Rio's Dog Carnival

Rio de Janeiro is famous worldwide for its vibrant and colorful carnivals. But now it's not just people who don fairytale costumes. Dogs have their own carnival, too.

Rio residents love life and their furry friends. "Unfortunately, dogs are banned from the main festival," explains show organizer Marco Antonio Marino, dressed in a Dalmatian costume. "So we created a carnival for owners and their four-legged friends."

The highlight of the carnival

This unusual parade has been going on for twelve years now. This time, one hundred and fifty Mukhtars participated. Dressed in colorful clothes, sunglasses, and straw hats, they proudly walked with their owners through the city. Small dogs rode in strollers decorated in the Olympic colors. A lively samba played everywhere. The townspeople watched the carnival with delight.

Happy dogs

But are the main heroes of the occasion happy? "Of course," says Othon Carlos. "The dogs are having a great time here. The festival is wonderful. All the dogs are dressed up." The heat dampened the celebration somewhat. Some dogs ran into the shade and greedily lapped up the water, even though it was thirty-two degrees Celsius outside.

Social significance

It's worth mentioning the important social function of the carnival. Rio is an unsafe city. Quite a few crimes are committed there every day.

"The streets are full of bandits who make peaceful people suffer. Our joyful march is a protest against violence. We love our pets and treat them like children," says Marcia Aguilar, smiling.

The joyful celebration delighted everyone who attended. The dog carnival also further increased interest in the host city of the 2016 Summer Olympics among Brazilians and residents of other countries.

Translation by O. V. Ryndina

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