The story is a vivid recollection of a forty-year history of a dog, set in Syria during the 19th century. The narrator, an Italian refugee, shares his memories of the Italian community in Syria, who were primarily artists and craftsmen struggling to make ends meet. Amidst the poverty and struggle, the Italians had a penchant for flattery, and their exaggerated praises often bordered on the ridiculous. One of the most entertaining Italians was a former Garibaldi sergeant who worked as a salvager or miracle worker. He and his troupe, including a curly-haired man named Pluto, amused the Syrians with their performances, including imitations of Pope Pion Nonnon and the Judgment of Paris. The story is a humorous and colorful account of life in Syria during a bygone era, where even a dog's breakfast could be an event worth remembering.