Monday, March 28, 2016

View it as a holiday.


Four cars parked in the square. The orange tractor is also there. Attempts at righting the 'listing' Jesus are on hold.


No tourists in the little market town. We reckon 20% of the shops are closed or have 'To Let' signs in the windows. The recession was slow to reach France but is now evident everywhere.


Neither Bob nor his sister know it yet but later this morning they will be heading off to the kennels. We always agonize over whether we should get a dog sitter but the answer is always the same. A door not fully closed or a moments distraction and Bob would be out of the gate and gone. This way we know the would be wanderer can't wander. 'View it as a holiday' I tell them less than confidently.


And here's a cautionary dog tale from one of my favourite chocolate shops that will be visited in a weeks time :    http://www.dandelionchocolate.com/2016/03/18/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog/#anchor

We'll be back on April 12th.



14 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

I worry less when I leave Bertie in properly run kennels. Hamish, when old and deaf, once bit a friend who was dog sitting, and I learned a lesson. Have a great holiday and enjoy the chocolate shop.
Cheers,
Gail.

Coppa's girl said...

Our dogs always go to kennels these days when we are away on holiday. We worry a great deal less, especially when we had a dog who took advantage of any open door and gate, though he always came back - eventually.
Years ago we found the ideal holiday place for the dogs too - a smallholding in Shropshire, run by a couple who adored dogs - it really was home from home for any dog lucky enough to go there. Ours couldn't wait to get out of the car, and were never sure if they wanted to come home when we went to collect them !
Happy holidays to Bob, Sophie and yourselves, Angus.

Jean said...

We have never put Lulu in kennels because of her food allergies and eating habits. The one we used with previous dogs changed hands and became staffed by gormless teenagers with little or no training.
Happy holidays!

Swan said...

That was one lucky dog to survive all that chocolate. If you're traveling through Santa Barbara stop at Chocolate Maya. Some of the best chocolate I've ever had. Her sipping chocolate is amazing. Good luck in your travels.

Anonymous said...

Someone at a park gave our dog chocolate cake. Baking chocolate is the worst for dogs, so we immediately called the vet and he said for our 30 pound dog, three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and wait five minutes to see if she throws up. If not, another dose. It didn't take five minutes. She vomited almost all of the chocolate cake almost immediately. Hydrogen Peroxide. Who knew?

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

We refer to the kennel as "Doggie Camp". It makes us feel some better, BaileyBob doesn't like it no matter what we call it! We hope your holiday is the best one ever!!! If for some reason, unexpected, you find yourselves with a lay over at Hartsfield-Jackson, we would be happy to pick you and The font up, for a drive to some of your favorite places in the Atlanta area! We will be thinking about Bob and Sophie, and the new friends they will make at "Doggie Camp".

Unknown said...

We wish you a very happy holiday and that you find graciousness wherever you go. I wish that Dandelion Chocolate had been in business the many years I lived in San Francisco; thank you for the interesting article. Hoping that Bob and Sophie will have the best time ever at the k-e-n-n-e-l.

Kari said...

Poisons are everywhere. One of my cats was recently discharged from the hospital after eating Easter Lilly leaves. which are highly toxic. The plant was on a closed porch but the latch was loose. .Willie had induction of vomiting, anesthesia, activated charcoal, and several days of high volume IV fluids with multiple lab draws.to prevent catastrophic damage to the kidneys and save his life. . Treatment was started early and Willie is alive and well. . Some pets aren't so lucky.

Unknown said...

Kari, I'm glad that Willie is okay. Our cat Timothy ate day lily buds from a floral arrangement that I should never have brought into the house. He fortunately survived the episode and a lesson was learned.

Emm said...

My 50-pound Siberian husky once ate an entire 16-ounce cube of very dark baking chocolate. Hydrogen peroxide, and a good vet who answered the phone after hours, did the trick. Fast solution, although a bit of a mess in the driveway.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Being able to travel with peace of mind--knowing the dogs are well cared for, is best.

Kari said...

Thank you so much. I'm cursing my own stupidity and what it put Willie through.

VirginiaC said...

Have a wonderful holiday and don't eat too much chocolate....you will be missed.
Wishing Bob and Sophie a safe sojourn at the k-e-n-n-e-l.
It's been branded into my head over the years...no chocolate or raisins for dogs.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

We shall be passing each other in the air.
Safe travels!