Spending the Dog Days in Italy

  
During summer vacation, I went to a piano course in Italy. Gina, who of course came along, was allowed to walk around the theater where we had our lessons. If she got bored with listening, she could always play with Pepita, our teacher's dog who was also present, or persuade someone to pet her. Of course all these people banging on the keys left an impression on her and I didn't have to ask her twice if she would also like to play. With the clicker and some cookies she quickly learned how to get on the chair and play.
Gina liked the lessons okay, but lunchtime was her real favorite. We always went to the same restaurant and the people there soon got used to having two canine guests. The chef's wife, who also helped with the cooking, insisted on feeding not only us, but also the dogs. In fact the dogs were so important, that after the people had gotten their appetizers, she would cook for the dogs first. Then she would come and bring the dogs pasta. Gina learned to like her really fast: every time the cook entered the dining room, she was up and about wagging like crazy. Once the dogs had eaten, the wife would go back to the kitchen to cook for us people (who were usually starving by now).
  Gina simply loved it in Italy. She learned to master the art of eating Spaghetti almost as well as Pepita, who is a pro.