"Méfiance & Insouciance" ("Mistrust & Unconcern").
The pictures above show Smokey's parents, Sam & Braise, illustrating the concept of "méfiance" (see Sam, left) and carefree "insouciance" (see Braise, right). Smokey's family trusts that he will move from one emotional stage to the other, before long (we hope!). (See the original photo at the end of this edition.)
subir (soo-beer) verb
to suffer, undergo; to be subjected to
Check out this verb conjugator for the French word subir.
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Le chiot a subi un gros choc emotionnel suite à l'attaque.
The puppy suffered a great emotional shock following the attack.
A Day in a French Life…
by Kristin Espinasse
Gone is the puppy breath. Gone is the bubbily chubbily jubilance. When two attack dogs mauled our 9-weeks-old puppy, stolen was his "childhood" innocence. That carefree trust-all esprit* has been replaced with méfiance*. Gone is the gung ho glee.
Manque de chance.*
Huffy-puffy playfulness has been replaced with post-traumatic stress. Whereas one week ago our puppy basked in make-believe:
I'm a mighty musketeer — just look at me, here!
See me soar — me and my puppy power galore!
Superhero, superdog — watch me charge across the room… and wrestled that wooden clog!
Grrrr-umph, Grrrhumph — now watch me wag my tail in triumph!
These days our puppy–who used to wrestle the roots of towering trees–is afraid of rustling, feather-light leaves.
Like this it's been four days now that he's been camped beside me (and his mama, there, see?).
Where once her soft stomach was his second home, now Smokey's mother backs away, twitches her nose and groans.
Looking down in my lap at the shaky survivor, I try to read our puppy's mind. Here, from what I can gather, is what Smokey is thinking:
Rejection, dejection, this is no vie de chien.*
I thought I was supposed to chase butterflies…
instead of hiding from them.
Update: Our puppy continues to make physical progress never mind his emotional distress. The staples in his throat and cheek will be taken out, hopefully, on Friday. He is eating well and he wags his tail, gratefully, when we call his name (whether that be "Smokey," "Smokey Bear," "Smoke-Meister," "Smoke-A-Roo," "Smokester," "Mister Smokey," or simply, lovingly "Golden Smokey!"
Comments and messages to Smokey are welcome and appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~French Vocabulary~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
la méfiance (f) = distrust; le manque (m) de chance = unluckiness; une vie (f) de chien = dog's life
Back when Sam came for a visit, last June… following their amorous escapade in Marseilles… he left a few of his genes behind. "Smokey" and his siblings were born some 9 weeks later! Braise looks like a happy camper, n'est-ce pas? Ah, les femmes enceintes — how they glow!
French Clockmaker sign :
a reproduction of an old French merchant's sign
Au sourire de l'âme
French music by Pep's (recommended by my son, Max)
I'll Never Be French (no matter what I do):
Memoir of living in a Small Village in Brittany
Songs in French for Children
…including Alouette, Sur le Pont d'Avignon, Claire Fontaine, Prom'non Nous dans les Bois…
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So sorry that this has happened Kristin. I am sending love and positive thoughts to Smokey and all of you. It must be so tough to see the little possum it this state. He comes from good stock though, look how Braise her disappearance a while back.
Take care
Chris
Hello from rainy Sainte Cécile where a warm and swift southern wind ended in pouring afternoon skies.
Thank you all very much for your generous compassion. I would like to share it right back with you, and with so many that I know who are struggling with health and financial issues at this time (you know who you are, whether readers, family members and friends!)
Thanks to Catherine (and to so many of you for excellent tips which I will use…) for the info on how to act and react around my on-the-mend chien. I had been doing everything backwards! (Rewarding him, it turns out, for his fear.) I have started by removing Smokey from my room, and putting him back in the family area. He is happily distracted by the cooking and construction work (Uncle Jacques is back — painting and patching up the walls…) — Smokey is a great audience for my brother-in-law and seems interested in the home-improvements as he sits quietly watching everything.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts here.
Amicalement,
Kristin, from Sainte Cécile “with the streaming skies”.
Poor little guy. He still looks so sad—-and confused. Prayers to Smokey and Mama Braise, Please keep updates coming on the progress of both dogs.
You are a wonderful family and I’m sure all that love will soon heal both dogs.
Bisous
Jill – Tarn et Garonne
Cher Smokey,
Sois mieux, sois bonhomme! Tu as des miliers des amis!
Tonton Nick
I’m sure that as the body heals, his spirits will heal too. There are two homeopathic remedies that might be available in your area that are good for injuries and improving recovery (mental and physical). Arnica montana for the physical trauma and Ignatia is good for shocks that are not recovered from. Arnica is good for people too, any soft tissue injury or shock (such as a fall, bruise, car accident, etc.) and is the main remedy for an instance like Smokey’s. I wish you all well.
Dear Kristi,
Maybe Smokey’s mom is instinctively doing what she needs to do while he is healing. She cannot lick his wounds nor coddle him too much or he will not heal physically or emotionally. It may seem like rejection to us, but in a dogs world Smokey has to be weaned from his infancy. It’s just that he was attacked by those aggressive dogs at the same time. Smokey is clearly a survivor and I’m sure Braise does not want him to be feeling sorry for himself. As I recall, Braise was pacing back and forth where Smokey had fallen until help had arrived. She and you are responsible for his initial recovery and getting him to the vet on time. I am amazed that he is eating and healing so quickly.
In any case, I think Smokey will heal both physically and emotionally in due time and he and his mom will establish a new and better relationship when it’s all over. My prayers and love continue to go out for Smokey.
Hi kristin,
perhaps a puppy play-date might be just what the doctor ordered.. Best wishes to all
Merrie Dail, Annapolis MD
Kristin and family – who could not be moved by these photos. I feel for you all, but am glad others have offered good advice for Smokey’s recovery and rehabilitation. The emotional recovery will take longer, but he is in good hands. I look forward to seeing him grow in stature and confidence as the weeks pass.
What a rollercoaster you have been on recently. Warmest wishes from a very dreich Scotland.
Cloudy and a drizzle of rain in Iowa this evening…feels a lot like my heart when I read about Smokey’s horrible trauma. I know between your love, Jean-Marc’s and the kids’ he’ll bounce back and be your playful puppy once again.
Puppies, like children, are resilient – before you know it, he’ll be back to puppyhood. Patience.
Courage,mon ami. Les jours meilleurs ont d’avance(don’t know if that translates well, but i wanted to say better days are ahead)!Godspeed to all of you.
You will heal and once again be the wonderful puppy that you are. It’s not fair, and I hate the 2 dogs that attacked you ( & perhaps the owner that let them escape). But you, Smokey, are the brave pup and will wag your tail again.
I am so sorry about what happened to your puppy! They are resilient and he will heal both externally and internally. All he needs is your love!
So sad to see innocence gone! Yet it is the same for us isn’t it? Once hurt, we are much more leary of trusting again.
I am constantly amazed by the kindness of FWAD readers. I love coming here because I am encouraged by the goodness of the people who comment.
Christine in Salt Lake City, UT
60 and sunny here today
Such a sweet innocent to be so severely abused by les chiens mauvais. I’m amazed at the depth of dog knowledge and wisdom – and the puppy love 🙂 that many of your friends have been sending your way. Best wishes to le pauvre petit, and many healing thoughts are winging in his direction from northern Virginia, where the weather was bright and clear and sunny today.
Poor puppy and his Mum. I hope Jackie and Max are OK.
And K and JM too! Love Sarah A
Give Smokey a big hug for me. I have a cat named Smokey and I love him dearly. He is the most gentle animal I can imagine. So I love all pets named Smokey! He just needs lots of TLC and he’ll be a loving animal again.
Nancy in Roseville, Minnesota
Still thinking about and praying for physical and emotional healing for sweet, tender little Smokey and all of his caregivers!
Smokey, look how much love you have from both in France (chez toi!) and from all over the world! Let that love and joy for your
life surround and heal you. Love heals ALL wounds!
oxo Anne and Mike from Seattle
dear kristine,Smokey and family,
Your story was so touching to me as I do really emphatise with what you have been through, moi-meme! I used to have a lovely little fellow he was grown up but toujours petit chien and a son to me it was hell when the day came I had to put him down I as I cried I asked God to keep for me till the day I return to him. I still keep his feeding bowl and the things that belonged to him and yes I still do feel his presence especially when I need him………sometime we just can’t understand pourquoi la vie c’est ca..I love the pics you display I do hope you will continue to keep us abreast of Smokey’s activities and life……..do keep him safe always a precious gift that will never be replaced.
Oh, darling Smokey. So, so sorry to hear of the injuries to your body and spirit. We are sending our very best wishes, hugs and scritches from Minnesota. We are thinking of you and wishing you quick healing. Your humans love you so very much. I hope your trust in them and your momma Blaise restore your happy puppy spirit very soon. Take care, sweet puppy.
J’ai raconté la triste histoire de Smokey à mes six chiens, qui ont écouté, les yeux ouverts avec concerne. Après, le plus vieux chien, qui est paralyzé depuis huit ans d’un incident semblable, m’a dit: C’est vrai que la vie va changer pour le petit, mais c’est mieux comme ça. On est plus sage, plus attentif des dangers de la vie, et avec l’amour d’une bonne famille, on peut être guéri au corps et au coeur. Je lui ai remercié de ces mots sages, et il m’ai souri avec la queue.
Polly (de Fort Mill en Caroline du Sud)
Love heals all!
We send ours to Smokey and Braise as she mothers him as well as all of you human mothers in his life. Kisses and touch heal the body and soul of man or beast, all creatures great and small respond to the healing love he’s receiving during his days of healing!
Healthy wishes to all of you!
Sadie (the bloodhound) & the Patrick’s in Ocala!
Much love to Smokey, Braise et famille…and wishes for a speedy recovery in body and soul…cher puppy.