Tag Archives: Dino

Shit City

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Well, it was a bit of a disaster alright, last night, but not at all in the way that I had thought.

It was, in fact, what I used to call ‘shit city’.

Great piles of the stuff, mostly on the newspaper but, when the newspaper ran out of space, the floor.

And I do mean huge piles of it. So much so that I ‘growled’ at Dino. Obviously, TLB (The Little Bastard – my new name for Piero) could not possibly have done it all.

However, after cleaning up, I took them out for a walk. We were out for about an hour and a half. At the start of the walk, Dino did a pooh which was normal. It made me doubt that any of the shit in shit city could be his …… and, yet?

On the way back, when we were nearly home, Piero had diarrhoea. So, it WAS him after all. I really don’t know how he fitted it all in his body in the first place!

The ‘culprit’ was a pine cone from a display we had had at Christmas. He’s been used to picking pine cones up in the pineta and thought this was the same. However, it probably had some ‘stuff’ on it that, I guess, wasn’t good for him.

Anyway, it all seems better this morning. We shall see tonight.

On the plus side, there was no damage done (that I could find), nor was anything ‘taken’. Let’s hope it continues!

The Last Day

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I wake at 6.45. I need the bathroom and a drink. I toy with the idea of sleeping for another 45 mins instead. Or maybe longer. Longer, of course, I shouldn’t do. Longer means later and later means NOT doing what F wants to do.

Or, rather, what he says he wants to do. I want to as well but, then again, 6.45 is early and next week I’ll be getting up at 5.45.

Anyway, I need the bathroom and a drink and I get up. As I walk back to bed, F, who is just awake asks what time it is. I tell him. He asks if we should get up. I say that I suppose we should.

Today, being our last full day here and, so, the last day of our holidays (even if tomorrow is really the last day), we are going to the beach. The dog beach. We are better at it now, having been a few times. We don’t take so much but now it also includes two new balls that F bought. This is because Dino will only swim if you throw something into the water for him to fetch. We found this out last time we went when we found a broken tennis ball. The problem with the tennis ball was that, because it was split it sank rather than floated. These balls will float.

We park the car and the dogs have their leads put on and then jump out of the car. As we walk down the small lane to the beach, Piero is pulling – he can’t wait to get there. The lane turns sharply right and runs along the top of the beach. There is a small wall between us and the beach. Piero keeps trying to jump over it, he is so excited.

The man is there running a big rake thing over the beach, to clean it. We walk over the bit he hasn’t cleaned but hesitate before the raked portion.

He shrugs as if to say “well, you might as well go – someone else will go soon”.

We walk down to the shore and set our towels and things down.

The balls prove a huge success and Dino swims a lot. Piero is slightly fearful but, eventually, F persuades him to swim.

We leave after an hour.

And, after the pineta and breakfast and returning the dogs home, we are the beach. On our last day.

I think next week will be difficult :-(

Dino is perfect: weather continues; the return

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“It’s too hot,” they say, or “Isn’t it hot?” they ask.

It has been quite hot for some time now. I was reading (book 7) and it had something like “we can’t complain because it never normally lasted more than a few days” – about the English weather.

And, I suppose that’s true. Yes, I know it to be true.

Whereas, here, it is hot and sunny for weeks at a time,. Or months, even.

F came back yesterday, early evening. It is so nice to have him back. We were out with his friends last night, friends from college. Almost everything was Italian with few people speaking English. One guy had me confused with S. Apparently, so F said, S was really pesante (heavy/hard work), implying I was not. Which I’m not.

Today we had an appointment with the vet. I was getting worried that Dino had a form of arthritis or rheumatism. And as the days wore on, worried more and more. I have always accepted that dogs are dogs and that they have short lives but the idea that Dino might have something wrong with him was different. I know he won’t live forever but, still ………

Anyway, after checking we were told he was perfect, which came as a great relief.

Now, as we near the end of our time here, I wish it wouldn’t end. But such is life.

Piero’s new trick!

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The pinetta is an area, only a little way from the sea, that is a planting of pine trees. These trees, with their topmost branches, create a cathedral roof-like canopy which, whilst not creating dark, create shade. In fact, separated by roads and streets, it stretches along the whole of Marina di Cararra.

The wonderful thing about these areas is that they stay much cooler than outside them and, as a result, during the day, are full of people (mainly the elderly) socialising in a very pleasant environment. Quite shady and definitely cooler by some degrees.

In one, the most southern one, there is a dog area. A large dog area that is well fenced and cool and looked after by locals so that it is clean (of shit) although there is little grass (on account of the trees) and almost all dirt. I say dirt rather than earth as the top layer is like dust..

We go there most mornings and evenings. Dino loves it because it is large enough to throw sticks or pine cones that he can fetch; Piero loves it because it is full of other dogs, some of whom he loves to play with – playing until he is completely exhausted.

After the pinetta, we usually take a walk into the town and then back to the car. Sometimes, if we have time, we go back to the pinetta a second time. In any event, Piero always wants to go back to the pinetta and I have said to F that I am sure Piero would happily live there.

Of course, during ‘play’, he goes for the feet. Other dogs do the same, so I guess it’s normal.

With one of the dogs he plays with, Sofia, he has this thing about her tail and, when he is chasing her, he grabs at her tail and holds it until she stops, turning back on him to bite him back, as young dogs do when they play.

Today he found ears. Not only with Sofia but with one or two others as well. The beauty of ears is that once you have one of them in your mouth, your opponent can do little about it to stop you.

He’s a little bugger, really :-)

I am not a child

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You would think that, at some point in your life, you would grow up. I wonder what it takes? I wonder what it is for others to be “grown up”?

I am not incapable and, as an adult of some advanced years, I can DO things. It’s not as if I’m helpless.

And yet ……

I dropped him at the station. We were early. Of course we were early. For he is worse than me when it comes to public transport.

“I will wait with you”, I had said.

But no, it was not necessary.

“But I can help you with your suitcase. Lift it onto the train for you. With your bad back, it will be better.”

“And who will help me in Milan”, he said, dismissing my argument.

I tried to suggest that, by me helping here and after over 3 hours relaxing on the train, he would, maybe, have a better back. But it came out mumbled and wrong. I was incoherent putting my clear thoughts into words that he would understand.

I offered to stay a few more times but he was having none of it. And my arguments were weak.

He stopped the car and got out, opening the boot. I got out and got his suitcase out.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to wait with you?”, I asked.

No, I should get back and go to the beach. There was, apparently, no reason for me to stay.

“I would wait with you because I love you”.

There, finally said. The only reason. He kisses me on the lips.

And then he walks away.

And every time he’s not there leaves a hole as if I’m not quite whole without him.

I drive back and, suddenly, everything I do in this strange and foreign land is a battle, something where I must force myself into action.

When I get back home, Dino looks past me as I open the door. Looks past me to F, who isn’t there. It’s as if I’m not quite good enough, as if it’s all not quite complete. Which, of course, it isn’t. And Dino knows that well enough.

I come to the beach. People greet me as I come or, later, as I’m sitting here, reading my book or typing this, as they come.

But it’s not the same.

Tonight I have some leftovers from our lunch at his Mum and Dad’s (our first meal there this holiday – but that’s another post) and I have wine and the dogs.

He has suggested that I take a walk to the centre of the town (and, yet, here it’s not a town – more like a really large village or a suburb – even if there’s a castle tower in the centre) with the dogs, like we often do, and buy an ice-cream and take them for a while in the newly discovered and rather nice dog area.

But these things frighten me. Not so that I won’t do it but enough to make it doubtful. For there I will have to interact and I don’t have his charm or style. Or language, of course.

If I were about 5, I am sure I would wail and howl with this feeling of abandonment, with this feeling of being so alone.

But that’s quite stupid, as I well know. I can get by. I can walk the dogs this evening and get and ice-cream. But it all takes such an effort and such resolve by me to do even the simplest thing.

Without him.

And yet ……

I am not a child.

A trip to Pietrasanta and back to the Garden

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My forecast says that, in about an hour, it will be 35 degrees C but it will feel like 41!

In fact, I suspect it is more since, this morning, on our way to Pietrasanta to meet Lola and G, many of the displays outside chemists were already suggesting it to be 34 degrees.

For certain, it is VERY hot but, whichever way you look at it, it’s much, much better than being cold – well, unless you are F, of course.

I have forced the dogs to come outside in the garden. They weren’t keen to leave the house – which is the first time I can remember. But it is equally cool (or, rather, slightly less hot) at the back of the house, which remains in shade all day. There is the chance of a small breeze outside, from time to time.

And it is peaceful.

And, I am British, so outside when the weather is nice is a “must” – which, to be honest, is not Italian.

We had a nice (though smallish) lunch in Pietrasanta with Lola and G and the dogs.

Lola is getting a new dog tomorrow so is very excited. And, in September/October, we shall go to their place so the puppies can play in their garden – which will be lovely. I would tell you the type of dog but can’t as I have been sworn to secrecy by G. However, it’s a fantastic dog and I think Lola will be very happy even if it’s not going to be like Duick.

Now I am alone with the dogs whilst F goes to get his hair cut.

It’s perfect weather for a nice glass of cold wine or beer so, once I’ve posted that, I think I will be drinking just that.

Enjoy your weekend.

Woof Woof Sands

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Today, as it was cloudy, was the day for bau bau beach.

Bau bau is what young kids get told are dogs, much like we say ‘doggy’. Bau bau is also the Italian for woof woof or bow bow, being the noise a dog makes when it barks.

We took them to the pinetta first so that they would be tired. They were definitely tired – just not tired enough, it seems.

Actually, bau bau beach is one of the free beaches – i.e. one doesn’t have to pay. But you don’t get any facilities – like a bar, tables, a cabin, loungers or umbrellas.

Except, for €15 per season, you can use one of the loungers and one umbrella (that you must put up yourself).

Unlike a normal free beach, however, on this one you can take dogs.

It was Piero’s first time. He wasn’t keen on the water but, as it was the only way to get to some other dogs, he went in.

Dino wouldn’t go in further than his belly – until we threw a stick in. Then he went to retrieve it. Dino’ hair is short now so getting wet made no difference. Piero has never had his hair cut so when he got wet, he looked so skinny and drowned!

We did the paddling/swimming thing a few times and then went to sit under our umbrella for a bit. Piero found his voice. He wanted to be with a couple of border collies that were playing on the shore and, sometimes, swimming in to retrieve a ball that was thrown out for them. Piero didn’t like not being part of it so barked – a LOT!

But it was good fun for a few hours.

Then we took them to the pinetta again and then had breakfast (it being nearly 12.30). After doing some supermarket shopping we tidied up the garden a bit.

F is now having a bath, after which is dinner – stuffed tomatoes, watermelon and fruit salad.

Today was the dogs’ day. They are exhausted. And so am I!

Half-preparing

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Well, my first night ‘free’ for a long time.

I have been so busy and will continue to be busy for the next two days before the hols. I have tried to set up this WordPress thing to allow me to post by email. I got it working partially but the text of the message came out as gobbledygook. I might have another go tomorrow. It would allow me to post whilst I’m away or, at least, it would be much easier to post. Still, if I can’t do it that way, I can try something else. We’ll see.

I should have done a few minor repairs to some jeans and trousers but I will take the stuff away with us and do it then. Maybe. I mean – maybe I will take it away. And, anyway, even if I DO take it away, maybe I will do it. The probability is that I will take it away and bring it back in the same state. But I do have one week without F and I think I might do it then.

I have given the dogs their monthly anti-heartworm and flea stuff tonight so they’re ready to go.

I did the last shopping (I hope).

Tomorrow evening, I shall pack as Friday will be busy and I don’t want to have to do it then.

Two nights from now and I should be eating pizza (with aubergine, asparagus and lardo) in Bati Bati on the first night of our holiday (subject to F finishing work early enough, T finishing her English Test early enough and the traffic not being horrendous).

The weather is very hot right now but is due to change on Monday (typical). This evening, walking the dogs, it said it was 34°C which is quite warm really. Still, even when it changes it will still remain n the high 20s, so not too bad.

And I sit here finishing my nice cold beer before I take the dogs out and go to bed, for I am exhausted.

Till my next post. If you’re going on holiday too, then have a nice time. If not, then have a nice time anyway.

I am not 20

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Personally, I think it was the last mojito that did it. After all, it wasn’t a mojito at all but, rather than rum, was something else entirely.

I was, as said by one of the characters in the Fast Show, Rowley Birkin QC, and shown below, very, very drunk.

Of course, I didn’t go out with the intention of ending up completely wasted. No, no. It was just a meal out with friends. We didn’t even start off by drinking much. OK so an aperitivo at the bar we all met up in. And, I suppose, I did drink most of E’s drink since she didn’t like it.

Then we ahd some wine with the meal. Well, three bottles of the good stuff and a carafe of the house wine but that was between six of us.

OK so one person hardly drunk any, another only slightly more, so I guess effectively 4 bottles between 4 which, I suppose, is a bottle each.

But it was the beach party that did it really.

One of the nice things about Italy is the cocktails. There’s no such thing as gills. Or is it gils? In any event – measuring. They don’t do it.

Since the barman was the son of E (who’s drink I had nearly drunk earlier), he did the mojitos for me and Alf. I’m not a fan but it was a disco (with the dreadful Italian summer music) and there was sand beneath my feet and it was warm and people were dancing and it seemed to go down quite well.

At some point, someone mentioned going for a swim in the sea but, even in my inebriated state, I knew that was dangerous and declined – saying it was dangerous. In the end, no one did go for a swim. Maybe I had frightened them. Or, at least, made them think.

I wasn’t going to have another but, you know, it seemed we weren’t likely to go home any time soon and so, I thought, why not?

Of course, in the light of day there were a million and one reasons why not. But it was not the light of day but about 1 a.m. These reasons did not even cross my mind. But, apparently, they had run out of rum and so our wonderful new friend, the barman, suggested something else which we agreed to try.

To be honest, by then, it could well have been antifreeze and I would have drunk it. Perhaps it was antifreeze? I drank it anyway. And then I remember very little until about 7 a.m. when I first woke up.

Not when I GOT up, mind you. Just woke up. The dogs were being a bit of a pain so I let them out in the garden.

F woke up about 10.15. I had woken up several times between 7 and then. We got up and took the dogs out.

In the end, we got to the beach about 12.30 – about 3 hours later than we usually do. As F said, we shouldn’t really do this very often and I totally agree. It’s not like we’re 20 any more.

Still it was a nice evening. From what I recall!

We’re going in opposite directions

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Well, the non-diet I’m on at the moment seems to be working well. Actually, I’m not on any diet at all, indulging, as I am in all my favourite things which mostly include wine and beer in this hot weather. However, I’m trying not to eat any bread, especially at lunchtime, at work and I’m having much smaller portions – and, you know, I don’t miss having larger portions!

So that’s good. I’m getting smaller (but not by much).

I’m also getting more tired. This 5.30 lark is not fun. I look forward to the time when I can stay in bed that extra 15 minutes. I know, it sounds stupid and it’s true, it’s probably psychological, but the difference is immense.

With the tiredness, of course, comes lethargy and a lack of energy.

On the other hand, the exact opposite is happening with Piero. He is getting larger (as he should), less tired (on our walks he now keeps up with (and tries to play with) Dino nearly all the way) and stronger (he’s less easily batted away by Dino).

So we’re heading in opposite directions, he and I.

But, in spite of my last post, I just want to say that this morning, he did another pooh outside. Yay! And it was a BIG one so he must have saved it up overnight :-)

You see him, watching Dino, checking what he’s ‘supposed’ to be doing. He is curious, not really understanding this cocking of the leg business and, of course, he won’t be cocking HIS leg for a while yet – but you can see he’s paying attention – getting ready.

OK then, enough of peeing and poohing :-D