Pets here, although loved, are often not regarded as part of the family in the way that British ones are - that is, living indoors, with the freedom to wander, investigate and yes, if they feel like it, destroy at will - and I still have friends who expect me to put Simi on the balcony during their visits.
"Sorry", I say [although I am not], "she's my baby and no one puts babies on the balcony." This usually provokes the hands-in-air gesture which means, "Ah, well, she's British - pazienza" and a sigh of surrender. Simi, meanwhile, does not understand why my Sicilian friends object to having her sit on their heads so after they've gone I , in my turn, say "Pazienza" and explain to her that they can't help it - they're Italian.
We were both pleased, therefore, to read today that Aidaa, Italy's Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment, has suggested that pet-owners bestow their surname upon their four-legged best friends and have it added to their microchips. The main aim of this measure, says the Association, is to make our pets even more easily identifiable but also to make them officially and legally part of the family.
Simi, who on formal occasions always uses her full name of Simone Eggleton de Beauvoir, has this to say about it:
She's so cute and pretty and definitely doesn't belong on the balcony, so long as she promises not to destroy the house :) I don't think other nations have the same attitude - you are right. A happy new year to you both.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, she's British - pazienza
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the scene.
Hi, Jenny. She's not destructive - she just likes attention! Yes, she is very cute and pretty and her mummy adores her. HNY from us to you. xx woof!
ReplyDeleteI expect you can, dear James. x woof!
S.E.de B - love it!
ReplyDeleteAs I'm typing this a cat is blocking my view of the screen. I just gently moved him out of the way. Needless to say, putting a member of the family out on a balcony would never happen here either (if we had a balcony).
ReplyDeleteSimi is very special.
ReplyDeletein the past, I had two cats named Double and Trouble. You can imagine why those names. But they were so much loved, and reciprocated so sweetly. They learned, little by little, how to behave. People would ask me sometimes if I minded the disorder they created. I always answered, "I love my pets a lot more than I love my things."
I saw the google logo today and thought of you and Simi, Pat. I hope Simi is celebrating her namesake's anniversary in style!
ReplyDeleteYes, Sabina explained to us that dogs are kept outside in Italy and treated more like animals than pets. Not that she treats George that way: she adores him and spoils him.
It's a case of love me, love my cats as far as I'm concerned. And anyone who doesn't agree with that it's...Bye! Bye! To them, not my two furry beloved mates!
ReplyDeleteHaha. It's a different world in Milan. They bring their dogs right into the school classrooms. I love dogs but I'd really rather they didn't!
ReplyDeleteGlad of that, WW! I can picture it, Betty! Hi, Claude. What lovely names! I completely agree with you. Hi, Liz. Glad she makes an exception for George and so is Simi! Completely agree, Lee. That's interesting to know, Laruchka!
ReplyDeleteShocking to see how many Sicilians treat animals. My dad, a Sicilian who moved to Canada when he was 15 and now spends his summers there actually brought a dog and cat who were abused back to Canada! Cicco the dog and Mila the cat now live dream lives as part of our family in Montreal!
ReplyDeleteI've also noticed that in Sicily people always keep their pets outside. It's so cruel!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that story with a happy ending, AnnaCicco and Mila back with him! Hi, Caramella. Yes, I hate seeing that.
ReplyDelete