Vicenza with Oscar and Ranger – what fun! Two boxers, 9 and 14, early risers (6am on the dot!) with funny personalities. I think we have macchiatoed at every cafe in the city over 3.5 weeks with these two. Our Italian has expanded every so slightly but as our dog’s owner was American we didn’t have to learn the Italian for sit – unlike our Greek dogs in Santorini (katso kado if you’re interested.)

Vicenza is Palladio’s dream town. A stonemason turned architect, he is responsible for Vicenza’s beauty. And, as it’s located between the hotspots of Verona and Venice, isn’t always on people’s itinerary. Great for us- fewer tourists! Cheaper coffees! Cheaper spritz; a local drink with prosecco and aperol. Neon orange, cool and just perfect in the main square or the terrace of the Basilico.

So a month of wandering Italian streets with two slobberers has been great. I love feeling a bit more like a local when we’re petsitting. People stop us and want to chat about the dogs. How old are they? Masculina or feminina? And then go off on a roll for a while before they realise that our Italian is not that amazing. Though even that hasn’t stopped many people. People even pull out pictures of their pets. Love it!

As always, petsitting is a trust excercise. We met the lovely Christie, who put her trust in us to look after her flat and her beloved dogs. I am always amazed and humbled by the trust people put in us and love that these exchanges occur. So much crappy distrust in the world – it’s nice to put a little trust back in.