Where did you meet?
It was love at first sight when we met him together with his brothers and sisters at his breeder, who later became our friend, Erica. That sweet look and that wagging tail couldn’t help but win us over! It wasn’t easy for me (Patrizia) to decide to adopt another dog after having my sweet Labrador, Syria, with whom I had shared 17 years of my life. But Mauro knew very well that it was exactly what I needed. And in fact Aris, with his shy sweetness, won me over right away.

What’s extraordinary about Aris?
He is a dog that immediately demonstrated incredible sensitivity and sweetness! He can understand and make himself understood with a simple look. Furthermore, his ability to always be there is wonderful: discreetly, when he sees you tired; with enthusiasm, when he knows that you want to play and have fun; gently, when you’re feeling down – sitting in front of you and waiting for you to put your face on his shoulder.

What kind of relationship do you have?
We would define our relationship as an emotionally asphyxiating one: Aris is our shadow, he never loses sight of us. As a good sheepdog he treats us as if we were his flock, always making sure that everything is ok, ready to make sure that after dinner we are all on the sofa to relax a bit. He really is a 4-legged friend, who doesn’t need to talk to make us feel good. He is equipped with a biological clock: from the morning alarm, at 6 o’clock, the time of our morning walk – which incredibly becomes 8 on Saturday and Sunday, when it happily accompanies us to the bar for a coffee and to greet his bartender friends -, passing through the end of work time when, accompanied by Mauro, he comes to pick me up every evening. To then conclude his work as a shepherd at bedtime, when he calls our attention to remind us that it is time to go to sleep.

What is he most passionate about?
Aris loves being with us, wherever we go: whether it’s an excursion in the woods, a trip to the shops or a simple evening at a pizzeria, he is always happy to walk, meet people, explore new places. Even when we’re talking about distant destinations, he is always ready to jump in the car and look at the landscapes we travel through, happy to face new adventures… just like Lassie.

How do you “understand” each other?
All we need is a look, a nod, a magic word and Aris immediately understands exactly what we are asking of him.

Do you have a trick to make him do what you want?
Aris has a huge love for carrots and cucumbers! As soon as he hears the metallic noise of the “carrot peeler” he runs ready to carry out any arduous task to win his favorite snack. Yes, he really is a nutritionist’s dog! In the summer we prepare water and cucumber based ice lollies for him which he loves!

If your dog were a person – who would he be?
He would undoubtedly be a philosopher: thoughtful, dreamy, always looking for the meaning of things and careful to understand people’s moods. His name, Aristotele, is no coincidence.

Why do you love him?
We couldn’t say “why”: He is Aris, you can’t help but love him. Indeed, we are certain that without knowing him, you already love him too.

What is the funniest thing your dog has ever done?
Once, during a walk, we were stopped at the traffic light, because it was “red”. At the “green” moment I give Aris the command to cross. But he, realizing that Patrizia, distracted by something else, had not yet left, went back, literally took her by the hand, delicately grabbing her wrist, and helped her cross amidst the amused smiles of the motorists who had stopped at the stoplight.

Has your dog ever made it easier for you to interact with other people?
Absolutely yes! When we walk with Aris many people stop to greet him and cuddle him. We always tell ourselves that Aris generates happiness: people look at him and smile! There are those who can’t help but remember their youth and the TV show “Lassie”, those who simply want to cuddle him… but no one can resist him! And those who know us when they meet us alone ask us about him!

Where do you leave him if necessary?
Where we leave him?!? He comes with us – everywhere!

Is there something he or she does that particularly annoys you?
Yes, when he throws a tantrum to eat! He is not a greedy dog ​​and there are times when he refuses to eat and we always have to find a trick to convince him. The most effective method? When Ivo, our cat and playmate, tries to get close to his bowl to steal his kibble. Only at that moment Aris decides to eat.

What do you like to do together most?
We love walking together in the early morning. Every day, whether it’s winter or summer, whether it’s raining or sunny, we and Aris enjoy this moment of ours: This way the day starts off on the right foot!

Do you dream of doing something special with your dog one day?
We do: We would like to take him to Scotland, the homeland of this breed. Wouldn’t it be marvellous to explore and enjoy those wonderful landscapes with him?

Does he sleep in your bed?
Well, no, just because he never wanted to. But apart from that all spaces are at his disposal, even if he has some places that he prefers over others. He loves his pillows: one at the foot of the bed and the other near the sofa. So he can be next to us in our moments of relaxation.

Your advice for someone who would like to get a dog but can’t decide?
We also thought about it a lot before welcoming Aris, well aware that work and commitments could make everything difficult. This is because a dog is not a toy, nor a whim, but a life partner who deserves and requires constant attention and presence. The simplest example? Whether it’s Christmas or Sunday, whether it’s raining or snowing, he needs his walk and can’t be ignored! But Aris has shown us that a dog is capable of integrating perfectly and adapting to the rhythms of the family, reciprocating our commitment with unconditional love, trust and presence, something that probably no human being is capable of giving. That’s why we would recommend everyone to adopt one. The arrival of a dog at home changes your life, yes, but definitely for the better!

DOG ICE CREAM

All You need:
– popsicle molds
– ⁠a jar of natural white yogurt (without added sugars!!)
– ⁠1 serve of fresh fruit or vegetables (apple, carrot, cucumber, 4-5 strawberries…)

We chose cucumber because Aris is fond of it, but carrots, cooked courgettes, cooked spinach, or how sugar fruits such as apples are also great.

Procedure:
Cut the vegetable or fruit into small pieces and pour everything into a bowl, mixing it with the plain yogurt.
Then blend everything with a mixer and place the mixture in the molds which should be placed in the freezer overnight.

Aris has no problems with plain yogurt, in fact he really likes it. But for “intolerant” dogs it is possible to replace the yogurt with plain water: the consistency will be less creamy but the taste and the refreshing effect are guaranteed

PS: For other recipes and food suggestions (for animals as well as humans) by the nutritionist Patrizia Lamberti follow on Instagram nutrizionista_lamberti.

How did you find your furry friend?
Unfortunately I suffer from asthma and animal hair doesn’t get along very well with my lungs. But I love them and I can’t do without them. I did some research and discovered the Australian Cobberdog, a breed not recognized in Italy. They were created specifically for people like me who have these problems. I had been looking for breeders in Europe for a long time until I finally found a place in Holland. We had to wait for years, there’s never ending waiting lists for this type of dog. Then, finally, Aruba was born in Markelo/Netherlands on January 17, 2020. We exchanged photos with the breeder and among the many puppies in the litter I immediately saw HER: the loneliest one with the lightest fur and she was the biggest of all. It was the day before the lockdown when my husband and I left for the Netherlands to pick her up. Aruba was no more than two months old then. If we hadn’t decided to go and get her spontaneously, who knows when I would have hugged her!
13 hours by car to get there and another 13 to come back. It was with it though: She sure kept us busy during Covid and made a sad and complicated phase a lot easier to deal with. Last but not least: Aruba (born as a Capricorn like my daughter and my husband) has kept the promises of her breed: She doesn’t shed and her fur doesn’t pick up as many external allergens as those of other breeds. She definitely is a hypoallergenic dog.

What is it that you love about her more than anything else?
I love Aruba’s clumsiness and her way of being present without ever being intrusive… except when eating! But the thing
I love most are her eyes: somewhat human, without malice.

Who is her point of reference in the family?
We live together 24 hours a day, I think I’m her “person”. However, she reserves her cuddles above all for my husband. She is in love with him, after all she is female.

What are her passions?
Aruba loves to run free, especially on the beach. She also loves our armchairs…

Is there a code you’re using to communicate? Something that always works no matter what?
Aruba always checks to see if I’m closeby. Even when she runs off for a couple of moments, all I need to say is “Hello Aruba!” and she instantly shows up again.

Who would she be if not a dog?
I don’t know people pure enough to be compared to my dog ​​or a dog in general. For me she is definitely a second daughter. I actually believe that I would give my life for her.

Why do you love her?
Because Battiato sang: “You are a special being and I will take care of you”. Aruba is my special being.

Is there someone to leave her with when you’re not around?
When we go on holiday I leave her in a wonderful place called “Tana Sweet Tana”. Aruba is very attached to us so we tried step by step to get her used to it. The first separation was heartbreaking for all of us, but she knows that we’ll always come back. Ok, ok, to tell you the truth: I always write a long list of recommendations for the guys who take care of her. Too anxious, can’t help it. But in my heart I believe that it is good for her to relate to other dogs every now and then. Funny enough, Aruba usually prefers humans to her own kind. In fact, she grumbles if any dog ​​invades her space, she is very selective but never aggressive, she simply ignores the others. But she has a biiig heart!

Anything that particularly bothers you?
There is nothing I can’t stand about her. But her worst flaw is that she is ravenous and you can’t leave food unattended. Like a shark she prowls around the kitchen, waiting for you to get distracted. Oh, and she has her own ideas. When she doesn’t want to walk in one direction she just stops and won’t walk any further.

What do you like to do together?
We love our walkies in the countryside: I enjoy the silence, she gets drunk on new smells.

Any dreams you would like to come true with her?
I would like to take her with me everywhere I go. Walking with her through Central Park, watching her run on a Caribbean beach… What a pity it is not to be able to share the world’s beauty with her.

Is she a 100% member of the family?
You bet! Aruba is in all respects a daughter and sister to Mia Penelope, my human daughter. She sleeps with us in our bed, even though she finds it hard to climb up. But we don’t mind helping out, picking her up and putting her back to sleep.
I have forgotten what it means to sleep seven hours straight.

Any dog advice you would like to share?
Those who don’t have a dog miss out on the opportunity to love and be loved in the purest way in the world.