Sicilian Mixed Breed

Animals are one of my very favorite parts of travel.

Horseback riding into a flock of seagulls on the Oregon coast is one of my all time favorite travel memories. And when I really sit and think on it, a lot of my meaningful travel memories involve animals. 

I had a bit of a love affair with my darling camel, Leena, who toured me through the Agafay desert in Africa.  I can still see her long, long eyelashes and sweet, gentle eyes like it was yesterday.  And, my main memory of Versailles, is an ornery baby goat I spent more time enjoying at Marie Antoinette’s hamlet, than in the Hall of Mirrors. 

But of all the animals I’ve met along the way, my very favorite is a dog (who I don’t even know his name) who befriended me in the hills of Sicily.

I spent 2 weeks in Sicily for my 40th birthday.  During my time on the fabulous island, I stayed in the city, the country and by the sea.  The accommodations in the countryside were simply lovely, and even a bit primitive. 

Each morning,  I’d pocket a couple of apples from the villa’s kitchen and I’d go for a walk along a long country path and soak in the quiet of a new day.  The walk was littered with abandoned out buildings from generations passed as well as the couple of donkeys and horses currently used on the property - who thoroughly enjoyed their morning apples.

It was a lovely way to start each day.

But the best part of the walks was my walking buddy.

This guy, the farm dog, joined me every single day.  We’d go up and back along the path and before I knew it he was visiting me at my room each morning and evening.  I just couldn’t get enough of this sweet soul.

Funny how in worlds far away, where we don’t share a language with humans, we can so quickly connect and befriend animals.  Is it because there is no language barrier?  No words to confuse? Or is it because animals can see and feel energy in its purest form and so generously give us theirs?

I can’t say for certain why, but what I can say is that animals, and this sweet boy in particular, have a way of imprinting my heart all over the world.  And for that, I am so very grateful.