When I got my new pup in 2003 and she immediately, at 5 months, demonstrated not only precosity and smarts, but sheer courage and flexibility, I decided she would make a fine overseas traveling companion. So after our first month together, I decided to take her to France with me for the holidays.

Since I would be traveling with her by train (four beautiful hours from Paris), I decided that perhaps it would be wise to teach her commands in both French and English. Who better than to ask than my friend’s tri-lingual 5 year old?  So thanks to Agneska, Slaine managed, with jet lag, to learn a few new word tricks.

Happily this has met with great approval with French people whether on a country lane or the streets of Paris. Turns out both babies and pups rank very high. And if a pooch comes when called in French, sits and shakes hands, tant mieux!

Time and experiences have unfolded, and lucky Slaine, now 2.5  years has been to France four times! Not only has she charmed the 2 leggeds, but has many 4 legged friends as well. With a variety of French friends of her own, Lylla, Pertus, Lola, Uni, and Kali, to name a few she sees regularly on walks or at he market, Slaine’s good humor and playful disposition have helped to further Franco American rapprochement, one paw at a time.

(Originally written after a long afternoon’s romp by the river with Slaine’s 4 legged French friends, Lylla and Pertus
and my old friend Molly, whose love of the Dordogne region quickly entered my pysche 25 years ago) Fall, 2005