On June 16, 1955 «Lady and the Tramp premiered. «, An animated film produced by Walt Disney that tells the story of Reina, a beautiful purebred dog who lives happily in her home, and Golfo, a friendly and mischievous stray dog. Well, in the 19th century Madrid had its particular “Gulf”, in this case called Paco , a stray dog who came to share a table with the most powerful men in the town, who liked to frequent the Apolo theater, who never missed a bullfight... and whose heart was never stolen by a "Queen". This is the story of Paco, the most famous dog in Madrid .
A few months ago I was lucky enough to share a table and tablecloth with the teacher, and friend, Miguel Ángel Almodóvar at the Pombo 18 restaurant (Madrid). Following his recommendations, I ordered « Fornos steak to the taste of Paco the dog » (a very wise decision). Logically, he asked for the curious name of such an exquisite dish...
Cafe de Fornos (1908)
The Café de Fornos was located on Calle Alcalá, on the corner of Calle de la Virgen de los Peligros, where today we find a Starbucks. , one of the most famous gathering cafes that existed until the beginning of the 20th century in Madrid. Well, this café would be the place where our protagonist would have his first meeting with Madrid's high society. On October 4, 1879, a stray dog approached the procession headed by the Marqués de Bogaraya , Don Gonzalo de Saavedra y Cueto , who was on his way to eat at the Fornos. They must have been amused, especially the Marquis, because he even "invited" him to have a bite. What would be the tramp's surprise when they gave him a meat chop... the Marquis had earned an unconditional supporter. Paco , which was baptized by the Marquis because that day was that of San Francisco, he became a regular in all the places frequented by his new friend:cafes, theaters... even the Courts. Paco became a typical image of Madrid and a kind of mascot of the town. Such was the affection and respect that the people of Madrid professed for him that the presence of the Marquis was no longer necessary to be "invited" to eat in the best establishments -although his favorite was still the Fornos-, that he was allowed to enter the clubs most exclusive, that he had a reserved seat at the premieres of the Apolo with all the seats sold -they say he could not stand bad interpretations and made it known with his barks-... Even so, he always refused, even showing his teeth, to be welcomed in a home and live as a domestic dog. Paco was a bohemian who liked to have the ground as his bed and the stars as his ceiling . Songs were written in his honor, the newspapers echoed his latest escapades, there were even sweets with his name and chocolate bars with his image. A newspaper was published, El Perro Paco , which reflected the political and social views of the dog.
But if there was one thing that good old Paco really liked, it was bullfighting and, furthermore, he also had his favorite bullfighters:Frascuelo and Lagartijo. In those years the bullfighting ring was located in Alcalá street itself and Paco accompanied the bullfighters and their crews on their way to the square where he had free access. Although between bulls he went down to the arena and entertained the respectable, during the task he occupied his seat and, as he was well acquainted with the art of Cúchares, he was critical of the bullfighters who did not "get close" -they say that his opinion/bark was highly respected among bullfighting critics-…until that fateful June 21, 1882 arrived. , Pepe from the Galapagos , he was undergoing one of the worst tasks Paco had ever seen and, furthermore, he was incapable of killing the steer. As had already happened a few days ago, in a bullfight in which Paco received a couple of tumble when Gallito had difficulty killing the bull, Paco jumped into the ring to "help" him. The proud, and pitiful, bullfighter was not going to allow that insult and hit the dog with the rapier to drive it away... but Paco returned to the charge barking and harassing the bull. Fate or rage caused José Rodríguez's second attempt to stick into Paco's body. The public, seeing the dog lying on the sand in a pool of blood, was furious and had it not been for the forces of order, they would have lynched him right there.
Fucked by Paco when he "helped" Gallito
The newspapers echoed the mishap and day by day they reported how it was progressing... Paco died on the 27th. Adults and children alike cried the loss of the dog of all the people of Madrid. He was dissected and was exhibited in the Bullfighting Museum until its closure in 1889. Such was his fame, that the people of Madrid decided to make a collection to erect a monument in his memory of him in the Retiro Park where his remains would be buried. . Because of a miserable man, who fled with the money collected, Paco was buried in the Retiro, but the exact place is not known.
