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.
* * *
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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My cousin once had her dog get lost about 25 miles from home and three days later he showed up on her doorstep! Let’s home Braise is a good “homing pigeon” too!
Jeanne
Oh No! I hope Braise and her companion come home soon. I’m sure you’re worried sick. ~kate
“His eye is on the sparrow”…and I believe on those two dogs. I pray they return home safely. ~Dawne
Pray to St. Anthony – he will help you find them. And I will be praying, too. ~ Janet
Courage,she is with a local dog, he will probably turn up when he is really hungry with her close behind. I hope they are both micro-puced.
Kris
It is very stressful to loose a member of the family – you probably have already checked but – http://www.spa-marseille.com/ trouve/perdu can help and it looks like you can put pictures up.
Bon chance
Please tell me you found the dogs! We have had many of these mis-adventures with our dogs who wonder the city and somehow manage to find some nice soul who will return them. Hope they had some type of ID on them. Keep your faith. They will return.
Kristi, it breaks my heart to hear your news. Fortunately, the French are such dog lovers that no doubt someone has recognized that they are not strays and has taken them safely indoors until notices can be posted. Otherwise, I’m sure Braise’s companion will lead them back home and all will be well.
I am hoping that the dogs will pop up any le moment. Two little corrections today on your French. Le mystère and par hasard.
Oh Kristi, I am so sorry, I hope it turns out OK. My hope and sense is that Braise and her amour were enjoying their little tryst and decided to extend the fun by going off on an adventure as a couple, and that they will soon return.
I felt so sad reading this..Maybe Braise went home?
One of our dogs many years ago found it’s way back to a home we had sold and moved out of.
I hope by now they are with you as I read this.
trust the instinet of dogs, they will find you.
Chere Kristin,I am going to call my friend in New Orleans and together we will pray to St Anthony to return Braise safely home to you. My Toutou is like one of my children so I do understand how worried and frightened you must be.
oh no! I’m so sorry to hear your news! I remain hopeful over here. I once had a golden that ran away when she heard fireworks. She was once gone for 2 weeks! Someone had found her and kept her while checking w/all the vets in the area. It was a very long 2 weeks. Please keep us updated!
I really feel for you and your family – but agree with a previous message in that she is with a local dog. It is agonising when a pet dog is lost. My daughter’s dog (she lives in the south of France) has gone missing before but has either returned home safely himself, or been picked up by the police and safely returned. I pray for Braise’ safe return – please let us know.
This is so stressful and hard. And one’s imagination makes it worse. We lost our very beloved cat for three weeks. He returned looking a bit thin, but what a reunion we had. I am thinking of your Braise, and hope the trysting couple returns asap.
I’ve only just joined French word a day, thanks to my good friends Anne and Kirk Woodyard, who I know you have just met in person!
I feel so bad for you and hope Braise is safely back with you. I had a dog once who was stolen from us and taken to quite a distant place. He was just a mongrel, but very precious. It took him tree months, but he came home. I pray Braise and companion will do so too
Jill
Miracles do happen. My heart is with you as you wait for dear Braise’s return.
Dear Kristin,
My heart was in my mouth as I read of your frantic search for Braise. I can sense your devastation – I would feel the same if I lost my faithful dog, Dusty. I do so hope you find les deux chiens.Keeping you in my prayers.
Bon courage.
Andrea A.
Oh Kristin, I am keeping all fingers crossed and thinking of you all. I truly hope you are reunited with Braise. Hopefully the power of the prayers of all your readers will help this situation.
with love and care
Chris
Hopeful thoughts for the return of your dear golden one!
Oh my goodness. I am praying too and hope the next post will be a happy one. “Brothers and sisters I bid you beware of giving your heart to a dog to tear” Kipling. How we love them.
I am so sorry to hear that Braise is missing. My stomach lurched when I read the title and I had to read your column right then! (I usually save it to read in the afternoon, to perk up my day…) I had to know if you had found the ‘lost dog’. I am very saddened to hear that you have not yet. Me and my dogs will all be praying for a safe return home for your Braise…
LA (and Barnum & Bailey)
Kristen: Please keep us posted as we are all anxious for news. Praying and hoping for the best.
My dog got lost at JFK in 1996, returning to NY from France. I got lots of press but never found him. JFK however is surrounded by ring roads with lots of traffic. I lost a friend’s dog who escaped from the guard at the Picasso Museum in Antibes but I found her about two hours later. Keep looking. Also contact all the vets, pet shops, animal shelters and the police. People tend to report lost dogs to all those places. Put up notices with your portable phone number offering a reward. I think you have a good chance of getting your dogs back because the male will eventually find his way home. Thinking of you, Catherine
Oh Kristin, this is just devastating. Please, please apprise us all when Braise is returned home safe and sound. This is so very upsetting!
I’ve been meaning to ask you – does the name “Braise” mean anything?
I’m so sorry to hear about how Braise and her companion escaped. I’ll certainly be praying that they will be found unharmed. It would take a little time, but perhaps you could put an ad in the paper and/or signs on lampposts or something, notifying people about the lost dogs, and maybe including a picture. (When one of our cats was lost a couple of years ago, we put up signs and got some calls from people who said they had seen her.)
Dear Kristin and Jean-Marc,
I do hope those two dogs are still together and that you find them as soon as possible.
I don’t have a pet, but pets are like family, too. I know what’s it like to be sick with worry for someone who has strayed out of one’s safe surroundings. It’s nervewracking, all sorts of things go through your mind. I feel for you and your family. Do your kids know?
Some of the comments are more on the reassuring side and think that they’d find their way by themselves. Anyway, my prayers are with you.
I do hope you and Sabine get your dogs back. The waiting will be awful.
Jean-Marc and Kristin,
I share the same thoughts as the rest of the commenters. I pray for a happy ending. Bon courage to all the people concerned.
Rach
I was just so sure your post to day would end comically with the dogs just around the corner at the neighbor’s or somewhere else close by. Please let us know as soon as you know anything! We all love Braise and I’ll be praying for her safe return.
I worked at an animal shelter for a while when I was younger and the best chance of finding her rests in getting the word out. Plaster the city with her pictures, offer a reward, and call every shelter in the area every three days like clock work. Walk the area and question other dog owners. They know the local dogs and will notice one who doesn’t belong. Take pictures to vet’s offices and ask if you can post them in the waiting rooms. When searching, look at natural areas with other dogs like parks and where food can be found, such as behind restaurants and dumpsters.
There were many instances where the lost pets came home after many month’s absence and it was usually because some kind person took them in and decided to keep them. In one case a woman came in diligently every week for a year. She finally said she would not come in again and two days later her beloved cat was brought in by a woman and two kids who had found and kept it. What a joyful reunion! I will pray Braise finds her way home to you safe and sound! Don’t give up!
Kristin,
How sad! I have been to Marseilles many times and can’t imagine two lost dogs especially one from the country side. St. Anthony is the patron saint of things lost and he has helped us before. My mother was making meat balls and put her engagement and wedding rings in her pocket and then went to the store to get a few things. She lives in a large city in Massachusetts. There was a hole in her pocket and she lost them. When she realized several hours later she called me because she couldn’t drive; she was too upset. We went to the shopping mall parking lot praying to St. Anthony the whole way and there right beside a parked car were her two rings sparkling in the sun. May he answer your prayers too!
On a more pleasant subjet I love the pictures of Provence I can sit at my desk and dream of September when we will return for 3 weeks.
Fondly Ellen Gaucher
I am so sorry to hear that but I think they will return. They must have needed the privacy, they needed to hide. My cat did that once and my husband and I walked the streets the entire night until 4 a.m. until the doodle, totally oblivious, just returned. Oh how painful it was. We pray that they return safely as if nothing had ever happened.
XX
Thoughts and prayers are with Braise; will keep checking posts today and hope for good news.
Dev
Praying.
You and your family along with Braise are in my prayers. My puppies send their prayers and love too.
Oh Braise, come home.
Oh, Kristin, I’m praying that God helps you find your dogs well and soon. I’m simply heartbroken over this loss. I can’t imagine the feelings you’re going through! Many blessings.
Oh what a worry! I hope Braise and her amour are found soon and are okay. Please post immediately with good news. My dogs have gotten out a couple of times. One will stay within sight-the other runs like a gazelle.
Je suis desolee. Even though I can’t find how to do the accent marks, it seems to express better what I feel for you than English does. I can’t imagine losing our big Golden Doodle. (half Golden Retriever and half standard poodle) I will be much in prayer and I know God cares about the details of our lives. Let us know immediately, svp.
I am hoping it won’t be long before we all read about the safe return of Braise and her run away companion! I join the group praying to St. Anthony for your beloved friend to be once again romping in the countryside.
Barbara
Querida Kristi,
I’m so sorry to hear the news. I really hope that by the time your read this, you are reunited with Braise and both dogs are safe.
My thoughts are with your family.
Besos,
Andrea
Kristin
I have followed your post for years and am so saddened at your loss. I’ll pray for Braise to find her way home.
Virginia Ward
I join many of your friends with prayers for the safe return of the dogs. I know your family is heartbroken, and so I also send prayers for you. Pray, pray, pray. I know that it helps. Nan
I hope Braise returns home soon…animals have a funny way of caring for themselves, and intuitively knowing their way home. That said, I hope to read of her safe return soon!
Kristin and Jean-Marc,
I am so sorry to hear about Braise, I do hope she is safe where ever she is, and that you find her real soon. My thoughts are with you guys…..
Désolée. Could someone have stolen them? Is either one chipped?
You are in my prayers.
Barbara in Chicago
Ipray for you! That is the worst feeling in the world.
Oh Kristin, how terrible.
I hope Braise and her companion are soon found and home safe and sound.
I assume you’ve called the police and fire depts, and have put up posters all over?
Keep us updated.
Sending you good thoughts and prayers.