Restaurant owner always provides free meals for local strays, and they become his best customers

There are many stray animals out on the street, fending for themselves and relying on the kindness of strangers for scraps of food.

Luckily for these strays, there are people out there willing to help. While most people ignore these animals, some kind strangers offer a warm bed and a nice meal to those who have nothing.

Like one restaurant, that has become famous among locals — and especially the local dogs — for providing delicious meals to strays.

Gerardo Ortiz is the owner of Ajilado, a restaurant in Peru. While it’s popular with humans, it’s also become the favorite of a very different clientele: local stray dogs, who show up for a free meal.

🇵🇪♥️Nuestra engreída "Lazzy" 🐕 esperando por su porción de siempre😋 🤭 Dando el ejemplo de mantener su distancia🐕 😁

Posted by Restaurante – ajilalo on Friday, July 17, 2020

According to The Dodo, Gerardo has been making meals for dogs for five years, ever since a stray came up to his window looking for food.

Since then, the practice has only grown, as word has apparently spread among the local dogs. Every day, stray dogs — both “returning customers” and new, hungry faces — show up, and Gerardo, a lifelong animal lover, is happy to serve.

‼️🇵🇪🤷 Hoy nos visitó "Goyita" se acuerdan de ella🐕? Y el otro perrito que aún no tiene nombre😁 tuvimos que servir doble…

Posted by Restaurante – ajilalo on Monday, February 15, 2021

The dogs, it seems, are always very patient and grateful for their food. They show up at the window and happily eat their much-needed meal.

Luckily, this routine hasn’t affected Gerardo’s human customers. If anything, the show of compassion probably inspires them to eat there more.

“Thankfully, our clients have reacted well to the dogs,” Gerardo told The Dodo. “They are affectionate toward them.”

☺️😯 Él es nuestro nuevo cliente🐶‼️ siempre llega 1 hora antes de cerrar local 😊 bien sentadito espero educado❤️🇵🇪 ya le estamos haciendo su comida 🇵🇪💪

Posted by Restaurante – ajilalo on Monday, February 8, 2021

“For me, they are the best customers,” Gerardo said. “They do not pay us with money, but they pay us with their happiness and wagging tails.”

“They are very grateful, and we enjoy giving more than receiving.”

Hoy oso y Lasy disfrutaron nuevamente de su menú nocturno 🤗♥️🇵🇪 guardaremos un poquito para COPITO y otros perritos 🤗♥️🇵🇪

Posted by Restaurante – ajilalo on Wednesday, February 26, 2020

For these dogs, this is probably the only meal they can get most days. Thank you to Gerardo for generously providing for them.

We wish there were more restaurants like this. Share this story to spread the word about this great restaurant!