…and half way round France with another 6
Ed, the ageing Greyhound. An old favourite at friend Anna's. He once came to me with a canine tooth poking horizontally from his mouth, like a tusk. The vet removed it but he didn't recover from the anaesthetic for over 6 hours. A very worrying time.
He was to die years later in Anna's arms, and was accorded a special privelege, a grave to himself.
His companion is Chico, the similarly coloured Whippet, a more difficult soul, he eventually disappeared without trace.
He was to die years later in Anna's arms, and was accorded a special privelege, a grave to himself.
His companion is Chico, the similarly coloured Whippet, a more difficult soul, he eventually disappeared without trace.
I left just after 9 on Monday morning with my sights set on a routier, one of 2 choices, in Vesoul, 588 kms away. I calculated that the remaining 169 kms to the Alsace village of Lutzelhouse and a return after delivery to a known and good routier at Digoin for Tuesday night would be entirely possible. In fact in the darkness and the rain, the latter had accompanied me most of the way, I couldn’t see either resto so continued on north as I had plenty of time in hand. I saw from the routier book, which I now in the light of recent experience don’t entirely trust, that there was one at Fougerolles in a Zone d’Activité. I found it beside an enormous lorry park but the place was in darkness.
There was a Belgian driver there who said he thought it opened at 7pm but not wanting to take the chance, it was only 6.15, I decide to push on another 10 kms to one which he described to me. A good move, I found it without difficulty and set about the conversion process, unfortunately in driving snow. Roxie wasn’t a big problem but, although tethered at the back of the car she kept jumping in and getting in the way.
Eventually all was done and I went inside after giving her some food I had bought on the way. This included some bone-shaped biscuits to go with her meat and there was enough in the packet to be used for others at a later date. No more, when I got back she had squeezed past the bars and scoffed the lot!
Once inside my frozen hands soon thawed out and I enjoyed a good meal in the company of a driver from the Aveyron and his interesting conversation.
A last walk for Roxie and so to bed at 9.30. She didn’t stir all night.
Up at 5.30 and, all packed up by 6 when the bar opened, away just before 7. The snow was falling heavily as we crossed the Col de Saale but not settling and we made good progress. We rolled up the drive of Linda’s house shortly after 9am. She told me to make myself comfortable inside as she took Roxie on a get to know you walk around her large, but unfenced, garden. I had no qualms about this later when I realised that she would take no chances until she was well trained, especially in recall.
Eventually all was done and I went inside after giving her some food I had bought on the way. This included some bone-shaped biscuits to go with her meat and there was enough in the packet to be used for others at a later date. No more, when I got back she had squeezed past the bars and scoffed the lot!
Once inside my frozen hands soon thawed out and I enjoyed a good meal in the company of a driver from the Aveyron and his interesting conversation.
A last walk for Roxie and so to bed at 9.30. She didn’t stir all night.
Up at 5.30 and, all packed up by 6 when the bar opened, away just before 7. The snow was falling heavily as we crossed the Col de Saale but not settling and we made good progress. We rolled up the drive of Linda’s house shortly after 9am. She told me to make myself comfortable inside as she took Roxie on a get to know you walk around her large, but unfenced, garden. I had no qualms about this later when I realised that she would take no chances until she was well trained, especially in recall.
Linda had prepared a meal and we sat down to soup with melted cheese in, quiche Lorraine and a sweet tart with cream. I had never eaten so much so early in the day and knew that I would have no need till the next day of the remains that she packed up for me to take with me.
We parted company at 11 and she, very sensibly, took the little one indoors so as not to watch my departure. There have been occasions when some dogs have taken off down the road after me, Voltio being the most recent. He was the little Whippet/Beauceron cross, the first delivery for SOS Levriers Martyrs, and who was gone for a week before being found and brought home.
The trip over the Col was less stressful in the daylight and after a good run, reading my instructions backwards, I arrived at Tom’s Bar near Digoin at 6.30 and parked up before removing the cages and rolling out my bed.
The meal was excellent, the conversation sparse, but I was well satisfied when I went to sleep after reading for some time and with the alarm unset. Tomorrow is an easy day.
Wednesday morning and on the road at 8 after a lay in and, no problems at all on the trip down through Vichy to Clermont before picking up the free A 75 for the run down to Beziers. No problems that is, except for the speed flash I got on the twisty bit south of the city. I knew about it and was watchful for the 90 sign but it was hidden from me by the artic I was passing at the time and before I realised it, it was too late. Even more annoying because I was taking it easy with no need to hurry. In the event, as I discovered after several weeks of waiting, I hadn’t been caught. As I overtook the artic I saw a line of slower cars in front of it and, suspicious that I had passed the 90 sign, lifted my foot and allowed the car to slow down. It was as I breasted the lead car that the camera flashed but one of 2 things must have happened. Either he was also over the limit, I was barely going any faster, or it flashed me but my registration plate was obscured by his bonnet. Whichever it was I had had a lucky escape and only hope that my speed had not registered on his plate.
If it was you……sorry!
After an hour long break in a mountain aire I pulled into McDo’s at Beziers to catch up with emails. There is another dog to collect from Carcassonne in the morning after a slight detour to pick up the Podenco, Perdita, who is being fostered not far from my overnight spot at Lezignan. The new one, a Blue Merle Collie called Harlequin , will be picked up by his new temporary owner as I pass through La Roche Chalais in the Charente in the afternoon.
Arriving at 4.30 pm I used the opportunity to recharge the laptop battery and bring my diary up to date. A mammoth task, I haven’t been near it in over a week.
The bar does not open until 6 and I wanted to be away by half past so I contented myself with the obligatory toilet visit after coffee, a splash on the face and teeth cleaned.
No problems in finding Edith’s place and she was waiting for me with Perdita who was soon loaded and we were on our way.
The lightening sky in the east promised a fine day after a week of gloom and rain and it was with a lighter heart that I arrived at the refuge to be let in by an earlier arriver at 7.40.
I unloaded Perdita after coffee in order to test her with the two others who Mika fetched from down below. It was plain that the very bouncy and exuberant Terrier, Harry, would not do for her so we placed her and Harlequin together in the large cage.
The trip over the Col was less stressful in the daylight and after a good run, reading my instructions backwards, I arrived at Tom’s Bar near Digoin at 6.30 and parked up before removing the cages and rolling out my bed.
The meal was excellent, the conversation sparse, but I was well satisfied when I went to sleep after reading for some time and with the alarm unset. Tomorrow is an easy day.
Wednesday morning and on the road at 8 after a lay in and, no problems at all on the trip down through Vichy to Clermont before picking up the free A 75 for the run down to Beziers. No problems that is, except for the speed flash I got on the twisty bit south of the city. I knew about it and was watchful for the 90 sign but it was hidden from me by the artic I was passing at the time and before I realised it, it was too late. Even more annoying because I was taking it easy with no need to hurry. In the event, as I discovered after several weeks of waiting, I hadn’t been caught. As I overtook the artic I saw a line of slower cars in front of it and, suspicious that I had passed the 90 sign, lifted my foot and allowed the car to slow down. It was as I breasted the lead car that the camera flashed but one of 2 things must have happened. Either he was also over the limit, I was barely going any faster, or it flashed me but my registration plate was obscured by his bonnet. Whichever it was I had had a lucky escape and only hope that my speed had not registered on his plate.
If it was you……sorry!
After an hour long break in a mountain aire I pulled into McDo’s at Beziers to catch up with emails. There is another dog to collect from Carcassonne in the morning after a slight detour to pick up the Podenco, Perdita, who is being fostered not far from my overnight spot at Lezignan. The new one, a Blue Merle Collie called Harlequin , will be picked up by his new temporary owner as I pass through La Roche Chalais in the Charente in the afternoon.
Arriving at 4.30 pm I used the opportunity to recharge the laptop battery and bring my diary up to date. A mammoth task, I haven’t been near it in over a week.
The bar does not open until 6 and I wanted to be away by half past so I contented myself with the obligatory toilet visit after coffee, a splash on the face and teeth cleaned.
No problems in finding Edith’s place and she was waiting for me with Perdita who was soon loaded and we were on our way.
The lightening sky in the east promised a fine day after a week of gloom and rain and it was with a lighter heart that I arrived at the refuge to be let in by an earlier arriver at 7.40.
I unloaded Perdita after coffee in order to test her with the two others who Mika fetched from down below. It was plain that the very bouncy and exuberant Terrier, Harry, would not do for her so we placed her and Harlequin together in the large cage.
We left at 8.40 and the sunny weather and blue skies shone down until we had passed the spectacular mountain villages on the direct route to Revel, then the mood changed as we crossed the Tarn border and a dense mist descended casting a gloom over the journey. This cleared after about half an hour and the rest of the journey was in fine sunlight.
After about 4 hours I stopped to give them a chance to stretch their legs and have a pee, me also. All went well until I started the reloading, then Harry began to bounce about threatening to pull out of his temporary collar. He spread his legs to avoid entering the cage and at one point I desperately had hold of him by one leg. Thankfully I prevailed and we were soon on our way again, arriving at the rendezvous with Nicky for Harlequin dead on time at 3pm. Nicky is a bit of a Dobermann nut like me and works as a volunteer for the 'other' Dobie association that I do so many trips for. But Harlequin is bound for England where he will undergo specialist training. Only today I have heard this from Nicky:
'Harlequin is doing really well. I fell totally in love with him that 10 days he was here. One of the sweetest dogs I have ever met - and so looking for someone to love. It broke my heart to send him on. But I couldn't give him the life he needed with my two dobermanns here. He has a forever home with a lovely lady who has five other dogs - she runs an equestrian centre and next month he starts his flyball and agility lessons. Just what I hoped he would find and just what he needed. I get regular updates and photographs from her. So I am happy for him.'
There are some more pictures of Harlequin, exuberant in his new life in England, at the bottom of the page
I would have been on time in the Gironde too; in fact I was within the hour stated, but for the ineptitude of the locals to give useful direction. When I did find them it was in a magnificent house in large fenced gardens with a fabulous view over the Gironde estuary. The view of the setting sun over the water was stunning. The 2 dogs ran happily at liberty all over the place and willingly into the house, but Perdita showed her dominant strain, snapping at Harry whenever he jumped up or got too wild. Definite shades of Ramona there.
The route back to Niort was long but easy and I arrived at the routier on the ring road at 8pm. I found a good place on a slight slope (a hiatus hernia means that I have to sleep with my head higher than my feet. I bought a pair of ramps months ago but have never used them, always finding just enough inclination for the purpose) out of the way with the help of the Patronne too, a definite pointer for the future.
On the phone Fran told me that the funeral of our old friend and past president of the pétanque club, Pierrot, is at 2.30 tomorrow. She will be there and present our condolences and my excuses to his wife. I expect a lot of pétanquers will be in attendance, he was a popular and long standing servant of the club, in fact our first president when we joined back in the early 90s.
On Friday morning I headed for Parthenay, the city centre was my destination, to collect 3 puppies from a flat totally unsuitable for them and their parents, Jack Russels all 5. I had previously checked my route on Google Maps and thought I would have no difficulty but, belt and braces, as I got close I stopped and switched on the laptop to check my position with Autoroute gps locator. I should have had more confidence, I was only just round the corner, but hadn’t wanted to wander too far out of the way and have trouble finding my way back.
Happily the driving rain which had accompanied me all the way from Niort now relented as, after phoning for directions to the car park of the gated community, I met Sally’s daughter, sent down to lead me back upstairs.
Inside I met Sally herself now with a baby daughter too, and 3 puppies running rings round her, and their own mother. Dad was out of sight, but not hearing, in another room where he had been put on advice from the vet. The teenage daughter was off to school so, after a quick coffee I was off down the stairs with my 3 little charges in a cat carrier closely held to my chest – the door on it was missing! At the car I opened the large cage and tipped them in. At least I thought I had, but one remained and I had to upend the carrier and shake it to get him out. On the way they were no trouble, quietening their initial squeaks after half an hour or so.
'Harlequin is doing really well. I fell totally in love with him that 10 days he was here. One of the sweetest dogs I have ever met - and so looking for someone to love. It broke my heart to send him on. But I couldn't give him the life he needed with my two dobermanns here. He has a forever home with a lovely lady who has five other dogs - she runs an equestrian centre and next month he starts his flyball and agility lessons. Just what I hoped he would find and just what he needed. I get regular updates and photographs from her. So I am happy for him.'
There are some more pictures of Harlequin, exuberant in his new life in England, at the bottom of the page
I would have been on time in the Gironde too; in fact I was within the hour stated, but for the ineptitude of the locals to give useful direction. When I did find them it was in a magnificent house in large fenced gardens with a fabulous view over the Gironde estuary. The view of the setting sun over the water was stunning. The 2 dogs ran happily at liberty all over the place and willingly into the house, but Perdita showed her dominant strain, snapping at Harry whenever he jumped up or got too wild. Definite shades of Ramona there.
The route back to Niort was long but easy and I arrived at the routier on the ring road at 8pm. I found a good place on a slight slope (a hiatus hernia means that I have to sleep with my head higher than my feet. I bought a pair of ramps months ago but have never used them, always finding just enough inclination for the purpose) out of the way with the help of the Patronne too, a definite pointer for the future.
On the phone Fran told me that the funeral of our old friend and past president of the pétanque club, Pierrot, is at 2.30 tomorrow. She will be there and present our condolences and my excuses to his wife. I expect a lot of pétanquers will be in attendance, he was a popular and long standing servant of the club, in fact our first president when we joined back in the early 90s.
On Friday morning I headed for Parthenay, the city centre was my destination, to collect 3 puppies from a flat totally unsuitable for them and their parents, Jack Russels all 5. I had previously checked my route on Google Maps and thought I would have no difficulty but, belt and braces, as I got close I stopped and switched on the laptop to check my position with Autoroute gps locator. I should have had more confidence, I was only just round the corner, but hadn’t wanted to wander too far out of the way and have trouble finding my way back.
Happily the driving rain which had accompanied me all the way from Niort now relented as, after phoning for directions to the car park of the gated community, I met Sally’s daughter, sent down to lead me back upstairs.
Inside I met Sally herself now with a baby daughter too, and 3 puppies running rings round her, and their own mother. Dad was out of sight, but not hearing, in another room where he had been put on advice from the vet. The teenage daughter was off to school so, after a quick coffee I was off down the stairs with my 3 little charges in a cat carrier closely held to my chest – the door on it was missing! At the car I opened the large cage and tipped them in. At least I thought I had, but one remained and I had to upend the carrier and shake it to get him out. On the way they were no trouble, quietening their initial squeaks after half an hour or so.
It didn’t take me long to find my way out of town and on the road to Poitiers, and then Limoges, to pick up the free autoroute as far as the exit before the péage to take us into the village of Cressensac. Then a nice run down the old N20 to Cahors.
I stopped there only for fuel, as I couldn’t see any way to control them outside of the cage, and arrived in Sauzet at 1.30pm, an hour early for my rendezvous with Colin and Amanda. They are friends of Sue Glibbery who runs Poor Paws in the nearby village of St. Pantaléon but who was away from home on family business. As they live 3 or 4 kms away on my way home and I had the directions I decided to deliver them to the door but unfortunately my directions were faulty. At the crossroads described I turned left and then right into a descending stony track. This soon became muddy in patches and there was a nasty moment when the car slid sideways towards a drop to a field below. I overcame this though, steering into the skid and lifting my feet from all the pedals and we continued to an old barn which marked the end of the track. Thinking I may have to ring for their Land Rover I turned carefully and set off back up the track regaining the road without further incident. After one more mistaken, but safer, diversion I phoned Colin and got the right directions. 5 minutes later I was at their front door where the 2 of us along with Amanda, unloaded the 3 puppies and deposited them into their kitchen.
I stopped there only for fuel, as I couldn’t see any way to control them outside of the cage, and arrived in Sauzet at 1.30pm, an hour early for my rendezvous with Colin and Amanda. They are friends of Sue Glibbery who runs Poor Paws in the nearby village of St. Pantaléon but who was away from home on family business. As they live 3 or 4 kms away on my way home and I had the directions I decided to deliver them to the door but unfortunately my directions were faulty. At the crossroads described I turned left and then right into a descending stony track. This soon became muddy in patches and there was a nasty moment when the car slid sideways towards a drop to a field below. I overcame this though, steering into the skid and lifting my feet from all the pedals and we continued to an old barn which marked the end of the track. Thinking I may have to ring for their Land Rover I turned carefully and set off back up the track regaining the road without further incident. After one more mistaken, but safer, diversion I phoned Colin and got the right directions. 5 minutes later I was at their front door where the 2 of us along with Amanda, unloaded the 3 puppies and deposited them into their kitchen.
The cage they left behind was in a perfect condition and indeed they used the litter tray placed for them on the floor of the kitchen. I suppose this early training was bred from necessity, born as they were in a flat with no outside access. Good news for all concerned, JRs are not difficult to re-home and indeed these 3 were already spoken for, one to stay here, the others not far away.
After tea and biscuits I left an hour later and was home again at 5.30 to my usual boisterous welcome.
Update - 3 pictures of Harlequin, taken in England in December 2012.
After tea and biscuits I left an hour later and was home again at 5.30 to my usual boisterous welcome.
Update - 3 pictures of Harlequin, taken in England in December 2012.
Total distance 2,840 kms.