Tag: dogs

French Learning

Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

TODAY’S WORD: se mettre en échec : to set oneself up for failure PRONUNCIATION: [suh met-truh ahn eh-shek] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Quand on apprend quelque chose de nouveau, il vaut mieux avancer doucement pour ne pas se mettre en échec. When learning something new, it’s best to move forward gently so as not to set yourself up for failure. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi EspinasseDuring one … Continue reading Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Bilingual Story

Engagement is a “faux ami” + Welcoming a Pet into the Family & Responsibility

"Adopt Don't Shop"… is that even debatable? And yet the decision between adopting from a shelter or choosing a puppy from a breeder isn't always straightforward. Read Jean-Marc's essay about our current dog dilemma, and we welcome your thoughts and experiences in the comments. (Picture taken at one of the animal rescue centers we visited this month). Today's word is a faux-ami or false cognate … Continue reading Engagement is a “faux ami” + Welcoming a Pet into the Family & Responsibility

Kristin Espinasse27 Comments
Travel, Village Dogs

Doggone it! A Travel and Dog Lovers Edition

Millow, an 8-year-old French bulldog, enjoying the salty air en route to Minorca, Spain From Toulon to Minorca Jean-Marc and I sailed across the Mediterranean sea with dozens of wonderful dogs. Enjoy all the photos of these seasoned traveler-toutous in my column below. First, meet a cherished reader and dog lover… OUR CHÈRE NATALIAYou may know Natalia from the cheering and affectionate comments she’s left … Continue reading Doggone it! A Travel and Dog Lovers Edition

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Uncategorized

To be lazy in French & Why we should go to bed when the sun sets

Hibernation is life sleeping inside of us. L'hibernation, c'est la vie qui sommeille en soi. –Claude-may Waia Némia Today's word: paresser        : to be lazy    : lounging, loafing Click here to listen to the French sentence, above Lately, I've noticed that when the sun goes down I'm ready to get in bed. But I wonder if 6 o'clock in the evening isn't an … Continue reading To be lazy in French & Why we should go to bed when the sun sets

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
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To peel or to pare or to shuck in French: éplucher + new video!

Welcome home! Lily the 4-month-old huntress tiger greets Smokey–who returned home safely after Monday's great escape. More in today's story column. éplucher (ay-ploo-shay)     1. to peel, to pare (fruits, vegetable); to shuck (remove corn husk)    2. to comb through (documents, files)   Listen: hear the French word éplucher:Audio File from Wikipedia: For more pronunciation help, check out the guide Exercises in French … Continue reading To peel or to pare or to shuck in French: éplucher + new video!

Kristin Espinasse72 Comments
French Destinations, Grignan, Plants

Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

 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 … Continue reading Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

Kristin Espinasse128 Comments
Neighbors

How to say searchlight and intruder in French?

In addition to the visitors we invite (read about these guys, above), we had some unwelcome guests recently. A story about a prowler, or un rôdeur de nuit, in today's column.  faisceau de lumière (fay-so-deuh-loo-myer)     : light beam    Example sentence (and handy retort!): Still smarting from a recent disagreement? Why not forward the following quote (mwah ha ha ha! That'll get 'em!) …il … Continue reading How to say searchlight and intruder in French?

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
Uncategorized

The French word for “good”… and an amusing French idiosyncrasy!

  Please share today's "Dogs of France (and Europe!)" post with an animal lover. Meantime, French learners will appreciate notes on all the "bon" expressions (bon courage, bon appétit, bon séjour) and insights into the French idiosyncracy of well wishing. Read on … but first allow me to wish you bonne lecture!, or happy reading! bon (boh(n) silent "n")      good; right, correct Audio … Continue reading The French word for “good”… and an amusing French idiosyncrasy!

Kristin Espinasse124 Comments
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Une sequelle: The aftermath or scars after an accident

One of the "séquelles" that remain after the two-dog attack on Smokey (years ago!) is that hanging tongue. Read about another, in today's story.  une séquelle (say-kel)    :  aftereffect, aftermath scar, legacy Une séquelle est une lésion qui persiste après la guérison d'une maladie ou blessure. Mot également utilisé lorsque l'on parle d'une conséquence plus ou moins lointaine qui est le contrecoup d'un évènement, d'une … Continue reading Une sequelle: The aftermath or scars after an accident

Kristin Espinasse206 Comments