Aleksandro, you and your french bulldog Monet seem inseparable. How did that come about?  
Well, our story is a bit bizarre. Monet came into my life by chance. One summer I was in Salento with a friend. On the beach we heard people lying next to us talk about a family who had taken in a french bulldog as birthday gift for their kids. Those two, however, after playing with it for no more than two days, immediately got tired of it. So the poor dog had gotten locked up in a closet because the twins’ mother was afraid of dogs. I didn’t think twice, found out where the dog lived and drove the 20 km from Santa Cesarea Terme to adopt him. We’ve been together from that day on.  

What’s so amazing about your dog?
His cute little face! Just kidding. His character I would say. Monet is very sociable and playful, especially with children.

How would you describe your relationship? 
We complete each other: Wherever I go he’ll come with me.

Do you know about his secret passions? 
Taking naps on the veranda in the sun or hunting for lizards.

How do you “understand” each other? 
It was super easy to train him. Monet is very intelligent and seems to understand everything I say.

What makes him listen no matter what? 
Food!

If your dog were a person – who would he be? 
An artist (Monet) – or a comedian!

Why do you love him? 
He manages to make me smile even when I’m having a bad day.

Where do you leave him when you have to go away for a couple of days? 
When I have to leave Monet stays with my parents (his “grandparents”) and he is very happy to be with them, especially with my father… He always has extra treats for him!

Is there anything that annoys you about him? 
Sometimes he can be very stubborn, especially when we go out. He wants to decide where we go – that’s so annoying!

What are your favourite things to do with him?
Lying on the sofa, watching TV series, as close to each other as possible.

Any dreams you’d like to come true with your dog? 
One day I would like to take him in the snow.

Any advice you would like to give to someone who wants to get a dog but can’t decide?
A dog needs its space, its time and its considerations. It is a responsibility and not a game. But if you’re sure about what you’re doing and manage to create a feeling between you and the animal during the first, most important, couple of months, you’ll have a friend for life. 

Just a curiosity, but considering you’re an expert on cheese: What do you feed your doggies?
They mostly eat high quality dry dog food. They all eat the same kind and they all eat from the same plate in my house. I think they need to know how to share. Then, of course, I spoil them every now and then. I would give them a piece of Parmesan cheese, chicken, fresh tuna, fresh meat. I’m convinced it’s good for their fur, they don’t seem to lose as much.

Where did you meet all three of them?
They were presents from dear friends or family: My father gave my the french bulldog to start with. Totò, being the little one, is also the only one allowed in the shop. There’s people who ask for him before they say Hi to me, can you Imagine? Omar I got from a friend and adopted Camilla because her former family couldn’t keep her.

What’s so amazing about your dogs?
They love unconditionally.

How would you describe your relationship? 
We live in perfect symbiosis. 

Do you know their secret passions? 
They love listening to music of any kind. I usually leave the house with some background music on, radio is fine, so they relax and don’t feel lonely without me. They love – we love! – Jazz. When they’ve got their music they usually just sleep while I’m gone. When I’m home we often put dance music on, I’d carry the Totò around the house and we’d dance all together. 

How do you “understand” each other? 
I talk with them a lot: whatever happened to me that day, what I’m about to do, who I’m about to see, at what time I’ll probably be home etc.  I can tell they understand. When I get home very late and they wanna play all I need to tell is that I’m tired and not in the mood and they’d let go of me. Or I’d explain that they’re not allowed to treat the cats badly. They usually listen well, then think it over and eventually change their behavior. 

Do you have a “trick” that always works? 
There sure is a magic phrase: “Who would like a biscuit?” 

If your dogs were people: Who would they be? 
Me, myself and I

Why do you love them?
Because they love me. 

What was the funniest thing your dogs ever did?

Living with cats in the same house.

Where do you leave them when you’re away? 
They stay home and a dog sitter comes to spend time with them. It’s been the same routine every day for years since I’m gone for work a lot. 

Is there anything that annoys you about them? 
Absolutely nothing.

What do you like most doing with them when you’re together? 
Sleeping in each other’s arms.

Are your dogs part of the household 100 %? 
We share everything, they are my life, my family.

Any advice you would like to give to someone who wants to get a dog but can’t decide?
A dog can turn your life upside down. But they make you a better person because they love you no matter what. You become noble-hearted! I have changed a lot ever since I took them in. I tend to appreciate everything now. Every day, every moment with them is a discovery.

PS: You find Dina Crovace’s gourmet Supermarket (and little Totò) on via Lecce, 32, Speziale. On her Instagram account @dinacrovace73 you can follow her and her furry family’s whereabouts online.

Ciao Giovanna, what do you do when you don’t take your doggies out for walkies?
Well, I was born in Turin, grew up in Rome and after 10 years in London my family and I moved to Milan. Part of the family are certainly our French Bulldogs, Cosmo and Luna. I used to work in finance. Currently I’m dedicating myself to a great passion, art, with a special focus on the support of young and emerging artists.

Where did you and your doggies meet? How did you connect?
Cosmo entered in our lives in January 2021 from a breeder in Alba (Piedmont, Italy), while Luna arrived one year later from Pavia (Lombardy, Italy) but they are related via Luna’s dad (Alex) who is also Cosmo’s great-grandfather.

What’s so amazing about your dogs?
They are both sweet, cheerful and well behaved but while Cosmo is very calm and lazy, Luna is curious and super energetic!
Cosmo loves to stay at home all day just lying on the sofa, Luna enjoys going out and meeting other dogs to play with.

How would you describe your relationship?
They are both very attached to me, we spend most of our time together and they follow me everywhere. They always want to be close to me as to other members of the family.

Do you know about their secret passions?
Cosmo’s secret passion (not even so secret to be fair) are cuddles and massages.
Luna loves to play “catch” with toys like balls, bones or puppies and to watch the neighbours from the terrace. As I said she is super curious!

How do you “understand” each other? Do you have a secret code?
There is no special code we use to communicate. It simply happens. They don’t speak but they always find a way to let us know their needs and feelings and, on the other hand, they understand every situation without the necessity to explain anything. They are very sensitive but, in case we need to introduce rules, we do it gently.

Do you have a “trick” that always works? That makes him listen no matter what?
There is a trick that definitely works for both of them: cuddles, cuddles and cuddles!

If your dogs were people – who would they be?
If they were human, Luna would be an explorer and Cosmo a member of the royal family!

Why do you love them?
I love them for their loyalty, for the love they always demonstrate without asking anything back, for the way they look at us and for every little thing they do. I simply love them!

Did your dog ever bring you closer to another person/other people?
Sure! Every time we go out for a walk in Milan but also wherever we go on holidays.

Where do you leave them when you go away for a couple of days?
We always take them with us, if possible. If we ever have to leave them behind we take them to this “dogs hotel” close to our house where they are kept in very big spaces, with comfortable beds and classic music on. We know they’re fine because we monitor them through an app that allows us to be close all the time.

What are your favourite things to do with them?
Reading books with the two of them snoring gently next to me.

Any advice you would like to share?
Dogs aren’t puppies. They have needs and feelings. Be sure to be commited enough for the responsibilities involved with getting a dog.

Merci, french for thank you. Is that what you feel when you look at your 11 months old French bulldog?
I suppose so. Because it was pure luck that brought us together! I had no real intention of getting a dog, I’m too busy anyway. But my girls had always asked for one so I decided to give it a go and went to check out a litter of French Bulldogs in Bari, 2 hours from where I live. I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist once I got there… The rest is history.

What’s so amazing about Merci?
Her liveliness and sweetness I would say. She’s also meant to be very polite, but I believe that is because she is used to be by my side all the time. We do everything together: I take her to the lawyer or shopping, to my daughters’ sports lessons or for long rides in the car when I’m working.

Who is she more attached to?
I’m the breadwinner and she seems to understand that I’m the boss in the house. I’m providing for her basic needs and I take her to the vet (quite often, actually, they’re known to be very delicate). A piece of her big heart belongs to my daughters though. They are the ones who had wanted her so badly for a long time.

Who would she be if not a dog?
A bully in the neighborhood! Everyone knows her and her somewhat challenging character, but they also know that her attitude is fake: Merci is good from the top to the bottom of her soul.

I guess she’s got her proper role in the family?
She does! And, frankly, I didn’t think I could bond with her so much. I thought I would be different from all those dog owners who treat their animals as equals. To tell you the truth, I fell for it, too! We are 3 women in the house and we are ALL crazy about her.

Anything that annoys you about her – at least a bit?
There is something that makes me really angry but Merci doesn’t care: When I get out of the car for a few minutes and come back I’d find her sitting or sleeping on MY seat. She knows she’s not allowed to do that, she knows she’s supposed to move immediately, but he gives a damn.

What do you enjoy doing with her the most?
Well, unfortunately I don’t have much time to dedicate her, having two young girls and a challenging job. What we both enjoy are our daily visits in my atelier in Lecce. The taylors welcome her like a queen every time we show up! And then, of course, the long and cosy Sunday mornings in bed, all four of us together: Those are incredible moments for everyone!