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:*
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 à 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!