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By Jeanne Outlaw-Cannavo and Sara
When I lived in Italy with mamma and nonna they always told me how happy they were that they were able to take me along on their many viaggi (trips) and avventure (adventures).
Meno male (thank goodness) because I did not like to be left home alone. When mamma or nonna said “Andiamo Sara” I knew
that something divertente (fun) was about to happen almeno se non andavamo al veterianario! (at least if we weren’t going to the vet!) If we headed to the car my imagination ran wild as we started our journey. I thought of new smells, new friends and lots of good food as we cruised down la strada (the road)
One of my favorite summertime trips was to the spiaggia (beach). Luckily for me there were plenty of dog-friendly beaches in Italy from north to south. Today there are over 100 of these special beaches across the mainland and on some of the coastal isole (islands). Many of these offer amenities just for us like agility courses, places to rinse off, special menus and of course lots of fresh water.
When I went to the beach with mamma many years ago, they didn’t have all this great stuff but I always had a great time. I got to chase balls, play calcio (soccer) with people on the beach (although sometimes they got mad when I stole the ball!) or just run around and chase mamma.
The first time mamma took me in the water le mie zampe (my paws) started to move in the air before I even got in! Mamma would hold me or I would swim back and forth between her and nonna until I became stanca (tired). Then I would lay on my blanket on the beach under the umbrella and rest. Mamma always brought lots of fresh water and treats for me and if we stayed all day we would go out to eat and I would get my own plate of pasta.
The best part was we always finished the day with a nice cool gelato. Anche io! (Me too!)
Now that I live here in Delaware I don’t get to go to the beach but I do get to fare il camping (go camping). It is so much fun to hike and kayak. I am so happy for all the fun times I have with mamma and pappa.
I hope all of you have a great summer whatever you do!
P.S. Do you know the meaning of the dog days of summer? The ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer “diēs caniculārēs,” or “dog days.” This was because they associated the hottest days of
summer with the star Sirius. Sirius was known as the “Dog Star” because it was the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). IAH
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