From time to time we do a photo gallery of les animaux of France. Mostly cats and dogs, but this year we have one interloper in our fauna.
Let's start with les chiens. In the photo above: On a street near us in Beaune, there are big heavy wooden doors which occasionally swing open to reveal the most wonderful of courtyards, guarded by this cutie, although he doesn't look very ferocious.
And If you've been to Beaune, you may recognize this fluffy bit of canine, below. He's a regular fixture at the Saturday market, the darling of the flower vendor.
This elegant chien was for sale at a French flea market.
Next up: the park near our house has a lake with many varieties of ducks. This mama, I believe she is a type of Coot, built her nest out in the water, where she would not be disturbed.
When we were staying near Nice this year, this cat lived in our neighborhood and entertained us every time we passed his perch. No, he's not snarling; he's a lazy bum, and those bared teeth are from a yawn.
A pair of cozy felines, spotted at a flea market
This particular cat, which happens to be our very own Vino Bambino, is upsidedownwards in Ron's lap, for reasons only he understands. Maybe trying to catch that sunbeam.
Here is mon petit chouchou, (my little cream puff, a term of endearment), right side up:
Two cats spotted on a walk in Beaune:
From my favorite Beaune vintage store, here is a carousel cat on an elegant silk Hermes scarf:
The beauties below are not French, but are rescue cats taken in by my Francophile friend Belinda, who lived in France for a while, and I've included this photo because they are simply irresistible. She fosters kittens, as I have done–and I highly recommend it if you want to be entertained or just need perking up. Just beware of Foster Failures, as there's a chance you may be unwittingly adopted by a cat (Belinda has two Foster Failures; Vino Bambino is one also).
And one last heart-warming foster story: My friend Agnes delivered this frightened, abandoned kitten to me a couple of years ago, to foster. The widowed owner of a château in the area soon showed up to adopt her; he had never had a cat and knew nothing about them, but he had a Labrador that he felt was lonely and needed a companion. We were a bit worried how one little handful of fur would adjust to a big dog and a big château. Update: She is now the châtelaine, the queen of the castle; he says she runs the place. She is the boss of both him AND the dog. This will not be a surprise to anyone owned by a cat.
In the COMMENTS: I was amazed by the number of great ouvrier lunch stories y'all had. Ron and I both enjoyed reading the tales from Page, Susan, Rhonda, Martin, Ali and Monty. Page has a really special story, but Martin we got the biggest laugh from yours–that's so French! Rhonda, you've stumped us, we don't know where that place is in Beaune. Paula, your post brought back memories of our visit to Cognac, such a beautiful place. Chris, hoping you can reschedule your trip when (if?) things calm down. In the recipe department, Suzanne has a yummy tart idea and Francine was kind enough to share her recipe for a true French quiche, made from les restes–leftovers.
Favorite READS: Looking for inspiration and comfort in these troubled times? I'm reading, and loving, The Beauty of Dusk, by New York Times opinion writier Frank Bruni. After a health trauma, he explores the hidden disabilities so many of us have. And my friend Nancy recommends Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking Through Suffering Together.
24 thoughts on “Les Petits Chouchous: The Beloved Pets of France”
I have photos of dogs (mostly toutous) at the market and the brocante, doing cute things. I should post them on my little blog. Love to see the animals doing their thing.
bonnie in carpentras
I have photos of dogs (mostly toutous) at the market and the brocante, doing cute things. I should post them on my little blog. Love to see the animals doing their thing.
bonnie in carpentras
I have photos of dogs (mostly toutous) at the market and the brocante, doing cute things. I should post them on my little blog. Love to see the animals doing their thing.
bonnie in carpentras
Lynn,these photos are nothing short of marvelous(!!) and so is today’s post.(Approval rating 400 per cent!)
Each time you feature animals,it just makes my day as they wrap themselves around my heart!
Thank you!
A good book selection!
“Murder at the Porte de Versailles” by Cara Black.
This gifted lady has authored several books,and they all are GREAT!!!
Lynn,these photos are nothing short of marvelous(!!) and so is today’s post.(Approval rating 400 per cent!)
Each time you feature animals,it just makes my day as they wrap themselves around my heart!
Thank you!
A good book selection!
“Murder at the Porte de Versailles” by Cara Black.
This gifted lady has authored several books,and they all are GREAT!!!
Lynn,these photos are nothing short of marvelous(!!) and so is today’s post.(Approval rating 400 per cent!)
Each time you feature animals,it just makes my day as they wrap themselves around my heart!
Thank you!
A good book selection!
“Murder at the Porte de Versailles” by Cara Black.
This gifted lady has authored several books,and they all are GREAT!!!
Love your kittiy pics and French creampuffs and we have one here in Collioure – a Tuxie named Loulou who is on the internet and has 15,000 followers, haha. Such a sweetie, your upside down Tuxie, as I think that is what Vino is, more or less. I am an avid reader and have just finished Donna Leon’s latest and am plunging into Ann Tyler’s new one. Also Poirot is keeping me busy, having passed over Ms Christie years ago in favor of Maisie Dobbs’ series. Also love WWII books, Chateau Air-Bel, for example, all about Varian Fry’s endeavor to get refugees over the Pyrenees (20 minutes from our house)….Love your column, thank you. I’m a southerner, too, but will never set foot in Texas again without being shackled and dragged……
Love your kittiy pics and French creampuffs and we have one here in Collioure – a Tuxie named Loulou who is on the internet and has 15,000 followers, haha. Such a sweetie, your upside down Tuxie, as I think that is what Vino is, more or less. I am an avid reader and have just finished Donna Leon’s latest and am plunging into Ann Tyler’s new one. Also Poirot is keeping me busy, having passed over Ms Christie years ago in favor of Maisie Dobbs’ series. Also love WWII books, Chateau Air-Bel, for example, all about Varian Fry’s endeavor to get refugees over the Pyrenees (20 minutes from our house)….Love your column, thank you. I’m a southerner, too, but will never set foot in Texas again without being shackled and dragged……
Love your kittiy pics and French creampuffs and we have one here in Collioure – a Tuxie named Loulou who is on the internet and has 15,000 followers, haha. Such a sweetie, your upside down Tuxie, as I think that is what Vino is, more or less. I am an avid reader and have just finished Donna Leon’s latest and am plunging into Ann Tyler’s new one. Also Poirot is keeping me busy, having passed over Ms Christie years ago in favor of Maisie Dobbs’ series. Also love WWII books, Chateau Air-Bel, for example, all about Varian Fry’s endeavor to get refugees over the Pyrenees (20 minutes from our house)….Love your column, thank you. I’m a southerner, too, but will never set foot in Texas again without being shackled and dragged……
Cats rule – dogs drool
love this!
best,
Susan
Cats rule – dogs drool
love this!
best,
Susan
Cats rule – dogs drool
love this!
best,
Susan
Hello to Lynn, Ron, and the Bambino!
Kiera the kitty is between me and the keyboard as I type. She sends her approval of your beautiful pictures. Kiera was more of an ambush adoption as our daughters brought her home from the rescue shelter having been told that we were not ready for another kitty after our 18 year old Tom Kitten passed away. That was 12 years ago, she is still deciding if we are worthy of her company.
Post Script- Kate Quinn’s “The Rose Code” wonderful WWII book.
Hello to Lynn, Ron, and the Bambino!
Kiera the kitty is between me and the keyboard as I type. She sends her approval of your beautiful pictures. Kiera was more of an ambush adoption as our daughters brought her home from the rescue shelter having been told that we were not ready for another kitty after our 18 year old Tom Kitten passed away. That was 12 years ago, she is still deciding if we are worthy of her company.
Post Script- Kate Quinn’s “The Rose Code” wonderful WWII book.
Hello to Lynn, Ron, and the Bambino!
Kiera the kitty is between me and the keyboard as I type. She sends her approval of your beautiful pictures. Kiera was more of an ambush adoption as our daughters brought her home from the rescue shelter having been told that we were not ready for another kitty after our 18 year old Tom Kitten passed away. That was 12 years ago, she is still deciding if we are worthy of her company.
Post Script- Kate Quinn’s “The Rose Code” wonderful WWII book.
Oh I love this! This summer you will be able to add Motzi & Kugel to your gallery as they will be joining us at Le Moulin des Fleurs for most of the summer. I just hope they learn to behave like les chiens I have seen in France. I believe Motzi will be ok, but his little brother will need some practice to politely sit at our feet at a cafe on market day in Beaune. Hope to see you soon!
Oh I love this! This summer you will be able to add Motzi & Kugel to your gallery as they will be joining us at Le Moulin des Fleurs for most of the summer. I just hope they learn to behave like les chiens I have seen in France. I believe Motzi will be ok, but his little brother will need some practice to politely sit at our feet at a cafe on market day in Beaune. Hope to see you soon!
Oh I love this! This summer you will be able to add Motzi & Kugel to your gallery as they will be joining us at Le Moulin des Fleurs for most of the summer. I just hope they learn to behave like les chiens I have seen in France. I believe Motzi will be ok, but his little brother will need some practice to politely sit at our feet at a cafe on market day in Beaune. Hope to see you soon!
I have one more story: we stopped at a simple bistro for lunch after visiting my brother in law in the north. The cheese board was brought and left on the table and we began taking slices and morsels. The waitress arrived and very politely mentioned that it was for the whole resto……..
what a gaffe! That was long ago. No slip-ups since then.
I have one more story: we stopped at a simple bistro for lunch after visiting my brother in law in the north. The cheese board was brought and left on the table and we began taking slices and morsels. The waitress arrived and very politely mentioned that it was for the whole resto……..
what a gaffe! That was long ago. No slip-ups since then.
I have one more story: we stopped at a simple bistro for lunch after visiting my brother in law in the north. The cheese board was brought and left on the table and we began taking slices and morsels. The waitress arrived and very politely mentioned that it was for the whole resto……..
what a gaffe! That was long ago. No slip-ups since then.
Great post, Les Petits Chouchous! I loved seeing all the adorable pets of France. The photo of the fluffy dog at the market in Beaune was my favorite. I also appreciated the heartwarming foster stories, especially the one about the kitten who became the queen of the castle. Keep up the great work showcasing the beloved pets of France!
Great post, Les Petits Chouchous! I loved seeing all the adorable pets of France. The photo of the fluffy dog at the market in Beaune was my favorite. I also appreciated the heartwarming foster stories, especially the one about the kitten who became the queen of the castle. Keep up the great work showcasing the beloved pets of France!
Great post, Les Petits Chouchous! I loved seeing all the adorable pets of France. The photo of the fluffy dog at the market in Beaune was my favorite. I also appreciated the heartwarming foster stories, especially the one about the kitten who became the queen of the castle. Keep up the great work showcasing the beloved pets of France!