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.
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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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Wow! I’ve never heard about this dangerous plant. Poor Braise baby. And Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. The best and the worst in your family this week. And thanks for all the blue photos. Yet another place I won’t have time to visit unless I move to France.
Wow! I’ve never heard about this dangerous plant. Poor Braise baby. And Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. The best and the worst in your family this week. And thanks for all the blue photos. Yet another place I won’t have time to visit unless I move to France.
Happy ending, thank goodness!
Just a few typos to report!
as the moment past = passed
tweeters = tweezers
She too was … too (too many too..?)
tramatic = traumatic or dramatic
idées fausse = idées fausses
Bon rétablissement Braise.
Happy ending, thank goodness!
Just a few typos to report!
as the moment past = passed
tweeters = tweezers
She too was … too (too many too..?)
tramatic = traumatic or dramatic
idées fausse = idées fausses
Bon rétablissement Braise.
OOOOOO
lllllllllllllll
MMMmm…. they are supposed to be lots of birthday balloons sent especially for Jackie’s 16th birthday!! 🙂
So glad to hear Braise is fine…that would have been a nerve racking time for you all!!
OOOOOO
lllllllllllllll
MMMmm…. they are supposed to be lots of birthday balloons sent especially for Jackie’s 16th birthday!! 🙂
So glad to hear Braise is fine…that would have been a nerve racking time for you all!!
When I first saw Jackie’s photo at the top of your blog, I wondered who the Supermodel was and what her photo was doing there… why was Kristin putting pictures of models on her blog? 🙂 Bonne anniversaire, Jackie!
As for the mauvaises herbes that caused poor Braise so much agony… it reminds me of when we stayed with family in Albuquerque (N.M) and used to take our dog Ebony out for walks in the foothills & nature areas. Everyone used to warn us about the “goatsheads”. I couldn’t figure out what they meant until Ebony started limping on a walk. Voilà, several of them had embedded themselves between her toes. But they never caused the agony that Braise went through. I’m glad she’s better now!
When I first saw Jackie’s photo at the top of your blog, I wondered who the Supermodel was and what her photo was doing there… why was Kristin putting pictures of models on her blog? 🙂 Bonne anniversaire, Jackie!
As for the mauvaises herbes that caused poor Braise so much agony… it reminds me of when we stayed with family in Albuquerque (N.M) and used to take our dog Ebony out for walks in the foothills & nature areas. Everyone used to warn us about the “goatsheads”. I couldn’t figure out what they meant until Ebony started limping on a walk. Voilà, several of them had embedded themselves between her toes. But they never caused the agony that Braise went through. I’m glad she’s better now!
Hooray – glad to have a happy ending to your story. Pas de chiens chez moi. Happiest of birthdays, Jackie.
Hooray – glad to have a happy ending to your story. Pas de chiens chez moi. Happiest of birthdays, Jackie.
Happy Birthday, Jackie! Mine was yesterday! 😀
You are a beautiful young lady! I know whatever path you take in life you will do well! So glad you were able to get Braise taken care of so quickly, the poor baby! ! !
Happy Birthday, Jackie! Mine was yesterday! 😀
You are a beautiful young lady! I know whatever path you take in life you will do well! So glad you were able to get Braise taken care of so quickly, the poor baby! ! !
Well, I’m a bit late to the party, so a very Happy Belated Birthday to Jackie! I’m so happy all turned out well on her birthday and Braise is AOK!!
Well, I’m a bit late to the party, so a very Happy Belated Birthday to Jackie! I’m so happy all turned out well on her birthday and Braise is AOK!!
Curious on pronunciation.
I thought ille had the sound of y not l; one of the exceptions to the rule?
One dictionary translates une epillet as a “spikelet” in English, and la sétaire as foxtail (also called wild millet).
The text example for une epillet was about removing them from a dog’s paws, so I am pretty sure it was the right word!
I guess your dogs were lucky not to the foxtail spikelets before. Something new in your new environment?
Curious on pronunciation.
I thought ille had the sound of y not l; one of the exceptions to the rule?
One dictionary translates une epillet as a “spikelet” in English, and la sétaire as foxtail (also called wild millet).
The text example for une epillet was about removing them from a dog’s paws, so I am pretty sure it was the right word!
I guess your dogs were lucky not to the foxtail spikelets before. Something new in your new environment?
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. And Congratulations to you on this milestone. Interesting story. Glad it had a happy ending. I remember when I lived in California–our poodle would get these nasty things in her ears, and we’d have to go to the vet. I’m not sure those foxtails grow in Georgia. A bientot!
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. And Congratulations to you on this milestone. Interesting story. Glad it had a happy ending. I remember when I lived in California–our poodle would get these nasty things in her ears, and we’d have to go to the vet. I’m not sure those foxtails grow in Georgia. A bientot!
JacqBrisbane, thank you for the helpful French edits. Very glad to have them!
Sarah, better check the sound file. Whatever JM says is right (haha–he would be happy to hear that, anyway!)
Thank you for the very kind words and encouragement you all have sent Jackie. She is beyond delighted! Finally, many thanks for your foxtail and grass seeds stories. I did not know much about these menacing weeds, until recently. Taking a little time each day to check our dogs is one more way to spend time with them in the rush of daily life. As I search between their toes, they seem to appreciate the contact and the gentle touch. It seems to have a calming effect on me, too!
JacqBrisbane, thank you for the helpful French edits. Very glad to have them!
Sarah, better check the sound file. Whatever JM says is right (haha–he would be happy to hear that, anyway!)
Thank you for the very kind words and encouragement you all have sent Jackie. She is beyond delighted! Finally, many thanks for your foxtail and grass seeds stories. I did not know much about these menacing weeds, until recently. Taking a little time each day to check our dogs is one more way to spend time with them in the rush of daily life. As I search between their toes, they seem to appreciate the contact and the gentle touch. It seems to have a calming effect on me, too!
Bonne Anniversaire, Jackie! Seize ans – C’est un temps que je me souvenir bien. Happy ending for the beautiful Braise, n’est-ce pas? Cheers for the chocolate cake pendant le petit dejeuner. La Famille Espinasse est tres belle, les visages et les coeurs.
Bonne Anniversaire, Jackie! Seize ans – C’est un temps que je me souvenir bien. Happy ending for the beautiful Braise, n’est-ce pas? Cheers for the chocolate cake pendant le petit dejeuner. La Famille Espinasse est tres belle, les visages et les coeurs.
A belated comment about an earlier post, the one which mentioned your once-upon-a-time possible move to the California wine country, and how Jean-Marc was smitten with Healdsburg. We were smitten, too — and now we live there! Our home on a hilltop is surrounded by lovely vineyards and we are lucky to have many wonderful friends who are in the wine business. If you ever decide to visit our area again, please me know and we will roll out the welcome mat. You are welcome chez nous! Plus — we have a pétanque court….
A belated comment about an earlier post, the one which mentioned your once-upon-a-time possible move to the California wine country, and how Jean-Marc was smitten with Healdsburg. We were smitten, too — and now we live there! Our home on a hilltop is surrounded by lovely vineyards and we are lucky to have many wonderful friends who are in the wine business. If you ever decide to visit our area again, please me know and we will roll out the welcome mat. You are welcome chez nous! Plus — we have a pétanque court….
Our dearly missed Hershe Kiss (a black mini-schnauzer who was later run over by a car) got a foxtail in her vagina and though I took her to the vet to help her I walked out of the office when it was removed because I could not bear to see or hear her pain. She was fine when I returned and we soon got rid of all the foxtails in our back yard!
I was wondering how Jackie enjoyed her trip to the states…or did I miss a post about that?
Happy Birthday Jackie!
Our dearly missed Hershe Kiss (a black mini-schnauzer who was later run over by a car) got a foxtail in her vagina and though I took her to the vet to help her I walked out of the office when it was removed because I could not bear to see or hear her pain. She was fine when I returned and we soon got rid of all the foxtails in our back yard!
I was wondering how Jackie enjoyed her trip to the states…or did I miss a post about that?
Happy Birthday Jackie!
Thank God Braise is okay! I was so worried hearing about Braise rubbing herself in the gravel, poor sweetheart! You must be so grateful to your vet. Please post a photo of dear Braise, happy once more. I pray this never happens to her or Smokey again.
Joyeux anniversaire Jackie! Hope you enjoy the upcoming year and all its blessings. Wish I were there to party with all of you! Also, Braise and your family were lucky you were there to help keep things calm. Nice job! 🙂
Thank God Braise is okay! I was so worried hearing about Braise rubbing herself in the gravel, poor sweetheart! You must be so grateful to your vet. Please post a photo of dear Braise, happy once more. I pray this never happens to her or Smokey again.
Joyeux anniversaire Jackie! Hope you enjoy the upcoming year and all its blessings. Wish I were there to party with all of you! Also, Braise and your family were lucky you were there to help keep things calm. Nice job! 🙂