Pingo, the viral decades-old stray dog, picked a gas station to call home even before Facebook
Pingo, a geriatric stray dog, has apparently lived at a gas station in Vinhedo, Brazil, for over two decades. Reportedly, he’s outlasted several station owners and countless cars passing through. Unlike most strays looking for a home, Pingo picked the permanent residence…and the entire town embraced his choice.
Vinhedo, a small city in São Paulo’s interior, is known for its tight-knit community. People didn’t need social media to spread Pingo’s story. His fame grew organically, spreading by word of mouth. And despite the changes over the years, Pingo remained a constant at the gas station.
Pingo’s origins remain unclear. When Julio D’Auria, founder of the local animal group Amigos dos Animais de Rua de Vinhedo, moved to the town in 2006 – the year Facebook launched – Pingo had already made the gas station his home. No one knew where he came from, but he became a familiar sight.
Over the years, the gas station changed ownership four times, but Pingo stayed
Locals estimate he’s now over 20 years old. D’Auria shared a video of the mutt on his group’s Instagram.
The video’s caption, translated from Portuguese, reads: “This is PINGO the oldest dog in Vinhedo, he lives at the Gas Station on the Road of Boiada in front of the Vista Alegre Condominium. He is estimated to be between 22 and 25 years old which is RARE for a dog. Our group @amigosdosanimaisdevinhedo is always monitoring PINGO and helping animal protectors of Vinhedo.”
The community reportedly takes care of Pingo’s daily needs. A neighbor, who lives across the street from the gas station, apparently feels most responsible for him. She brings him fresh food and water, and even cooks him chicken. She also takes him to the vet when needed and ensures he stays groomed. During the colder months, she outfits him in warm clothes and blankets, and he spends part of the day inside the air-conditioned office at the station.
Word of Pingo’s age and commitment to the gas station spread. Locals and even visitors from outside Vinhedo started to stop by his chosen home just to meet the famous dog. His story gained even more attention via an AOL article published just a couple of weeks ago.
Despite his rising fame, Pingo never needed a special campaign for support. D’Auria insists that the same people who cared for him from the start happily continue to do so today.
