A Trip Round France with 6 Dogs…
Breaking the ice
Sophie in the foreground with 2 larger friends
Click on the picture to see them even larger
Sophie in the foreground with 2 larger friends
Click on the picture to see them even larger
A most unusual series of transfers which involved no less than 6 dogs and would involve me in a total of 7 days from start to finish. Well, not quite to finish, after a day at home on the 8th I would be off again for another 5 days with the last dog collected the week before, and others.
But I am getting ahead of myself. It all started with a gentle run in the sunshine down to Bordeaux and back. This was to collect a tiny dot of a terrier from Spain called Dulce. She had been rescued from the streets of Madrid, aren’t they all down there, and had found a home in far away Valenciennes, near to the Belgian border. But she had many miles to go before that final salvation was reached.
But I am getting ahead of myself. It all started with a gentle run in the sunshine down to Bordeaux and back. This was to collect a tiny dot of a terrier from Spain called Dulce. She had been rescued from the streets of Madrid, aren’t they all down there, and had found a home in far away Valenciennes, near to the Belgian border. But she had many miles to go before that final salvation was reached.
Virginie is a foster carer for PAD, the Dobermann association and it was to her parents’ house that Dulce had been taken to meet me. I got up at 6.30 for my trip to Bordeaux, left at 7.55 and found Virginie’s parent’s house without difficulty at 10.30. Her Dad came to the gate to say she wasn’t there yet so I waited in the car for a while before she turned up and invited me in.
Her father having left with a friend we sat in the house sipping coffee with her mum, Francoise. Meanwhile little Dulce, a scruffy little 4 kg bundle, ran around in playful enjoyment with Virginie’s son Angel until we left at 11.30.
I returned along the autoroute mainly to see how much it would cost for the entire length, Bordeaux – St. Astier (Perigueux), €9.50, but also to get back home a little quicker. I arrived home at 1.30pm
Very busy during the evening, trying to work out if there would be 3 or 4 from Cahors, one, Missy, may be adopted, but also finalising arrangements to meet Mary in Douai on Thursday and her asking me to follow that up with a Dobermann from Mantes la Jolie to a town near to Beziers. I worked it all out, said yes, but this means that I won’t be back home till Saturday.
There was a bit of a flurry when our 2 were let out of the house to meet the new arrival but things did settle down very soon although Dulce (4kgs), despite the comparative sizes, is not backward in having a go at Ramona (35kgs) if she thinks she is too close to the food chest.
We settled them all down to sleep in suitable places but the best laid plans etc., Dulce ended up sleeping on our bed in between us but at least she hardly moved from a curled up little ball all night.
I returned along the autoroute mainly to see how much it would cost for the entire length, Bordeaux – St. Astier (Perigueux), €9.50, but also to get back home a little quicker. I arrived home at 1.30pm
Very busy during the evening, trying to work out if there would be 3 or 4 from Cahors, one, Missy, may be adopted, but also finalising arrangements to meet Mary in Douai on Thursday and her asking me to follow that up with a Dobermann from Mantes la Jolie to a town near to Beziers. I worked it all out, said yes, but this means that I won’t be back home till Saturday.
There was a bit of a flurry when our 2 were let out of the house to meet the new arrival but things did settle down very soon although Dulce (4kgs), despite the comparative sizes, is not backward in having a go at Ramona (35kgs) if she thinks she is too close to the food chest.
We settled them all down to sleep in suitable places but the best laid plans etc., Dulce ended up sleeping on our bed in between us but at least she hardly moved from a curled up little ball all night.
There was some mess in the salle, we suspect Sami and possibly Dulce, perhaps he is a little unsettled by the temporary intrusion.
Dulce was left at home on Monday as I went down to Cahors to collect the 3 dogs on behalf of Dog Links to take to their fosterer, Lynne in Finisterre. There were supposed to be 2 hunting dogs, Dilly and Gamin, the latter extremely nervous, and also one remaining little one, Happy. Missy was being held back for the time being, it was thought she had a good chance of adoption. When I got there however, all was changed. Some of the helpers thought that the 2 larger dogs would not fit in the large cage, necessary because Happy was also nervous and needed one to herself. This was not what had been decided by the Presidente but she was not there and the person in charge pronounced that it would only be Dilly and Cash, one in each cage. It was not explained why Gamin, the main reason for the transfer because of his long time in the refuge, was substituted by Cash, but it obviously meant extra expense for the expeditor and thus paymaster of the operation. In view of the fact that neither Gamin nor Happy would be going that meant a special journey for them next week. My own opinion based on previous experience was that all could have gone in comfort and safety but it was out of my hands and I set off, after sending a message to Dog Links, for home after an hour or so.
Back at the ranch 3 hours later the 2 newcomers were introduced cautiously to Sami and the other 2 and all went off well though we managed the 2 males cautiously around Sami. All were walked round the garden several times and last thing at night before bed. The kennelmates, Cash and Dilly, spent the night in perfect harmony in the recently purchased large mobile crate and in the morning, after the usual walks round the garden, we set off for Brittany at 9 o’clock.
We decided that the 2 large dogs should have a cage each and put little Dulce in with Dilly in the larger one. Everyone got on well together and soon fell asleep for most of the journey. I stopped at the usual aire to the north of Niort and I brought them out one by one to be attached to the previously secured-to-a-tree lunge rein. Apart from them completely tangling me up and, at one point, pulling me over on the grass grimly hanging on, there was no problem and we were soon on our way again.
One stop was enough and I rolled up outside the house of Lynn and Dave in Brittany (Lesvoalic) at about 5.30. The 2 big fellows, after a runaround the compound, were kennelled for the night and little Dulce brought into the house to play exuberantly with their Jack Russell, Jim.
After a very welcome and satisfying meal and lots of the usual chat I was in bed by 11 to sleep peacefully till morning.
I was up at 7 as planned and, after breakfast I was on my way at 9 with my little friend for the long drive to Abbeville, or, more precisely, Chez Jo’s at Hautvillers. But first I had to drop off the timid Chelsea, a Border collie, with old friends, Kath and Lawrence Bevan, in the Mayenne. She was yet another foster of Lynne’s and had been adopted by them. They would have taken my Sami too, they are big fans of Springer Spaniels of whatever age or state of health, but unfortunately his hatred of males ruled him out of their mixed pack.
The welcome there was effusive as ever and I was treated to a welcome bowl of soup to speed me on my way. They were very pleased with their new adoption, the 8th, and made a great fuss of Dulce also.
I set off again after an hour and a half and headed for Rouen. I had my route all planned, pick up the free section of the A13 and come off at a particular sortie to take me up the familiar east side of the river and pick up the autoroute north towards Calais and Boulogne. Fate played a hand however, this sortie was closed and I was diverted up the west side of the city towards the motorways to Dieppe. No chance to stop and check the map I had no choice but to follow the deviations and hope that they continued faithfully all the way. In fact they did, but I had some anxious moments wondering if I was going in the wrong direction altogether. I needn’t have worried, although I had to pay an unexpected toll of €1.60, the route if anything was quicker than that planned and we arrived at Hautvillers at 8pm.
After a very welcome and satisfying meal and lots of the usual chat I was in bed by 11 to sleep peacefully till morning.
I was up at 7 as planned and, after breakfast I was on my way at 9 with my little friend for the long drive to Abbeville, or, more precisely, Chez Jo’s at Hautvillers. But first I had to drop off the timid Chelsea, a Border collie, with old friends, Kath and Lawrence Bevan, in the Mayenne. She was yet another foster of Lynne’s and had been adopted by them. They would have taken my Sami too, they are big fans of Springer Spaniels of whatever age or state of health, but unfortunately his hatred of males ruled him out of their mixed pack.
The welcome there was effusive as ever and I was treated to a welcome bowl of soup to speed me on my way. They were very pleased with their new adoption, the 8th, and made a great fuss of Dulce also.
I set off again after an hour and a half and headed for Rouen. I had my route all planned, pick up the free section of the A13 and come off at a particular sortie to take me up the familiar east side of the river and pick up the autoroute north towards Calais and Boulogne. Fate played a hand however, this sortie was closed and I was diverted up the west side of the city towards the motorways to Dieppe. No chance to stop and check the map I had no choice but to follow the deviations and hope that they continued faithfully all the way. In fact they did, but I had some anxious moments wondering if I was going in the wrong direction altogether. I needn’t have worried, although I had to pay an unexpected toll of €1.60, the route if anything was quicker than that planned and we arrived at Hautvillers at 8pm.
The little lady was no trouble to tether to the towbar as I took advantage of a lull in the rain to transform the car for sleeping before going in for a welcome meal.
We were both tucked up snugly in bed by 10.
I had planned on a 2 hour journey to Douai this morning, Thursday, leaving at 8 for the rendezvous with Mary at 10, but, in conversation with a driver last night in which he waved his hand in an uncertain manner decided to give it another half hour. I was glad that I did because although I was early it was by no means certain along the way. The traffic around Arras was particularly heavy.
Mary was early too so we took Dulce on a short walk around the car park before going into McDo’s when they opened at 10. I caught up on emails before we chatted including one to Sue Glibbery in a village to the south west of Cahors, confirming the cost, but not the exact date, of the transfer of 3 puppies from Parthenay to her next week.
That done I was on my way to Mantes la Jolie at half past to collect my next customer, Rocco, the large Dobie male destined for another pension near Beziers tomorrow. It took a little longer than I thought and I saw the sign for this pension soon after leaving the A13 but, as the address was different and there was a sign here saying ‘closed on Thursdays’, I continued on for another 5 minutes. I found the street but no sign of the pension or even street number. So I returned to the first place and was let in by the young woman in charge! Apparently there are 2 streets with the same name in this commune – bizarre.
We were both tucked up snugly in bed by 10.
I had planned on a 2 hour journey to Douai this morning, Thursday, leaving at 8 for the rendezvous with Mary at 10, but, in conversation with a driver last night in which he waved his hand in an uncertain manner decided to give it another half hour. I was glad that I did because although I was early it was by no means certain along the way. The traffic around Arras was particularly heavy.
Mary was early too so we took Dulce on a short walk around the car park before going into McDo’s when they opened at 10. I caught up on emails before we chatted including one to Sue Glibbery in a village to the south west of Cahors, confirming the cost, but not the exact date, of the transfer of 3 puppies from Parthenay to her next week.
That done I was on my way to Mantes la Jolie at half past to collect my next customer, Rocco, the large Dobie male destined for another pension near Beziers tomorrow. It took a little longer than I thought and I saw the sign for this pension soon after leaving the A13 but, as the address was different and there was a sign here saying ‘closed on Thursdays’, I continued on for another 5 minutes. I found the street but no sign of the pension or even street number. So I returned to the first place and was let in by the young woman in charge! Apparently there are 2 streets with the same name in this commune – bizarre.
I spotted Rocco as soon as I drove through the gates. He was already waiting in a large holding compound near to the office and was soon inside the cage so that we could set off for the péripherique and then to follow the Evry and Lyon signs south. The route was not at all as I expected but I followed those towns rigidly and finally came out of the other side without incident.
Eventually on the N7 I pulled up with plenty of time to spare to reconstitute the car at the relais at Chatillon sur Loire, the place which I had found last week and which was so good.
The meal lived up to expectations and, after a last walk round and settling the big boy on the blankets beside me, we slept comfortably through to the alarm at 5. I love these great big Dobermanns, despite their size and great strength they are always so gentle and no trouble at all to spend the night with.
Friday morning. Sadly no bread, butter and jam on offer this time but soon washed and revived we were on our way again by 6.
We stopped once on the way down, in an aire high in the mountains of the Auvergne where the snow was thick on the ground. Rocco enjoyed his run on the lunge while I took a few pictures, although it is difficult to give true justice to a black dog against a snow laden background.
Eventually on the N7 I pulled up with plenty of time to spare to reconstitute the car at the relais at Chatillon sur Loire, the place which I had found last week and which was so good.
The meal lived up to expectations and, after a last walk round and settling the big boy on the blankets beside me, we slept comfortably through to the alarm at 5. I love these great big Dobermanns, despite their size and great strength they are always so gentle and no trouble at all to spend the night with.
Friday morning. Sadly no bread, butter and jam on offer this time but soon washed and revived we were on our way again by 6.
We stopped once on the way down, in an aire high in the mountains of the Auvergne where the snow was thick on the ground. Rocco enjoyed his run on the lunge while I took a few pictures, although it is difficult to give true justice to a black dog against a snow laden background.
We arrived at the new pension in the countryside to the west of Beziers at 1.30 and, while I waited for them to open and for my PAD contact, Phillippe, to arrive, I phoned Evelyne to see if the 2 dogs from Carcassonne to Charente-Maritime were ready to go this afternoon. I thought that, with another crowded schedule next week, I could go straight through and deliver them on Saturday morning. Sadly not as she had made the mistake of trying to contact me by email without knowing exactly when each day I can find a McDo’s. Accordingly it had been put off till next week so I would head home from here via an overnight stop at Montauban.
Phillipe soon arrived and took over responsibility for Rocco and I set off through spectacular mountain scenery for Mazamet and the way west. On the way I rang Evelyne and suggested that, as I was passing through Cahors at 8 tomorrow morning perhaps I could collect Roxie and take her home with me. She is a Griffon who is bound for Alsace on Monday/Tuesday and I thought it would save time and effort if I didn’t have to return to Cahors after the weekend. She said she would see what could be done but eventually came back to say that it was too late to arrange anything. As it turned out it wasn’t too late at all and I had a hand in changing things myself the next day.
After breakfast and ablutions in the resto at Montauban I headed north and soon realised that I would, nevertheless, pass through Cahors towards 8am. Still anxious to avoid a long detour south on Monday I decided to ring Jane, one of the volunteers, at home at 8, hoping it would not be too early for her, and that maybe something could still be arranged about Roxie.
I first topped up with fuel at Carrefour and then parked up at the refuge to wait the few minutes for the hour. I left a message and she soon came back to me promising to do what she could. A little later it was all arranged, Julie, the Presidente, had authorised the release as long as Jane was willing to come in and supervise. The cleaners, who also feed the dogs, were contacted and asked not to feed Roxie and Jane arrived as promised just after 9.30. This gave me ample time to re-organise the car, I had left the bed down and the cages collapsed.
After breakfast and ablutions in the resto at Montauban I headed north and soon realised that I would, nevertheless, pass through Cahors towards 8am. Still anxious to avoid a long detour south on Monday I decided to ring Jane, one of the volunteers, at home at 8, hoping it would not be too early for her, and that maybe something could still be arranged about Roxie.
I first topped up with fuel at Carrefour and then parked up at the refuge to wait the few minutes for the hour. I left a message and she soon came back to me promising to do what she could. A little later it was all arranged, Julie, the Presidente, had authorised the release as long as Jane was willing to come in and supervise. The cleaners, who also feed the dogs, were contacted and asked not to feed Roxie and Jane arrived as promised just after 9.30. This gave me ample time to re-organise the car, I had left the bed down and the cages collapsed.
We were on our way at 10 and back home I introduced her to Ramona and Sami. She was very submissive to Ramona but all went well apart from her tendency to pee, and occasionally worse, in the house even though she had not long been out. I put this down to nervousness and insecurity as, overnight, we put her in the large crate to sleep and she went the whole night without a problem.
Sunday was a relatively easy day, a chance to recoup my energy and this was helped by Roxie’s gender. As a female there were no problems with Sami and therefore no need for any kind of segregation. I even took them all walking in the morning.
However, it wasn’t all relaxation. My routes for next week had to be worked out en bloc as they are again all interconnected and I won’t be back home at all from Monday to Friday. It was going to be Saturday but the distance was far too great and next Friday’s delivery from Cahors to Lesvoalic had to be postponed to the following week. All this took considerable time, despite the fact that all of the main routes I know very well. It is the unfamiliar local approaches that take so long to work out and prove.
Total distance 3,471 kms
Sunday was a relatively easy day, a chance to recoup my energy and this was helped by Roxie’s gender. As a female there were no problems with Sami and therefore no need for any kind of segregation. I even took them all walking in the morning.
However, it wasn’t all relaxation. My routes for next week had to be worked out en bloc as they are again all interconnected and I won’t be back home at all from Monday to Friday. It was going to be Saturday but the distance was far too great and next Friday’s delivery from Cahors to Lesvoalic had to be postponed to the following week. All this took considerable time, despite the fact that all of the main routes I know very well. It is the unfamiliar local approaches that take so long to work out and prove.
Total distance 3,471 kms