Pictured: Sam and Breizh, in 2009. Smokey's parents met and eloped in Marseilles. It is the most amazing story ever. A miracle! Please read "Chien Perdu" here. (But don't miss the update, below).
l'ouïe (wee) noun, feminine
: hearing
Related Terms & Expressions:
l'ouï-dire = hearsay, rumor
avoir l'ouïe fine = to have sharp hearing
avoir l'ouïe un peu dure = to be hard of hearing
être tout ouïe = to be all ears
à portée de l'ouïe = within hearing
les ouïes des poissons = fish gills
AUDIO FILE: listen to Jean-Marc read today's example sentence:
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Les cinq sens. Nos cinq sens sont les suivant: la vue, l'ouïe, le goût, l'odorat, le toucher. The five senses. Our five senses are the following: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
To sharpen. I spoke about the French word aiguiser in a previous post, and was set to feature the verb today, when plans changed. It may seem like a strange word choice following the news about our dog's death–but then my senses seem sharper since Breizh passed away on Saturday.
With the past four days being cloaked in sadness, I began to wonder if grief isn't one of our 5 senses… but of course it isn't, as evidenced by the following list (quickly counted on my right hand, beginning with le pouce, or thumb).
- la vue (sight)
- l'ouïe (hearing)
- le goût (taste)
- l'odorat (smell)
- le toucher (touch)
No, grief is not a sense, but a stirrer of the senses, as we see in these examples:
LA VUE – SIGHT
Soonafter our 9-year-old golden retriever passed, I saw something alarming, quelque chose I had never before noticed. Smokey, Breizh's 6-year-old son, was sporting a silver barbe, or beard.
I remember the day, not three months ago, that I saw Breizh's gray mustache (or was it white?)–after someone pointed it out to me. And I wonder, how many more things–evident, present, glaring–are we not seeing?
L'OUIE – HEARING
J'entends. I hear a whistle in Smokey's breathing, one that wasn't there before. It is le souffle of sadness and it sometimes terminates with un gros soupir.
Patting his soft, lopsided head, I murmur: Je sais, Smokey, je sais. Elle est partie, notre Breizh. Elle est partie. But it's okay. It is okay. All will be okay.
LE GOUT – TASTE
Food was tasteless, but my appetite returned on day two, arriving on a rumble of hunger pangs. But for Smokey, who lost his mama, it would be 5 days before he would show any interest in his croquettes–the sound of which used to make him do twirls in the air! This morning, no air-twirls, but he did wag his tail excitedly as I set down his bowl. His hunger had finally returned.
L'ODORAT – SMELL
Together, Jean-Marc and I buried Breizh before a field of sunflowers, in front of the laundry line where I go almost daily to dry our clothes. A wooden wine box doubles as a headstone and a shelf where we can set mementos–like the mug with Breizh's picture, which doubles as a vase.
This morning, while collecting escargot shells from the surrounding field, to set beside the vase of bougainvillea, I remembered Smokey's unusual behavior, when days before he strolled up to the grave and lay down beside it. He must sense she is here… I thought. Only to watch him walk off with half a cross!
Smokey! Bring that back! I called, hurrying up to him to retrieve the horizontal piece of the cross. Setting the broken tree limb back in place, over the grave, I stared at the cross I'd replaced. Death, it seems, has a sense of humor, too.
LE TOUCHER
Smokey's hair has never felt softer, and touching him has its effet tranquillisant. I wish I'd saved a lock of Breizh's hair. Then again, what would I do with it? Wear it around my neck? No! Like those small plastic envelopes holding my children's first teeth, it would be forever hidden in a shoebox, somewhere discreet.
MY INTERGALACTIC DOG
(These paragraphs were originally posted under the "sight" section, above. But I found a better example and needed to move this one somewhere else. The concluding section seems fitting.)
On the phone with my aunt, we were talking about the planet Pluto which has been making headlines lately. "It really makes you wonder how it all began. Consider the endless galaxies!"
My aunt's words queued my mind which now pictured a vibrant midnight blue outer space with rolling waves of silver stars. Suddenly a smiling golden retriever jetted right past me! There was Breizh, riding an asteroid the size of a basketball! My head got whiplash watching her streak past me, a line of sparkly stardust in her wake. I watched as she disappeared into the future (or the past?). Oh the mystery of where exactly she is, the spirit of our sweet, golden girl.
I had to share the image of a beaming Breizh transported through space– had to share the vision with my aunt, who very sweetly and politely responded, as if she, too, could picture that intergalactic dog of mine rocketing across the starry sky.
And it dawns on me now, clearer-headed days later, the delicateness that framed my aunt's sympathetic response. I hope to remember to react as she did the next time someone is grieving – to remember to see the intergalactic dog that is not. Nod your head wildly, utter your conviction – let her know that you see just what she sees… and so let her grieve.
* * *
Dear Reader, Thank you so much for your comforting words regarding Breizh. The empathy you shared, via the comments box and by email, helped to unblock further streams of emotion.
Here is the most recent photo of our golden girl. At the time I took the picture I did not know it would be the last, or I would have taken a thousand more. As it is, this image fills me with peace, representing, so sweetly, her ongoing journey.
Amicalement,
Kristi
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Our dear Kristi,
Once again your beautiful words make my eyes fill with tears.
The only thing I can add is that”today is a gift,that’s why it’s called the present”.(Eleanor Roosevelt)
I am more determined than ever to make each one count.
Love
Natalia. Xo
Having lost my most wonderful Rottweiler of just nine years, Loki, in February, my heart breaks with your loss. They steal into our hearts and settle in, never to leave us. My your golden girl always smile down on you. My her memory bring you comfort.
We all can feel your sadness and most of us have had to say goodbye to one or more of our treasured “pets”..it is an awful experience..having part of our very being ripped away. My Hannah, also refused to eat for 5 days, only leaving her Mother Dog’s rug to go to the bathroom..now she is starting down that all too difficult path, needing constant pats and rubs of reassurance. I planted a tree on top of my Sophie, and I have watched it grow. I did keep some of her hair, that I look at from time to time; but really it adds nothing to my loving memory of her and her likes and dislikes. What a gift our pets are. How fortunate we have been to have been able to live and love with them.
I’m so sorry to hear of loss of Breizh, such a sweet, constant family member. Grief, like love or joy, is an emotion meant to be shared. Thank you for the gift of letting us all into your grief, so we can mourn with you and help you with this burden.
Nancy, Thank you for asking about my sponsors properties. In this case, you could click on the second ad, for Mas de Monaque. This will put you in touch with David Hulston, who has several other properties for rent in France.
And thank you all for the continued well wishes, words which have done a world of good!
Dear Kristin
I had a big great big Great Pytenees.
I loved her very much !!
I am now eighty years old and can not have another dog
Georgia Catasca–
Madeleine (my dog)
Georgia & Madeline)
I followed you and your family for years–your vhildren, husband,
It is very hard to say good bye. I am sure that Smokey knows where his mom is buried and just wants to visit. He also has to grieve. Time heals, but the memories stay forever.
Kathleen
Georgia, I love those great pyrenees. My dear friend Stacy at Sweet Life Farm has one.
Fred, you are not going anywhere until you bring Nancy back here for another visit!
I’m so sorry Kristin. I know how much you and your family miss Breizh. It is a difficult thing but just keep those great memories of Breizh in your heart. I know Smokey misses his mama.
Hugs to you and your family! Such a sweet girl, romantic adventurer, fiercely protective mother and faithful, true companion. Realizing that could just as well describe you, Kristi. You were so lucky to have each other. She will live on in many hearts. Deepest sympathies for your loss.
A friend sent me this this week as I grieved the loss of my Golden Retriever and it brought a smile to my face in the grieving, maybe it will for you as well. It is from Dogheirs .com and is written by Ernest Montague “Dogs never die. They don’t know how to. They get tired, and sick or old, and their bones hurt. Of course they don’t die. If they did they would not want to always go for a walk, even long after their bones say: ‘No, no, not a good idea. Let’s not go for a walk.’ Nope, dogs always want to go for a walk. They might get one step before their tendons collapse them into a heap on the floor, but that’s what dogs are. They walk.
It’s not that they dislike your company. On the contrary, a walk with you is all there is. Their boss, and the cacaphonic symphony of odor that the world is. Cat poop, another dog’s mark, a rotting chicken bone (exultation), and you. That’s what makes their world perfect, and in a perfect world death has no place.
However, dogs get very very sleepy. That’s the thing, you see. They don’t teach you that at the fancy university where they explain about quarks, gluons, and Keynesian economics. They know so much they forget that dogs never die. It’s a shame, really. Dogs have so much to offer and people just talk a lot.
When you think your dog has died, it has just fallen asleep in your heart. And by the way, it is wagging its tail madly, you see, and that’s why your chest hurts so much and you cry all the time. Who would not cry with a happy dog wagging its tail in their chest. Ouch! Wap wap wap wap wap, that hurts. But they only wag when they wake up. That’s when they say: ‘Thanks Boss! Thanks for a warm place to sleep and always next to your heart, the best place.’
When they first fall asleep, they wake up all the time, and that’s why, of course, you cry all the time. Wap, wap, wap. After a while they sleep more. (remember, a dog while is not a human. You take your dog for walk, it’s a day full of adventure in an hour. Then you come home and it’s a week, well one of your days, but a week, really, before the dog gets another walk. No WONDER they love walks.)
Anyway, like I was saying, they fall asleep in your heart, and when they wake up, they wag their tail. After a few dog years, they sleep for longer naps, and you would too. They were a GOOD DOG all their life, and you both know it. It gets tiring being a good dog all the time, particularly when you get old or sick, and your bones hurt, and you fall on your face, and don’t want to go outside to pee when it is raining but do anyway, because you are a good dog. So understand, after they have been sleeping in your heart, they will sleep longer and longer.
But don’t get fooled. They are not ‘dead.’ There’s no such thing, really. They are sleeping in your heart, and they will wake up, usually when you’re not expecting it. It’s just who they are.
I feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs sleeping in their heart. You’ve missed so much. Excuse me, I have to go cry now.”
Blessings to you.
Thank you, Jim =-)
Anne and I feel your grief. We have English Springers and have dealt with he pass of several. Their companions will search for them and them come to us for consolation and to console us.
It is a sad time. Smokey will come around. After a while you can find him a new Golden companion, perhaps. Our condolences.
Be strong and keep her memory alive in your heart.
Thank you, BJ…I share your lovely thoughts and sentiments and join you, if I may, in sending them to Kristin, Smokey and their family.
Dear Kristin and Family,
I couldn’t write the other day. Losing a beloved family member is so hard. They just don’t live long enough. Below is The Rainbow Bridge, something that brings me comfort when I lose a pet. Not Biblical, but I hope it helps. Toutes mes condoleances!
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown…
Dear Kristi,
I feel it is time that I write you. I have been reading your posts this past 12 years…since a friend told me of you. At the time, I was beginning french lessons…I had met my husband in Napa Valley. I am originally from Texas, he is from the Gers county of Gascony…or the old region of Armagnac, as he prefers to think of it. He is a french winemaker, making wines in California, mostly because of me…he would prefer to be in his beloved Gascony. That is a longer tale…
I cried today while reading and feeling your and Smokey’s grief for Bräise. I remember when you got her because it was the same year we got Kiva, our beloved Australian Shepherd . We lost her to a house fire 3 years ago. It was a tragic time for us, but now we have our sweet Rosey, her distant cousine, and she fills most of the place in my heart that will always sting a little for Kiva.
In June, we visited Bandol and Cassis after leading a tour of wine friends to Gascony. I thought of you then, again. La mer, les calanques, ta jardin and the Rosé…Beautiful!!!
One day soon, we will purchase our own land in France, bring Rosey to her french home, and live where my husband’s family have lived for centuries. So you see, we share a lot in common. Perhaps we and our pups will meet one day.
Pour maintenant, je vous souhaite bon courage, Susan
I remember when Breizh came into your lives. His life has enhanced us in Word-a-Day. So sorry for your loss and ours.
Mervin
I’m so sorry for your loss. I think of Smokey often, whenever I get the email. It never gets easier to lose a dear friend, and they remain with us always. I hope my Penny will meet Breiz at the Rainbow Bridge. Love and hugs for you and Smokey.
What a loving God we have, who gives us wonderful pets to help us through life. A blessed priest once did a short funeral for a dog we mourned, and that was one of the best memories we could have asked for. Thank you for sharing with us the lovely Breizh all these years. You and she enriched our lives forever.
Aww, Kristi – Your last photo of Breizh shows her walking with that particular old dog gate – head down and tail down, almost as if she is a bit stiff or sore. My old dog walks that way too.
It’s maybe better that Breizh is gone rather than to struggle and suffer. Maybe there is some comfort in that?
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever”. From All of our animal friends. XOXO
Dear Kristi,
You spoke in your eloquent tribute about the physical sense of touch. But there is another kind of touch, the way that music, art, beautiful writing, nature, and especially our loved ones touch our hearts in a special place. Dogs somehow know a shortcut into that place, but alas, their lives are short. My sympathies to you and your family, including Smokey. If you are lucky, you will be visited again by Breizh in your dreams, as my old pal The Doggy still visits me from time to time even 25 years after his last tail wag. An e-hug for you.
Dear Kristen. What a beautiful memorial you wrote for Briezh. Love my dog, Schnebly so much that at 82 can’t bear the thought of losing her. She is 9 and a Wheaten Terrier. Hope I will go first since she is my constant companion.
Bless you in your grief. Fondly, Mary-Audrey, scottsdale, AZ.
Hi Krisin,
I try to read your posts regularly, but admit with work and other responsibilities I do not always have the time to really read them and enjoy your writing and your words. But I felt I had to send you a note to express my sympathy for the loss of Breizh. I am so sorry. I send long-distance love and good thoughts to you and your family!
We have had two lovely Golden Retrievers over the years, so I understand your affection for the breed. They are great lovers of their people, “the best dogs in the world”, as an older lady said to me once. Yes, they are. And I am so sorry for your loss. Our dogs give us so much love, and ask for so little in return.
I wanted to hear the five senses pronounced, but the audio ends before those five words. This word l’oiue is quite new to me.
It is sad that Breizh had died. But so good that you could bury her on your own land.
Translate into French, pronounce, and repeat rapidly …
“The eggs in my ears hurt my hearing”.
LOL. Bisous.
Kristi, this is the most beautiful, profound, touching post. And that last, symbolic photo of Breizh … oh, I just want to cry.
Dear Kristin, Such a lovely post. The last photo of Breizh was so bittersweet. She looked like she was “on her way”. Thank you for sharing your thoughts & feelings. Both you & your family & Smokey will always have her in your heart.
Be well.
Kristin.
A lovely last photo of Breizh going on her way.
Edie from Savannah
Dear Kristi,
I believe we have a sixth sense and that our dogs do as well. It is that sixth sense that lead Smokey to lie down beside Breizh. It is that sixth sense that helps a dog understand when people grieve, and allows the dog to grieve as well.
When I was fourteen we moved to France and took our two dogs with us. The fourteen year old dog died seven months later. We left him buried under the trees in that little village on the Seine. Our other dog grieved for many months… it was heart wrenching and eerie as he seemed to understand the loss.
Our hearts go out to you all. Breizh may be forever gone but will always in your hearts and ever present as you walk the paths she walked with you. It may be that sixth sense that lets you and Smokey know that she walks beside you.
P. S. And Jean-Marc! I was touched by the picture you posted today of JM in the vine field with the journalist and author, Robert Camuto . Smokey seemed to be nuzzling Jean-Marc, who is patting Smokey’s head. I could only think of all the times you showed us Breizh in the the vine fields with Jean-Marc. He seemed to always refer to her as Mama Breizh. Makes me tearful to think of that..
My heart goes out to you and your family and to Smokey. What a wonderful tribute you paid to Briezh on this page. Thank you. I, too, have lost dogs that I love still. And their pictures give me solace because I know how much I loved them and I know they knew. Bless you and your family and sweet Smokey. Thanks to you, I can now see my intergalactic dogs, too, and one day we will ride the stars together.
Dear Kristin,
That was a great post that you wrote recently about your dog and the five senses. We wanted to come and visit your vinyard if possible. Do you share your address with your readers?
I have been following your posts for about 2 years now.
Stella
Dear Kristin, that you are able to convey such beauty in the midst of your grief is a fine tribute to the love that you have for Breizh. We are all connected and literally have the stars within us, so your beautiful Intergalactic Girl is there with you, still.
I am so grateful for all of the beautiful words and wishes here as I find myself unable to express adequately that we feel your pain, that of your family’s and of course Smokey’s as well.
I am sending and will continue to send much Love and Strength to you all.
Several years ago I adopted two street cats, a brother and sister. The brother was so dear to me. He had been the runt and sickly as a kitten, but grew up to be a charmer. He slept with his legs wrapped around my forearm or over his sister, like a koala bear holding a tree trunk. He was all black with butterscotch eyes. At 6 1/2 he died from an embolism and congestive heart failure. His sister cried every morning–piercing wails–for 3 months. She used to live to hit her brother, or wash his face. Now she follows me everywhere in the apt. Pets go through great grief and then reorient their lives. I am sure Smokey will as well.
I was heartbroken and stunned for a long time. I still miss my little guy. He was pure love and a great blessing.
Krisitn I am sending you a virtual hug. The comments before mine have said everything so eloquently but I still needed to reach out to you. Hold Smokey tight, he is a delicious piece of Breizh and you can comfort one another.
The photo of Sam and Breizh became a favorite the first time I saw it. Very telling, the last photo taken of Breizh. It is as if she left you a picture of her peacefully leaving on her way home.
I went on the archives to August and September 2009 and saw the cutest photos of Breizh and her puppies! Also a photo of Breizh as a puppy herself. It helped to see them…
And the story of “the elopement” was great!
This is a beautiful post about your wonderful friend and loyal companion. I loved it! And the photo with Smokey is precious.
Hi Kristi,
Being in vacations in the wonderful region called Jura (the french one), land of my husband’s ancestors, I’m not connected very often. That’s why I discovered lately your post about your grief…
Almost everyone here, has written about his or her dog, since when you have – or had – such an animal, he or she is considered as a friend for… a few years, alas too few.
And his (her) death is like a family drama.
J’ai connu ça, il y a un an, lorsqu’après 4 opérations – qu’elle a supportées merveilleusement – ma magnifique Boxer nous a quittés le 26/07/14 sans se plaindre…
Elle m’avait redonné le sourire et le rire, après le départ de ma Maman.
Je ne l’ai pas encore remplacée, si toutefois l’on peut remplacer un tel “coeur sur pattes”.
Bon courage, chère Kristi.
You brought joy to my heart! If it can happen, we will come. Never say No but …….. Affectueusement toujours a tous!
On Thursday, July 30, 2015 1:18 PM, Kristin Espinasse kristin.espinasse@gmail.com wrote:
Fred, you are not going anywhere until you bring Nancy back here for another visit!
Chere Kristi, can you talk JM into coming to see us?
Kristi, I was away on vacation and was wondering how Breizh was faring. When I returned and saw your posting about her, I was heartbroken. I am so sorry for you. Over the years, by posting photos and stories about her here, you have created a wonderful record of her life that has touched so many people.
Kristi, I want to express my condolences to you and your family over the loss of your precious Breizh. Your eloquent post would have brought tears to my eyes even if I were not an animal lover. It’s so true that our pets become family and we grieve for them as we would for any other family member. Hugs to you from Kansas!
Thanks Jan and friends, for all these heartfelt condoleances. Much appreciated!
Your beautiful boy, a Golden love forever. A loss so impossible, yet forever a loving memory in your mind and your heart.
Golden Retriever rescue is thriving in Sacramento, California. Since 2000, we have rescued and placed over 8,000 dogs. Bruizh is well over the rainbow bridge, meeting and greeting all his Golden and canine friends. Of course, he flew right by you. He will be dropping by often, to let you know he is healthy and happy.
Extra hugs and kisses to Sam.
Maybe someone already noticed Just in case… on the vocab
list la toucher and l’odorat need adjustment..Thank you for sharing..