Sweet 16! Today, September 18th, is Jackie's birthday and we've had chocolate cake for breakfast and look forward to Chinese food for dinner. (Meantime she's begun another day at fashion school. But after our dog's recent drama, and Jackie's hands-on response, I think she'd make a great veterinarian! Read on, in today's French infused story column….
un épillet (ay-pee-leh)
: foxtail or grass seed
Ever found an épillet on your dog? Comment here.
Bescherelle conjugation guide.
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Audio File and Example Sentence: Listen to Jean-Marc Download MP3 or wav file
Lorsqu'un chien se met brusquement à se secouer les oreilles au printemps ou en été, penche la tête, refuse qu'on le touche… il y a probablement un épillet là-dessous !
In spring or summer, when a dogs begins abruptly to shake its ears, lower its head, and refuse to be touched… there is probably a foxtail there beneath!
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
On Monday I picked up Jackie from the bus stop and enjoyed a lively conversation with our soon-to-be 16-year-old. Driving home, we talked about motivation, about keeping on top of things, and how all this helps in pursuing one's dreams. It was refreshing to see how receptive Jackie was, vs. our sometimes draining dialogues which make me feel like such a nag, and leave my testy daughter feeling guilty, too.
Despite the renewed mother-daughter complicity, our life is good outlook was challenged sooner than expected. Arriving home, Jackie agreed to feed the dogs and help bring in the laundry on the line and fold it. Instead of grumbling, she approached her daily 15 minute chore (part of a new routine this school year!) willingly.
"That's my girl!" I cheered, "and thanks–I really appreciate it!" Even Braise, our golder retriever, was in a good mood, and we laughed as she jumped and danced while waiting for her croquette dinner to be served.
Then suddenly Braise fell to the ground and began yelping in pain. We watched as she mowed her head across the gravel, her cries growing more insistent. When we got her to stand up, she couldn't walk a straight line, but advanced crookedly across the yard–all the while lowering her left ear. And when she suddenly began shaking her head, as dogs do their bodies, after a bath–we realized something was amiss.
My heart sank with the realization that this could be it–the dreaded "death torpedo" pet owners fear: those nasty grass seeds, or foxtails, that catch in a dog's coat and travel up and into the ear or eye or nose. I heard all kinds of horror stories–that once inside, they travel to the brain or the lungs, killing the animal!
Jackie was posed and calm as she held Braise close and instructed me to have a look inside our dog's ear.
"OK, OK! Here we go….." the least I could do was to mirror my daughter's composure; just as important, we didn't want to be a ball of nerves in front of our suffering dog.
Indeed, animals are so sensitive–and intelligent. In contrast to the wild cries and head shaking pain, Braise remained as still as a monument, modeling a quiet bravery that hinted at the delicateness of the situation.
"It must be excruciating, the pain!" Jackie remarked, as I peered into Braise's ear, pulling and prodding to get a closer look. But all I saw was dirt–the kind I should have been regularly cleaning out. Now guilty feelings intermingled with all the worry.
As the moments passed, without another complaint from our dog, we nurtured a growing hope that maybe whatever had "gotten" her had somehow disappeared.
"Maybe it was only the beginning of an ear infection?" I said to Jackie.
"Peut-être," Jackie hoped, and we held our breaths as we slowly released Braise from our grip.
Our brave patient took a few uncertain steps, as though she herself were nursing the same espoir. Only she didn't make it far before she fell over, beside the withering lavender bush.
Seeing Braise disoriented like that, we were sick to our stomachs with worry. We watched helplessly as Braise plowed her head across the gravel, her muffled cries rising in her dusty wake.
Something was horribly wrong.
"Jean-Marc!" I shouted up to the second floor, where Jean-Marc was working in his office. A moment later four of us were careening down the road, to the veterinarians. Jean-Marc had asked Jackie to stay behind, but our daughter insisted Braise needed her comfort and assurance.
Quelle chance! The vet was still working at 7pm, and she welcomed us into her office.
Jackie and I tried to heave Braise onto the steel examination table, when Jean-Marc waved us aside and picked up our clinic-phobic dog. "Allez, hop, up you go!" I could see Braise's hair falling in a sheer layer across the steel surface beneath her–so terrified is she of doctor's offices.
When the vet warned that our dog must remain completely still, Jean-Marc steadied her in a head lock and I hugged her body tight. Jackie murmured assurances: Bravo! C'est bien, Braise! T'inquiète pas, mon chien! C'est bientôt fini!
We all watched as the vet directed the special tweezers into Braise's oreille. She too was impressed by Braise's bravery. "Most dogs would go crazy about now."
"She wants us to help her," I said, remembering back to the scene at home. Braise would have let me stick forceps in her ears, so desperate was she; her quiet obedience was such a contrast to her throbbing pain, making her message loud and clear: do what you need to do to fix this! Her composure was remarkable. It was as though she had gone to another place in her brain–doggy nirvana–where she was waiting out the traumatic moment.
"Voilà!" The vet pulled out the so-called torpedo of death, and cleared up one or two idées fausses, or rumors, in the process. "It is rare that this would kill a dog, she said, offering the bit of broken foxtail for our viewing. "But they can be dangerous. It's not just the ears they menace, they are often found in between the fingers and toes… " (This helpful tip was followed by a demonstration, in which the vet collected a dozen more broken foxtails from between Braise's paws!)
"The danger here," she said, is when they pierce the skin and travel through the body… sometimes puncturing the lungs!"
The vet encouraged us to cut back the grasses on our property and to check our dogs every day. It would be extra work, given we have two large and furry golden retrievers, but I could just add that to the kids chore list. And of course, I would do my part, too. Living here in the countryside, it would take a family effort to keep back those lurking torpedos… but the good news was, we now had a wonderful new veterinarian, just around the corner.
***
To comment on today's post, and share your own experiences and insights into today's word or story, click here. Thanks for sharing today's post with an animal lover.
"Torpedoes of death" — it's a chilling term, but I learned so much from Carla Jackson's article on Hordeum murinum or "Hare Barley" and how it menaces man's best friend.
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More Photos from France
If you can't make it to France just now… we've got you covered: enjoy these virtual tours of some of my favorite villages in Provence and beyond.
Matchy matchy. A blue door coordinates with a whimsical bag…
Roses and "grignandises" — or sweets and temptations from Grignan.
Always room for another pot of flowers…
Time to put Grignan on your bucket list.
Roof tops, or toits, and a blue horizon.
Don't steal the café sugar. You never know who's a tattletale. Story here.
The village of Grignan is known for its famous resident (Madame de Sevigny) and for its roses–but don't tell that to the valerian flowers, which shout their presence from the very rooftops.
Another Grignan resident.
I will add more photos to this collection. Please click here and see when the next postcards from Grignan are posted.
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A bon anniversaire for Jackie!
A milestone for a lovely young woman.
Aussi a bon jour pour Braise. Glad to hear that your loveable pet is doing okay now.
Edie from Savannah
A bon anniversaire for Jackie!
A milestone for a lovely young woman.
Aussi a bon jour pour Braise. Glad to hear that your loveable pet is doing okay now.
Edie from Savannah
Happy Happy Birthday Jackie! Enjoy your day.
So glad to hear sweet Braise is okay. Our furkids are so special.
xoxo
Happy Happy Birthday Jackie! Enjoy your day.
So glad to hear sweet Braise is okay. Our furkids are so special.
xoxo
Happy birthday Jackie.
What a scary story…..to see Braise crying and pushing her head against the ground. I can just feel her pain. You were all so wonderful, especially Jackie.
I guess that I have seen Foxtail,but never knew how horrible it is. Go cut it back as fast as possible.
Kathleen
Happy birthday Jackie.
What a scary story…..to see Braise crying and pushing her head against the ground. I can just feel her pain. You were all so wonderful, especially Jackie.
I guess that I have seen Foxtail,but never knew how horrible it is. Go cut it back as fast as possible.
Kathleen
Happy Birthday to Jackie. What a wonderful but confusing time of life is sweet sixteen. You and JM did good work. And so happy to hear the Blaise is ok. I worry about those with my dog – glad to get more information. Thank you for writing about life in Southern France. Since I cannot live there you and your writing are the next best thing. Thank you many times over.
Happy Birthday to Jackie. What a wonderful but confusing time of life is sweet sixteen. You and JM did good work. And so happy to hear the Blaise is ok. I worry about those with my dog – glad to get more information. Thank you for writing about life in Southern France. Since I cannot live there you and your writing are the next best thing. Thank you many times over.
Please forgive my typos. I know it is Braise.
Please forgive my typos. I know it is Braise.
Joyeux anniversaire, Jackie!!
Kristin, I had to take my little dog Frankie to the vet a while back to have a foxtail removed from his infected paw. Poor little guy, he was in a lot of pain! This is a good reminder to check him again every day.
Bonne journee avec la famille!
Julie
San Diego, CA
Joyeux anniversaire, Jackie!!
Kristin, I had to take my little dog Frankie to the vet a while back to have a foxtail removed from his infected paw. Poor little guy, he was in a lot of pain! This is a good reminder to check him again every day.
Bonne journee avec la famille!
Julie
San Diego, CA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL JACKIE….I LOVE YOU…
GRAND´MERE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL JACKIE….I LOVE YOU…
GRAND´MERE
I love the expression “alley hop”. My daughters used to do a crazy little dance with their friends that ended with “allez hop”. I never knew it was a French expression. I enjoyed reading your story today and I hope Jackie had a happy and memorable birthday!
Debra from Palm Desert
I love the expression “alley hop”. My daughters used to do a crazy little dance with their friends that ended with “allez hop”. I never knew it was a French expression. I enjoyed reading your story today and I hope Jackie had a happy and memorable birthday!
Debra from Palm Desert
Best wishes to Jackie on this milestone day!
Jules. . . . Glad to hear you after the rough storms that have been hitting Mexico. I hope you weren’t hit too hard.
Best wishes to Jackie on this milestone day!
Jules. . . . Glad to hear you after the rough storms that have been hitting Mexico. I hope you weren’t hit too hard.
happy happy birthday, jackie! my gosh you are absolutely stunning. that is a FABulous photo!!! i believe fashion is the perfect metier for you! enjoy the wonderful gifts that are going to unfold in front of you!
happy happy birthday, jackie! my gosh you are absolutely stunning. that is a FABulous photo!!! i believe fashion is the perfect metier for you! enjoy the wonderful gifts that are going to unfold in front of you!
Happy Birthday Jackie! You are a beautiful young woman!
I am so glad Braise is OK — what a scary experience.
Thanks for the great story and wonderful photos!
Happy Birthday Jackie! You are a beautiful young woman!
I am so glad Braise is OK — what a scary experience.
Thanks for the great story and wonderful photos!
Yes! Foxtails! No! Horrible things — Oor “Westie” (West Highland White Terrier) was prone to them. I learned to search for them and pull them (gently) from between his paws. But the evening he began the head-shaking, and it was accompanied by a nose-bleed, off to the emergency vet. “If I can get it out of his nose right away, I’ll call you. But if I have to anesthetize him, I’ll need to keep him overnight.” No phone call during the night, and when we picked him up in the morning, I said: “I guess you had to use anesthesia?” “Oh, no,” said the vet. “He is such good company, I decided to keep him with me.” 😉
Yes! Foxtails! No! Horrible things — Oor “Westie” (West Highland White Terrier) was prone to them. I learned to search for them and pull them (gently) from between his paws. But the evening he began the head-shaking, and it was accompanied by a nose-bleed, off to the emergency vet. “If I can get it out of his nose right away, I’ll call you. But if I have to anesthetize him, I’ll need to keep him overnight.” No phone call during the night, and when we picked him up in the morning, I said: “I guess you had to use anesthesia?” “Oh, no,” said the vet. “He is such good company, I decided to keep him with me.” 😉
Happy day Jackie! It is a good thing you were there to keep your mother calm! Foxtails can be nasty. Rather than cut them down and have them lying around it would be best to pull out the whole plant. Just have the family take 10 min each day and cover an area. That way there won’t be any on the ground and they won’t come back next year.
I have always wanted to know how that beautiful sky blue became the “official” color to be used on shutters and windows? Especially in the south of France. You will occasionally see green, but not often.
Happy day Jackie! It is a good thing you were there to keep your mother calm! Foxtails can be nasty. Rather than cut them down and have them lying around it would be best to pull out the whole plant. Just have the family take 10 min each day and cover an area. That way there won’t be any on the ground and they won’t come back next year.
I have always wanted to know how that beautiful sky blue became the “official” color to be used on shutters and windows? Especially in the south of France. You will occasionally see green, but not often.
Happy 16th. Birthday dear Jackie! You have grown into a beautiful young lady! Have a great day with your family….Heureux Anniversaire,chere Jackie!Quelle belle jeune fille…Mes voeux les plus sinceres, de bonheur et surtout bonne sante!Encore bonne soiree avec ta famille….Mary Jeanne
Happy 16th. Birthday dear Jackie! You have grown into a beautiful young lady! Have a great day with your family….Heureux Anniversaire,chere Jackie!Quelle belle jeune fille…Mes voeux les plus sinceres, de bonheur et surtout bonne sante!Encore bonne soiree avec ta famille….Mary Jeanne
I forgot to say that I am so happy that Braise is O.K. You both did a good job rushing him to the wet…Mary Jeanne
I forgot to say that I am so happy that Braise is O.K. You both did a good job rushing him to the wet…Mary Jeanne
Joining all the others in wishing beautiful Jackie a happy birthday 🎂!
So so glad that Braise is okay…..
Chris in Kansas 🌻
Joining all the others in wishing beautiful Jackie a happy birthday 🎂!
So so glad that Braise is okay…..
Chris in Kansas 🌻
Duffy had several foxtails between the toes removed by the “veto” at 50€ a pop before I finally started checking daily myself!
Duffy had several foxtails between the toes removed by the “veto” at 50€ a pop before I finally started checking daily myself!
Happy 16th birthday, Jackie! May all your dreams come true.
Brava to la belle Braise! Such bravery! With three dogs of my own, I am well familiar with the pain and woe that foxtails can bring. Thank goodness all is now well.
Happy 16th birthday, Jackie! May all your dreams come true.
Brava to la belle Braise! Such bravery! With three dogs of my own, I am well familiar with the pain and woe that foxtails can bring. Thank goodness all is now well.
PS — Loved the beautiful pictures of the town and countryside as well. Thank you for posting.
PS — Loved the beautiful pictures of the town and countryside as well. Thank you for posting.
Your writing style is wonderful, Kristin. You got me read to the end with curiosity and joy.
HAPPY SWEET 16 to beautiful Jackie!
Your writing style is wonderful, Kristin. You got me read to the end with curiosity and joy.
HAPPY SWEET 16 to beautiful Jackie!
Happy Birthday, Jackie! What a lovely picture of you. How could it not be beautiful? May all of your wishes come true as you blow the candles out on your birthday cake. My best wishes for you,too.
So thankful that Braise made it through her painful emergency..,,,,.thanks to her loving family.
Happy Birthday, Jackie! What a lovely picture of you. How could it not be beautiful? May all of your wishes come true as you blow the candles out on your birthday cake. My best wishes for you,too.
So thankful that Braise made it through her painful emergency..,,,,.thanks to her loving family.
Wonderful..a happy ending! We have those dreaded foxtails here in Arizona, too. Watch for the plants and pull them out of the ground when you see them and eventually there will be less. AND such a way for a birthday to go..but all’s well that ends well, and you were a heroine, too, Jackie. Happy Birthday to a lovely young woman!
Wonderful..a happy ending! We have those dreaded foxtails here in Arizona, too. Watch for the plants and pull them out of the ground when you see them and eventually there will be less. AND such a way for a birthday to go..but all’s well that ends well, and you were a heroine, too, Jackie. Happy Birthday to a lovely young woman!
Our dear Kristi,
First of all,happy,HAPPY Sweet 16 to beautiful Jackie!Wishing her a joyful celebration that is as wonderful as she is!
And,for sure, NO better way to celebrate than by little Braise being okay! Thank goodness for her loving family who takes such good care of her in responding quickly to such an emergency!
Our dogs are our loving companions; I know they would take the same care of us,if they could.
(Maybe that’s why dog is God spelled backwards!)
THANK YOU for another post that wraps itself around my heart!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
First of all,happy,HAPPY Sweet 16 to beautiful Jackie!Wishing her a joyful celebration that is as wonderful as she is!
And,for sure, NO better way to celebrate than by little Braise being okay! Thank goodness for her loving family who takes such good care of her in responding quickly to such an emergency!
Our dogs are our loving companions; I know they would take the same care of us,if they could.
(Maybe that’s why dog is God spelled backwards!)
THANK YOU for another post that wraps itself around my heart!
Love, Natalia XO
Joyous birthday beauty Jackie! Chocolate cake for breakfast! Sounds as if your day started in a grand way! Enjoy!
I wish we didn’t have this one in common! I had not heard of foxtails prior to moving to hot, dry southern Oregon. In 16 years, with as many animals as I have, grateful I’ve only had three vet experiences involving foxtails. One just a couple weeks ago when Winslow, my Great Pyrenees, had one in his right ear. He had to undergo anesthesia as he would not hold still for the vet he was so afraid of the pain.
They are nasty weeds that I am falling behind in my battle with having 44 acres and less irrigation water each year. Do check between Smokey and Braise’s toes as that is where they are most likely to pick them up. So sorry, Kristi, thankful you were there to take care of this right away.
Joyous birthday beauty Jackie! Chocolate cake for breakfast! Sounds as if your day started in a grand way! Enjoy!
I wish we didn’t have this one in common! I had not heard of foxtails prior to moving to hot, dry southern Oregon. In 16 years, with as many animals as I have, grateful I’ve only had three vet experiences involving foxtails. One just a couple weeks ago when Winslow, my Great Pyrenees, had one in his right ear. He had to undergo anesthesia as he would not hold still for the vet he was so afraid of the pain.
They are nasty weeds that I am falling behind in my battle with having 44 acres and less irrigation water each year. Do check between Smokey and Braise’s toes as that is where they are most likely to pick them up. So sorry, Kristi, thankful you were there to take care of this right away.
Happy sweet 16th Jackie, and congratulations on getting your mother and Braise through this ordeal. You are mature beyond your 16 year. Braise is an incredible dog, she had the intuition that help was at hand and that her loving family were around her. Well done Braise. xxx
Happy sweet 16th Jackie, and congratulations on getting your mother and Braise through this ordeal. You are mature beyond your 16 year. Braise is an incredible dog, she had the intuition that help was at hand and that her loving family were around her. Well done Braise. xxx