September 29, 2012
My doggie died of old age just before my moving-to-Sicily (mis)adventures began.
I still miss him. The warm fur that smelled like buttered popcorn. Those runny, hound dog eyes.
So I pet and photograph every other pooch I meet—though none can quite compare!
Acate
Vizzini
Siracusa
Chiaramonte Gulfi
Giarratana
Have a great Sunday!!!
Jann, this post not only had me “ooohing and aaahing,” it made my heart melt! The little guy in the Fiat just made me smile! The shots are simply lovely. I love them! I’m so sorry about your furry friend. I imagine it was heartbreaking. Have you thought about getting a new furry friend? I’m sure it would be happy as a clam in Sicily! 🙂
Thanks Bella. I know what a dog lover you are… Right now there’s too much travel in my life to have a dog, and that’s why I love your Roxy! Vicarious dog-lovin’…
1/2 of the year in 2 -3 month intervals. Email me!
Will do, Lynn!
Jann,
A friend of mine has started an anti-litter campaign in Sicily. If you go to http://www.accesssicily.eu/ and scroll halfway down the page you will find his link.
I’m so happy to have this link, Diane–thank you. And to know that someone else cares!
Surprised we never run in to you! You have become well adjusted I see.
Ciao Lynn! Good to hear from you. How much time are you now spending in Sicilia??
Love all of them!! Sorry to hear about your own doggin’s death — it sounds as if you still miss him — have you thought about adopting another one? Nothing like the feel of doggin fur, doggin kisses, and doggin love to melt one’s heart!
Doggin kisses–so sweet–yes! My problem now, Debbie, is I’m doing too much traveling & moving about to care for a dog, but I sure do miss having that doggin love 🙁
Dogs and Sicily – two of my favourite things! We (my husband and I) bought a house this summer in Cianciana. One of the things that I love about the town is that people there seem to really take care of their dogs and cats. We didn’t see a one that looked starved or uncared for. We saw lots of people doing the passagiata with their pups in tow in the evening. We drove through Canicatti’ a couple of times when visiting a friend in Delia and the starving and ill feral dogs there made me so sad. In Canada, where we spend most of our time (until we retire in six years nine months and two days – but who’s counting) it is considered shameful if you don’t get your pets neutered or spayed unless they are being bred. Perhaps a public service campaign would help to get control of the feral population. Sadly, I know that the cost may make this a no go for many people. Is there an Italian version of the SPCA?
Diane–I am so delighted for you!!!! Congratulations! I do not know that area of Sicily AT ALL. 6 years, 9 months, 2 days!! HA HA!! In an ideal world, I’d like to work on a campaign for animals and an anti-litter campaign in Sicily. I don’t think, at least in Sicily, that there’s anything like SPCA…
dog dog i love a good dog bowser, towser, or star, stout hearted fellow; black, brown or yellow and faithful as few humans are. Here pup put your paw up, roll over play dead like a log. Dog dog i love a good dog
F.Scott Fitzgerald
🙂 You always know the appropriate poems, Dennis! Now this “dog dog i love a good dog” will be rolling thru my head all day. Grazie!
Love them all! Especially the puppy in the car.
Ciao Natalie e grazie!
Sooo lovely! Those doggies look so laid back. Woof! Woof!
I do take extra care when I’m near a pack of the feral dogs, though. You should, too.
So you’ve seen the packs, too, Anitre? Kind of scary…–don’t worry I don’t pet those guys!
Consider also that there are an estimated 450,000 feral dogs in Sicily. I’ve seen packs of them in many places, even in Palermo and Erice.
I didn’t know there were that many, Larry! But, yes, you are right about the packs. I’ve seen them too, especially when I’m out driving very early in the morning. (I don’t dare walk alone in the canyons because of them.) And while I’ve met private individuals who rescue “lost” pets, there doesn’t seem to be a government agency involved…
***The warm fur that smelled like buttered popcorn. ***
Ooooo, my heart. Beautiful. I smell this from here.
Jann, just to let you know….Out of 100 blogs, I WILL ALWAYS read yours first.
Love Love Love. Xxxx
Wow, Kim. You’re toooooooooooo kind. I’m so touched.
The little guy in the Fiat is begging to be let out. He looks sad. I want to give him a hug. Great photos, as always, my friend.
Ciao Rosann! Well, I wonder if that’s just his hang-dog look. Maybe inside his heart is soaring. My dog always adored the word “RIDE” and then wouldn’t get out of the car when it was all over. But maybe in this case he feels caged/cramped???
Dear Sam; “Planet of the Dogs”? Sooo true; ha, thanks for the hearty laugh!!! –Gian B.
Oooo, Vizzini! Adorable.
Thanks for dropping by, Solid Gold! That photo of Vizzini kind of encapsulates the town. A real Old World feel…
O my goodness Jann, cute dog in a sweet little vintage car…..what a winning combination!!! But they are all adorable – and the children too! Buona domenica pure a te!!! xx
Ciao amica, e grazie!
I well know what you mean about missing your doggie, three years ago I lost my dear Zippy who was named for the fact that he constantly zipped around. I never sent him to doggy school because then he wouldn’t have been my beloved “Zipster”. He would only bark at guys on motorcycles and had a little trouble with hippies, why I don’t know. Ten years ago my beloved Melina the Goose passed on, she and Zippy were buddies from day one, they used to go swimming together at the local lake. Great photo of the pooch in the Fiat. As usual thank you for my Sicilian “fix”, how much I look forward to your photos… A presto!
Gian–isn’t it funny how we name our doggies? I love “Zipster!” My dog was Lord Byron because he had the inspired air of a romantic poet. And thanks for your kind words, Gian. I’m always happy when you drop by the blog.
what fabulous fabulous images Jann, you do your old dog proud!
ciao lisa
x
Grazie, Lisa!
Those dogs in the last photo look they are in charge of the estate – a scene from “Planet of the Dogs”?
Well, oddly, when I drove up to this agriturismo, there was no one about–just the 4 dogs. So I think you’re right, Sam! They rule the joint.