October 28, 2019

Dear Friends,
You haven't heard from me in a while because I have been waiting for the right time to unveil our big news.  We have a buyer for our Italian house.  This buyer did not come through any of the realtors we have been dealing with for some time.  They have not brought more than 2 people by all summer.  The buyers found out about our house because Maree made some posters and left them at two of our friends restaurants.  The couple buying our house saw one of the posters and contacted us to come and see it.  Like us, they had been looking for a house on and off for five years.  We will sign preliminary contracts on October 31, but the final sale will not close until March, 2020.  So, we will be back in California for two months for the holidays.  Then we will return to Italy for two months.  Then we come back to California for good this time.  So, life around here has been quite busy trying to gather everything we need for the contract document called a compromesso in Italy and then for the final closing documents.  We would not be able to get this done without the help of our dear friend Giuseppe.  He took charge and got us the appointment with the notaio and told us what we needed to make the compromesso.

In the midst of all of the house preparations, Jim and Maree have been taking care of routine business like renewing Maree's permit to stay which expired this month, renewing Maree's expired driving license, getting a residenza which may have some bearing on any taxes on the sale of the house.  I got dragged along to all the appointments, obviously.  All this standing in lines, sitting around, waiting, listening to people speak in a language none of us really understand is quite tiring and stress making for me.  I'll be happy when all of this business is concluded.  But I don't think I am too happy about getting on a airplane for the long haul back to the US. 

The house deal is not the only news from here, however.  This week I celebrated my second birthday, and my second birthday here in Italy.  There were some presents and a canettone, a panettone made for dogs.  I got a necktie for a present, now I look truly Presidential.  But I won't wear my tie so it hangs around my crouch.  I'll wear it like normal dogs do. 

With all of the things going on around here, no one has had as much time for me as I would like.  I am quite demanding about getting attention.  So twice in the last couple of weeks, I managed to break the fence and scamper off in the fields.  Maree was rather freaked out when she couldn't find me in the house or in the yard.  She called and called, but did I come?  NO.  I don't like anybody telling me what to do, and that includes coming when I am called.  Besides, I was having too much fun wandering around and getting into all kinds of new things.  Of course, this time of year there are hunters and their dogs around, so it is rather dangerous for me to be out running around, but what did I know.  There was so much to explore.  The only way Maree finally got me in the house is by tossing  a paper towel roll inside for me to come and get it.  I just can't resist those paper towel rolls.  But I'm not sure that I'll ever fall for that one again.  Once I was in the house,  Maree spent a very long time checking me over and brushing me looking for deer ticks.  I came home with about a half dozen of them crawling in my fur.  I liked the added attention of being so well groomed, but I didn't like the ticks. 

My Presidential campaign is heating up, and picking up new support daily.  I now have 1,550 twitter followers and the number keeps increasing.  This campaign has sure been a lesson in vocabulary for me: emoluments, impeachment, quid pro quo.  And it has been a lesson in how not to act as President.  It's been rather embarrassing some of the words coming out of the mouth of that fellow in the white house.  Did people really vote for him?  Does half the country still support him?  I sometimes think that I am definitely the best candidate out there.  I have no dirty laundry to be exposed, no ties to the Ukraine or Russia, have never told a lie, would never think of calling anyone "scum of the earth" or to using the derogatory word lynching.  In addition, I have youth on my side, and I definitely have the best hair.  Talk about full disclosure, I have even shared many of my baby photos and challenged all other candidates to do the same, but so far there have been no takers.  I don't understand why?  Is it because they know they just can't compete with me on the AWW factor? 

My Four Feet Forward campaign slogan has now become a Friday event on dog twitter.  Each dog (and family) are encouraged to do something special for someone or the earth on Fridays like pick up some trash or their droppings or plant a tree since digging holes is so much fun, or taking some things to be recycled.  Speaking of picking up doggie droppings, one of my friends wants to know, "Who picks up after guide dogs?"  If you know the answer to this burning question, you must share it. 

Well, it is almost my dinner time.  Turkey and sweet potatoes and green beans tonight.  At least I eat like a Presidential candidate.  Hope you have a good week and a good meal out at your favorite restaurant.  My favorite restaurant is right here at home.

Keep the faith, things always work out in the end,

Your pal, Dino for President 2020