Background:
As I was looking for more subjects for my project, Aleth (please see Episode 001), my physiotherapist, was kind enough to connect me with some of her contacts and friends to help me find candidates who also live in Viladecans.
Enter: Berta and Cala. Berta is also a physical therapist living in Viladecans, with a beautiful dog named Cala.
Cala (as you will learn through the interview) has come from a shelter and is slightly visually impaired, but makes up for it by being so adorable, very loving, and with incredible hearing and smelling abilities.
During the interview, Cala insisted on taking turns with us, giving the squeaky ball to each one of us to throw, one at a time - being the egalitarian queen that she is.
It was so much fun spending time with Berta and Cala, and capturing photos of them and their beautiful relationship.
The interview took place at Parc De Marina, Viladecans, Barcelona on the 12th of October 2026.
Berta and Cala, Parc De Marina, 12th of October 2026
For me, Cala represents that you don’t have to have a lot of luxury; you can live with simple things and just be happy.
Ahmed: Please state your name
Berta: My name is Berta.
Ahmed: And what is this lady’s name?
Berta: Cala Abellan Basolas.
Ahmed: How old is she?
Berta: 11 Months.
Ahmed: How long have you had her?
Berta: We adopted her in March; she was four months old.
Ahmed: What is her favorite food?
Berta: Chicken, but she also liked boiled mussels and tuna, combined with dry food. She also loves treats and hot dogs.
Ahmed: She is a lady of the sea. What is your favorite memory from when she was a puppy?
Berta: I remember when she first came home, the first time we bathed her. When she was soaking wet, she became this very tiny little thing. I also remember how she didn’t know what to do and was very scared to go downstairs. I felt so much pity for her.
Berta: My name is Berta.
Ahmed: And what is this lady’s name?
Berta: Cala Abellan Basolas.
Ahmed: How old is she?
Berta: 11 Months.
Ahmed: How long have you had her?
Berta: We adopted her in March; she was four months old.
Ahmed: What is her favorite food?
Berta: Chicken, but she also liked boiled mussels and tuna, combined with dry food. She also loves treats and hot dogs.
Ahmed: She is a lady of the sea. What is your favorite memory from when she was a puppy?
Berta: I remember when she first came home, the first time we bathed her. When she was soaking wet, she became this very tiny little thing. I also remember how she didn’t know what to do and was very scared to go downstairs. I felt so much pity for her.
Ahmed: What is something that she does regularly that makes you laugh?
Berta: When we are outside, she is very active, but when we are home, she is very calm and quiet. Because she has degenerative visual impairment, I find it very funny when she takes her time to find things outdoors. She is very smart and eventually finds what she is looking for. She has cataracts – we don’t know what she actually sees or if she sees my face, but she knows who I am. At first, it was difficult, but now she is living her life like a normal dog.
Ahmed: She is very smart and obedient. Did you have to train her?
Berta: Yes, we trained her, but she is very smart, and things were very easy.
It was really a surprise how quickly she understood. At home, when I talk to her about my day, she definitely understands what I am saying.
Ahmed: What activities do you like doing with her?
Berta: Going to the mountains, but I also like the little things, like going for a walk in the morning. It motivates you to wake up and get up in the morning. It is a nice way to start the day. Also, when I see her at home lying on the sofa, I think, “I want your life”. I also say to her, “I am going to work to pay for your food” [Laughs].
Also, having a dog means your clothes are never clean, and your apartment is chaotic.
Berta: Going to the mountains, but I also like the little things, like going for a walk in the morning. It motivates you to wake up and get up in the morning. It is a nice way to start the day. Also, when I see her at home lying on the sofa, I think, “I want your life”. I also say to her, “I am going to work to pay for your food” [Laughs].
Also, having a dog means your clothes are never clean, and your apartment is chaotic.
Ahmed: Does she have a favorite toy?
Berta: She likes to play with rope, but she breaks them all the time. She also likes toys that make sound because they are easier for her to find. She also loves sticks. We brought one home for her, but she doesn’t like it, so she found one she likes, but we leave it outside, hidden, for her to play with when we go for walks.
Ahmed: How does she react when you return from work?
Berta: She is usually very calm, but when you go to her and say ‘Hello’, she behaves like a queen. But it depends on the day and on how much time you’ve spent outside.
Berta: She likes to play with rope, but she breaks them all the time. She also likes toys that make sound because they are easier for her to find. She also loves sticks. We brought one home for her, but she doesn’t like it, so she found one she likes, but we leave it outside, hidden, for her to play with when we go for walks.
Ahmed: How does she react when you return from work?
Berta: She is usually very calm, but when you go to her and say ‘Hello’, she behaves like a queen. But it depends on the day and on how much time you’ve spent outside.
Ahmed: How long have you been in Viladecans?
Berta: I am from a town next to Viladecans called Sant Climent. It is very nice yet very small. My boyfriend is from Viladecans, so I’ve been living here for one year. As I grew up in Sant Climent, since it doesn’t have a high school, I went to high school here; my friends are from here, etc.
Ahmed: What is her favorite spot?
Berta: Her favorite spot is the ‘Pipicans’ near the Hospital in Viladecans. She loves to go there every day and enjoys playing with other dogs.
Ahmed: Does she have a favorite park?
Berta: Here (Vilamarina), but as it is a little bit far from home, we don’t come as often. And also the one near the hospital. She loves smelling and jumping on grass.
She is a Catalan dog; I speak to her in Catalan.
Ahmed: What are your favorite places in Viladecans?
Berta: I’d say Ermita (Chapel) de San Ramón is definitely my favorite place around Viladecans. It can be hard to get up there, but the view is definitely worth it. Another favorite spot is Torre Roja. Also, the Biblioteca near the hospital.
Ahmed: Favorite places to eat?
Berta: I really like Domèstic, near La Rambla; it has amazing burgers and beers. El Toro, near Sant Climent, is great and has amazing food. Also, Kai, which is a Japanese place, has sushi and other delicious Japanese food.
Ahmed: Does she like people in general? Children?
Berta: Yes, she likes children and wants to play with them, but it can be tricky with smaller children, so I have to keep an eye on them, especially if the parents might not be keen.
With adults in general, she can be selective with who she likes and who she doesn’t.
Ahmed: What is something that she does and makes you laugh?
Berta: Because she doesn’t see very well, she sometimes won’t see an object and bump into it, which breaks my heart but also makes me laugh.
Ahmed: How did you discover that she has visual impairment?
Berta: When we first got her, my boyfriend noticed that her eyes were moving too fast. She was also coughing when we first got her, so when we took her to the vet, they did lots of testing and realized that she has cataracts in her eyes, causing some visual impairment.
Ahmed: What is something that Cala brought to your life that you did not expect?
Berta: Consistency and the strength to carry on. She arrived at a difficult time in my life, but she is a little angel. Even on the days when you don’t want to do anything, you have to look after her. You can’t look at her and not laugh or smile, even without her doing anything.
Ahmed: What is something that you think is missing from Viladecans?
Berta: I am not sure why, but when we go out to celebrate or have large gatherings with my boyfriend and our friends, we find ourselves going outside Viladecans. Also, services are a bit lacking. The train is quite slow and problematic. Buses are a bit better now. Waiting times at hospitals seem to be getting longer. But this seems to be more global and not really Viladecans-specific.
Ahmed: What is something that Cala has taught you about yourself or about life?
Berta: For me, Cala represents that you don’t have to have a lot of luxury; you can live with simple things and just be happy.
One last thing I’d say is that for everyone, if you want to get a dog, please adopt from a shelter instead of buying a dog that might not have been born yet. But in shelters, there are a lot of dogs that are left behind there, waiting. Some have been left behind for months or longer. So, please adopt if you can.
Ahmed: What is the name of the shelter?
Berta: Torredembarra in Tarragona
