Guadalajara: 0 km

It’s New Years.  We’ve had a perfect dinner with friends, and now we’re at another house; friends of friends. Just before twelve we move onto the roof to watch the fireworks and hug and kiss and wish into 2023. And on this rooftop I meet a dog. It may seem a mundane occurrence, but it’s a New Years miracle.

At first she’s scared, overwhelmed maybe more so. A group of half drunkerds breaks the tranquillity of her roof terrace. But soon enough she’s wagging her tail, sniffing everybody from top to toe. What an amazing little cutie. She’s a husky, she’s young by the looks of it, has two differently coloured eyes, I realise as she gets closer.

“She’s up for adoption, you know.”

It’s Victor, the owner, and resident of this place. A friend of a friend. And with his words, a swich turns in my head. I’ve been wanting a dog for a while now. Back in Italy I looked quite seriously into it. But the bureaucracy was terrifying. Two weeks ago, I almost picked one up from the streets. And now here she is, out of nowhere, a New Year’s miracle. I want to take her with me right now, but I tell Victor that I’ll think about it. It’s New Years after all and I’ve had a couple of beers. Not the best time to make big decisions.

Two days later I visit a vet. Juan is with me to translate. The vet explains the process for adopting her and bringing her with me to Europe. When we walk out, I think I’ll be actually doing this! The next day Maya is mine.

She is wonderful. Best thing ever. She sleeps next to my bed, and when the alarm goes off, the first thing I see when I open my eyes is her snout on the mattress. I love burying my face in her fur and smelling that distinctive dog smell. I love the way she stands on her back legs in excitement when I get home. She’s incredibly curious. When I walk her, every shop and open door gets a tiny visit. And after an hour walk, she runs to the balcony when we get home to take a shit. A habit from her time on the rooftop I imagine.

This little doggo did however ruin my plans once more. Cuba is off the table. I don’t want to fly with her twice, and doing the extra paperwork is already giving me a headache. But I don’t mind it at all. Cuba will be there, I’ve got Maya now! Instead, I book a flight to Madrid. We’ll slowly circle back to The Netherlands from there. I’m looking forward travelling with her, showing her the old continent, letting her roam free in the winter cold. She’s a husky after all. I look forward trailing her behind my bike for hours, looking back at her staring back at me. I look forward to it all, to a life with Maya Quesadilla.

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