You lost one dog and got two to overcome the pain. How did that come about?
That’s true. To cut a long story short: I lost my beloved dog Hilde in an accident and felt very guilty afterwards. And even though I’m sure she’s living a better life now – because she deserves it – I had to rescue another dog, at least one. I kind of owed it to her since she changed my life. It had to be a „special dog“ with very little hope to get adopted. This way I wanted to make peace with my loss. Searching the internet and asking around I came about an organization near Munich that was collaborating with a spanish shelter. On their homepage I found a small black mixed breed, very shy, but I fell in love immediately. How scared she was! No one was allowed to touch her. And it took me weeks to convince the organization to give it a try.
I was sure I’d be able to handle her. That was when Helga came into my life. I took her home from the station and first thing she does is bite my finger. Nothing much changed in the following weeks and even though I started to feed her from my hands she needed months to actually build trust. She has been with me for 12 years now and still has her moments. But: She loves travelling by car, jumps in as soon as a door opens. And her favourite thing is sitting in a bar and watching the people passing by. Knowing that earlier, everything would have been a lot easier!

Yet you weren’t put off enough to take in another dog?
Well no. I was actually very grateful how everything had turned out. So I offered myself to foster another stray dog from Spain. The fostering makes it easier for the organizations to find a “final” family for the dog beacause it’s already used to certain things, educated a bit, so much easier to visit. That’s how Wilma joined us. As a guest, we said, it wouldn’t be forever. But: Wilma liked us so much that she denied to try anyone else. She simply ignored all those who made an effort getting to know her, she wouldn’t go out for a walks, refused to accept treats etc. So I surrendered and ended up with two dogs. Helga, called “Maeusi” (“topolina”) is now 15, Wilma 12 years old.

What’s so amazing about your dogs?
Helga is still shy,  she doesn’t like to be touched by other people, but is very curious. And she is smart! I´m sure if had found her as a puppy, she would be one of those dogs who are doing the childrens´ homework and then driving them to their friends (lol). Wilma is not shy, but not very interested in other people. She may not be the most intelligent dog in the world but she is very loyal. Simple things make her happy, just being in the same room with me can be enough. We used to walk a lot, but getting older she gets tired more easily.

How would you describe your relationship? 
Very different with both of them, but they have one thing in common: Big love. It’s as simple as that.

Do you know about their secret passions? 
Helga? Sitting in a bar and watching people around her. In those moments she is totally at ease with herself and the world.
Wilma? Sleeping in my bed, preferably on my pillow! 

What makes them pay attention to you no matter what? 
The sound of a fridge door opening. 

If your dogs were humans – who would they be? 
Helga? Princess Diana.
Wilma: Rambo. Very robust but with a good heart. 

Do your dogs ever bring you closer to other people?
Helga does. Everybody seems to love her when they see her lying on her blanket in a bar and looking like the boss in charge.

Any dreams you’d like to come true with your dog?
A long life and many more years with them!

So a big Yes to life with dogs?
Yes, because they change your life for the better! You’ll have to give up on a couple of things you used to like, for sure. But you’ll get so many things in return! You will find dogs’ hair in the most unbelievable places and you’ll have to organize everything around them. But: Living with dogs means a completely different, a more beautiful, more intense life. Small things become more important, you’ll cherish the little moments more. No other animal connects so closely with us humans.

Would you like to present yourself briefly? 
Sure, I’m Giada Carraro, originally from Milan but living in Puglia most of the time. I used to import furniture from Indonesia and India, then I dedicated myself to both professional and amateur videos. And I love the sea!

Who are your dogs?
My dogs are called Stormy (her) and Stone (him). She’s the wild tramp, he’s the distinguished gentleman. They are both four, brother and sister, mixed breeds from Puglia, puppies of my neighbor’s dogs Croodz and Khaleesi (cover pic). Why I took them in? Well, Stormy actually reminded me a lot of my labrador Kumba. When I had to let her go after a long and fulfilling life, I swore I’d never take another dog (and actually switched to cats for a couple of years). Then destiny decided for me: There were 11 puppies looking for a home so I changed my mind and got not only one but two of them. The best decision in my life, they are my furry children! 

What is so special about your dogs?
I think that every dog ​​is extraordinary in its own way. Mine are very sweet, even if their size sometimes scares people off.  They are also quite wild, especially the female, but they’re always gentle and kind with everyone. The male (who is ectually extra large!) funnily thinks of himself being a Jack Russel or similar, he’d try to sit in my arms, jump on my legs etc.

You travel a lot between Milan and Puglia. How does that affect your daily routine with the dogs?
Well, we’re always together! During the winter they come to Milan with me, and for the  summer we drive down to Puglia, always full of joy all three of us. Because other than a big city in Puglia they can finally be free and I myself find my peace of the heart.

Who would they be if not dogs?
Stormy would definitely be a fancy sports car and Stone? He would be a model, no doubt. He’s a bit of a poser.

How do you communicate?
With all the senses! They read my mood from how I enter the house. When Stormy sees me crying, she jumps on me to cheer me up, or gives me her paw and barks at me as if to tell me, don’t worry you’ll be fine. And she always sleeps with at least one of her feet attached to me. Stone is the gentleman in the family. He’d look at me so understanding and wise and full of love that I melt away whatever happens. What also amazes me is his endless patience with the wilder sister.

Do they sleep in your bed?
Certainly. It is a bit of a struggle I have to admit, with the two of them being quite big.  But it is also pure joy for all of us! I’d never want to change anything about it.

Any dog advice you’d like to share?
Take a dog out of love, follow your instincts. If you can’t quite decide, let it go, it may not be the right moment.

How did you meet Leo?
Leo is originally from Romania. We absolutely wanted to get an animal from animal protection, an issue I’ve been very passionate about for years. Saving a dog from unbearable conditions was our main target. Leo was picked out of more than 500 dogs because he was a victim of bullying, never got enough to eat. We were introduced to each other by the end of June 2020, and he moved in with us a couple of days later.

What’s so amazing about your dog?
Leo is a late riser. And he loves to cuddle! The best for him is his paw in the hand of one of us humans, being scratched on the stomach and falling asleep – again. Wonderful. Eating is his second favourite. He’s a vegetarian, like all of us. That often causes astonishment, but dogs are omnivores by nature, cats aren’t as flexible. Leo is healthy and happy and, according to the vet, in top shape. When I’m writing, he loves to be as close as possible, napping on his yellow dog sofa in one moment, the next sitting up and looking at me, and when I smile at him he will lie down again. He is very grateful and seems to understand how lucky he has been! And, frankly, if I had the space and the time I would adopt a couple of dogs more.
Then Leo loves our rabbits, who roam freely in our garden. He used to be particularly fond of one of them, Branko. While he was eating his greens, Leo sat next to him and watch. When Branko was done, Leo went out checking if there were any leftovers. He would never have eaten first, never chased away the rabbit.

How would you describe your relationship? 
Leo is a family member and looks after his pack without ever questioning the hierarchy. He looks out for us (sometimes more than necessary) and would defend us at any time.

If your dog was a person – who would he be? 
I think Leo would be a dreamy artist. There’s something quiet, withdrawn and somewhat romantic about him. A hedonist, sitting with a nice glass of wine watching the sunset.

Why do you love him?
I love how close we have become in no time! I never worried that he might run away. And apart from many sweet and funny things he does I love him because he would stand up for “his” family, there’s no doubt about that.

Where do you leave him when you have to go away for a couple of days?
Actually we never leave him, we always take Leo with us. We don’t fly, not only because of Leo, but also for ecological reasons. We usually rent an apartment where Leo feels comfortable, too, often in the Unterallgäu where I grew up, but also elsewhere. Since Leo is very attached to us, I wouldn’t want to risk giving him away for a holiday and traumatize him, so that he might never want to be alone any more. I’m terrified of the idea that his old wounds could open up. That would certainly not be worth the holiday! Last but not least we’re all convinced that a holiday with a dog is much nicer than one without.

What are your favourite things to do with him?
It’s because of him that I’ve become a passionate walker. We walk in the woods for hours! In the evenings we öfter cuddle with Leo on a giant beanbag in front of our fireplace. When I go to do a reading, I usually take him with me. Not only because he makes me feel safe but also because he attracts attention. I’m always happy to tell his – our – story!

Is your dog part of the family?
Definitely. Just like our two rabbits and guinea pigs, all of them taken from shelters. The rabbits live in our garden and move freely. They prefer to be on the terrace with us though, because that’s where they usually find food and cuddles. Leo loves them all. My partner and I work from home so Leo can be with us all the time. Since I write books, I can choose where I work and I often end up in the garden with Leo, who climbs onto the me bench with me to just be close. I can hear his breath and the birds chirping as I write, that’s amazing.

Any advice you would like to give?
I do suggest to get in touch with the local animal shelters. I often wonder why people want a puppy so badly, even though it doesn’t suit their lifestyle. Think carefully about how much time you have for a dog, what you expect from the animal and what kind of dog it is that you want. You can’t choose an animal based on looks! I truly believe that everyone can find “his” dog in a kennel. One to fall in love with.

PS: “Dogs appear in all my books, of course. It would be weird if not, my characters need them as much as we do, says Tina Schlegel, 49. She has been writing for various newspapers, currently for the Augsburger Allgemeine, and since 2015 also novels. Seven of her crime novels have been published by Emons Verlag and this year her first romance will come out Tina Schlegel lives in Kempen on the Lower Rhine.

Where did you meet?
Our story began on a walking trail in Alpe Devero. It had only been a couple of days that my husband Chicco and I had lost Kiwi, our 15 year old miniature schnauzer. You can imagine how we felt and how sad the day was. At some point a little puppy approaches us: He had major wounds on the head and under the neck. And he was smelly, hungry and full of maggots! The puppy must have figured that we had stuff to eat on us and was hoping to share our picnic lunch. Asking the people around us we couldn’t find out to whom he belonged. Someone mentioned a litter of shepherd puppies closeby and that’s where we went: to ask the shepherd if we could take Bobo home. Imagine, the little puppy was already wearing one of those high stiff collars that they use for cows! The guy gave us a long rope and the rest is history: We walked back not only the two of us but three. Again, luckily. I couldn’t have been happier.

What’s so amazing about Bobo?
Like every dog Bobo is extraordinary. So smart and sooooo good! He has an adorable perennial puppy face. One thing, however, is rather unique I’d say: Every time we meet “new” dogs he approaches the master first as if to ask his permission. Only then he’d move closer to his fellow dog. I’ve always had dogs but Bobo is the friendliest, with both humans and other animals.

How would you describe your relationship? 
We try to be together as much as possible. We even plan our holidays with him!

Do you have a secret code? 
Well, we’re using all our senses to understand each other: Sounds, looks, gestures… Can you imagine that Bobo loves hugging people that he likes?

Do you have a “key” that makes him listen no matter what? 
Bobo needs to rally people, a bit like herd dogs. If Chicco and I drift apart, all he wants to do is bring us back together and he’s a real sweetheart when he does. Sometimes, to make him move, we place ourselves at a long distance from each other and just by clapping our hands we call him first to one side and then to the other. He can’t get enough of that!

Why do you love him?
Because he belongs to the family. Because he chose us. Because we are good together. And because we are similar to each other.

What are your favourite things to do with him?
Being together and pampering each other.

Any advice you would like to share?
Getting a dog for someone who has never had one is an important decision. Consider that a dog will change your life. But change for the better! Believe me.

PS: Florence born Silvia Messeri, 55, is team leader and Real Estate Agent for Engel & Voelkers in Lecce. She arrived in Salento following her heart, attracted by the cobalt blue of the Puglian sky and the clear splendor of the stone.