| | Berlino panted heavily in the back of the car as Blair, Mary and I drove to the ferry terminal at Piombono, near Pisa, on our vacation. This trip to the Island of Elba involved the ferry, which was a new experience for Berlino. The ferry broke down as we were leaving the station; we debarked, and got on another ship. I think plying the waves was a surprising, but not too unpleasant experience for the furry one. More disturbing was the cat on the leash someone insisted on parading about. It was like the cat in Lady and the Tramp: hiss and hair. |
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| | Hiss and Hair: lurking on the Ferry |
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| We drove to our vacation house, where Berlino enjoyed a fresh bowl of water. The house was much hotter inside than outside, and the outdoors much hotter than Roccamalatina. We all spent a difficult first night, with weak fans, sweat and disorientation. We woke up, convinced we should leave, but first we’d at least go and swim in the sea. That changed everything. We did buy two new fans that day, the air conditioners out of stock in the six stores we visited. |
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| | | Berlino has a big fear of water. He will walk around a puddle rather than plod through. He does, however like sand, where he sat from 7 to 11 AM at the beach at Seccheto every day. We staked out our claim in the morning, pitching our umbrella and wobbly chairs on the sand near the rocks at the end of the beach. Berlino was able to “dig in” and stay cool while we swam. The other dogs there were not as friendly. Peaches, a shitzu, bit him, and two small black poodles went apoplectic whenever he passed by. A husky growled. In all cases, Berlino, his roots in communal living, remained calm. |
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Hanging on the Patio Blair Pessemier Acrylic/canvas 12 x 16” 30 x 40cm 490.00 |
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| The house wasn’t fenced, the yard dry and rangy after a long dry summer. So he was “tied”. Insulted, he decided to fix our wagon, shimmying out of his harness while we were inside the house. I looked out and sure enough, he was standing next to his restraint. He gave me that wicked little smile and calmly walked down the road. I tried to follow, but he kept out of range. This isn’t really unusual vacation behavior. On an early trip with us, to Normandy, France, in 2023,he ran away 4 times before we caught him pushing the storm fencing to the side and slipping underneath. He ran away in Vicenza last year. He comes back. I knew this, and remained calmer than the other members of our party. Blair and Mary launched a search. A runner had seen him go UP; don’t worry she advised, someone will call. Visions of wild pigs danced in our heads (yes, we saw them). Fortunately, there were two Jehovah Witnesses scouting the neighborhood and he decided to join the pack. Berlino loves the Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially Rebecca, who comes to our house in Rocca Malatina. All’s well that ends well. |
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| | | Berlino’s wet food ran out just before it was time to leave, despite him being on short rations (due to the heat). He was able to enjoy a can of junk dogfood, which was like getting the fried seafood platter. Normally, he gets a German brand, Lukullus, that he developed a taste for when we were in Munich last summer. Lukullus is nearly all meat, with a little veg. This house brand from Conad only had 4 percent actual meat. He’s been suspect of his regular food ever since, picking through it like it contains a pill. Our guest walked him at least once a day. He got his usual two walks a day from us. He walked up and down the beach and dug, dug, dug. Nonetheless, his joy upon returning to Roccamalatina and his yard was palpable as he zoomed from edge to edge of the yard, throwing dirt in his wake. Home sweet dog home. |
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| | | | INVITING All Artists to present their Work: Paint, Literature, Crafts, Food....
Pessemier's Sunday Salon
Weekly on Sunday No Reservation Necessary
How it works: Bring a piece of your ART: that could be visual, like painting or printmaking; or literary, as in poetry or prose; or crafts, like metalwork or knitting; or food, or music. Something you made, or feel particularly inspired by. You have about 5 minutes to present, and we'll ooh, ahh, or answer questions you have. You can also come and see how we work before diving in. Just show up on Zoom at a minute or two before the hour.
No selling, no networking until after everyone has presented. No politics, no sales pitches, please. |
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