Lake Como

Hello! Is anybody there?

I know - it's been an eternity since I last posted a blog. Unfortunately, my laptop 'died' on me and it has taken longer than expected for me to get back on my paws.

Anyway, I'm now back in the blogosphere and raring to share some more of my adventures. Let me start with a posting about my visit a few weeks ago to...

...Lake Como. Let me show you around.

Here I am in the charming town of Lake Como, checking out the view from my hotel room window...


... and this is the view itself. It's brilliant, isn't it?


Once we got settled, we decided to take a stroll along the esplanade.

Man, the lake looked so inviting. Dad had to hold on tight to stop me from diving straight in for a swim!


The obligatory photo pose with Dad. Smile!


Of course, Missus also wanted to get in on the act. Here we are posing with the scenic mountains in the background...


It was truly booti-ful staring out at the sunset across the lake.


Suddenly, I spotted something even more interesting than the sunset...


This is Charlie, a tri-colour Cavaliar King Charles Spaniel.


Pretty soon, Charlie and I began to strike-up a conversation. Apparently he's been living in Como for a while and he knows everything about the place. This prompted me to ask a question on the Missus' behalf...

My question was: "Where's George?". I was referring, of course, to George Clooney, who is often at his house on the shores of Lake Como.



Unfortunately, according to Charlie, George wasn't in Como on the weekend of our visit. He was back in America filming a movie. I can't tell you how disappointed the Missus was!

All too soon it was time for Charlie and me to say our fond farewells. Don't we make an 'odd couple'?

On the second day of our visit, we all decided to take a boat journey along Lake Como to the booti-ful village of Bellagio.
This was our journey from Como to Bellagio.


All aboard! Me and Dad on the ferry.
Of course I'm no stranger to boat rides. In fact, I'm quite a 'sea-dog'. Don't believe me ? Well check out this link from my time in Holland.

Me and Missus. I was supposed to wear a muzzle when on board the ferry...


...As you can see, it didn't last long!


I soon settled down in my favourite spot to admire the views from the boat.


The scenery was breathtaking for the entire journey. Lake Como is famed for its mesmerising views with terracotta rooftops staggered across the mountainous shores.


After two hours, we finally reached Bellagio. I'm sorry to say that we didn't get too many pictures of the village itself. The reason was, as soon as we got off the ferry we ran into this fella...

TA DA! Meet Joe. He's a four year old Golden Retriever who has recently arrived in Italy from Canada! I thought that I was a big boy, but Joe is huge. He's very handsome as well.


Once we had got acquainted, Joe showed me the best spot in Bellagio to go for a swim!


Look at us! That’s Joe on the left and yours truly on the right. We were having a blast!


Joe soon got tired in the freezing water, but I couldn't get enough of it. Eventually Dad had to drag me out! Dang!


Joe (on the left) and me posing for the camera for one last time before we had to say goodbye. I hope we’ll get to meet up for a swim or to play zoomies again in the not too distant future.



Before it got too dark, we had to leave Bellagio (and Joe) and head back to Como...

Back to my favourite viewing spot on the ferry.


I tried to get my 'sea legs' for a better view of the scenery...


...while Missus just lapped-up the atmosphere with a glass of 'bubbly'.


All-in-all, we had a fantastic weekend in a wonderful place.

Ciao!

A Tribute to Balu

It is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you about the passing of my dear friend, Balu. 
I knew Balu when I was living in China. That was 3 years ago when Balu was still a puppy. We would often hang out together and we shared many common interests. For instance, we both loved the same toy, we enjoyed our retrieving games and we also fell in love with the same girl, Kira.
My friendship with Balu came to an abrupt halt when I had to relocate to the Netherlands. But I’ve never forgotten about him. Occasionally, I would send him a Christmas card or get my Missus to drop him an email or two.
He was doing well until around eight months ago. Then, Balu was diagnosed with cancer. His humans were devastated, especially his human dad. They tried many vets and medicines to control the dreadful disease or to make it go away. Unfortunately, none of them were effective. His health deteriorated and his quality of life was no longer there. In other words, he was suffering. Ultimately, his humans had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go.
Balu was only four.
In Loving Memory of

BALU
11 September 2006 – 17 April 2010


Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. It is call the rainbow bridge because of its many colours.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown

Run free Balu. We are going to miss you.
Love,
Homer

Where's Lilly?

My weekend was fantastic. I had a pleasant surprise. Can you remember my little friend Lilly whom I got to know when I was living in China? If you don't, check out here, here, here, here, here and here.

My friend Lilly.


Lilly's human mum is from China and her human dad is Italian. They are here in Italy for a short visit to see Lilly' human grandma. So, my humans and I drove to Livorno to meet up with them. Man, I was excited. I couldn't wait to see Lilly, that little monster. I mean, how often do you get to see a familiar face in a foregin land?

Anyway, we saw Lilly's humans. Greetings were exchanged but there was no sign of Lilly. She didn't come. 'Sob'. It was too far for her to travel all the way from China to Italy. I was disappointed but I still enjoyed my time with Lilly's humans.


This is me with Lilly's humans.


Bye Luca and Giada. Thanks for the wonderful evening. I hope to see you soon, with Lilly too!

Ciao!