I See Dead People

A few yeas back Karen and I visited the ancient city of Pompeii which was buried under volcanic ash after a massive eruption in 79 AD. We were lucky enough to be spared a six hour walking tour with nothing but a map to guide us. We met a little Italian security guard who took us under his wing and gave us a private two hour guided tour.

We kept telling our tour guide that we wanted to see 'the dead people'. If you have ever seen documentaries or photos of Pompeii they always show the petrified dead people. He got so mad at us and told us that there was so much more to see in Pompeii. He was right. We saw the farmers market, the brothel, the amphitheatre and the remains of several homes. In the entry of one of the homes we saw the mosaic floor picture above. How's that for a "Beware of Dog" sign?!

After he showed us what a wonderful city Pompeii had been he finally took us to see the dead people. I felt bad for thinking that was all there was to this fascinating and once thriving City. On the way to see the dead people, he showed us these petrified animals.....

Apparently, the dog picture above was chained to his master's house and died while struggling to free himself. We finally saw the dead people too. Very sad and very humbling. We left that day hot, tired, covered in dust and reflective. It made me realize that even back then life was the same. It was all about love, family, friends, food, wine and pets....

It's All Greek To Me

Here I am in Greece on the island of Santorini. Imagine my surprise when I came across this adorable female Doberman sitting on the steps of her owners home. I ran up to try to pet her and everyone was telling me "oh no, those dogs are not friendly". Silly people....

The owner let me in and let me play with her. She was beautiful and so sweet and happy. The owner told me how much she appreciated that I loved her dog. She said everyone is afraid of her and she doesn't know why. I went back to look for her the next day but she wasn't there. The husband had taken her for a walk. The owner thanked me for coming again. I showed her a picture of Frank on my phone and we had a nice chat about how special Dobermans are.

Sécurité

This summer, Karen and I visited St. Tropez. We stayed in a wonderful house with friends just steps to the beach. Our days were spent lounging around the pool or at the beach, then an afternoon stroll at the port was followed by decadent dinners in fun restaurants where people danced on the tables and chairs. We had heard that there was a little issue with security in the high summer season and unsuspecting tourists renting homes were the target. To be on the safe side, our host hired a security guard who patrolled the property every night with his pitt bull. Every night we would leave and then come back late and tipsy and the guard would be there with his pit bull who was always wearing a muzzle. The guard would always hold her tight as if to show me that she was not to be trusted. I would talk to her every night and tell her she was pretty. She didn't seem very mean. I got a little tail wag here and there and eventually he let me pet her.

One night we all cooked a great dinner instead of eating out. After dinner, everyone decided to go out dancing but Karen and I were pooped so we decided to stay in and rest up. About ten minutes after everyone left suddenly the lights went out! We both gasped and called each others names. It was pitch black in the house and we couldn't see a thing! "Oh No!" we both thought. "The bandits saw everyone leave and they thought the house was empty. They must be making their move!" We ran out to the backyard in a panic to see where the security guard and his dog were. We quickly saw his flashlight beacon as he was running through the backyard. "It's us!" we shouted just to make sure he didn't release the dog on us or shoot at us or whatever he would do if he really did encounter the bandits! Once they reached us and realized we were ok he went over to the meter and turned all the lights back on. No bandits in sight. Apparently we had too many air conditioners, lights and appliances on and it knocked out the power. The funniest thing was that when the pitt bull found us she was so happy. He took her muzzle off and I played with her and that's when I took this picture. She was so sweet. I don't think she could have hurt a fly but we were sure glad they were there that night!

Attenti al Gatto! Attenti al Cane!!

For the last five years my friend, Karen, and I have spent part of every summer in the picturesque city of Positano on the famed Amalfi Coast in Italy. Pictured here, from our favorite hotel, in our favorite room, we survey the beach, the strand and the sea. We watch the ferries and yachts come and go, we watch the dogs play on the beach and the cats jump from the rooftops.

Positano has lots of cats and dogs. There are many strays that have made their home here. I always manage to find a cute kitten cowering by a step crying for its mother. For three years in a row I had the same cat come and find me in the same restaurant to beg for fish as I ate my favorite seafood salad. I have used up lots of video filming cats in outdoor restaurants or playing on rooftops. There is a resident dog there who wanders back and forth from his owners restaurant on one side of the beach, to their other restaurant, club and home on the other side. We see him at all hours of the day and night. You never have to worry about losing your pet here. Everyone knows everybody and they all know the pets' names.

This cute little dog is one of a pair that belongs to a man who camps out at the top of these steps by our hotel and paints. She sits at attention like a spihnx as if she's guarding her owner's territory. This summer we watched a cute little white dog named Fiocco (Snowflake in English) escape from her owner and run all over town with everybody chasing her and calling "FIOCCO!!" until she finally came back........ much to the relief of her owner. We knew she didn't have to worry. Fiocco would never have gone too far.......

Venetian Terrier

While visiting Venice a couple of years ago, Karen and I stopped for a fun tour through the Murano glass factory. Did you know that they can make just about anything out of Murano glass? Imagine our surprise when we came across this Murano Yorkie! Price tag......about $10,000! That's one pricey and delicate little pup!

Poopsie

Every summer my friend Karen and I look forward to our European getaway. We put our pets in the trusted hands of our loved ones and off we go. We always meet so many cute animals along the way while we are secretly pining for our own. In the past Karen has been known to shout out to other people's Yorkies "Bentley!!!".

We had the craziest experience two years ago when we were in Santorini, Greece. We were in the village of Oia (pictured above) and we came across this sweet dog. We stopped and gave him love and as we walked away he started to follow us. As we made our way thru all of the winding alleyways, there he was right at our side. We shopped. He followed us in. We had dinner. He waited outside. We went to a little outdoor wine bar. He came with and laid at our feet. We stopped in a little store and bought a few packs of lunch meat and fed him and about six other dogs that promptly showed up. We walked for what seemed like miles and our friend, who Karen nicknamed "Poopsie", walked with us. As we got to our car at the end of a long day and night to drive back to the other side of the island we had to leave Poopsie behind in the dust barking at us as we drove away.

We were so taken with this dog and his instant bonding to us. We thought it must mean something. We starting trying to hatch a plan to bring him home. He stayed on all of our minds.

We enjoyed ourselves so much in Oia that we went back the next day. As we were taking in the sites we walked to a lookout point and as we rounded a corner, there was Poopsie! We all shouted POOPSIE!!!!! And he jumped up so happy to see us. Poopsie followed us again all day and we left broken hearted again as we had to leave him behind.

We realized what a nice life he must have living on this beautiful island with all of these friendly people to play with. He surely had a home but he roams free all day. He lays in sun, gets lots of yummy food and gets to watch the most beautiful sunset in the world night after night. Talk about a lucky dog......