The Little Prince Zaguate Edition

By changing two word in a book, we changed the lives of thousands of abandoned dogs.

Context:

In Costa Rica, a country with a population of 5 million, it is estimated that there are over 2 million abandoned dogs. These dogs for the most part have no particular breed and are derogatorily called “zaguates”.

For us Territorio de Zaguates, the biggest dog shelter in the country, it was necessary to bring about cultural change regarding the negative perception that exists when adopting non-breed dogs.

Opportunity:

Published in 1940, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry contains one of the most beautiful stories about friendship ever written. A story that has already changed the lives of millions of people around the world, but we noticed that with a small text alteration it could also change the lives of thousands of abandoned dogs in Costa Rica.

Idea:

We created The Little Prince Zaguate Edition, a special edition of the most read children’s book in Costa Rica and the world, with a subtle yet powerful change.

By swapping only two words throughout the original text, fox for zaguate and tame for adopt; we resignified the original narrative giving new meaning and purpose to the most relevant friendship story inside the book.

Excerpt from the original version:
To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . ."

Excerpt from the Zaguate Edition:
To you, I am nothing more than a zaguate like a hundred thousand other zaguates. But if you adopt me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . ."