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.

Tell us about yourself, Annalaura. You just came back from an early Summer holiday in Puglia, right?
That’s true. Of course my trusted travel companion Biagio was with me. Time to go wild, after many winter months inside, week after week in the office. Finally time to to wander and travel, being in nature! We’re both very active, love the outdoors. I never sit still, I play tennis and work out with a personal trainer, I do yoga to dedicate time to myself.

Where did you meet? How did you connect? 
I had my last dog about 20 years ago, an Irish Setter, Jack. Work and various commitments made it impossible to have another one for a long time, let alone a puppy. During Covid, smart-working in my home office, I started to get used to the idea again, also thanks to a company that has a pet policy and allows you to bring your dog to the office as long as you have a conduct license. So I actually started to look for a suitable one, doing some research about breeds, availability etc. Then, surprisingly, a breeder I had contacted some time ago had a tiny newborn available. All he did was send me a picture of Biagio as a baby, asking nothing but: “Are you ready?” So to me it seemed as if Biagio had chosen me instead of the other way round. It seemed a perfect gift to myself for my 40iest birthday.

What’s so amazing about Biagio?
He is absolutely unique and irreplaceable, the best choice I’ve made in years! Biagio has a great personality and a face with a thousand expressions. He is extremely affectionate and as sharp as a razor.

How would you describe your relationship? 
We are there for one another, in all sort of ways. I try to give him the best dog life possible. Of course he likes cuddles and kisses a lot, but I’m not the “dog in the purse” kind of person. What I do instead is make his personality shine, indulge him in his passions and attitudes and help him overcome his insecurities and fears.
We trust each other, we go for walks in the meadows every day and Biagio is free to run – which is a show for itself! But he’d always check on me after a bit.
I take him out soft hunting: single sessions in which he can run after the lure, having fun like crazy. Running to catch a frisbee is another great passion of his. Then in the evening, after playing a bit with his stuffed animals and bones (he’s tireless) he asks my permission to get on the sofa and falls asleep on my lap. That’s one of my favorite moments. Not to mention his guilty pleasure, a spoonful of coconut oil for “dessert” in the evening. As soon as I say “Cocco” he licks his mustache. Makes me smile every time!

How does Biagio cope with Milan city life?
Perfectly. I take Biagio wherever I go because I can. He’d get into the car without any fuss, sits down in his car seat like a human being. In the office he would say Hi to everyone, being a real gentleman.

How do you “understand” each other? Do you have a secret code? 
We talk to each other a lot in verses, but even more with our eyes.

What makes him listen no matter what? 
No need. Biagio is very obedient. He’s not very confident so he’s the one who follows me.

Why do you love him?
There is no reason, he simply stole my heart!

Is there anything that annoys you about him? 
Only when he barks every now and then while he’s alone. They say “crisis of abandonment”. Abandonment of what? Little rascal!

What are your favourite things to do with him?
Being outdoors and running during the day, and on the sofa under the covers at night.