βI used heroin for ten years. Β It wasnβt a very good life, as youβd expect. Β I had my son taken from me. I lost my job at the Fiat factory. Β I spent all my time trying to find money, find dealers, and stay away from police. Β I hated myself. Β I couldnβt face anyone. Β Then one day my friendβs dog had puppies. Β Iβd never had a dog before, but I always liked animals, so I told him to give me the smallest and ugliest one he had. Β The one nobody else wanted. Β And thatβs how I got Joe. Β Joe was the angel of my life. Β We understood each other. Β There was no need for words. Β He followed me around all the time. Β He slept next to me on the street. Β The moment I opened my eyes in the morning he would lick my face. Β He gave me self-esteem. Β I was a complete loser but at least I could take care of Joe. Β I could bring him to the park. Β I could bring him to the vet. Β I could raise enough money to get his medication. Β Heβs the reason I was finally able to quit heroin. Β Because if something happened to me, what would happen to him? Β So I got clean. Β It was hard but I got clean. Β Joe lived for another thirteen years. Β He got a tumor in 2012 and held on a few more months. Β I barely survived it. Β I was able to stay off drugs, but I promised myself that Iβd never get another dog. Β Itβs just too painful. Β But two years ago I found Leica beneath a mobile home. Β She was all skin and bones. Β Sheβd been abandoned. Β I didnβt have a choice. Β For the first few months I called her Joe. Β But I had to stop. Β Because Joeβs gone. Β And the name doesnβt really matter, anyway. Β It just matters that I love her.β
(Rome, Italy)