Nicaragua Dog Names

As in many countries, there are many street dogs in Nicaragua. Beth Whitman, who founded Wandertours, described her experience with dogs in the country, noting that when she lived in Playa Gigante, the street dogs were well fed by the local restaurants, and mainly appeared happy and excited. In Granada, she explained, things are different; the weight of the dogs vary and they are engaged in survival of the fittest. The street dogs in Granada are just a part of life, and they roam around the city just like people do. 

Artist Peta Kaplan began to paint these dogs, creating the “Dogs of Nicaragua” series. When Beth interviewed Peta, she learned a lot more about the paintings and Peta’s experiences with animal lovers who have seen her art. According to Peta, many have commented that the paintings make them sad; that at least where they live they have animal shelters where the dogs can reside. Peta prefers to think about how the dogs in Nicaragua are able to run free in packs, as if they are wolves.

Peta was living in Chicago in 2006 when she, her partner Ben Sandzer-Bell and their four sons took a trip to Nicaragua for vacation. The immediately felt comfortable and decided to buy property, intent on a long-term change in lifestyle. Six months after buying the property, they built their new home and began visiting more and more often. Eventually, Granada became their full-time home and the base for their sustainable building business. This inspired Peta to paint portraits of the dogs she saw. Peta stated that upon coming to Nicaragua, she was struck by the street dogs, which led to her taking and drawing pictures of them. She expressed that the dogs were captivating and that they had so much character and personality. With each trip that she took, she became attached to some of the dogs. She began painting the dogs as a way to raise awareness.

The paintings are of dogs all over Nicaragua; they are painted using oils and are often life size. Now that Peta resides in Nicaragua full time, a pack of dogs has found her and visits her at her door for food. One of her current favorites is a dog she calls Scarface. He is very old and his faced is scarred and beat up and he can barely make it to her door. When Peta first me him, he walked with his face so low it was almost in the gutter. He is now enjoying her attention and care, to which he has been very responsive. Another favorite is Princessa, a street dog that adopted Peta and her family. She made her way into the house and then refused to leave. She now spends most of her time and nights with her new family, though she can come and go.

Peta uses the funds she earns from her paintings to feed the street dogs that come to her door, along with any others that she encounters.