One evening nine years ago, an unexpected visitor arrived at Ajilalo, a small restaurant in Peru run by Gerardo Ortiz. It wasn’t a usual customer but a stray dog, her eyes filled with hunger and hope. She had nowhere to go, no one to care for her, and in that moment, she stood at the door, waiting. Ortiz could have easily ignored her, turned her away like many others might have, but he didn’t. Instead, that night, he prepared a meal just for her, offering her the kindness she had long been denied.
That single act of generosity sparked a tradition that continues to this day. Every evening, the hungry dog would return, knowing she would find food and warmth at Ortiz’s restaurant. But she didn’t come alone for long. Word of Ortiz’s kindness spread quickly among the local stray dogs, and soon, more and more appeared at his door. First, it was just a couple of extra dogs, but before long, the number grew. Ortiz never turned any of them away. Whether they were regular visitors or first-time guests, they were all treated with the same warmth.
Often, as Ortiz worked, he would glance up to see a new face at the door, patiently waiting to see if the rumors were true—that there was a place where a hungry dog could find a warm meal and a moment of care. It always was. “For me, they are the best customers,” Ortiz told The Dodo.
His human customers not only accepted this routine but embraced it. Inspired by his kindness, many began bringing food for the visiting dogs as well, helping to feed the growing number of strays who had come to trust Ortiz’s generosity. “Thankfully, our clients have reacted well to the dogs,” he said. “They are affectionate toward them.”
But for Ortiz, it was never just about the food. His mission was something much deeper—to show these animals that their lives mattered, that they weren’t invisible, and that someone in the world cared for them. “They do not pay us with money, but they pay us with their happiness and wagging tails,” he said. “They are very grateful, and we enjoy giving more than receiving. Since I was a child, I have loved animals. My mother always taught us to help others, both people and animals. She’s my inspiration.” Through his actions, Ortiz has proven that kindness can change lives—not just for the dogs, but for everyone who witnesses his incredible compassion.