"Le Roupillon" (The Snooze) : the healing qualities of rest. Smokey, leaning a sore cheek on mamma's fur, so soft and sleek.
argile (ar-zheel) noun, feminine
: clay
.
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Tous nous sommes faits d'une même argile, mais ce n'est pas le même moule. We are all made of the same clay, but not the same mould. –Mexican proverb
A Day in a French Life…
by Kristin Espinasse
It has been 4 weeks since the attack and our puppy's wounds are still open. After several visits to the vet, who assured us all is well, we are still concerned about our dog's recovery — especially after the feedback of friends.
One reader wrote in to tell me that her dog, having survived three more months after an attack, eventually succumbed to its infected wounds…. Another reader warned that, due to the location of the plaies* (near to the brain), we must be persistent in clearing up this infection — lest it get into the blood stream and cause brain damage.
Needless to say, we are anxious for Smokey to heal, illico presto!* I will be taking him back to the vet. Meantime, Aunt Marie-Françoise, who helped us with yesterday's mise-en-bouteille,* has prepared a healing pack for our puppy: argile!*
Marie-Françoise related to us several first-hand temoignages* on the efficacy of argile. It began with her own dog, who was scheduled to have its leg amputated after an infection reached the bone and began ravaging it. As a last resort, my aunt applied a clay pack to the wound. The argile, she explained, pulled the infection right out! Each time she changed the clay, she could see the pus. The last few changes of the dried clay contained only a rose-colored liquid: the healing was complete. When she returned to the doctor to view the X-Rays, the latter was speechless: Ce n'est pas le même chien que vous m'amenez, Madame!* My aunt assured him it was. Her dog's bone had reconstituted itself as the infection cleared. The bone went from "cotton" to costaud!*
Marie-Françoise shared two more incidents in which argile treated a deep wound. In one case, a child walking along the beach stepped on a needly oursin.* One of the urchin's needles was driven in, beneath the skin, impossible to remove. My aunt wrapped the child's foot in argile, which eventually dried, pulling out the needle from deep inside!
A similar case involved a foot injury, this time the foot belonging to a hunting dog who had followed its master deep into a thick patch of roseau.* The bamboo-like reeds were broken in bits along the ground and one of these bits got stuck, painfully, between the "fingers" of the dog's patte.* The long and thick splinter was lodged deep into the dog's foot… until Marie-Françoise made up an argile paste and wrapped the dog's wound. The splinter was sucked right out thanks to the "pulling" properties of clay!
Like that, our Smokey is covered in green argile on the left side of his face and just below his jaw. I will be taking him back to the vet soon, for a professional avis.* Meantime, please keep our pup in your prayers and mille mercis, mes amis,* for your letters, comments, and healing remedies. I have read each and every email and comment and regret not having the chance to get back to you at this time.
Amicalement,
Kristin
In books: Living Clay: Nature's Own Miracle Cure & products: French Green Powder Clay or Indian Healing Clay
Comments are most welcome. Mom and I agree that your words and stories are the best part of French Word-A-Day. We love learning what city you're are writing in from (this was my dad's excellent idea) and the local weather report, too!
Corrections are always appreciated — and most often needed! Add them to the comments box, or send them to me directly.
Herbes de Provence (Special for Pizza) in Crock:
Herbes picked in Provence with a blend of Oregano, Thyme, Basil & Marjoram
Pre de Provence Lavender Soap. Imported from France: Pré de Provence, literally translated, means "Meadow of Provence." Transport yourself there with this triple milled savon.
Un, Deux, Trois: First French Rhymes:
…a collection of 25 traditional nursery rhymes for children
Pictures from Yesterday's Bottling
That's my gorgeous husband (who recorded today's sound file. Did you listen to it?). If you could put a voice to this photo, that voice would be saying "Veuillez acheter mon vin?" Would you please buy my wine? (Here are some locations, places in the U.S.A. and Europe, in which to buy Domaine Rouge-Bleu!
And, below, Aunt Marie-Françoise (middle), and Babé (bah-bay) right.
It was cold (we bottled the wine outside, on board the rented bottling truck)! We all had our bonnets on! The black and green bonnet that I am wearing was a gift (for my son…) from a reader in New Zealand. Thanks, Sarah!
…10,000 bottles waiting to be filled, three ladies overly chilled! It took all day to do the work.
One of our mascots, "Kiwi" (my cousin Audrey's dog. Buongiorno Cousin Audrey, over there in Italy. Thank you for your Facebook message!)
Uncle Jean-Claude, below (yikes, I forgot to ask permission to post Uncle's photos. I hope that's okay). He turned 70 recently. I wished him belated happy birthday, yesterday, to which he replied, 'I've gotten over a hurdle (in French: "J'ai passé un cap!" Notice he also has a cap on his head. Oh, the cold we suffered at yesterday's bottling!)
Rouge-Bleu Winery Visits: Readers tell their stories
Still up for some stories about life here at the grape farm? Read Larry Krakauer's report about his visit to our winery. He brought his lovely wife, Margie, along with him. See all of the photos at his site.
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We would apply a poultice and there are many recipes for different conditions. Similar principle and they work! Thinking of you all,we can empathise,knowing the distress if it had happend to one of our two labradors, one black and one cream.
Weather in Adelaide is 39C, day number 4 of the same in a very early start to the summer heat waves. The weather bureau have promised a cool change to 29C early next week.
All of these wonderful stories about the healing power of clay make me angry that the doctors don’t recommend it. There are holistic vets here in the states. I wonder if you have any nearby. They may be more helpful. I’d assume that the antibiotics can weaken the immune system.
When my dog had her 2 knee surgeries, she tried constantly to lick the suture area. It’s not that she was getting it dirty – as we know that is not the case – but it does irritate the area and will prevent the area from healing on its own. It’s difficult but sometimes you have to use one of those cones. :'(
All the best for quick recovery. Chin up!
Karen
Rainy, Rainy in the no Rouge Bleu state of Maryland
Kristin, my husband and I are devoted dog lovers and moved by both Smokey’s – and your – ordeal. Jay’s an infectious disease doc at UCSF Medical Center and he thinks the wounds were not sufficiently cleaned and are still draining. Please clean them with 3% hydrogen peroxide twice a day, before you apply the clay. By the way, we have an apartment in Vaison and can visualize just where you are when we read your blog. Many thanks for keeping us all close by sharing the authenticity of your life.
Nikki Tureen
Lisa: excellent story about the “argile sur toasts” 🙂 !!!
Jeanne : Remerciements to your husband! Wonderful to read about the ceremony and his speech.
Annette : great idea about the washable bed covers and, yes, our dogs share a cozy, soft mat. They move around for their naps –or “roups” (roupillons), and always end up on the blanket/mat for the night. Re veterinarians — yes, we have one nearby and there are others in the neighboring towns.
Thanks, everyone, for the excellent tips. I am reading each and every one and learning so much!
Dear Kristin, the story of Smokey has been passed on to my friend who is a breeder for Labs, she in turn has shared your story with an herbalist. here is their email. Clay is good and lavender! We’re all pulling for Smokey
Dear Madonna,
I sent the latest report on the pup to an herbalist I know (who also bought a dog of mine 12 years ago!)…the following is her advice. Do you know how to send this to the French Word A Day lady? If I find out anything else, I will get back to you. OH, pup!
Be well.
Elisabeth
— On Wed, 11/11/09, Bonnie Rogers wrote:
> From: Bonnie Rogers
> Subject: RE: It’s me…the Lab lady in Hunter!
> To: “‘elisabeth Henry-Macari'”
> Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 6:46 PM
> Elizabeth,
> I think clay is a wonderful healing tool. Since she
> has access to it let
> her try it. I might mix the clay with some plantain
> (plantago major) or
> some yarrow (achillea) which she may be able to get.
> She could even mix
> some lavender powder into the clay mixture, easy enough to
> get that in
> France as lavender is very healing.
>
> Hope all is well.
>
> Bonnie Rogers
> http://www.bonniesherbals.com
> http://www.wonderfulhealthywater.com
> http://www.cleanwithenzymes.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> —–Original Message—–
> From: elisabeth Henry-Macari [mailto:machenry1440@yahoo.com]
>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 6:17 PM
> To: bonniesherbals@gmail.com
> Subject: It’s me…the Lab lady in Hunter!
>
> Hi Bonnie…
> I am going to forward to you a blog entry. It
> is “A French Word A
> Day”…or something like that…a woman moved to France,
> met a guy, and now
> has her life there, as a writer, translator…and her
> family had a litter of
> Goldens. They kept one, and the Mom. One day,
> Mom and son were out
> playing, and a pair of “attack dogs” attacked the
> puppy! Now the puppy is
> having difficulty healing…so I thought of you, and maybe
> you could
> recommend something to them. It is such a charming
> blog, and this horrible
> attack came after weeks of beautiful postings about the
> birth of the pups,
> their development, how they found new homes, etc…and then
> this terrible
> thing happened. Once you read it you’ll see how ideal
> everything
> seems…and the poor little puppy has been through so
> much. So…anyhoo…
> I hope you and yours are all fine and
> happy. I love your website.
> We are, but it’s chilly.
>
>
> TAke care, and thank you.
>
>
>
>
> Love,
>
>
>
> Elisabeth
Such nice pictures, and especially the one of Braise and Smokey. My little 7 mo. old daughter is growing up so fast, and I’m glad that Braise got to keep one of her pups. Hope that Smokey’s wound heals soon! Those are impressive stories about it working on Tante’s dog and the others. I think you’re right to worry and try to figure out why the wound isn’t closing. Monica in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where it is coldish (45 F), but not too cold to go jogging outside!
My prayers are with little Smokey. My puppy, Bailey, was attacked by another dog. 4 years later she is healthy and sociable. It is only me who has suffered long term trauma and panics whenever a strange dog approaches us!
Kristen,
Prayers for Smokey. I have two Labrador Retrievers and blog just about them, wish I had thought of that before Marley and Me- I could be the millionaire instead of him. Anyway hope Smokey mends quickly. We’re now on our 5th Lab and just love dogs!! Just purchased your Rouge Bleu Mistral, delicious, in Naperville, IL. How cool is that!! Blog is http://www.graceandralph@blogspot.com.
L’argile verte est un remède Superbe!
Many decades ago, my cousine Paule in Belgium cured her infant boy of severe eczema by covering his body with green clay. It is also excellent taken internally.
Jacqueline – 26C in Brisbane, storms predicted – fervently hoping for rain.
PS: Went to see Soeur Sourire this week. Starring Cécile de France (who is Belgian!). What a great depiction of her life. I went to Fichermont “en retraite” with my class from Ste Ursule. Soeur Sourire sang a few songs for us. She didn’t smile once. I remember her eyes, e looked dead.
Woops, pushed ze wrong key! Last sentence should read: I remember her eyes, they looked dead.
Jacq
Passante: thank you for “buongiorno”! Re the olive cake (with broiled peppers) — I’ll see if I can whip one together this weekend (though I used the last of the feta in yesterday’s attempt at “pepperade” (tapenade with peppers… and feta!).
Thanks again, to all, for your very caring words and ideas about how to heal Smokey’s wounds.
Kristin,Jean-Marc,
The tears were running down my cheek so hard when I read about the horrible incident. Your sweet little Smokey has been in my thoughts. And poor Braise, what a horror for her to see her baby go through such pain.
I’m glad Smokey is on the mend, but I know you have to be ultra careful about infections. I’m sending you lots of hugs and good wishes. I’m sure with all your TLC, Smokey will be fine. Keep us posted.
I’m opening a bottle of Rouge Bleu tonight and toasting to everyone’s Sante!
Bisous,
Candice
Great pictures. “Kiwi” is so cute 🙂
Thank you for sharing your daily life in France…
Cathy