Eat Your Heat Out Bolle

The media is filled with pictures of various Italian superstars flogging the latest fashion in men's clothing, fragrance or cosmetics. Of course the big star is our boy Bobby Bolle, he of the tall, Apollo muscled frame and boyish good looks. And being a dancer Roberto knows how to pose to show both the frame and the clothes (or lack there off) on it to best advantage. But when I see some of the gentlemen walking around I am starting to think that most Italian men know how to pose to show the frame and the clothes to best advantage.

I'll give you an example - our Nicky. Now Nicky is Italian through and through - why he even makes advances to Nora, is rebuffed but keeps on trying because he honestly can't understand why she wouldn't want him - if that isn't an Italian male I don't know what is????

But I digress, I was talking about posing. Well true to the show dog pedigree of his family our Nick knows exactly what poses show his trim frame and handsome mustaches to advantage. The other day he was laying in the sun and the minute he saw the camera he struck this rather elegant if slightly languid pose.



I'm not sure what he's selling but I'm buying!

21 giugno - San Luigi Gonzaga

Meme and More

My dear Elizabeth tagged me for a meme but in her normal gracious manner left the decision to play along up to me. So play I will and as as well as answering the questions I've included a few photos from the museums in the Castello Sforzesco in Milano and a gratuitous puppy picture (of course) .

Meme Rules:
1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.

2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

1. What is your current obsession?
   That would have to be Nicky and Nora. And why not they are now the two most important creatures in the world.


2. If you could have any super power what would it be?
   Healing hands.


3. Which animal would you be?
   Well if I were choosing the animal I most closely resemble I would say a jackass. But as to which would I prefer to be - a dog, go figure. Or maybe more specifically my dog, 'cause then I know I'd be spoiled rotten.
   
   The lion was a very potent symbol in early Christian art - it was regal, the king amongst beasts and there was a strange belief that they were born dead and then sprang to life three days later. These two struck me as more pussy cat than lion!


4. Who was the last person you hugged?
   Laurent and not nearly tight enough!


5. What’s your favorite food in the whole world?
   French fries


6. What’s the last thing you bought?
   First Take by Roberta Flack on I-tunes. It had been years since I heard it - it is still as wonderful as I remembered.


After awhile you get to recognize the attributes of the various saints (and sinners); in the middle panel the man at the right with those oriental looking buns? Actually those are rocks - St Stephan was stoned to death.



7. What are you listening to right now?
   The rumble of a distant tram on Via Regina Margherita and an ambulance heading to the Policlinico. Laurent is still sleeping so I haven't turned any music on.


8. If you could buy one object right now, what would it be?
   Good health.


9. What’s on your beside table?
   Seven books, a photo of Laurent from the 1980s, a photo of our first daschies and a suede glass case.
   
   Even a bellows had to sing the glories of the Sforzi and the Church. And a portable chapel was a nice thing to have for private devotions while on the road.


10. If you could have a house totally paid for, and fully furnished, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
    Somewhere in the South of France - its always been my dream.


11. What would you like to have in your hands right now?
    That's a rather personal question!!!!!!


12. What is your favorite children's book?
    Little Men, though its been years since I read it. Hmm... add to summer reading list?
    
    
    I am always amazed by the woodcarvers' art - whither it be a chest of drawers, a tabernacle or a life size statue.


13. What is your biggest fear/phobia?
    Flying: take-off, landing and the bits in-between


14. What's the bravest thing you've done in the past year?
    Get up every morning.


15. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
    Funny I've never wanted to change my name - well except when I decided I was going to become a famous cabaret singer and my name was going to be Florien. Simply Florien - don't ask me why, maybe because Fabian was already taken?
    
    There are some rather strange paintings in the pinecotta of the Castello. The Infant Christ and a few of the others around him have a slightly Botero quality to them. And the gentleman sticking his finger up his nose is a decidedly unconventional portrait pose.


16. What did you want to become as a child?
    An actor, lord how I wanted to become an actor. Or an opera singer, or the aforementioned cabaret singer. What ever I did I knew I was going to have an adoring public. Hell I even practiced my curtain calls.
    


17. What posters/pictures do you have on your bedroom wall?
    This lithograph by an artist called Kas Sable hangs over the bed. We bought it in Provincetown about 25 year ago. The problem was bringing it back through Canada Customs. It was summer and the young female student working the border crossing was lost as to how to classify it. I do remember her rather astonished - and loud - exclamation: They've had him tied to the bed! Something I hadn't honestly noticed until she drew it to my attention.
    


18. What were you wearing at your 21st birthday?
    For god's sake who the hell can remember back that far? Yes I know someone who's 22!


19. Say something to the person who tagged you:
    Liz, I don't think I have to say it. Baci e abbracci


20. Post a favorite childhood photograph of yourself.
    I'm sure everyone my age group has one of these around somewhere. The gentleman came around with the pony and parents were pressured into having their kids photo taken - sort of the Nike runners of its period.
    


21. What is your plan for tomorrow?
    Other than a rather mundane work day I plan to attend an evening conference at the Accademia nazionale di danza. Its hosted by the wonderful Alberto Testa and they'll be showing a film of the legendary Zizi Jeanmarie dancing Roland Petit's Carmen. And I'll be with my dear friend Simonetta. Not bad for a Monday night.


22. Does time really heal all wounds?
    I'd like to think so but often there is still the odd ache or pain to remind you of a battle or a love lost.

I am not going to pass this on to anyone in particular - but I would enjoy seeing childhood photos of EG, Dora, Cowbell, Sling and a few others. I'm just saying.

24 maggio - Santa Maria Ausiliatrice

Presents for Puppies

Well there was no end to the excitement earlier today when a much anticipated parcel arrived at Via dei Villini. Though addressed to me the contents were obviously meant for Nicky and Nora. Our dear Dora, who had given them their names, had sent two beautiful collars which they will proudly wear when they are a little older.



On behalf of i due piccoli bassotti, mille grazie Dora e baci!

11 maggio - San Fabio

To Bloody Cute For Words

Nora decided that since I post so much about her and Nicky she might as well take over the keyboard. Less grammatical errors that way!



04 maggio - San Ciriaco di Gerusalemme

Puppies in Profile

Calm down - its still the first week OK? I'm still excited about having them around the house, so this type of post is going to show up with alarming regularity. Once they stop being "cute" I'll get more settled. And I received several requests to tell the world a bit more about our Nora and Nicky. Honest I have! Would I lie to you? Well yes, but not about things like that!

Both pups were born at Casa delgi Orso in Capena just north of Rome. Massimo Buzzanca and Tizzana Talo have previously bred St Bernards but in the past two years had added daschies to their breeding activities. He's a vet with a practice in Rome and she manages the kennel. There is a restriction on the number of litters so we rest assured that it is not a "puppy mill." Their facility is well maintained and I watched them with the dogs - there was a good deal of honest affection and caring, something I don't think you can fake with animals. Our guys came from two different litters born about a week apart. A few week's ago I put up some photos of their dames and sires. Now here's some details on the kids, as well as those gratuitous Puppy pictures.

Ladies and first born take precedent of place - plus she tussled with Nicky for it and won - so:
Here's Nora!

• Registraton name: Eleonora della Casa degli Orsi
• Known as: Nora
• Born: February 13, 2009
• Mother: Lucy - Italian, Dwarf Wire-haired Dachshund, Italian Champion in Boar Hunting trials
• Father: Ligetfalvi Erik (Camillo), Hungarian, Dwarf Wire-haired Dachshund, Italian Champion in Burrow trials
• Observations: On the day we picked her up at the kennel she was quiet shy and almost apologetic for being in the back seat. Its all an act! She is already showing the hunting instinct that makes her parents champions. And she has quite the growl on her for such a little thing.

Then there's our Nick:

• Registraton name: Fantastico Nicky della Casa degli Orsi
• Known as: Nicky
• Born: February 24, 2009
• Mother: Catullus Filomena (Giverny), Hungarian, Miniature Wire-haired Dachshund
• Father: Catullus Indian (Monet), Hungarian, Miniature Wire-haired Dachshund
• Observations: He started being real sucky on the ride home and continues to be the biggest suck in the history of dogs. Despite being 1/3 her size he is able to hold his own in puppy scraps with Nora. And he seems to think he has right of ownership to my lap.

So many of our friends sent us great suggestions for names and there were some heated discussions - okay outright fights - until we settled on Dora's suggestion: Nick and Nora. Cute but of what significance? Well despite what an Anonymous commenter rudely suggested I am not the only one who immediately cottoned on to where she was coming from. One of Hollywood's greatest couples were Myrna Loy and William Powell as Dashiell Hammett's wild and witty detectives Nick and Nora Charles. The first Thin Man movie was screened in 1934 and 5 sequels followed, the last in 1947. Unlike many sequels - Rocky XXXIII et al - the series was consistently carried by the chemistry between Powell and Loy; erudite, witty scripts mostly by Hammett and the writing team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett; and for the first four, the direction of W. S. Van Dyke.

As Carla reminded me Nick and Nora had a dog of their own - Asta played by that well-known actor Skippy. The only Asta they will be getting will be of the stuffed variety!
And then when their awake they can fight over it - and they will!

30 aprile - San Pio V Papa

Presenting....

Fantastico Nicky and Eleonora

Better known in our household as Nick and Nora.

And here we have Nick (right), Nora (left) and some balding guy with glassy eyes in the middle.

For registration purposes the dogs had to have names that began with F or E - don't ask just put it down to Italian bureaucracy - so that's how the breeders registered them. And because at the moment I have my hands full I'll just post a few pictures and leave it at that for the day.

Nick decided that the cow squeaky toy - courtesy of Linda and Nazareno - was his ... for the moment.

Nora was satisfied with the squeaky pig until she saw Nick with the cow ... as predicted she is going to be a handful.

At the moment everybody has a toy and peace reigns in the house.

What with a car ride, slippery marble floors, new smells and new people it can wear puppies out - time for a nap.

24 aprile - Santa Fedele da Sigmaringen

GPV* - Not To Be Confused With GPP**

Realized I hadn't posted a Gratuitous Puppy Video* (not be be confused with a Gratuitous Puppy Picture**) in a while. So here we have our Reese being bathed last Sunday.

His skin condition has returned with a vengeance so for the past few days we've been walking over to the Vets - well I've been walking, he's been carried. Tuesday I met a charming older couple who were in with their dog. The lady - faded blonde but with a elegance that was unforced and a wonderful smile when she talked about her dog - had found her wandering on the street two years ago. The dog was going to be operated on that afternoon for a tumor that they hoped was benign. We talked about our pets and them being what she called "a loving responsibility," which I thought was a great phrase. I checked with Dr. Benvenuti yesterday and it was benign - I would have loved to see the smile on her face when he told her that.

13 decembre - Santa Lucia

Gratuitous Puppy Pictures

Though as I mentioned in a comment to RG over at Dulce y Peligroso, there is not such thing as a gratuitous Pet Picture.

Like most daschies Reese loves to burrow when he sleeps and that damned collar has made it very difficult. Bedtime the last few nights has been accompanied by as much noise as 8k dog with a plastic thingy around its neck can make before finding the right position - and of course that position must be changed three or four times during the night. Or better yet just to punish the bastard who attached that bloody thing - and who sleeps very light - wander around the apartment in the dark, bumping into furniture and walls, before settling down in a new location.


I took the collar off for a while this morning and he immediately burrowed under his blanket. At one point he came up for air and to give me a disgusted look when he saw the camera.

Sadly there are a fair number of stray dogs roaming the streets of Rome. Often when an animal gets sick the owner will simply turn it loose rather than seek expensive veterinarian care. Since late August there has been a lovely looking black dog - I'm bad at identifying breeds - roaming the area - Laurent saw him near his office a few times, we've seen him down by the train station and every so often near our complex. He isn't aggressive and seems almost apologetic for being here - I know Walt Disney emotions - and today soaked with rain he looked incredibly sad. I want to do something but not sure what.

25 novembre - Santa Caterina d'Alexandria