Our beloved dog, Braise. Photo taken one month ago…
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CHIEN PERDU
: LOST DOG
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Audio File
Download Chien "perdu" MP3 file
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A Day in a French Life…
by Kristin Espinasse
A terrible thing happened at the breeder's in Marseilles: the dogs escaped.
Jean-Marc
and I arrived at the boarder's (who, I now admit, were not really brothel owners at all–but a
sympathetic couple who run a charming bed and breakfast near the Gare St.
Charles). We had met them–and their dashing golden retriever, Sam–last
year, when we rented a room, chez eux,* for the night. When they graciously agreed
to welcome Braise for the weekend–at the height of her chaleur*–we
couldn't believe our luck.
And now, somehow, that luck has gone
terribly amuck. Sabine, the B&B owner, met us at the door of the
historic building in the heart of Marseilles. That is when we heard the
bad news: "Ils se sont échappés."* The dogs had disappeared.
Sabine
was white with worry, having just returned from an initial street search. "Je ne comprends pas!"* she said. How could the dogs have possibly gotten loose? Sabine & Jean-Noël's B&B, an ancient bonneterie,* is located off the busy street, beyond a
towering row of sky-high buildings which flank La Rue
de la Libération. To enter their home, one has to pass through three
doors, one entry hall and a courtyard. How the dogs made it through all of these barriers, to the street, beyond, is one great mystère.*
There was no time to figure it out. Jean-Marc and I turned on our heels and headed back out the door.
We had this naive notion that we might find our golden retriever–as
one might find a needle in a golden haystack–by sheer chance.
The
"haystack" that is Marseilles is nearly two million inhabitants strong. Stepping
back out onto the Rue de la Libération, I watch, horrified, as the
cars lurch, screech, and speed by. Our Braise, who was reared in the
countryside, is accustomed to dirt roads. The most dangerous "wheels" in our
area belong to tractors–which occasionally putt-putt past by our farm, a haven that she rarely ventures away from.
My God, Marseilles. Of all places to be lost!
Please God, please God…
I begin
questioning the pedestrians. "Excusez-moi… vous n'avez
pas–par hasard–vu des chiens?"* Incredibly, a man and his daughter
have seen the dogs sans laisses*:
"Two long-haired dogs? Yes, we saw them around 3 o'clock. They were headed that way."
I
thank the monsieur, allowing the bad news to register. 3 o'clock?
That was 3 hours ago! Just how much distance could two dogs cover in 180 minutes? I look down the crowded street, innocently
searching for the dogs — before it dawns on me that they had been
headed toward the crowded Canebière on this saturated Saturday
afternoon.
"Come
on!" Jean-Marc says, "We had better take the car." As I begin to cross
the street, I feel my torso jerk backward. Instinct. A car honks, angrily, sparing me. Beyond, more cars reel by, jumping lanes, erratically, ever eager to get ahead of the next guy.
* * *
As we make our way down the boulevard, I notice how hard–at times impossible–it is to
see the sidewalk, where the dogs might still be wandering. The
cars, which line the trottoir,* are packed so closely together that they
block our view of what might lie beyond.
Lie beyond… Oh mon Dieu!* What if the dogs were lying somewhere in the middle of the street?
Our search on wheels begins. Jean-Marc pulls over the car again and again. "Run in and ask the
barman… Hop out and ask the coiffeur*… Go and check with the
greengrocer… There's a policeman!" Meantime he throws his head out the window to question
pedestrians: have you seen two dogs–goldens? On a perdu deux chiens*… Headshake after
headshake, they haven't.
As we drive up one narrow street and down the next, busy boulevard I
see many dogs. Each and every one on a leash–lest it be crushed
by a car or a tram! I look down to discover, for the first time, the chaotic tracks of man and machine. Looking up again I see a tram rushing forward. Even the homeless people, who almost fade into the background of the busy streets, have their scrawny dogs secured with leashes–and for good reason!
I have never seen so many
people in one place in all my life. If the cubbyholes and pockets of this crowded city aren't hiding our dogs–the people are–via one great human patchwork curtain. The absurdity of our search
settles in–and seizes us. I feel a lump growing in my throat as shock steals my voice, strangles the breath of hope. We continue our search in silence, here beneath the sun that soon will set.
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Continue reading Part Two of this story.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~French Vocabulary~~~~~~~~~~~
chez eux = at their place; les chaleurs = heat (dog's heat); Ils se sont échappés = they escaped; je ne comprends pas = I don't understand; la bonneterie (f) = hosier's / lingerie shop; le mystère (m) = mystery; Excusez-moi… vous n'avez
pas–par hasard–vu deux chiens? = Excuse me… you haven't–by chance–seen two dogs?; sans laisses = without leashes; oh mon Dieu = oh my God; le coiffeur (m) = the hairdresser; on a perdu deux chiens = we have lost two dogs
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My mom, Jules, and Braise playing together last Spring, in the Vauclusian countryside, not a car in sight.
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Dear Kristi and Jean-Marc,
So sorry to hear of Braise escape. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a safe (and soon!) return. My Maxie has sneaked out the back gate several times and it is so scarey, but we have always found that wild ramblin’ chien. Good luck. Will be waiting to hear the news of The Homecoming.
Kristin and Family:
Praying for a speedy and safe return of the ‘elopers’.
Barb
Nolensville, TN
Kristin,
I am so sorry for the escape of Braise. I hope that your next post talks about her return. As many people have stated, she is with a native city dog, therefore, they have a good chance of returning home on their own. Maybe they needed to play hooky.
Please post signs and pictures on all buildings, etc. and visit the police, animal shelters, etc. – all of the places where someone might turn in stray dogs.
On a trip to France I left my cat in the care of my landlord in Connecticut (I had just moved into the rental house a few days before) and she escaped and ran off. She did not return until I came home and went out looking for her and calling her. Hopefully Braise will hear your voice and come running.
Bon chance and keep us posted!
Kathleen
Praying and praying for a safe return
Kristin,
I agree with everything Holly said: plaster the neighborhoods with pictures of Braise and Sam and check with all the Vets offices in the area, as well as the dog shelters, police stations, etc. Leave flyers with pictures and your contact info with them too.
One more suggestion: Put your CELL PHONE NUMBERS as well as the home phone, and your email address on all the flyers, and if appropriate to France (it sometime works here in the U.S.)…offer a reward for their safe return (but don’t say how much). If you’re out looking for the dogs the cell phone numbers are going to be much more helpful…if someone spots the dogs, you can reach the location faster than if you’re back at home. Plus if you’re all out looking, there will be no one at home to answer the phone!
Look at the map of the neighborhood and draw a circle (real or imaginary) for a radius of 1 or 2 kilometers (or whatever your sense tells you would be the amount the dogs are most likely to have traveled) and systematically post your flyers in that pattern.
I too, hope that they had some I.D. on them to help whoever finds them, locate YOU.
And am hopeful too that Sam will get tired or hungry and lead Braise back to Sabine’s house.
Bon Courage!
D’Neal in Keizer, OR
with my two little Bichon Frisé girls (who are both micro-chipped and tattooed…I am so paranoid about losing them)
My fingers are crossed and my thoughts are with you all…and Braise…
My heart breaks for you. Best of luck…
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll return safely. I would have been just as terrified if my labrador had gone missing -but as someone said earlier,as she’s with a local dog she’ll no doubt be back by now(and hungry). We dog owners really understand how you must be feeling.
Add me to the long list of people who will pray for the safe return of the dogs in the very near future.
Je suis désolée ma chère Kristin, elle était tellement adorable ! Je t’embrasse bien fort !
I am up in the middle of the night here, hoping to find some good news posted here during daylight in France. Good luck and know that if we could we would all come to Marseilles and help!
Kristin & Jean-Marc,
I just read of a few more ideas for finding a lost dog.
> Contact local radio & TV stations and try to get them to mention your story on the air to their audience (TV stations here, regularly feature stories about lost pets as human-interest stories, after reporting the “hard” news of the day). Since you are a “local” author, Kristin,…it may help get your story mentioned.
> Also, talk to the local postal carrier for Sabine’s neighborhood…they may be familiar with Sam, and perhaps they have spotted the two dogs.
> Neighborhood children who know Sabine and her dog, may also be willing to help in the search.
I don’t use Twitter, but if you or your children do…that can be a very good way to quickly spread the news and enlist an army of eyes & ears to look for the dogs. Even many of the TV networks and their local stations here have Twitter accts and a loyal following of local citizens who love to contribute “viewer news” via email or Twitter.
You have to your advantage that Braise & Sam are purebred dogs of a recognizable breed. Someone, somewhere, has to have seen these two beautiful dogs, with their distinctive golden coloring.
Keep getting the word out, everywhere & any way you can…soon you’ll have all of Marseilles looking for them!
D’Neal in Keizer, Oregon, USA
Chere Kristi et Jean-Marc
Thoughts and prayers for the speedy return of dear Braise. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. Goldens are so smart and while giddy with freedom, their greatest inclination is to be with you…hurry home, Braise!
Kristin, Jean-Marc, Jackie, and Max,
I read this as soon as it was posted but didn’t quite have the heart to respond immediately. As you can see, your legion of Internet friends are sending good energy and prayers Braise’s way. All of us who love animals and dogs in particular know the agony of a runaway pet. A collie shepherd I had years ago was once outside when a clap of thunder struck (unexpectedly under a sunny sky). She bolted away before anyone knew she was gone. Hours later, she was found sitting in a worker’s pickup truck a few miles away, where she evidently felt safe. One never knows, but dogs are much smarter than they are given credit for, and they love their families A LOT… Hope the kids are bearing up okay.
Love, prayers, and concern,
Angela and Bill D.
Dear Jean-Marc and Kristin,
Praying for a speedy return of a much loved Braise into your family.
Gilda Camuto
Kristin,
After reading the post where it was pointed out that the dogs were both very valuable and questioning the B&B operator’s motives, I have to say, I’m a little suspicious too. I would definitely notify the police as Braise is not just a family member, but of some monetary value to nefarious persons! Your photos show she’s an exceptionally pretty Golden.
I hate to impugn someone I’ve never met, but I think you have to look at every angle here. It seems highly improbable that two dogs got out of a house that required them to pass through 3 doors! Ask around the neighborhood and be sure to mention a reward.
My BF once had a pure-bred hunting dog stolen by someone who opened a locked car door (the window was down) and removed the dog in a busy parking lot. The dog apparently jumped out of a moving vehicle to get back home again. He had a road rash all over one side when he made his way back home.
Be alert to all the possibilities here and good luck. My prayers are with you and your family and Braise!
i am new to your blog and actually ordered your book…i just read your post and i have tears flowing down my face for you. i also pray that your sweet braise returns home soon, i cannot imagine how you feel. i am so sorry. mickey
Braise is back!! Much joy to you and your family. I think this story has touched just about every reader you have. I know it touched me.
Can’t wait until tomorrow to hear about Braise’s trials and tribulations!
I am so very happy that you found your dog. The do become ingrained as part of the family don’t they!
All I can say is HIP-HIP HOORAY!!!
Susan
I’m thrilled to see that sweet Braise is back home! J’espère que tout va bien – prenez soin de vous.
Merci for sharing the wonderful news!!!! I have been checking your posts every hour and am so relieved and thankful!!!! Can’t wait to hear the story tomorrow.
Warm hugs to all of you!
Dev
Holy Moly! That’s fantastic. I can’t wait to hear the story of Braise’s return. Amazing.
I am so relieved for you.
I was hoping, fingers still crossed and had a little prayer in my heart as I opened my email this morning….YAAAYYYY!!
I am SO HAPPY for you all to have your much loved Braise back home safe and sound!!
Tuesday June 16 – I am so glad Braise was found!!! I didn’t have time to post yesterday, but I prayed for her and her “amour” to be found…I can’t say I pray for dogs too often, but this was one time, and I am SOOOO glad she’s back!! Quel bon Dieu!
Oh Kristen,
Thank you for the early update! You and the gallivanting goldens were in my prayers. Once again St Anthony comes through!
My heart goes out to y’all. I hope y’all will soon have a joyful reunion with Braise. We’re all waiting and hoping for good news.
i am a dip…my mother recently had a total hip replacement, and i was her ONLY caregiver. i became extraordinarily behind in my email. i only JUST learned of your heartbreak. i PRAY your family has been fully restored–i know hos difficult it is to have a beloved fur-person wander off. mt Blue kitty was on a 3 month walkabout a dew years ago; she was miraculously returned to us (just a bag of bones, fly-bitten ears, and fire-ant attack covered paws. we were able to restore her health, and i tell her at least every-other-day how fortunate we all are that she was found, and restored to us.
you are in my prayers! (i have a feeling this mesage is WAY too old.)
hello kristin,
how are you?have you already found your dog..i hope you do..i will pray you and your dog..goodluck..