“Broken Hearts | Broken Souls” - Bogotá

Our Guide, 2019 - Bogotá

The city center of Bogotá, Colombia is full of tourists. A perfect place to sell souvenirs and lottery tickets. However, at night it becomes an empty place where homeless people live. Stray dogs patrol the tourist sites, like the Plaza de Bolivar and the Cathedral. As soon as you give food to one of these dogs they will follow you and keep close in search of love and attention so show them you care.

Teamwork, 2023 - Bogotá

Mono is 5 years old and since he was a puppy he has been the faithful life companion of Gabriel. They live together in the streets of Bogotá. They have a very hard life surviving from the recycling of plastic, looking in the waste bins for the throwaways of a city of 7 million which ignores them.  Mono follows him unconditionally as he traverses Bogotá and protects him in his work.  They have an unbreakable bond of love that has overcome many obstacles including Mono’s health problems. But Gabriel managed to implore the neighborhood vets to help out and treat him!  Mono is his partner and sole companion and as he says: everything is for him.

Recycling, 2024 - Bogotá

In the middle of the traffic in Bogotá, you have to be very careful to avoid accidents. But manual recycling is a means to survive when you have no other options. Plastic, cardboard and glass may be valueless trash for some people but for others it means a little money to get a bite to eat. It is hard work and a hard life with much pain and effort. But a canine friend eases the pain and keeps him going. No judgment here.

Street Magician, 2023 - Bogotá

McClain Welch rescued Negrita when she was a puppy in the south of Colombia.  But these names are their artistic names - in reality they are Tatiana and Agatha and they are street artists.  They juggle with footballs at traffic lights in Bogotá. Pure balance and concentration to impress the drivers into giving them some loose change and avoid the balls getting crushed by the buses and cars.  Agatha is the great expert in catching and guarding the balls. Tatiana and Agatha used to be part of the Cicciolina circus. The pandemic put an end to the circus dreams.

Going Home, 2024 - Bogotá

Heider and Chocolate are on their way back home. Originally from Venezuela, his family had to leave the country for economic and political reasons. They walked and caught rides with trucks and finally arrived in Perú. But his father told him in 2024 that it was time to go back to Venezuela. So, they started again: this time with Chocolate. At the time of the photo, they had been in Bogotá for 2 weeks, getting some rest and food before continuing their trek back to Venezuela. Because as Heider said: home is home.

Puma, 2023 - Bogotá

Puma has spent 13 years with Andrés. She was the inspiration for the name of his mobile bike repair business in Bogotá: Puma. According to Andrés, she is the daughter of a Brazilian pedigree dog and a large pit bull. They have never been separated except for one period when Puma was stolen but she miraculously found her way home after seven months!  She is trained to bring back sticks, bark and guard the bike because her bed is in the trailer! Puma is the best dog in the world according to Andrés and he makes sure she gets all her vaccinations so she doesn’t fall sick. 

No Dog Left Behind, 2025 - Bogotá

Cokki looks like a teddy bear. He and his family arrived as some of the 1 million Venezuelan refugees looking for a better life in Colombia. Cokki is the best companion and security guard that Daniela could dream of during her endless working hours selling plastic covers for mobile phones. Immigrating to Colombia was a family plan and so Cokki was part of the dangerous trip. There was no way he would be left behind. Always together.

Candy Lady, 2023 - Bogotá

Maria had a rough life, with addictions and violence. Now she is getting clean and starting a new life. In order to earn money she sells her candies outside an evangelical church in Bogotá. Since dogs are not allowed inside, she takes care of them while their faithful humans pray inside. 

The Three Musketeers, 2023 - Bogotá

Mikel lives from recycling in the streets of Bogotá.  Other people's trash not only supports his daily life but was where he found his three best friends and life companions discarded in plastic bags.  From the moment he released them, Sacha, Bruno and Coronel have been part of his family.  They are black dogs with shiny coats who follow him everywhere as he walks in search of something to live on.  They are not scared of cars, buses or the city pollution that makes their eyes red.  The pack makes its way through the congested streets and when the dogs are tired, they jump up on Mikel’s wooden cart knowing the only thing that matters is to be together.

Parking Security, Three Musketeers, 2023 - Bogotá

Pitbulls are often classified as dangerous breeds. And the authorities in Colombia require that pitbull owners muzzle their dogs. This is the case of Zeus. His human, Jairo, is paralyzed and the street is his work place. He is paid by people in Bogotá to look after their parked cars and keep thieves away. Zeus is not only Jairo’s best friend, he is part of his family and his protector in case of danger. In spite of the aggressive look given by the muzzle, Zeus was not aggressive to me and had the sweetest temperament.