Title: Family Dog Steals Show in Former Mexican President’s Christmas Photo, Sparks Meme Fever
A holiday family photo shared by former Mexican President Felipe Calderón and his wife, former first lady Margarita Zavala, has sparked laughter and creativity among social media users, but not for the reason one might expect. The image, meant to spread Christmas cheer, has been hijacked by the internet to focus on their golden retriever’s peculiar expression.
The photograph, shared on both Margarita Zavala’s and Felipe Calderón’s Twitter accounts, features the family gathered together, with the lomito (Spanish slang for ‘mutton chopped’) dog front and center. The dog, with its large, sad eyes and droopy ears, seems to be expressing a mix of fear, concern, or perhaps a plea for help, striking a chord with users worldwide.
"Feliz Navidad de parte de la familia Calderón Zavala. Disfruten la alegría de esta fecha," wrote Margarita Zavala on her X account. "Margarita, María, Luis Felipe, Juan Pablo y Felipe les mandamos nuestros mejores deseos esta Navidad. Que haya alegría y paz en todos sus hogares," wrote Felipe Calderón.
Reactions to the photograph have been swift and creative, with countless memes floodingt social media platforms. Some users joked that the dog appeared to be appealing for help or salvation, with comments like "Van a decir que soy corrupto" (They’re going to say I’m corrupt) and "Ese perro ha visto cosas" (That dog has seen things). Others riffed on the idea that the dog was expressing dismay at being associated with the Paarno (panista: a member or supporter of the Partido Acción Nacional, or National Action Party), with phrases like "Estaría mejor en la calle" (He would be better off on the streets).
The former president and first lady are no strangers to controversy, with Calderón’s time in office marked by a robust drug war and allegations of corruption. However, the focus on their family photo has been, thus far, lighthearted and humorous, with users simply celebrating the unexpected star of the image.
This phenomenon is not isolated to the Calderón Zavala family. Sen. Andrea Chávez also found herself on the receiving end of memes when she posted a video wishing her followers a happy Christmas, accompanied by her partner and her lomito. The dog’s appearance sparked a new round of creative captioning and humor.
In the world of political optics, a family photo might be intended to evoke warmth, unity, and approachability. But in the digital age, no image is off-limits from the internet’s whimsical, wise-cracking flaw detection. For the Calderón Zavala family and their lomito, this Christmas season is shaping up to be one filled with laughter, good cheer – and a whole lot of memes.
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