Some dogs beg to be given treats. This astute canine pays his dues.
A lovely black dog named Negro has lived on the campus of Colombia’s Diversified Technical Education Institute of Monterrey Casanare for the past five years or so. He acts as a sort of protector there, keeping an eye on things as students go about their studies.
In exchange, the school’s faculty looks after Negro, providing him with food, water, attention, and a safe place to spend the night with them.
However, it appears that the dog has determined that anything beyond that is up to him.
Early in Negro’s time at the school, he became aware of a small store on campus where students congregate to buy stuff during their breaks; they’d occasionally buy him cookies from there.
This is where the dog first learned about commerce and decided to give it a shot.
“He’d go to the store and watch the kids pay money and get something in return,” Angela Garcia Bernal, a teacher, told The Dodo. “Then one day, out of nowhere, he came with a leaf in his mouth, wagging his tail and expressing his desire for a cookie.”
Negro had devised his currency, which was, of course, acknowledged.
He was given a cookie, which came with an epiphany.
It’s become a frequent occurrence since the dog discovered his money grows on trees, as you might anticipate.
Gladys Barreto, a veteran store employee, told The Dodo, “He comes for cookies every day.” “He always pays in the form of a leaf. It’s something he buys every day.”
The savvy dog has been doing this for years, which is incredible. The staff makes sure he only gets snacks that are safe for dogs to eat, and they limit his purchases to a handful every day (to stave off inflation in both the leafy currency and his waistline).
However, it is still a sight to witness.
“You almost want to cry when you first see it,” Bernal remarked. “He’s figured out how to communicate with others. He’s a brilliant individual.”