It’s funny that the cutest French word, poubelle, means trash can. On the side of the road into Cluny there are 3 big poubelles by the road for recyclage. Which is also a drop-off spot for unwanted cats. When someone want to abandon their tiny kittens, they simply dump them there, to fend for themselves. Folks who will not, in my book, be going to heaven.
Other people dropping off their bottles and such started feeding the cats periodically, which inspired more folks to abandon their cats there, and pretty soon there was a bevy of chats sauvage–feral cats. After one was run over, the neighbors took action. Unable to find homes for all of them (though Lord knows we tried), we moved them down the road to a quieter spot, built them a little cabin for food, and formed a group to feed them properly. The Poubellies, as we now call them, have been there three years now; there are seven of them, as cute and sweet as can be. All neutered now, and mostly tame.
So let me introduce you to Pauline and KittyPoo, Smudge Bucket and Waldo, Big Mama and Thom and Double (so called because she accidentally got sterilized twice). What’s funny is that each person who feeds them has their own names for them, reminding me of T.S. Eliots great poem, "The Naming of Cats". In which every cat has three names, but the Poubellies have even more. Photos: above,Pauline scratches an itch; Pauline and Big Mama in the snow. Left, Thom and Kittypoo (Domino's twin?)
The little cabin someone built for us was very small, so last year Ron and our neighbor Jean-Marie kindly built them what we refer to as Le Chat-eau. It has 3 floors, with six cozy sleeping nests plus room to feed them.
They are now spoiled and fat; we feed them well, and daily (I'm referring to les chats, not to Ron and Jean-Marie, though two out of three of the above applies to them as well). When I arrive the Poubellies emerge from wood and field, their tails at full mast. They talk to me with soft miaous and rub their silken selves on my legs. The winter is hard for them, but at least they have food and shelter.
If I ever find the folks who abandoned them, there's a poubelle I'd like to personally stuff them into. We worry what will happen to these cats. Our team is dwindling; some of us leave for the winter, one is in ill health. What if we can’t continue? They are too wild, too accustomed to their home to be moved, even if we were lucky enough to find a place for them. But for now, we feed and love them, and hope for the best.
Photo above: Our heros Jean-Marie and Ron build the chat-eau. Left: A cat called Smudge Bucket. What other name would possibly do?
Favorite BLOGS: I know some of our readers are learning SPANISH, and I have a new friend, Amit, who does the popular Always Spanish blog. Amit was kind enough to publish an article I wrote, expanding on my book How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain
Another new blog I've discovered that will be of great interest to French learners: Jennie n'est plus en France, and her corresponding website, ielangagues, with free tutorials.
BIG book news this week! Our loyal reader Michaela Kane Rodeno, sister of my great friend Mark Kane, has just published a book! Michaela has recently retired, but she rose from the ranks to be a CEO of a Napa Valley winery. From Bubbles to Boardrooms: Act 1: Startups Are Such Fun is her memoir. Buy it if you're interested in wine, or especially if you're an entrepeneur looking to refine your career plan (and don't we all know a young person like that? This makes a great gift). I loved the book, it's a great read. Felicitations, Michaela. The book is available in print or in eBook format. It also makes a fine gift for any wine lover you know!
In the COMMENTS: Great comments on what Iz calls the "Peyton Place's" of France. Mariella has another great story from her village. Barbara of The Wise Collector notes correctly that the best village story comes from the movie Chocolat
Jonelle, Bébé is a great cat name, of course you must bring her to France! Christine of Pen at the Ready has an update for us on the French restaurant crisis—and yes, the legislation passed! Colleen (Colleen Taylor Fine Art), we may have to torture you for that cream puff recipe!
And a friendly reminder to my readers: When you have Amazon purchases to make, please start here, by searching in the Amazon window in the left column. ANY purchase on Amazon that originates through this blog helps keep it going. Mille mercis!
16 thoughts on “The Rescue of the French “Poubellies””
You must name one of the cats “Hemingway,” in homage to a Francophile great American author and cat enthusiast. The Hemingway House in Key West has dozens of cats who are descendants of Hemingways’ feline companions. Enjoy the blog!
Great job! Beinf French that makes me mad because they have so many pets and don’t take care of them especially during vacation time. Also, the SPCA in France does not neuter the animals due to high costs and expenses. That’s the first thing they should do.
Those well-named feral felines look far from famished. Will you name our next cat?
Thanks for mentioning From Bubbles to Boardrooms. Of special interest is the French connection, as both wineries I worked for are French-owned. As a result the book is full of French people (counts, three-star chefs, winemakers) and vocabulary. And yes, there’s a glossary.
Bravo! Great care for les Poubellies! Bien fait.
Regarding your discussion about whether the food made in restaurants and cafes is actually MADE in the kitchens or comes from pre-packaged items, there was an article in the Economist addressing this exact topic. They must have read your blog because the article details all of the items you mentioned i.e. menus with long lists of offerings. So the ultimate result was “Let the Eater Beware” and make sure what you are paying for in a restaurant is different than what you could have bought at a supermarche.
Sweet little story as usual. You could have called it “La poubelle aux chats errants” just like in the tale “la belle au bois dormant”
people who dump pets will have a special place in hell……my 3 cats were all dumped when they were babies…….you’re a good person to take care of those cute ferals (who seem pretty tame after all)
Kudos to you and your friends for rescuing the poubellies. It always upsets me to learn of abandoned cats. My husband and I have rescued many of them over the years. Your comment about Double reminded me of a very fluffy kitten we rescued (and named Trio because his adoption made us into a three-cat family) who was both spayed and neutered by the vet who originally told us that Trio was a female kitty! At least we didn’t have to change his name! Trio had a very rough start in life. We found him a few days after he was thrown from a moving vehicle. His jaw had nearly been torn off from the impact. When my youngest daughter discovered him, crying, in a tree on our property he was so infected that we were certain he would have to be euthanized. The vet was able to save him, though it took two surgeries. Trio lived a long and happy life as a member of our family.
Kitty love to you Lynn!
Charming & adorable post Lynn & you had me laughing heartily. I must admit, my cream puffs are always a hit but oh so carefully guarded inside my head. I’ve won the hearts of many men (literally) with those cream puffs! Thank you for the mention here! As always your fan, Colleen
Lynn – Today I feel I know you. I have read Kristin’s blog for about 3 years and got onto yours about 2 years ago. But I mostly scanned yours. But today, probably because we are cat-lovers too (I’m one of your readers with a Domino look a like named Luther).
Good for you, your husband and the neighbors who care about God’s creatures, too.
My husband and I just moved to the Asheville, NC area and are starting phase 4 of our work life. By God’s grace I have another French-teaching job starting in August. I love Jesus, French, writing, cats, reading, walking and cooking (and of course my family!) Thank you for being you and sharing your life transparently.
Bless you for caring for them and especially for having them spayed and neutered.
Lynn, today’s post especially touched my heart. My dear mom rescued cats and if she couldn’t find homes for them we’d inevitably end up with new family members. I certainly do agree with both yours,and Melinda’s, sentiments about what should happen to people who abandon cats–and,I might also add, dogs.
How wonderful you are to care for–and neuter!!– all of your feral four pawed ‘babies’. St Francis is smiling down on you for your kindness.
Lynn, your story makes me so happy, not that the poubellies were abandoned, but that you and Ron and neighbors love them enough to go way out of your way to help them. They are so lucky to have you all as friends. From one cat lover to another, Merci Beaucoup!
chère Lynn,
Lovely story . . . bless you! We have rescued 20 kits since 1988. We placed some and kept most. Our youngest rescue now, “BéBé” is a beautiful Ragdoll with luminous blue eyes. I just did a watercolor of her! Our vet says we could not buy a more beautiful cat. I hope that France establishes a neuter/spray program for its ferals. There must be a psychic network here . . . Our property is very secluded, south of San Francisco, downhill from a cul de sac, and kitties find us! Thank you for what you are doing to help the sweet “poubellies.” “Bless all creatures great and small, for the Lord God made them all,” to quote the inspiration for the book by the English vet who rescued so many animals. Perhaps your next book will be about the kitties!
Nice photo collection.I love them a lot.