A Stroll Through Miami’s Most Playful Garden

In April 2025, Jill and I embarked on two unforgettable three-night cruises, both marking historic inaugural sailings. Our first adventure was aboard MSC World America, followed by NCL Aqua. Each ship showcased its unique charm and promised exhilarating experiences at sea—promises they effortlessly fulfilled.  

Between cruises, we made the most of our day in vibrant Miami, where we strolled through a captivating sculptural garden and explored an intriguing science museum.

Click HERE to read a short introduction to our fun-filled week.

This story captures my joyful stroll through the Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculpture Garden—Miami's most vibrant and whimsical outdoor space—celebrating the meaningful role pets hold in our lives.

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Chocolo and me

​Miami, Florida (April 12, 2025) I’ve always loved animals, art, and green spaces, so when I heard about the Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculpture Gardens—which combined all three—I knew I had to visit. I was sooooo glad I did!

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Mother Nature delivered a near picture-perfect morning—pleasantly warm temperatures that were balmy yet never overwhelming, sunshine that spilled across the landscape, and a gentle ocean breeze that carried the crisp scent of salt and freshness through the air.

The Dogs and Cats Walkway and Sculptured Gardens, which opened in February 2023, is nestled within the 30-acre Maurice A. Ferre Park in downtown Miami—a 20-minute walk from my hotel. Despite the park’s expansive size, the walkway and gardens offered an intimate, easy-to-navigate one-acre experience, which was ideal for a leisurely stroll through this superb outdoor art installation.   

The lush, meticulously maintain gardens were brimming with perennial flowers, fragrant hibiscus, majestic palms trees, and a variety of native South Florida plants. It was a serene sanctuary—an ideal setting to enjoy while I admired the artwork.

The walkway guided me along a scenic promenade, a pet-themed environment adorned with 52 oversized aluminum sculptures—26 dogs and 26 cats. Each piece, painted by local artists, displayed whimsical patterns ranging from intricate floral designs to bold, abstract splashes of color—a joyous tribute to “the special role pets play in our lives.”

When I arrived, I was welcomed by a monumental sculpture—a 15-foot-tall Labrador Retriever painted with butterflies and flowers. It was surrounded by kittens and puppies to symbolize the coexistence of dogs and cats.  

Incidentally, beyond their striking aesthetics, each sculpture offered an educational experience. Metal markers identified the breed of dog or cat, its country of origin, the artist’s name, and the title of the piece. QR codes linked to webpages with information about the artist, their inspiration, and fascinating facts about the breed.

From the marker, I discovered that the Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland, Canada, where they were once known as St. John’s dogs. I also learned that the breed nearly went extinct in the 1800s—but its popularity in the U.K. ensured it survived. 

This sculpture, titled Chocolo, was painted by Luis Miguel Rodriguez, a Cuban artist based in Miami. In a short video about him and his work, he shared...

“My inspiration comes from animals, and I like to incorporate fantasy into their bodies. My greatest inspiration was Chocolate, the little dog I had for 18 years. I haven’t had another pet since he passed away. It broke my heart.”

One of my favorite sculptures was this eye-catching poodle, Cotton Candy—a vividly radiant piece that featured exaggerated, fluffy fur in a rainbow of colors and lifelike details that made it one of the most visually striking sculptures in the exhibit.  

Despite being widely associated with France, poodles originated in Germany—“Pudel” in German means “to splash in water,” which reflected this dog’s history as a skilled water retriever.

Artist Tomas Florez—originally from Columbia, Bogota—designed Cotton Candy to “celebrate the joyful and colorful nature of pets.”  
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There was something about her eyes, I thought, as I gazed at Natasha, a Brazilian Shorthair cat. Painted by Diana “Didi” Contreras, an artist renowned for her colorful and expressive work, Natasha “captures the essence of life in Miami’s sunshine, with bright, playful colors that reflect the city’s energy and artistic diversity.” 

With bold strokes, Contreras gave Natasha a gaze that felt true-to-life and playfully flirtatious. I was charmed.    

But it wasn’t just Natasha, as each dog and cat I passed exuded that same lifelike presence. Later, I learned this was an intentional choice of every artist—a deliberate effort to “create a connection between the artwork and the viewer.” And for me, it worked flawlessly!  

The Tourist, painted by artist Ariel Celestino Hernandez, was another standout sculpture—a boxer, which originated in Germany and was introduced to the United States in the 1930s. This breed is energetic, intelligent, loyal, friendly, and playful.

“I love pets in general. I’ve blended elements of nature where I live—the sun, palm trees, and beach. I like this breed because they are very masculine and virile—a big, strong dog. I wanted to represent it as a tourist with all the city on its body. Not only cats and dogs can be our friends, but all sort of species within God’s creation.”

I absolutely LOVED the Tourist’s sunglasses. They had the unmistakable Ray-Ban vibe—durable, timeless, and way cool, just like a boxer!

When I reached the end of the walkway, I looked back at the colorful scene behind me and smiled. And in that moment, I realized this was more than an art exhibit: it was a celebration of companionship and the special bond between pets and owners they comfort, entertain, and protect.

It wasn’t fine art, but it was great fun to see!