29 May 2017

Natasha portraits

We're just finishing up more than a week of warm, even hot, sunny days. It's supposed to start raining later today and be wet for a week. The dogs and the people have enjoyed spending time outdoors.


Yesterday I took a few pictures of Natasha, who is now three months old. She's getting along well with Callie the border collie and Bert the black cat. She had her first visit with the vet last week. She's gained nearly four pounds since we brought her home and now weighs in at 10 pounds.


'Tasha is also making great progress on the house-breaking front. There's still a little accident from time to time — mostly pipi. When she does it on the tile floors, it's no big deal. On the rugs, well... that's happening less and less now. She's learned to come to either one of us and give a short, shrill bark when she needs to be taken outside, and she wakes us up at about 4:00 a.m. most mornings when it's time for her sortie.


The main progress we are hoping will happen soon is her learning how to go down stairs. She runs right up, but she's afraid to go back down. Dogs are naturally afraid of falling, they say — les chiens ont peur du vide — and 'Tasha's legs are short. Once she completely masters stairs, she'll be independent, since we keep the doors open in summertime.

18 comments:

  1. Your recent photos of the buildings of Saint-Aignan have been keeping me going until our next holiday and now it has almost arrived. We will be at Camping les Cochards from 12th June for three weeks and are so looking forward to it.
    Last May, your blog was so helpful in keeping us up to date with information about the campsite flooding - it enabled us to postpone our holiday and saved us much money and grief.
    My husband Dave and I would love to say thank you in person if you and Walt would be able to come down to the campsite for a coffee while we are there? We also have a little book which we hope you would both find interesting and which we would like you to have.
    You are both very busy people but is it possible and, if so, how is the best way to arrange a meet-up?

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  2. Just thought to add - or we can meet in town somewhere if you prefer?

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    1. we have visitors and guests coming from the U.S. between 15 and 25 June. Maybe we can get together toward the end of your stay at Les Cochards.

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    2. Thank You. That sounds good. We don't leave Saint-Aignan until 6th July. I've made a note in my diary to contact you again on 26th June if that is ok?

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    3. Yes. Can we bring Natasha to the camping des Cochards? I don't yet know when we'll be comfortable leaving her without human supervision.

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    4. We would love to meet her and I am sure it will be ok. However, I will check with Ludovic who owns the campsite and get back to you. Today's photos are wonderful, particularly the 2nd one which shows such personality.

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  3. She is such a little beauty ! makes me want one just like her :)

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    1. Natasha's brother is still looking for a home, as far as I know.

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  4. Oh Ken ... don't tempt me .. let me see, airfare to France, rent car, drive to your house .. get puppy ... decide to live in France ..

    sounds good so far :)

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  5. 10 pounds! The funny thing about photos when she is by herself in them-- she looks full-size :) But, she's only a little thing, still -- so cute!

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  6. She is just adorable and smart! I would love to have a dog, but those early morning and late night pipi calls...not so much! :) Still, it doesn't stop my longing! I have had cats since I left home except for one little adorable puppy that did not live very long due to an illness. Cats are so independent and were much less worry when I was working long hours.

    I have enjoyed the tours of the beautiful buildings in your most recent blogs too! Breathtaking architecture and so much history! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world!

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  7. She's such a sweetie. It's when you see her next to Callie that you realise she's still a tiny pup. So glad that they all get on together.

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  8. Natasha is a little beauty! She looks so happy and healthy.

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  9. I somehow missed this post yesterday. Tasha is such a beauty! And you are still making new friends (Suecee) which reminds me of how we became friends quite a few years ago now. Tempus fugit.

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