This Dog Brings a Leaf to the Store Every Day to ‘Buy’ Himself Cookies

A clever dog living on campus at Colombia’s Diversified Technical Education Institute of Monterrey, Casanare has invented his own form of currency, and goes to the corner store every day to “buy” snacks using a leaf that he has retrieved.

The observant black dog, named Negro, has lived on the campus for the last five years, where he is lovingly taken care of by the faculty. During his down time, he has obviously been watching commerce in action at the small store.

“He would go to the store and watch the children give money and receive something in exchange,” said teacher Angela Garcia Bernal. “Then one day, spontaneous, he appeared with a leaf in his mouth; wagging his tail and letting it be known that he wanted a cookie.”

Since first discovering that leaves can “buy” treats, Negro has been a daily visitor to the store to purchase his favorite cookies. One leaf buys one treat. Staff ensure they only fed him dog-friendly snacks, and don’t let him do his shopping more than two times a day, to keep him from over indulging.

“When you first see it, you almost want to cry,” Bernal said. “He’s found a way to make himself understood. He’s very intelligent.