These stray dogs in Brazil were long overlooked, but now they are superstars

Lina the caramelo dog lies on a table at the Indefesos dog rescue shelter in Rio de Janeiro.

For decades, they have scrounged for food on streets across the country – undesired, abandoned and overlooked.

But today, the caramel-coloured mutts of Brazil are having a major moment. The “vira-lata caramelo” (literally: caramel trashcan-tipper) is being exalted in memes, videos, petitions, an upcoming Netflix film, a Carnival parade and draft legislation to honour it as part of Brazilian culture.