Allies.......

Ally: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) -
al·ly /v. əˈlaɪ; n. ˈælaɪ, əˈlaɪ/ Pronunciation Key -verb, -lied, -ly·ing, noun, plural -lies.
–verb (used with object)

1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually fol. by with or to): Russia allied itself to France.
2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
–verb (used without object)
3. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
–noun
4. a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose: Canada and the United States were allies in World War II.
5. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.

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[Origin: 1250–1300; ME alien < AF al(l)ier, aillaier, OF alier < L alligāre to bind to. See alloy]


Not surprisingly, I have been feeding a stray dog for months. This particular dog limps around the village- usually down the middle of the road. (Probably how he got the limp.) White and tan, he reminds me of some character from an Edgar Allen Poe story- driven and running madly through the streets. He is extremely skittish- he starts to run if I get closer than about 100 feet. When we see him I pull over, wherever I happen to be, and deliver food to him in a Tupperware dish. I rattle the dish- now he recognizes the sound and realizes I mean him no harm. He still doesn't let me get any closer, but he simply stands up to warn me and doesn't immediately hobble away.

So, I traipse through fields at all hours of the day. The Italians who see me stare at me. I can feel their eyes on me and when I turn to see them, they meet my gaze and continue to stare. One man looks at me from behind the curtains in his house. It's creepy. I have my reply prepared if someone approaches me to inquire about my activities. But this whole process has me feeling like a criminal- trespassing and all.

Now, everything is different because I have a friend.

I met Josie in a field near the garbage cans- sweet, eh? I inquired about a nasty-gram someone posted on the garbage bin. She explained what it meant, and then I guess felt obligated to tell me what she was doing in the field. Honestly, I never would have asked. I wonder if she felt guilty and strange too? Anyway, she told me she was feeding a dog and then did this little limping gesture. I smiled and said, "Anch'Io!" (Me too). I went to the car to show her the bag of food I carry around. We were both thrilled. I confessed that people stare and I feel weird. She gave a sort of snort and said, "We won't be afraid now, because we are two!" My heart was so happy- still is.