"Pug" Cani in Italia

A few years ago (2005) I studied abroad in Italy (Sicily, more specifically, the most under-rated part of Italy for studying abroad) and was, even back then, obsessed with pugs. It was back when I was in college and Oliver was still alive. Surprisingly, in about 5 weeks, I managed to run into MULTIPLE pugs in Taormina- a town in Sicily, probably the most beautiful place on earth. (Go ahead- see for yourself!)

I had barely learned Italian at the point of my first run-in with a pug (I ended up getting a B in the class!), but I still managed to squeak out something like "ho un simile cane," which I think means "I have that kind of dog." This was dog #1:

His name was something with an "O", which I remember because it sounded like Oli, my dog's nickname. I wish I remembered, I think it was like "Oldo" or something.

Pug #2 had an "M" name (it was a long time ago, people!) and was quite cute. I saw it many many times but the owners thought I was crazy and would walk swiftly away before I could take a photo.

Pug #3 was named Elvis, we found him while sunbathing on Isola Bella.

His mommy wasn't Italian (I don't think- she spoke GREAT English and her dog's name is Elvis...) so we talked about pugs and she let me pet him. The whole time he just chilled under her chair!

Pug #4 was seen out during my last night in Taormina. I was at a bar and all of a sudden noticed two things- 1) a pair of fabulous shoes, very Italian! 2) a pug. In a BAR.

By this point my Italian was great so we talked about the pug a little. Her name was something like "Bibite" which means "drinks" in Italian, but I think it just sounded like that, and I associated it with the closest Italian word to it that I knew.

What a cute little chubby pug!!!! I really miss Italy... at least I know there are pugs there for me when I go back. Has anyone else found any pugs (or dogs of your kind) while traveling far, far away?