Valentina Pinci has always loved Xoloitzcuintles, so she was thrilled to adopt Quetzalli. But after moving to Puerto Rico, where the breed is rare, she noticed mixed reactions — some people were curious, while others showed fear or disgust.
Wanting others to see Quetzalli’s beauty, Pinci, an artist with a passion for pre-Hispanic culture, began painting her dog with nontoxic, dog-safe paints. What started as a soothing activity turned into a way to bring joy and shift public perception.
“People became friendlier,” Pinci said. “Kids would shout, ‘Dante from Coco!’” The artwork not only brings smiles but also opens the door to share the rich history and cultural significance of Xoloitzcuintles.