Adopt a dog in Santiago: Meet Lipi

The Centro de Rescate Canino de Ñuñoa will begin to periodically feature dogs in need of adoption. The CRC is a Santiago-based animal shelter working to get homeless canines the care that they need. Readers interested in adopting can visit the center online or phone Jolanta Polk at 62167126 to arrange an appointment.

Lipi got his name because of his uncanny resemblance to the Lipigas dog,  the scruffy mongrel that flies Air Force One and makes phone

Lipi has lived in an animal shelter for almost two years and is looking for a home, Photo credit: Centro de Rescate Canino de Ñuñoa

calls from his doggy oval office: “Yes we can… yes we can keep our house warm when we buy Lipigas.”

But the Lipi in this article has known neither warmth nor a home for at least two years.  He has spent more than 20 months in the cold seclusion of his kennel at the Centro de Rescate Canino de Ñuñoa or the Nuñoa Dog Rescue Center (CRC). Before that, little is known about his existence but we believe it was probably spent on the streets and plazas of Ñuñoa.

At some stage he must have been someone’s pet, as his tail was cut and is now a cute little pom-pom but most probably his owners got bored with or tired of him. Or maybe he simply got lost and could never again find his way back home. But whatever his past story, for the last two years he has been a CRC resident where he is taken out of the kennel once a day  for just a few minutes.

It is true that he has been loved and pampered by the CRC volunteers. He is fed sausages and doggie biscuits every Saturday and taken out for short walks. He gets his belly scratched by Carolina, Susana, Rosemary and other volunteers but once every seven days is just not enough. Lipi deserves more. With his cheeky grin and cheerful character, he is worthy of love and care every day of the week.

Lipi is still very young. He is only four which, in human years, is barely 28. He could live a long and happy life as someone’s pet and companion.  He would also make a brilliant guard dog; his bark is definitely much worse than his bite.

Being fairly small, the size of a cocker spaniel, he is ideal for either a house or an apartment.  He is also one of the cleanest dogs in the center; he hates getting his kennel dirty.   And he is really smart. In a few weeks he learned several tricks such as sitting when told to, crawling, beginning on his hind legs and touching the

Lipi is a faithful dog who needs a good home, Photo credit: Centro de Rescate Canino de Ñuñoa

handlers hand on command.  For some sausage or a biscuit, Lipi would probably sell his canine soul.

Since the center opened in November 2009, nearly 800 dogs, including puppies and older dogs, have been found a new home. But for some strange reason, Lipi and five other dogs have not been able to find a home. Maybe it is because of his scruffy tail or maybe because he is not the classic handsome type of a dog but if one is willing to look beyond his shaggy exterior, one won’t  find a more clever and more faithful pet.

Despite his small size, he is quite feisty. His handlers say he is an Alpha dog, so he prefers to steer clear of other males but he likes doggie girls and would make a brilliant companion for a female of any size, breed and age.

Lipi is sterilized and an adoptive family would not have to worry about breeding future generations of pint-sized Lipis. As a matter of fact, all CRC dogs, males and female, are neutered to promote the responsible ownership of street fauna.

Readers interested in adopting Lipi or any other CRC resident can visit the center online or phone Jolanta Polk at 62167126 to arrange an appointment.

Adopt a homeless dog; you will change his life and he can change yours. You can also become a volunteer, make a donation in kind (doggie treats, cans, blankets, toys etc.) and promote the work of the center.

We are also organizing a big adoption campaign at the Estadio Nacional in Nuñoa between Sept. 15-19.  You are welcome to visit.

Incoming search terms:

• Yarur Bascunan Foundation