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:*
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.