Ciao miei amici!

La mia ragazza, mia zia and I, Lucia, had a splendidly busy day last Venerdì (Friday!) Il mattino (the morning) began ordinarily enough with my delicious prima colazione (breakfast) of Orijen kibbles and a spoonful of yogurt (mmmmmm kibbles and yogurt …). Soon after breakfast, la mia ragazza turned me loose in the yardie so I could bark my usual congenial morning greetings to i vicini (the neighbors)

Ciao, cari vicini! E 'un altro giorno glorioso! (Hello, dear neighbors! It’s another glorious day!)

and then take care of various duties of a personal hygiene nature (NO!!! Please do not show that mortifying photo again!!), while inside, la mia ragazza dried i capelli (her hair) for 341 hours. Santa vacca! I, Lucia, could sing an entire Puccini opera ...

... in the time it takes her to fuss with her hair!!

When I came back inside, she put on my collar and leash and announced, “Andiamo, Lucia!” (“Let’s go, Lucia!”) She, zia (aunt) Conni and I went to the car, where she clipped me into my seat belt and then off we went. We drove and drove and drove and DROVE – I thought we probably had crossed the equator – and then finally, quasi due ore più tardi (almost two hours later), way, way out in the midst of molto verdi e alto alberi (many green and tall trees), we turned down a long lane and then … I saw something that looked like THIS:

La mia ragazza was too slow with the camera, so these are stand-in goats.

Santa vacca!!! Or, rather, santa capra!! (holy goat!)
I was fixated on those kids (heeeeee!!! I made a little joke!!!!) … until I heard the tell-tale and unmistakable sound of Airedales barking!!!!! Dov'ero? (Where was I? ) Era questo un dolce sogno!?!? (Was this a sweet dream!?!?)

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

I was absolutely perplesso e confuse (perplexed and confused) until I saw the large and colorful Airedale banner waving from a flagpole, and a sign on the gate surrounding the nearby house that read, “Airedale Terrier Crossing.” We were at an Airedale kennel!!! Just look at these glorious resident ‘dales!!!!

Ciao, i miei Aire-cugini! (Hello, my Aire-cousins!)

La mia ragazza was very glad to find such a magnificent Aire-kennel, with such kind, knowledgeable and aire-xperienced owners (molto grazie, Sharon and Rita!!!) not too far from la casa della mia zia Conni (my aunt Conni’s house). There are bella cagnolini (beautiful doggies) and meraviglioso proprietari (wonderful owners) who lovvvve Airedales, all set in the midst of serene, peaceful surroundings. I, Lucia, received a bellissima aire-cut while la mia ragazza and zia Conni chatted with Sharon and played with some of the doggies. And though I did not get a chance to make the personal acquaintance of any of those very compelling capri (goats) -- which, given my friendly and congenial nature, I very much wanted to do (pllllbbbbbbb to la mia ragazza, who wouldn't let me) --it was still an eccellente (excellent) day, all around.
Now, speaking of all things Airedalian, here is a pikkie of la mia ragazza’s friend’s Bullwinkle:

Si, si (Yes, yes), he is quite il bel ragazza (the handsome boy), and there is no question la mia ragazza is completely smitten with him. Ah, she is so fickle!!! What about her darlingest Lucia!?!?! But I wonder … sta per essere il mio fratellino? (is he to be my baby brother ?) Forse mio cugino? (Perhaps my cousin?) Will we ever meet??? Ah, destino! (Ah, destiny!) I, Lucia, am genuinely puzzled!

Tanti baci!
Lucia