Street Dogs of Pompeii, ITALY

The dog represented in the Cave Canem mosaic, in the House of the Tragic Poet, is the most famous evidence that dogs were part of daily life in Pompeii.  The (C)Ave Canem project cares for the many dogs now living among the ruins.  Dogs are vaccinated, registered, and available for adoption.  Each dog is given a name inspired by the particular area of the site the dog lives in, often references to ancient owners and historical houses.

According to the adoption website, this is Octavius.

This woofer was one I might have photographed the last time I was in Pompeii, in 2008.  We ran across him several times as we toured the ruins.

This Shepherd mix, listed on the Pompeii adoption website as Europa, lounges with paws crossed near the exit of the site.

This young pup insisted on a close-up, running up to the camera and grinning into the lens every time I crouched for a photo opp.

Pompeii, ITALY

Pompeii was destroyed during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius during its two-day eruption in AD 79. The volcano buried Pompeii under 60 feet of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1,700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. Pompeii attracts almost 2.6 million visitors per year.







Entering the ruins:

Intricate mosaic walkways, rows of columns, and wall structures—weary survivors of the ash and heat of an angry volcano.

The House of Faun.

The Forum

Bakery ovens, one of the major roads through the city, and the Casa della Caccia Antica (a typical Pompeii house, with frescoes that have survived time and nature’s fury).

Among the ruins, street dogs make their home.