Bob and Angus go to the wine merchants. Bob usually has to wait outside but this morning the knowledgeable young lady suggests he come in out of the rain. Bob is grateful to be invited inside but is rather dismissive of the wine shop - there's little there to appeal to a PONs nose.
The next door cake shop is a different matter. Orange eclairs with saffron are considered ...
.... as are Passion Fruit and Mango eclairs .....
.... and raspberry tarts .
We opt for a fresh pineapple cheese cake.
Dog and master head into a cafe on the square for a cup of coffee and in the PONs case a bowl of water. Bob closes his eyes and against the sound of the background chatter is soon gently asleep. This being France total strangers wander over and ask what sort of dog he is. Today he's known as a Polish Snoring Sheepdog.
The couple who have bought our 'local' kennels call. We drive over to meet them. The woman is in her thirties and seems every bit as professional as the woman at the 'new' kennels.
Would the dogs prefer to go to a place they know even though the people they meet will be different ? Or, would a change of scenery and a clean break be better ? The existing kennels is a small place where the dogs are walked for half an hour twice a day. The new one near Toulouse is much larger, doesn't walk them but leaves them to wander round their own private 100m2 enclosure. I'm tempted to taken them back to the kennels they know.
The Old Farmer arrives home. He insists on walking up the stairs under his own steam. The ambulance men are told to leave him alone. " I'm not helpless ". They hover behind as he makes his way slowly up to the terrace. A veterans little victory - a thing too inconsequential for a diary but something too important to go completely unrecorded. These things make the world turn.
This is an amazing photograph : https://twitter.com/kengarex/status/838464066247143428
17 comments:
Somehow not surprised at the Old Farmer's determined attitude. I'm sure he enjoyed the cheese and salmon etc.
It is not only in France that total strangers ask what sort ofdog you have. It happens to me and Bertie all the time in your home country!
Cheers, Gail.
PS I'd have gone for the orange eclairs with saffron.
Two votes for the known familiar kennels nearby, with the new owner. If something should occur, your own Vet is nearby. A better choice.
They know the place, are familiar with the routine, and it will be like "oh, we're HERE again." Votes cast, from the Westcoast of Canada.
Good for the Old Farmer, but I hope the Belgian lady is keeping a very close eye on him. Difficult decision to make about the kennels, although I'd be tempted to opt for familiar surroundings, but would the PONs be better with more space?
Oh, those cakes - I'd start on the left hand side and work my way across.... I've come to the conclusion that the ultimate holiday would be two weeks going from patisserie to patisserie and sampling their wares, with a daily visit to a cheese shop thrown in ! The diet that follows won't be to my liking though !
We've used the same kennels for the last 18 years, but there have been no changes.....just continuous good care.
Thank you. That's helpful input.
Having new kennel owners is rather like the shock of discovering your life long dentist is about to retire.
Wine, cake and coffee, is that the most perfect start to the day?
Luckily I've never had to use kennels I'm not sure how my little Diva would manage
Fingers crossed for the Old Farmer.
Familiarity sounds like a good thing with kennels.
Surely dogs would prefer two walks a day rather than sniffing around the same enclosure all the time.
To say that photo is amazing is an understatement.
Those pastries! I'm absolutely giddy. And the photos just keep on coming. Marvelous!
I am glad the OF is home. But he bears watching until he is fully recovered. The second time will not be the charm.
What experience do the new kennel owners have with kennel keeping and animal care? It' is good that Sophie's regular vet is near. Perhaps having a more controlled environment and observation on leash walks will lessen the chances of a medical mishap.
I'd say the kennels they know. Familiarity could be comforting and you'd be sure they get a walk. Good luck
What is safest for Sophie? Perhaps two controlled walks a day. DIfficult to decide. Good luck. We are house/dogsitting a borzoi and are asked all the time what kind of dog she is. People wonder if she is a longhaired grey hound, most people recognize the cairn terrior because of the Wizard of Oz. Praying that the snow here in the lower mainland has stopped for good and spring will start.
The photograph is astonishingly beautiful.
The pineapple cheesecake was an excellent choice. It's silly how much I'm scrolling up and down to see all the pastries.
I, too, would go with the familiar kennels, for all the reasons given and especially as it's to be a relatively long trip, with you out of immediate reach.
You might try the new kennel for an overnight, just so they're used to another place. You said you were asked to leave them for a day, but don't know if that's been done.
Lovely pastries. Amazing photograph.
If it were me, I would stick with the familiar for my pups. People come and go but scents of old are still lingering.
Well done Mr. Old Farmer!
I'm convinced I should stop following this Wonderful Blog! I'm gaining weight!
We know nothing about kennels, but we vote the cake shop next to the wine shop has the most delicious looking cakes. Luckily you have to walk the Pons to keep you fit.
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