Via Via, to which they said, "That's not my dog. That's nobody's dog."

It was true. People called him Perro Fuego--fire dog--and he had no home. Fuego was just another homeless dog. He got love and attention from the American, Canadian and European visitors to the Via Via, and even got fed occasionally, but after dark, he was out on the street like the rest of them, trying to find a warm spot to curl up.

The nature of his arrangement with the Via Via--property he claims, and not an establishment that considers him their dog--you get the sense that his grasp on the territory is tenuous.

As an animal person, it was tough to watch him shake while he was curling up to got to sleep. Was it fright? It wasn't so cold. His expression, though, was of constant heartbreak.

At least he was king of something. Some of the other street dogs were in bad physical shape.

Fuego...well, Fuego ruled his property while we were around. Being tolerated and tolerated others alike. He was definitely cute and distinctive looking.