ARGENTINA: Tale of Two Dogs

One of the more simpático of recent public figures in Argentina was Eva Perón’s lively, silver miniature French poodle Negrita. Whether at work at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, or at home to greet distinguished visitors, Negrita and Evita were almost inseparable. When Negrita died last August, Argentine representatives abroad were asked to find a replacement.

A male named Tambour, born of the same parents as Negrita, was found in Port-au-Prince and rushed to the First Lady. Soon he was well settled into his late sister’s old routine. He was a disappointment in only one way; whereas Negrita was born black and later turned silver, Tambour remained all black.

When brisk, breezy U.S. Ambassador Stanton Griffis made his first official call on Señora Perón at her ministry last month, he met Tambour and presently suggested that the dog ought to have a mate. The Señora agreed. Griffis telephoned his New York secretary, and within 48 hours Sylvia, a six-month-old silver poodle, was on her way to Buenos Aires.

For her formal presentation at the Casa Rosada last week, Sylvia was accompanied by Ambassador Griffis and his second in command, Lester Mallory. While the dogs made friends, Evita expressed her thanks and leveled a gay shaft at Grass Widower Griffis.* “Now that you have found a wife for Tambour,” she smiled archly, “I shall have to find you a wife among our descamisadas.”

*Once married to handsome Whitney Bourne, sometime cinemactress, 24 years his junior.