On our forays to and fro the Refuge S.P.A. des Baux de Provence in hopes to adopt the handsome Kipling, the countryside of the Alpilles provided both a fine mirror and consolation to the heart-skip of our emotions.
We would park at the same spot, beyond the refuge but not so far that we were innocuous to the plaintive yips and demanding barks, I would wait as Remi would go and retrieve Kipling and pace with Ben, trying to remain positive, trying not to imagine Remi coming back without him because he had been claimed (although in all honestly, we would have been delighted if that had been the case. We are no dog thieves).
So I would look at the trees, studiously.
Then sigh with relief as I saw Remi and Kip come into view.
After our little hips and hoorays, our worries and wonders, we would part. On the way back to Arles, the car would somehow pull itself over to the side of the road.
A beauty balm.
And we are still digesting these recent events, each of us in our own way.
That is why we hopped in the car yesterday, four of us now, for a little country interlude, one that did us all some good.
*Update: I know that some of you must be wondering how things are going with Kipling’s arrival into our household. I don’t think that we could have asked for it to have gone better so far. He is wonderful and is recuperating nicely. Ben is adjusting very well and is offering up the best of his sweet self. Remi and I are dolling out Love all around.*
Thank you all so very much for your unbelievably wonderful, generous and heart-felt responses to welcome Kipling. I think that they are the most that I have ever had to a post and each one is as special as the last. Remi and I were both very touched by them.
I hope that you will bear with me if, as with this post, I am a little less verbose these next few weeks…I really want to give all of my attention to making Kipling feel at home. Merci les amis…
*Update to the update. Try as I might, I can’t resist just one:*
Aaah! They are too adorable!
Clare x
I can't get over how much Provence looks like California. These pictures are quite gorgeous. So very glad to have found you. xx
Those dogs look like they drank too much Puligny-Montrachet at a wild party last night.~Mary
Sanda!! I am already "the crazy lady" for having two while living in town but three? Heehee. However, if I lived in the suburbs or the country…three it would be muddy paws or no…
Heather, I'm at the computer doing other things, but just had to call forth my husband to view this photo. He's insanely wild about Goldens so we are quite a pair. He just "oooh'd and ahh'd" over this; then naturally, I had to back up to your last post and show him the original Kipling photos. He thinks they are absolutely gorgeous!! which the are, of course.
If he had his way, we'd bring home a third Golden rescue, but I have to say no but only because of the added work of cleaning four extra paws when it's muddy outside. But wouldn't it be great to have three?????
Thank you so much Sanda for your support–I need from experienced folk like yourself! Wait until you see the new photos…
We certainly are, Ella. No cats allowed! At least not yet…
Do!! It is even more beautiful than I can portray it…
Thank you so much friend. Remi is too.
I am glad that someone enjoyed the non-pupper photos!! 🙂 And yes, it is. Thank goodness I have these two to make me keep exploring despite the cold.
I happen to know for a fact that you are one.
OMG!! What an over the top sweet and gorgeous thing: Ben and Kip on the sofa asleep. How wonderful all are adjusting to the new living arrangement. Knew it would be so. Beautiful babies!!!
That picture!!!! It's too precious with the two of them snuggling under the blanket! Dogs are great like that. They get along almost immediately whereas cats…well it could take a lifetime for a scene like this to happen, especially if the two cats had just met.
Good thing you both are puppy people!
Happy Valentines Day to you both!
Hello Heather
Lovely to see the trust between the tow dogs. How terrific they get along so well.
Continued happiness
Kipling is lucky to have you, Heather. You are the perfect, perfect soul for him.
oh, Heather – let sleeping dogs lie – that last shot – is so beautiful and says Home.
Oooh never apologize, Elizabeth. You have been with me since the beginning and I am always so happy to see you here!!!
The sharing of the couch is definitely taking some negotiations but it is happening!
Bisous,
H
It is so true, Helen. They are giving us such precious gifts. Stay warm and safe please!!!
Loree, I have had to learn how to translate "meant to be" into French because that is exactly how I feel!!!
So far so good, my friends. Wouldn't they make quite the pair trotting through Budapest together? 🙂
Thank you!!! For the compliments and the well-wishes!!
Oooh there is more my friend, there is more where that came from…
xoxo!
Happy St. Valentine's to you too, Leslie! I hope that you and Scott are doing something nice for it. Maybe going to that amazing sounding restaurant that you went to with Judith and Paul? 🙂
Kipling is estimated to be six years old, the same as Ben. And no, it is our guess that he is a Golden/Collie mix, although Remi is now thinking Shetland Collie! 🙂
Thank you again for your unbelievably kind message. What a wonderful person you are.
Judith, I have been getting a ton of visits for my Kipling post and this one as well–it makes me so happy!! Yes, we all need to hear good stories from time to time…
Gros Bisous Ă toi…
I hope Kip will be running through those lovely fields and trails very soon. Lovely photographs!
V
Lovely pics (I especially love the big tree) – I can see how they comforted you! And adorable pic of the 2 doggies, though Ben still has a little bit of a confused look on his face! And I agree "the four of us" has such a nice ring to it! Hope Kipling is healing nicely!
Oh Heather that last picture just melted me! I'm so happy for your family and how well everything is working out. Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to hear more!
XXX
Debra~
Beautiful interlude. Thanks for sharing the countrysde. It's good to get out this time of year. xo Jenny
I imagine you to be a very, very good Auntie.
Forget the scenery Heather… those two are pure heaven… xv
Heather I must apologise for not being on the internet so frequently and thus missing all of the excitement about Kipling. He looks adorable and very relaxed to be sharing the couch with Ben. Kipling is extremely lucky to have found your family. I look forward to hearing more about the adventures of the 4 of you. Bisous
Heather, I'm so pleased to know that Kipling has come home. And how wonderful that you could add him to your family. I hope that he soon adapts and recovers from his surgery – that's a lot for a gentle little doggie soul! He and Ben are such perfect bookends – congratulations! I'm so happy for you, Remi, Ben and Kipling. XO
that last shot is just so precious!
This last image is just too much!!! they both look so happy.
Just played catch up on the arrival of Kipling. They do look like a pair of bookends! Lovely piece Heather and so is this one. You really make me want to visit your part of the world.
How utterly charming that last photo is. And how utterly the "four of us" sounds. xx
Dear Ben and Kipling, you are two very lucky and loved dogs……you have both made your owners feel wonderful and needed. Since we have around 2' of snow and now it is freezing rain, your pictures were a much needed treat. Thank you
Helen – Toronto
Oh that last photo is just too precious for words. I think that some things are just meant to be, n'est-ce pas?
Hello Heather:
And now you are four……how lovely. Love conquers all so they say and we are sure that Kipling is in very safe hands.
Fondest wishes. Take care! J and L xx
As always, the beauty and the love that pour forth from your photos and musings is awe inspiring. Best wishes with your new addition!
The last photograph says all that's most important about your new family…bravo (and happy St. Valentine's Day)! And the photographs of the countryside are lovely…I can just imagine you four there. I'm glad you felt the balm of such beauty as you put your hearts on the line and waited for Kipling.
Just out of curiosity: Do you have an estimate of how old Kipling is? Was his vet or the shelter certain that he is a Golden/collie mix?
Thinking of all of you especially now, L
Heather that last photograph is just too adorable for words.
XXX
Oh Heather, as much as I might feign otherwise on my own blog, I am not a fan of snow. And these photographs provide such a lovely respite from all the white stuff. Today, we have rain coming down on top of the 2 feet of snow. Chilly, gloomy are the words that come to mind.
And then, just when I thought my little respite was coming to an end, there was the wonderful update and photo on Kipling and Ben. You must be getting a ton of traffic on your Kipling post. I know I have gone back to 'visit' several times.
And I agree, it is important to focus on the pups during this special time.
Gros bisous.