Over 100,000 dogs are abandoned in Italy every year, along with several thousand other animals.

I didn't grow up with cats. I grew up away from them — my parents are both quite allergic (pollen, cats, and most dogs, aside from the hypoallergenic kind, Yorkies). Cats, and kittens were forbidden from coming within a half-mile radius of any of us.

Bella doesn’t understand Bird Flu and has no idea what the risk is.

Yes, I am one of those people who likes to walk with an overly cute and accessorized animal.

As a one-dog-to-another team, Drexall and Bella are unstoppable.

Knowing I was leaving Italy in two weeks, I began the Sisyphean task of getting Bella her "documents."

Many Italian restaurants, cafes, shops, offices, trains, churches and even butchers welcome animals with open arms.