On the occasion of World Dog Day, celebrated on 26 August, Vidas honours the profound and therapeutic bond that an animal can offer, presenting the illustrated fable Quieta, Nina! This illustrated story, available for free in digital format on vidas.it, tells the story of Nina, a shih tzu dog, and her "little brother" Luca, a boy with Miller-Dieker syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition.

Written by psychologist and psychotherapist Chiara Tosini, the story delicately explores themes such as fragility, love and loss, offering an authentic glimpse into the world of those facing an incurable illness.

The therapeutic power of a four-legged friend

Nina's presence has been a silent yet fundamental source of support for Luca and his family. Animals, with their capacity for unconditional affection, are widely recognised as having a therapeutic role: they help reduce anxiety and stress, conveying a sense of calm even in the most difficult moments.

Nina recounts with love and innocence her perception of a boy who, though he cannot speak, communicates through glances and gentle sounds. It is the language of cubs: "Since Luca was born we have had our very own way of communicating, an alphabet of the heart, made of scents, skin and caresses."

The little dog not only observes Luca, but "feels" him in a profound way that goes beyond words. Through Nina's eyes, the reader comes to understand how a child like Luca, despite his silence, radiates a light that touches every heart, transforming fragility into a beauty that needs no words to express itself.

The "glittering children" are not only fragile — they are also witnesses to an invisible strength that enriches the lives of all who welcome them with love, just as Nina, with her silent and affectionate presence, offers unconditional support, even in the most painful moments.

A home for the most fragile children

"Sometimes we all go together to a different house. I call it: our other home" – Chiara Tosini has Nina say – "It's a house with a big red lift, with lots of drawings on the walls and colours suited to children like Luca. We meet them as we walk down the corridor that leads to our room. There's a place for me there too. In our other home there is so much love all around. The grown-ups all wear a blue uniform, as blue as my brother's eyes. They smile and come as soon as mum calls them, even with just a glance. They know how to stroke Luca so gently that, even when they use strange wires and machines, he never complains."

The story also features Casa sollievo bimbi, the first paediatric hospice in Lombardy, opened by Vidas in 2019, where Luca and his parents found specialist care, psychological support and a welcoming environment in which to experience moments of peace.

The hardest of all losses

The story of Nina and Luca, with all its tenderness, is an invitation to see fragility as a form of strength, and to recognise in animals precious companions along this journey. But it is also a gentle tale for confronting the hardest of all losses: that of a child.

"I had a dream: Luca had a canvas bag, inside there were just a few seeds. He knelt down and, together, we planted them. One is called patience. One, love. One, hardship. One, loneliness. These seeds are magical, because as soon as they are watered they begin to grow. From every seedling, even the one with a difficult and frightening name, the most beautiful flowers were born. It is as if even from the most terrifying fear a smile can come, perhaps wet with a tear."