Did you know that Milano is a “dog” city? No? Take a stroll through the streets and parks in the center and study! But don’t step into dog poo…

If you ask me there is no other city in the world where people are so crazy about dogs like here in Milan. Non-offical statistics assume that 240.000 dogs are living in Milan.

Comments like: “Amore”, “Che carino”, “Bellissimo”, ” Meraviglioso”, “Ma che bello che sei!” are standard when a dog is passing by.

Funnily enough, Berlin is believed to be a “cat” city. Oh BTW, there is a joke spread around by the cat fraction and it goes like this: A dog meets a cat and says:” My folks, they care about me, they feed me, they love me. I suppose they are Gods.” Says the cat:” My folks, they care about me, they feed me, they love me. I suppose I’m a God.”

In Milan it is absolutely common if not standard to have a dog or even two or three. And the dog breeds you will see around, wow! There are breeds you didn’t even know they were existing. The more exotic breed the more often the owners have pairs or groups of them.

‘Area cane’ the gated green areas where your dog is aloud off the leash are all over town and sometimes even tiny little spots in between two lanes. Most people walk their dog(s) regularly in the same place. Which means they all know each other, folks and dogs. There are hidden rules and morals that you will only experience when you come more often and become “friends” with folks and dogs. If not, you find yourself surrounded by a pack chasing your dog.

Any business around the dog is a success: dog sitters, dog walkers, dog trainers, all the supply of food and accessories, vets, kennels/boarding houses, you name it.

One of my business ideas is to design super expensive cute little handbags to carry your dog. Of course first you buy the bag and afterwards the dog – to go with the bag 🙂 You think that is odd? Not a bit of it!

I have seen upper class women in the center taking their dogs (of course more than one) for a “walk” in a stroller. Or more often you will see the maids doing the walking job.

And when it comes to names for the dog. Mama mia! Very trendy are old fashioned German names. Believe it or not, I have heard and seen the dogs called:

HERMANN, HANS, HUGO, MARTIN, HELMUT, EGON, EMIL, OTTO, EMMA etc.pp. And even… PETRA (no comment).

You might ask yourself if I have a dog? Take a guess!

Followup July 1, 2020:

I have become a collector of dog names now.
Here are some newcomers:
Rudolf, Balduin, Joachim.
To be continued!
And last but not least:
In the fashion district I saw a dog today with red shoes (but,Thank God, no heels)!