Why do you love Puny?
It’s something you don’t really ask yourself: just the purest form of love! There is no trade between you and your dog, just mutual care and understanding. I used to think dogs are too demanding but I didn’t know how wonderful it can be to take care of them. We’re always together, share everything. Puny is my family, the one I’m closest to. I work from home, in Otranto, where I design boats. A perfect situation for the dog! Poodles easily suffer from separation anxiety. Imagine, we’re in a bar and I have to go to the restroom: If I won’t take him along he’ll start crying desperately! But, to be honest, I even learned to like his being possessive with me…

How did you know Puny was yours?
I saw something in his eyes. Puny can be very social with other dogs but he is usually very shy with humans. He doesn’t let anybody touch him except me and my ex girlfriend Maurizia. Even my parents don’t take part in his circle of trust. However, when I went to get him, he came straight onto my shoe and never left my side ever since. They say dogs become very much like their owners when they grow up. Puny was very similar to me from the beginning.

You and Puny became a ‘two men only’ household in the end?
That’s true. We sleep together, we eat and we play together. When I travel, Puny stays with Maurizia, my ex girlfriend. She is the only one he is attached to beside me and I’m very happy they get to spend time together every once in a while. There’s also Rupert, Maurizia’s 8 months old poodle. The two of them are like brothers, can play all day long, it’s amazing to see them together, how Puny teaches Rupert and how Rupert learns from Puny.

What’s extraordinary about Mia?
Extraordinary is an understatement. I’m a little biased, but Mia is really, really loving. She’s adorable, never annoying, super polite and as clean as a dog can be. She just lacks a voice to be exactly like the rest of us! If she was human she would definitely be my daughter, the little female after two sons.

She’s always by your side…?
Yes she is, most of the time. She and I live in symbiosis. She is my shadow, we do everything together. Even at the beautician, at the gym, at the grocery store, she’d be with me all the time, everywhere. I’m her point of reference, also because I’m the one who feeds her (laughs). And she is mine! When I have to go home and no one is there I know she’ll be waiting for me. And all she needs is my presence. The love that we share is genuine, she’s become a part of me, very naturally.

The rest of the family doesn’t get jealous?
Not really. Vito and Alessandro, my two boys, have a beautiful relationship with Mia, especially Vito. When I’m not around, Mia usually stays by his side. With Alessandro it’s more of a ‘love and hate’ kind of thing… That’s because Alessandro can be naughty, he would pull her moustache, pull her tail, tickle her. They play a lot, yes, and they love each other very much. But when Mia needs cuddles or wants to go to sleep next to someone, she prefers Vito.

Is she an outdoor type?
Not so much. When it rains outside we don’t even go out, Mia’s used to her “toilet” in the house anyway. And even if she never gets really dirty as many other dogs do and I usually clean her feet when we come home etc., I take her to the “hairdresser” every 15 days. I like to have her clean, so she can go everywhere, roam freely in the house, jump on the sofa or the bed without making a mess. We want to pamper her as much as possible, have her closeby all the time. When it’s sleeping hour she goes to her own bed anyway. I’ve actually gotten so used to her presence that I don’t even remember what life was like without her…

Any advice you’d like to share?
Take a dog if you’ve got the wish to have one! A relationship with a dog is something you cannot describe and you’ll never regret it if you find the right one for you and your needs. It makes you grow, it helps you to develop certain skills, a dog can be challenging, soothing, balancing things out. Sometimes they can even be the shoulder to cry on! Don’t underestimate the commitment though. Making them live well is your main task, learning and knowing what they need and being ready to give it to them. Making some kind of sacrifice even just to satisfy them. Becoming partners, for what it’s worth. Running together, throwing the ball, playing outdoors, even if in that very moment you’d feel more like sitting on the sofa and watching TV. My suggestion is: If you get a dog, take care of it.