Amor veneris

Last Monday I was quite bored at home so I headed to a public library in Salvador. There, I started to search one book long enough to keep me entertained but short enough to finish it in one sitting (to say, three hours). Fortunately, the first book I took out from the bookshelf was very amusing and perfect for my requirements.

The book`s name is “The Anatomist”, written by Federico Andahazi. The book is about the Realdo Colombo, one famous anatomist of the XVI century from the University of Padua. He`s a celebrity not only because he wrote “re anatomica” or he was a disciple of Vesalio. He is also known for being the first one to describe the clitoris on an official anatomical book. The story is about the succession of events that leaded him to publish his “discovery”, from his infatuation with a prostitute to all the trouble with the Vaticano because of the scandal that meaned sexualize the women`s body.

I absolutely loved the book because the history was told in a way that appalled to sensation and emotional reactions to the twisted morality of the academic and ecclesiastic elite from Europe in that time. I totally recommend it, especially to people who like to know about science history.

At risk to be lame

Social relationships are complex and interesting. Relationships with animals are also beautiful. In my particular case, I had the most amazing experience with my family dogs, so I think that dogs are the best pets ever.

When I was a kid I had greyhound dog named Luna. With kids she was the most playful, loyal and protective dog you would want but she also was very skilled at haunting and winning in Chilean races, so she was a very useful and we were proud (well, we still are) of her. Sadly, one New Year eve´s she went out to our neighborhood and never came back. We looked for her a lot of days, but we didn´t get a clue.

Later, when I was a teenager, my niece`s grandmother gave us a poodle dog. I must to confess: I didn´t like him at first and I still don´t like poodle dogs. I think they are too small, too annoying, too spoiled, too fussy and they are rather stupid. 

But life has pleasant surprises and this one was special. He was the sweetest dog.  We named him Tontón (but later derived in Totó) because when he was little he liked to climb in the beds and furniture and then cried because he was too scared to get down. He also cried every morning when I left to school and he stayed alone in the house. But he was very funny, obedient and loving. He was my partner in crime and always accompanied me when I had to go somewhere near. Sadly again, he also went missing.

Then I had a turtle and now I have a rabbit, but with those two dogs I experienced one of the purest forms of love and made the happiest memories.