The Italy Situation: A Dog’s Perspective, Part Two

Posted by Koji Anderson

Hi again. It’s me, Koji.

It’s been a while since I last wrote. I don’t write as much as mommy or daddy, but I do feel it’s important to keep everyone informed about this Italy situation from my canine point of view.

First, I want to say this: I love that mommy, daddy, and I are almost always together. We spend nearly every day together and I go everywhere with them. Back in America, they used to disappear for mysterious stretches of time. I never fully understood where they went or why they insisted on leaving me behind. Here in Italy, we are together constantly, and really, I like this arrangement much better.

I can’t talk to them, of course, but they seem to know exactly when I’m too tired for an adventure. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes I’m happy to stay behind at home or in the cool air-conditioning of a hotel while they go do human things.

Still, most of the time, I’m ready! The exciting part is that I never know where we’re going.

I know mommy and daddy tell me with their voices, but I have absolutely no idea what they’re saying. I just wag my tail and occasionally jump straight into the air with all four paws off the ground to show enthusiasm. Sometimes I nudge my leash with my nose to let them know I’m fully committed to whatever madness lies ahead.

But what we are doing is always a surprise and usually something new and exciting.

When they say “bye bye in the car”, the car ride might be five minutes or five hours. We might go for a short walk or a giant hike. We could be climbing mountains, walking through cities, going into stores, visiting parks, or ending up at a restaurant. Every day feels like a mystery and an adventure. I’ve also mastered several new skills that took courage!

Recently we went to the mountains. Really big mountains! Daddy says I want to over 11,000 feet, which is the highest my dog body has ever been. To get there, I had a truly wild experience involved a giant clear box that carried us up a mountain bigger than I could have imagined. At first I was nervous. But there were other humans and other dogs, and nobody seemed concerned, so I decided to remain calm and brave. When we reached the top, the air was cooler and smelled incredible. I loved it.

We’ve done some epic hikes, particularly when we were in the mountains. As long as it’s cool outside, I absolutely love being off leash and investigating whatever interests me. But on hot days mommy and daddy become very focused on hydration. They’re constantly trying to get me to drink water. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. When I don’t they pour the water from the bowl on my head. This was very confusing at first. While we were in Aosta, a man was enthusiastically demonstrating this technique using hand motions. Mommy somehow understood him, and ever since then… water on the head. I think I like it, but I feel the need to pretend I don’t.

What does surprise me is the heat. Except for on top of that mountain where it was cool, the rest of Italy has been ridiculously hot lately, so I’ve started guiding mommy and daddy toward shaded areas whenever possible. It’s tough being black and furry at 30+ degrees Celsius. When it is I try to lead Mommy and Daddy into air-conditioned stores or any establishment that sells food. Especially food. There was a wonderful store in Norcia a few weeks ago that sold salami (or salumi in Italian). The man in the store kept giving me samples, hoping Daddy would buy some. He did.

But the best way to cool of is to jump into the water. I love any kind of water—lakes, rivers, streams, oceans. When I get near water, my leash usually comes off and I run straight in. I like to wade in until my body is submerged. Nothing cools me off better than submerging in the water of an Alpine stream or a lake! And I always try to sneak a drink. Sometimes mommy and daddy allow it and sometimes they don’t. Apparently salty water is not acceptable and fresh water is encouraged. This seems confusing. How exactly am I supposed to know whether water is salty or not unless I taste it first?

I’ve also gotten very used to city life. The bricks, cobblestones, and all the different textures beneath my paws no longer surprise me. I even do my business on cobblestones when there is no grass or tree nearby. This is sometimes necessary when you are in a city that is thousands of years old.

There are many other strange things in cities. Take the magic box. Mommy calls it an elevator. Daddy says I probably think it’s like a transporter from Star Trek. All I know is this: we walk into a tiny room in one place, the doors close, strange things happen, and then the doors open somewhere completely different. It makes no sense. At first I was concerned. Now I’m mostly impressed. I’ve learned how to steady my legs when it moves, though I still sniff the doors every time because I’m determined to understand the technology.

I am also still not a huge fan of the moving stairs that we encounter in some cities. Getting onto them requires courage. Remaining on them requires trust. But once I’m on, it’s quite exciting! I just stand there while the stairs do all the work which is great because these days, at 12 years old, stairs are a lot of work.

Many stores in cities put water bowls outside for thirsty dogs. I have deep respect for these businesses. My favorite stops, of course, are restaurants. Mommy and daddy sit down for very long periods of time while I settle beneath the table. Usually I position myself in the most inconvenient place possible—preferably where a waiter, chair, or human foot will definitely need to pass. I stretch out to maximum length. I block traffic. I become an obstacle. This is both comfortable and entertaining. I’m better than I used to be, but I still can’t always control myself when another dog walks by. I’m working on it. Still, restaurants are wonderful. I often hear waiters say words like “aqua per cane?” and suddenly a beautiful bowl of cold water appears just for me. It feels luxurious. Michelin dog stars for them.

I also went on a train for the first time. It moved incredibly fast and was very bumpy and bouncy.  I was unable to fully relax and spent most of the ride alert and slightly confused. But that experience prepared me well for something else that was new: the Metro. Yesterday in Torino I rode one for the first time, and I’d like everyone to know I handled it beautifully. The subway was smooth, quiet, and efficient. I walked on like I’d been doing it my entire life. I am becoming extremely adaptable.

Mommy has started calling me a professional travel dog. I must admit, I’ve become very good at hotels. I trot confidently down hallways like I own the place. I know the routine now. And I can always tell when it’s another dog’s first hotel stay. They’re nervous, unsure and a bit overstimulated. I want to tell them it’s okay, and fun and that they will see soon for themselves. But usually I’m guided along, so instead I just mosey along like a seasoned professional.

Even with all this experience, there are still things that freak me out. One day we were walking in a beautiful park and entered a castle. Everything was lovely until I stopped dead in my tracks. We were walking along and suddenly there was no floor ahead. At least, that’s what it looked like. Mommy and daddy walked right onto it like complete lunatics, but I knew better. I planted myself firmly and refused to move. Again, I was forced into personal growth. Eventually I realized there was a floor—it was just clear glass. Underneath me were ancient ruins. ANCIENT RUINS. I don’t know what that means exactly, but mommy and daddy were pretty impressed.  Once I understood I wasn’t going to fall into history, I cautiously walked across. Very cautiously. Tiny steps at first, maximum suspicion. It was ok! And kind of cool except that I couldn’t smell the ruins.

And last but not least… one of my favorite things in all of Italy is gelato. When we go out I always get some. Sometimes there is dog friendly gelato and sometimes I eat the human kind. I can’t tell the difference, I just know it’s cool and delicious and I sit there and eat it with determination until it’s gone.

This whole adventure has been full of surprises. I’ve become an expert in elevators, escalators, trains, subways, hotels, glass floors, mountain hikes, cable cars, hydration strategies, gelato and restaurant etiquette. I think I am braver than I used to be, more adaptable, and more worldly.

This Italy country continues to impress me. It seems like people really like dogs here. I am allowed almost everywhere, even in stores and restaurants. And everyone pets me and says things like “bravo cane” or “que bello”. I think that means I am good and I am handsome. So that’s my update on life in Italy. I’m having a really good time.

Until next time,
Koji