Santiago Dog Names

The love and devotion of the canine species to their master are well-known and sought-after attributes, stories becoming more prevalent and easily found in more recent decades. These touching, and heartfelt tales of the variety of ways dogs helped their human counterparts, often keeping vigil when their beloved masters fail to return, scenes of loyalty found all over the world.

Canelo, our pop culture dog for today, is one of those heart-wrenching stories.  Canelo, breed unknown, lived in Cadiz in the Southwest Spain, owned by a man who was a bit of a recluse.

Canelo and his owner,  inseparable, could be seen walking along together daily, mostly to exercise Canelo, except for the one trip they made weekly to the local hospital where Canelo’s owner received dialysis treatment. During the 1980’s when this story took place, hospitals did not permit dogs to enter their facilities. So, each week, Canelo accompanied his master to the Hospital Puerta de Mar in Cadiz, and Canelo would stay outside of the building while his owner had his treatment.  Once the medical procedure completed, the man would walk back out the same entry in which he had entered, and Canelo would join him as they walked back home.

Their weekly routine continued for several years until the day everything changed. Having walked their usual route to the hospital, the man went inside for his dialysis treatment but did not return.  The man had an emergent medical situation, and died in the hospital that day, while outside, Canelo waited. Canelo waited for the man to walk through the door, and beckon for him to walk home with him.  But, he never came - not that day, or the next, or the day after that - but Canelo continued to wait.

Canelo waited in the heat of the summer, the horrible cold of the winter, in the rain, wind, sleet, ice, and snow, he waited.  The locals took notice of him and kept him fed and watered, even tried giving him a home, but each time he escaped, returning to the door of the hospital where he’d last seen his master.  They also rescued him when the dog police picked him up for euthanasia. And, still, he waited for 12 years, ending in December 2002 when Canelo was struck and killed by a car. The local people erected a memorial for Canelo with a plaque that called him “Canelo, the Dog of Cadiz” because he belonged to everyone.  If you ask about him, they will tell you that he is walking with his master now in Heaven.