When Italian-Canadians return from a trip to the motherland, they usually come back with luggage filled with souvenirs, the odd cheese and/or meat from their parents’ or grandparents’ hometown, and a new pair of shoes. For Toronto-born Marcangelo Benevenga, a trip to Italy would change his life in a most unexpected way.
During a recent trek through the streets of Venice, Benevenga came across a dog breed he had never seen before. It looked like a wolf, on a leash, out for a walk with its owner. Soon, he would notice that same breed everywhere in the streets of Italy.
With the help of Google, Benevenga soon became well versed in all things Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. A German Shepherd-wolf hybrid that originated in the 1950s in Czechoslovakia, it has become a very popular dog breed in Italy.
Benevenga grew up with dogs. Now a young entrepreneur venturing out on his own, he wanted to become a dog owner. Now he knew exactly what breed of dog he wanted.
Since Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are extremely rare in Canada, there are no breeders to be found in the country. Instead, Benevenga found a breeder in Potenza, Italy, and in August of 2018, owner and dog united.
Little Arya – a name inspired by Benevenga’s favourite Game of Thrones character – would prove a challenge to train. Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are not for everyone. They require a lot of patience and a lot of training. Benevenga was up for the task. And the experience became the inspiration for Benevenga’s first book.
“I wanted to share Arya’s story. So many people have questions when they meet her,” Benevenga explains.
Written for kids aged eight to twelve, Is That a Wolf or a Dog? is the story of Benevenga and Arya’s relationship, with a few artistic licenses.
In the story, for example, Marc is a young teenager who brings Arya into the family home. In reality, Benevenga was 30 years old when he got Arya.
“I’m a big kid at heart,” Benevenga muses when asked why he chose to write a children’s book.
“This is a middle kids’ book. So it can also appeal to adults, to parents buying the book for their kids. My goal is definitely to bring awareness to this breed, and to show that this breed is not for all owners. You definitely need to be patient to own this type of dog. This story teaches the reader about being a responsible dog owner,” he continues.
Benevenga estimates that there are currently ten Czechoslovakian Wolfdog owners across all of Canada. There are over 14,000 Czechoslovakian Wolfdog owners in Italy.
“I have over 3000 followers on Facebook, and over two-thirds are based in Italy,” he explains.
Since self-publishing Is That a Wolf or a Dog? in February, Benevenga has been extremely satisfied with the response.
“The reception has been fantastic. People in Italy especially love it.”
Benevenga published an Italian version of the book at the same time as the English-language release.
An entrepreneur by trade – and at heart – Benevenga is already planning a second book featuring the misadventures of Arya. He is also working on a comic strip and a video game, all featuring his favourite canine.
Benevenga and Arya will also be featured in an upcoming Netflix documentary series about the relationship between dogs and their owners.
“I gotta keep busy. It runs in my family. My dad owns a restaurant. We are all entrepreneurs at heart,” Benevenga muses.
To learn more about Marcangelo Benevenga and Arya, or to purchase a copy of Is That a Wolf or a Dog?, please visit www.wolfordog.com.
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