He quit drugs, overcame addiction, and started his own business thanks to Akira, his pet: "He gave me an opportunity, he opened my mind."

On one of the busiest corners in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a man named Dani has become a recognized figure among the neighborhood's residents.

For some time now, he has been selling pet identification tags.

But behind her daily routine is a story of personal growth, a bond with her dog Akira, and a transformation motivated by the unconditional affection of an animal.

For years, this man lived a different reality. Plagued by addiction, he went through difficult times with no way out. Everything began to change with the arrival of Akira.

According to him, it was his dog who opened his eyes: “ She gave me an opportunity, she opened my mind to a lot of things ,” he said in a video shared by a TikToker that quickly went viral.

For Dani, thinking about feeding and caring for Akira was the first step toward quitting drug use: “I got used to the fact that she needed to eat, and I couldn't spend my money on drugs.”

Akira became a very important aspect of his life: “She takes care of me, I take care of her,” Dani summed up, while his pet showered him with kisses.

The bond between the two is evident and, according to him, represents much more than a company: it is the driving force that drives him forward every day.

He devised a way to generate income while helping other pet owners. He makes dog tags with a hammer and chisel, a craft he does by hand and offers to passersby.

"She needed to eat, and I couldn't spend the money on drugs." The guy quit drugs for the dog and now sells dog tags to make a decent living. 🫶🏻🥹 pic.twitter.com/Uf57ZhzDBw

— Poirot (@Argenpoirot) August 12, 2025

“ I love doing it because I enjoy it. It's a job that connects me with a lot of wonderful people ,” he explained.

In addition to supporting their income, Dani stated that their work has a practical purpose: they help identify lost animals. Dani explained that they can be placed on dogs, cats, rabbits, and even turtles.

His financial situation, however, is not good: his phone is broken, and he needs to maintain his motorcycle, an essential vehicle for his daily activities. Every day, he rides almost 60 kilometers with Akira.

“ We get on the motorcycle, we're on the road. She doesn't want me to block her view, to bother her, or anything. She only turns around to give me a kiss, and we're on the whole trip, ” he recounted.

He was raised by his grandparents, whom he considers his true parents and from whom he learned values that he still puts into practice today.

“ Sometimes you say, 'that one will never change.' You don't know, because there are things that change you in life: bugs, dogs, people, ” he said.

He concluded the viral video with a phrase that sums up his experience: "I'd say the best thing that can happen to you in the world is a little bug that's 40 cm tall and has two million hairs. It gives you what no other person ever gives you."

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