Jean-Marc, laboring his 1st year vines. He is pushing a motorized plow, or motoculteur avec charrue, the idea being the plow would do most of the work. But as I snapped this photo from the upper field, I heard a lot of French cussing as my husband struggled to direct his new and unwieldy assistant….
WINETASTING – APRIL 20th
Please come to our home, this Monday, 3p.m. for the first dégustation of the season! 10 euro fee. We will try three wines and enjoy some snacks out on our balcony. We will also all lay hands on Smokey! So please come, and help cheer our littlest golden. Please send your confirmation message to me at kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
AUDIO FILE
: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the following French words:Download Deguster or Wav file
Come try my rosé wine this April 20th. See you soon!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Smokey could use your thoughts and prayers at this moment, as he is currently in surgery for the removal of a méchant lump (a "mean" lump, as the doctor noted, on examing the bleeding, golf-ball size mass which grew rapidly over the past week).
Our wonder dog came into this world after his mother disappeared for a day in the bustling streets of Marseilles. She returned with a big surprise. Les chiots. Puppies!
We kept Smokey, the only male in a litter of girls, but almost lost him at the age of 2 months – when he was attacked by two big dogs.
Smokey was stapled back together and has learned to live with his handicap (a tongue that hangs out perpetually, making it difficult for him to eat; his astuce, or trick is to chew on his wrists after his meal. Perhaps the chewing produces extra saliva which helps to digest all the croquettes that are stuck in his throat…
Then there was The Attack of the Provencale Vineyard Monster (probably a wild boar, or sanglier, defending her babies). The unlucky run-in left Smokey with giant holes in his already lopsided face. Once again, he was stitched back together.
My dog and I even had joint accidents as in last November, while out on a walk. When a guard dog in a fenced yard burst out of the bushes, Smokey went flying, dislocating my elbow when I could not leg go of the leash.
"Whiskers"
So now one of us has a crooked arm and the other, a crooked face. And up until now, we have been thrilled to walk this crooked path together. Because isn't that the way life is: never straight ahead – always an unexpected bend in the road.
Smokey and Mama Breizh
Le tout, the most important, is to help each other along as best we can. To be gentle to each other, to find the kind word. To love, forgive, and to sacrifice. Nothing else matters. Everything else makes it difficult to practice these virtues.
Why does it always take a crisis to remember the essential? And then why do we blame ourselves for the fate of our loved ones?
Mon Smokey! You have helped yourself to heal in so many ways. Please, oh, please, use all your wonder dog powers to heal today.
Smokey. Photo taken three years ago. But he had that same uncertain look on his face this morning. Please keep our golden boy in your thoughts. Merci beaucoup!
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Dearest Kristin and Smokey we are sending out our love to you and healing thoughts. Bonne chance much love to you both from Australia xxx
Bon Courage a Smokey! Your sweet boy will be in my thoughts!
I love and read your blog everyday. It get to me often but today I am in tears. Sending prayers for you all. I know you will keep us posted. Best. Debra
Dear Kristin, my thoughts are with you and Smokey. xx
This made me cry, Kristin! It is clear to see how much you love your brave Smokey. Sending hugs and prayers to you and Smokey.
J’envoie mes pensées pour sa meilleure santé.
Dear Smokey, Get well soon. Rohan will not be happy to hear this tonight.
Dear Kristin, I read about Smokey through my tears. Will keep him in my prayers.
Sending healing hugs from CT to Smokey and his masters!
Martha
Dearest sweet boy, get well soon. Thinking of you. Your words about helping each other along, love and forgiveness, have made me stop and think and want to be a better person. Thank you Kristin. You are in my thoughts and wishes and hope your lovely boy will pull though this. Xxx
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I remember petting and talking to Smokey and got love back. May he be well!
Dear Kristin,
I’m so sorry to hear about Smokey, I pray his wonder dog ways will get him through this crisis. I await good news.
Smokey and your family are in my prayers and big hugs to you all
Barbara
Smokey you are in my thoughts. We lost our beloved Golden Tally a year ago-a real member of the family. Thinking of all of you
margot
Pets are so often the ones that ground us. All the best to Mr. Handsome, Smokey, and his beautiful family, “our” brave Wonder Dog, as we feel he is ours, too, having to come to know him through all his adventures and pics. Hope to hear great news soon!
Hi Kristin,
As soon as Smokey recovers, he should write his own book or blog. What an interesting life he leads! I send my best wishes, and hope to see a picture of the patient convalescing in the sun chez les Espinasse very soon.
Thinking of all of you and especially Smokey this morning in Ohio.
Prayers too.
more healing thoughts and prayers for Smokey the wonder dog. Hoping he’s already on the road to recovery by the time you read this
Je pense a vous tous.
prayers and thoughts for Smokey and you all, lou
Best wishes, hopes… for a speedy and full recovery.
So very sorry..praying for all!
Smokey, you can pull through! You’ve done it many, many times before, and this is yet another challenge that you can overcome. We are thinking about you and your family and send our prayers your way. Stay strong and eat well; you will feel better soon!
Prayers are with you, Smokey! All the way across the pond.
Kristi, we’re sending our most positive thoughts for Smokey and you — I know how hard this must be. Please give us good news soon!
Lots of love and prayers for Smokey today and to all of you!
LOVE the photo “Whiskers”!
Best wishes for Smokey and the whole Espinasse Family from Pittsburgh!
Wishing on stars for Smokey’s full and fast recovery. Thinking of you and Smokey. Bonne chance.
dear sweet smokey
all my prayers are for you today
love you much
elena
Oh, Smokey,
You have all the prayers Chami 🐾 and I can put in our box to mail! 🎈
We find the stories you and your mom provide so endearing. Indeed, use all your puppy powers to come through this with good news on the other side.
We send love and strength to your family who waits for you and hopes for good news.
Micki ♡ and Chami 🐾
Love and prayers to Smoky.
Thank you for your wonderful posts, Kristin.
They make my day and make me feel as if I’m
part of your wonderful French family.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Bon courage.
Dog lovers have fears and lumps in their throats perpetually. My Sophie broke away from me this morning, in the dark, on our walk. The cause, a bunny she saw but I didn’t. Ran right in front of a car. My heart was where yours Is now.
And mine is there for you.
Dear Kristi,
This is so profoundly touching that it has left me sobbing and speechless. Praying for sweet, soulful Smokey…
Bon courage a Smokey. I do hope all goes well. I recall reading your account of his terrible (first) trauma. And he rallied so well and has since enjoyed such a happy life chez vous. Here’s to many more years! Bises a tous!
Kristi,
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Dogs are all heart, and they give so much and ask for so little. Today I am giving my thoughts and prayers to Smokey, in hope that healing comes quickly to him.
Sending lots of hopeful, positive thoughts and energy to Smoky and your family.
Kristin and family — I am so sorry about Smokey. We have had four beautiful Goldens (all now gone sadly) and we are thinking about Smokey and praying for you both. John
Thoughts and prayers with Smokey and all of you, including his veterinary medical team. Bon courage Smokey!
Kristin, As always, what wonderful words. With just a few lines you captured the essence of the ‘everythings’ that get in the way of the most important thing. You touch our hearts.
May you all be healthy. May you all be happy. May you all be loved. May you all live in peace.
Smokey’s adventures and gallant spirit always deliver a great deal of delight. Wishing your beautiful boy a strong recovery, and love and support to all of you.
Susan
Sending so much love to you and Smokey! Please keep us posted.
Healing thoughts are headed Smokey’s way (channeled via Theo).
Kristi,
Sending thoughts of love and prayers for your dog Smoky. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hope he’ll be back in action soon.
Love those pictures, especially the one with the hat!
Take care
XO
Thinking of Smokey and sending healing energy ya’ll’s way.
Thoughts and prayers for Smokey today.
Waiting impatiently for news.
Dieu est bon … Romans 8:28
Love and hugs, Kristin x x x
Bon courage. So hard to see our doggies in pain. Hoping for a full recovery.
Dear Kristin and Smokey,
May your wonderful journey continue, may the love you share bring you both to another page in you hearts, may your souls dance longer on this earth. Much love and prayers from North Carolina to you Smokey and your people who love you dearly!
Love and healing prayers,
Robin
Sending positive thoughts to your beautiful dog Smokey,
Be strong – love and support to you all,
Wendy
Keeping my fingers crossed for you Smokey.
Blessings to you and your dear Smokey.
Also a Golden lover.
Dear Kristin,
As I write this, I’m sure the surgery is over, and I am hoping and praying that all went well for precious Smokey. He is obviously one resilient and tough pup, having survived those awful attacks. I know how much you love your sweet boy and that he and his mama are such an important part of your family and your life. My thoughts are with all of you. Please keep us posted. XO