By Ryan Manor
Throughout the streets of Italy, it’s hard to ignore the abundance of Italians accompanied by their fabulous dogs. The cobblestone streets of Florence are swarming with leash-less pooches following closely behind their owners, doing a better job at navigating through the traffic of people than I can admit about myself. Even without a patch of grass in sight, these pooches seem completely and utterly at ease. Not to mention their impeccable fashion sense, from designer jackets to top hats, the people of Florence truly take dog ownership to an entirely new level. By observing these relationships, you can learn much more about Italian culture than you might think.
Italian dog ownership is more comparable to how one treats their child. I’ve come to learn that most of the time when I spot a baby stroller, I am more likely to see a pooch inside than an actual child. In Florence, the breeds of dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from little Italian Greyhounds to gentle giants like Saint Bernards and Neapolitan Mastiffs. Dogs are on every corner and you’ll often find them in stores and restaurants, where they behave in a perfectly normal and well-behaved manner. In all the time I have spent in Florence, I have never seen a disobedient dog, heard a bark or growl, or received unwanted attention from an overexcited puppy, as they are only really interested in their owners. When I approach dogs here, they seem completely uninterested and usually do not even look in my direction. They are simply focused on following their owners, continuing with them on whatever adventure arises that day.
This relationship represents how the obedient, calm, content Italian lifestyle extends further than the people who reside here and has been adopted into the culture of their animals as well. I think these distinct differences can be attributed to the care and respect given to the dogs here. Their presence is so common in places from grocery stores to restaurants to boutiques, that they have become accustomed to living more like people do. They have a sense of respect for the people they see and places they visit, and in turn, are respected back; They are simply just happy to be experiencing life alongside their owners.
I did not think I would be able to gain anything from the random dogs I pass on the street, but living in Florence has multiplied my respect and admiration for them and their lifestyles. The intimate relationships between Florentine dogs and their owners are not only a reflection of Italians themselves, but provide us with a helpful reminder to be more present in life. Like the Italians, the dogs of Florence live peacefully amidst the chaos of life in a bustling city. Sonext time you walk the streets of Florence, take a moment to admire the behavior of the dogs around town.