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!
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Hi Kristi, I hope Smokey is fine after his surgery and I wish him a speedy recovery!
Gros Bisous to sweet Smokey!
Sniff! Sniff! I am so sorry to hear about Smokey and his “mean” lump. He is in my prayers to have a complete recovery. He is in my heart also.
Best Wishes,
Anne
Love, blessings, and healing to you and Smokey. Tears in my eyes.
Mon Dieu! Life has many surprises, and some not such happy ones! Good thoughts and prayers for both of your quick and complete recoveries. Healing hugs for you both. I will look with many others who love this blog for news of you and Smokey. I can certainly relate to the special agony of loving a precious dog, and facing the prospect of losing such a good friend.
Your dear gallant Smokey has won all our hearts. All this love is with him, and you, today.
I believe that tears can help healing I truly hope they can,as you and Smokety have reduced many of us to tears today .my tears and prayers are for you both Bon courage mon amie
Chère Kristin,
Your unique and adorable Smokey has been through so much in his short life, he must be Superdog! Praying that this strength will pull him through, and help you in caring for him.
Linda in New Jersey
I love your blog and appreciate your stories. Smokey is a doll. Sending thoughts for hearty healing for little Smokey.
Prayers for Smokey. Thinking of you during this trying time. Hope to hear a good news regarding your baby soon. Sniff, sniff.
as you can easily see we are all hoping for a good report, it will be a difficult wait for you I fear.
Mon Dieu! Smokey has the 9 lives of a cat! He has gone through so much and has still come thru. It seems as if he has a few lives left so I will hope he gets through this latest endeavor just a little worse for the wear. Best wishes! Michelle from Massachusetts
Our dear Kristi,
Please feel this hug as we take your hand.
We keep sweet Smokey and you in our thoughts and prayers,and ask God to give you courage and strength.
Our babies are our angels and teach us so much about patience,acceptance,and what really matters in life.
We nearly lost our two little ones and now,oh!how we are so grateful for every day together.
Dog indeed is God spelled backwards.
Love
Natalia. Xo
Will be praying for you and Smokey
Sending love and healing prayers to Smokey.
Staying positive that your sweet boy will once again pull through. Love and courage to you both.
Bon chance, Smokey. Je pense a toi.
Jacqui
All the best to Smokey! Hope he does well. Dogs are a big part of our family. I love hearing about him in your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Smokey is so special – he is in my prayers & thoughts today & I’ll be waiting for your update on him. I’m counting on him being OK, I almost feel like he’s my own, having followed him from before his entrance into the world. We lost our wonderful 13 year old dog a month ago and know what an intregal part of the family they become.
I’m praying fervently for Smokey’s recovery and well-being. I love that dog – so sweet, gentle, loving. Thank you for sharing him with us. I’m praying for you, too, Kristin, that your anxieties and worry will soon be lifted, with good news about Smokey. God bless you all.
Oh, we know how worried you are about Smokey. Our first golden lived to almost 14. Our second got lymphoma and didn’t make 9 years of age. We now have our third, Mulligan who is 6. He has torn his right hind ACL and had a big surgery. Now he has many, many cysts in his eyes. We are hoping and praying that Smokey’s lump is benign, and he will be good as can be soon. The world loves golden retrievers.
All of your reader have been on Smokey’s journey. I lit a little candle for him. As it is 8:30pm where you are I hope by now you know all went well. He is a tough little guy with a spirit that rivals none.
Bonne chance Smokey and to your family as well.
Best,
Cheryl
Hi Kristin,
I’m thinking of you and Smokey! I hope he will be ok! Do you remember the show Bewitched? I wish I could twitch my nose and be there on Monday for the wine tasting! Have fun!
Much love to you and dear Smokey. My prayers that all goes well!
I so enjoy hearing about Smokey and his mother and am so sad to hear that he is facing yet another challenge. Bon courage! Smokey is obviously a feisty dog and I pray that he will fight this with the help of his loving family.
No dog so beautiful and gentle-looking should suffer.
He is in my prayers.
Prayers for Smokey and prayers for you cherie. My little guy, Toutou, had a close call last year so I understand very well. Sweet Smokey has survived much, I pray he recovers quickly from this. Bon courage!
Praying for you and your beautiful spirted Smokey… I always wondered about his tongue, thought it added so much charter 🙂
Love and best wishes to you, Smokey! Hope you get patched up and feel all better soon!
Kristin,
Smokey is in our prayers. He is so remarkable and has come through two previous times. We prayer that this is the 3rd. I know how much he means to you and your family and he means so much to your whole family out here in blog land. We all love him and his antics.
Kathleen
I recently found your blog and so appreciate it. Watching Smokey watch you make the cake was priceless. Our family in California, including Cooper the Golden therapy dog, send healing thoughts and love.
Been there; done it; got the soggy t-shirt to prove it; my heart is with you and smokey…. he is such a fighter – here is, as always……………, to hope!
Only good loving thoughts got to you and Smokey and your family .it issodifficultwhen a family member has to have pain no matter how much or cause. Soon he will be home for you to comfort and love.
Come on Smokey. You can do it!. Get well, get better and keep thrilling us with your adventures. I love you guy. From way deep in the heart of Texas
Sending big hugs and well wishes to Smokey from down under. We do hope he recovers quickly so we can hear more of his stories. Thinking of you all,
Bon courage to Smokey and the rest of your family, Kirsten. It’s so difficult to see a beloved pet suffer. Hope the surgery goes well!
I wish you a speedy recovery, Smokey. You are loved by all the readers of your mommy’s blog!
Kristin, as always, you are able to capture the true essence of experiences and touch our hearts. *keeping Smokey and all his loved ones in my thoughts*
Loved your beautiful post and the photos of sweet Smokey (sorry to hear about your elbow too). Sending healing thoughts your way! Looking forward to good news/your next post.
Dear Kristin, I do so hope that Smokey did well during his surgery and that he is again at home being loved and fussed over by his family. My very best wishes for each of you.
Blessings for your precious Smokey. Our canine “children” are so dear to our hearts.My little longhaired Dachshund, Chloe, is now 17, and deaf and almost blind, and I dread the day when I will be without her. This is one of those occasions, when one can say with all honesty, “I know how you feel”. Hugs. x
Best wishes to smokey on a speedy recovery. Our pets are so much like family. I even live mine more than some. I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
Take care.
Our dear pets are so faithful, loving and devoted to us….that in itself is a miracle…….I wish a prayerful miracle …..but all your love and care will see Smokey through……all my best….Susan
This post made me tearful too, as I remember when you first got Smokey & I discovered your website. By now he is coming out of anesthesia, & I hope the diagnosis will be positive. Poor pooch has been through so much! What a great dog in a great family. Wish I could stop by from our new home near Las Vegas, NV (from SF Bay area). Alas, too far.
Dearest Smokey,
Your family and we friends, who you don’t even know, need you well. We need you to keep us focused on unconditional love and continue to help each other every day.
We love you!
Am praying that your sweet, precious Smokey will be alright.
Best wishes for a swift recovery, Smoky. We love you very much and are sending healing thoughts and prayers to and for you and your family. Leslie, with Henry the Golden Retriever and Bob the Long-Haired Dachshund
My beautiful shepherd, Bijou, and I send Smokey and you lots of puppy love.
Dear Kristin & Smokey
You are in my thoughts and prayers
sending hugs from New Zealand
Jan
Dear sweet Smokey, Many prayers for your complete recovery. Wish I could be there to pet and comfort you. Sending love to you and to your family, and prayers for all of you. XXOO
I’m sending lots of love and healing for you, Smokey and the family. We all know that life has many challenges along with joys and you, Kristin, handle most with courage and care.