Monday, January 9, 2017

4 .


A balmy Sunday afternoon. Sophie is taken out into the garden for a major grooming. Wearing the harness does nothing for her coat. After a brushing and an hours doze in the sunshine she's ready for anything.


The family diva was up at five this morning. The household roused by that unmistakable  '' I need out ! Now ! '' yelp . There is nothing designed to get a dog owner up and dressed more quickly than that yelp.  Yesterday, Sophie liberated a roll of kitchen paper. By the time it was discovered and retrieved she had shredded much of it and chewed a fair amount. This morning the digested cellulose makes an urgent pre-dawn appearance. Standing there with a torch in my hand I'm reminded of the Seinfeld quote : '' Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them is making a poop, the other one's carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge ? "



Bob takes all this excitement in his stride.


As we're up so early the male dog and his master head off to the covered market in Toulouse. At this quiet time of the morning it's a mere 45 minutes down the empty motorway. When we get there the market is shrouded in a kind of Stygian gloom punctuated by flickering Christmas lights and harsh neon. It's surprisingly busy for six am.


We buy some lamb and some fresh salmon. Then we go to the super fancy patisserie by the car park. Cakes here are 50% more expensive than anywhere else but are made with Michelin star attention. The raspberries fresh, not frozen. Even 'The Font' ( who usually takes one mouthful of the cakes and then pushes the plate across for me to finish ) says these are remarkably good. Bob gets given a sliver of croissant. In France even the fancy bakers cater for their four legged visitors. How civilized is that ?


Today the PON duo celebrate their fourth birthday. Perhaps there will be some fresh salmon with their kibbles tonight. There will certainly be a lot of laughter.






31 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

A very Happy Birthday to the siblings!
I would say salmon is definitely in order.
xo

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Monsieur Bob and Mlle Sophie. 4!!!!!!!!! and many more to come. Yes salmon does sounds nice. I guess the cakes are one each for the humans and one each for the birthday boy and girl. You are only 4 once.

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

A joyous birthday for Bob and Sophie! May the four year olds have the best day ever ! ! !

The Life of Riley said...

Four birthday barks to the PON duo from New Zealand. We really enjoy your reading about Bob and Sophie's adventures and life at the ROFH as you celebrate every day how wonderful it is to have them living with you and the Font. Enjoy your celebrations tonight and add something tasty to their kibble to get to see that lip licking satisfaction dogs do so well!!!

WFT Nobby said...

Happy 4th birthday Bob and Sophie. May your day be filled will all the good things in life, with love, laughter and salmon to the fore.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Coppa's girl said...

Happy Birthday from one Capricorn (me) to two others ! It's bound to be a fun filled day, and we hope they enjoy every minute. Salmon for dinner - yes, but surely those aren't cakes, they're works of art !
Sending extra special birthday woofs from Petite-Chose and Inca, too.

Virginia said...

Another Happy Birthday from New Zealand! I note that there were no prices displayed on the wares today - that's usually an ominous sign.... "thin of a price and double it" perhaps? Or worse? :-0 But for a birthday, the extra isn't counted, is it?

Taste of France said...

Happy birthday to Bob and Sophie. Et surtout la santé.
You have no idea how jealous I am of your metabolism. I gained two kilos just looking at this photo.

booahboo said...

Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie!!!

Kari said...

Happy Birthday dear PON friends and many happy returns of the day! How can you be four already when I myself have aged two years in the same period? Time does, indeed, fly. May each birthday bring the start of the best year ever.
I'll heartily enjoy all three pastries and spend tomorrow running stairs.

VirginiaC said...

Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie!!
Four years of birthdays already...gives me some perspective on how fast time flies.
Wishing you many more birthdays with lots of blessings and Bajan love from way over here.
Brownie says make sure you get coconut ice cream....that's the stuff true birthdays are made of.

serena said...

Happy birthday from Kentucky, sweet Pon babes. Thank you for sharing your first four years.

Swan said...

Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie🎉

Anonymous said...

A very Happy 4th Birthday, Bob and Sophie. 4? Where has the time gone.
4 kisses for each nose.
x

Beau and Mom said...

A Very Happy Birthday to Bob and Sophie! Wow, 4 years has gone by quickly. (thanks for letting us be part of it.)
It sounds like a feast is in store tonight, enjoy the treats they look yummy good.

10NISNE1 said...

Happy Birthday to Bob and Sophie!!!

Kathie said...

Happy Birthday, Sophie and Bob! You bring me a smile every single day! Thank you

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday to the PONs!! As a dog owner I was laughing out loud with your reference to the Seinfeld episode. Double smiles today!

Jean said...

Happy birthday to the dynamic duo! I hope you all have a wonderful day.
(How marvellous that the posh bakers spoil their canine customers, civilised indeed.)

Unknown said...

Happiest 4th birthday ever, dear Bob and Sophie! May your day be filled with joy!
Surely those are fantasy pastries.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

A Very Happy Birthday to the PON's!

rottrover said...

Happy Fourth Birthday, Bob and Sophie! Many wishes for good health for all this year!

-Otto and Osa in Southern California

Anonymous said...

Four years of joy! Happy Birthday Bob and Sophie!
From Pam and Lola Doodle in New Hampshire

Anonymous said...

Joyeux anniversaire Bob & Sophie !

Sbuckley said...

Happy Birthday Bob & Sophie! May the new year bring good health, plenty of treats and plenty of hugs to you both!

Anonymous said...

We're a little late to the party but wanted to wish you both a happy birthday. Lots of good health and sausages in 2017.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Can't believe they're four!

Myboyzach said...

Happy birthday Sophie and Bob. How time flies. And today was the best day ever!!

isa said...

Sto lat, Sophie and Bob!(Those are traditional birthday wishes in Polish, meaning "wishing you 100 years!")
And for their keeper - here's a clip to add some joviality to the celebration :-)
https://www.facebook.com/BBCScotland/videos/1538070669556026/

Liz Van Buren said...

Happiest birthday darlings! Neither of you look a day over two! And I actually thought that was how old you were. Holey moley! xxoo

Poppy Q said...

Happy birthday to our favorite 2 dogs - we hope you enjoy all your treats.