Dog Day Afternoon

July in Rome and all the dogs do is pant. 

 

 

It’s hot, it’s humid and the streets are streaming with tourists.  The air is thick with a smattering of assorted tongues: different languages buzzing above my ears and an array of tongues dripping before me. 

 

Thank God Rome is replete with fountains at every piazza.  Most are dog-low, and those that aren’t have broad enough lips to grant any dog a steady perch for a long drink. 

 

Rome fountains are still fed by the clear, pure water of the hills to the east.  Where there isn’t a fountain the savvy dog can always find a nasone: the nose shaped pipe that offers a constant flow of cool water, any hour of the day.  The truly parched canine will stand just under the nozzle until his coat is drenched. 

 

L’ultimo in “cool” tricks, no?  Who says an old dog can’t learn?

 

Chow.