Ben and Kipling in the Luberon

If ever there was a moment when I felt that a little sweet relief was merited, it is today. So here are just a few photos of “my boys” from our recent trip to the Luberon (more on which is soon to follow). May they bring you a smile after a long, difficult week…

Have a calm and restful weekend everyone…

48 comments

  1. A wonderful post, Natalie…thank you for bringing it to our attention. It's too bad Henry, my Golden, and his little brother Bob, a long-haired dachshund, are too old to serve as Comfort Dogs; they like nothing more than giving solace and other forms of love! With every good wish, Leslie

  2. Oh there is nothing like the faces of pups to lighten ones heart. I loved this post!

  5. Feel free to ask for more whenever you need a fix, Liza–and stay warm!! Holy crap what terrible weather you have had!!!!

  6. Hang a good chandelier from the ceiling and we have it all! Especially because wait until you see the books on hand…
    Bisous!

  7. I think that they are still so happy to be with US for now but this trip was reeeeally good for bonding! 🙂

  8. I have to love a dog named Beau. 🙂 And this is Ben's new thing–snuggling tight into a chair. Happily, at the cottage we rented, there was just the perfect spot for him…

  11. Sending a hug right back from Provence!! And girly, you always know just what to say to make me laugh…I would maybe, maybe consider getting a cat but it is SUCH a crapshoot–will they be standoffish and evil or merely haughty and smug? Heehee…

  12. Thank you joyful–and will you give both Max and Toffee some love from me too please? And oh, it is so hard when they are older. It can be heart-breaking but that is the promise we make. That said…it really is so challenging. We love them so much…
    Stay strong,
    Bisous from Provence,
    H

  13. It sounds like your two are like Ben–he is definitely a retriever and sticks are "his thing". Every morning when we turn back towards the house, he looks around for what I call a "Ben size stick" (or a huge one if he is trying to make me laugh) and proudly brings it home. That is unless there is mail to be carried up!

    And I can imagine that the flags at half-mast were potent reminders–and respect and empathy rightfully given.

    PS. Whereabouts in Cali? I graduated high school in Santa Cruz and my folks lived in San Diego for over 20 years. How I do dearly love the coast of California…

  15. It is amazing how they just "know", isn't it? Even if I am just in a bad mood for no reason, I'll catch Ben looking at me and I know that he sees it!

  16. It is amazing how such joy and pain can rub up against each other in our lives, isn't it? Welcome home…and scratchies to your two.

  17. …And we are sending it right back to you, wonderful Leslie. I know that this past week must have been hard on you. Sending a big, warm hug too…Yes, now we just have to wait and let it all unravel even if it doesn't change the horrible events…
    xoxoxox
    H.

  18. It is always so good to hear from you, Sally. And please give Wally some love from me too!

    And yep, for me it is "puppers" or even "froggies"… 🙂

  19. Marsha, they were sooooooo happy in the country. Sigh. We really have tried to get them out of town at least once a week since we have been back (on top of their long walks in Arles) but it makes me want to move!!
    Bisous!!

  20. I wish that I could give you a big, long hug. I am so sorry for all of the fear and sadness that you have been experiencing. Did you see the link that Natalie posted above? So many people have mentioned here or in emails that their puppers have helped them so much through all of this. I know I have been loving on my two even more than usual–and that is saying something!!!

    And we were back in the region that we discovered last year (don't remember if you were visiting then or not) that is in the Upper Luberon, right on the border where it becomes the Alpes des Haut Provence. It is so beautiful!!! More later today…

    And there is an email address on my profile–if you ever want to send a photo of Pastis I would love it! 🙂 Please send scratchies from me…

  21. Oh Natalie, thank you SO much for that link. I never would have seen it otherwise and of course, I was so glad that I did and have passed it on… 🙂

    And I love your posts but fear I often miss them because of the time difference…? I need to see if you have an email sign up!!!
    xoxo,
    h

  23. Oooh, that is such a good story Judith. It really is. I have always meant to do a post on it and will one of these days…but yep, since a wee pup. And what a pup he was. 🙂

  24. Heehee–just think of the love that Ben gave you and imagine that Kipling is the real snuggler in the family! 🙂

  27. BLISS!

    dogs, candles, open fireplace, logs, sunlight, France.

    delicious.

    *senseofwellbeingemerges*

    tg xxxx

  28. HOW COULD THEY NOT BRING A SMILE TO ONES FACE!SO, GORGEOUS, SO DIVINE SO HAPPY TO BE TOGETHER!

  29. Just what the doctor ordered! I love the one in the chair! My Beau does that!

  30. Beautiful. My sister has two goldens, they are nothing but complete joy and love. XXXX

  32. Our animal family always has a way of making us smile, don't they? Even my bitchy cat tries in her own way…okay, what am I talking about? No she doesn't. She doesn't even like me, but I digress.

    I hope you had a lovely weekend and looking forward to reading more about your trip! Sending hugs from Paris.

  33. Oh, a million thanks and hugs across the miles to the puppies. What a week….your Mom was right..I hug Maxi and Toffe everyday, and cherish their comfort and friendship.

    My Toffee is getting 'on' at age 12…having some tummy and kidney problems, difficulty in getting up on hardwood floors…..I gaze at him in his bed during the nite and wonder……

    Your photos are beautiful and bring a welcome calm after this week that had so much terror and fear for so many.

  34. Ha! Your house looks like my house; covers on everything due to shedding beasts!

    Yes, thank you, I needed something pleasant to look at after eyes welling up with more graphic photos of carnage. I will say, in my small west coast California town, the sight of flags at half-mast for Boston at our schools, police department and even atop our tiny fire house makes my heart swell…so many emotions…unity mostly, of fellow citizens sending our most healing wishes for innocent victims and a stand against all that is evil; a refusal to be violated.

    Your precious, beautiful dogs…my mom would say, "go hug the dog," when I was feeling bad. It always helps. My two have been smothered in Mommie hugs this week. They just patiently wag their tails in response.

    Not many toys beat a good, 'ol stick!

  36. It's amazing what comfort animals can bring to lighten a day, especialy your adorable pair, lovely aslleep & bounding around. Thanks Heather.

  38. Thank you, Heather. Ben and Kipling are an antidote, as were my two when I arrived home in France after my two-week visit to meet my new, first grandchild in my hometown of Boston. What a week it was….

  40. I can feel my heart rate slowing, my shoulders coming down from near my ears, my hands relaxing. Thank you, Heather, for these photographs of your beautiful pups, and for the love shown, by them and you, in these photographs. I feel like I can rest a bit now and wait for the agonizing puzzle to begin to fit together. Sending you four much love…

  41. Sweet darlings pups! ( I always call these sweet loves puppies . The usual word doesn't capture the sweetness I feel in them. My "puppy" is 9 years old. During this horrible week Wally has been such a comfort.
    The Luberon looks beautiful; I've never been . Love love your blog. You always have something real to say..

  42. Yes, I'm smiling. And, I'm so happy they have a mama who loves them so much and that they have a nice place to romp and sleep. Such lovlies, they are.

  43. after a terrible few days here being hostage in my house due to terrorists it's nice to try to get back to normal. Where in the Luberon were you? My dog, Pastis says hello to your paws.

  47. Beautiful and a much needed de-stress after a tense week. Paul and I lived in Watertown for several years and still have friends there — how weird to see such familiar streets on the TV news.

    I've been wondering… when/how did you get Ben? Have you had him since he was a wee pup?

    Gros bisous.

  48. Yay – puppy pictures!! You are right – this is exactly what we need, or I need, anyway! They are both such handsome pups and look so happy on their vacation in the Luberon! I can see by the way they are photographed how much happiness they bring you – thank you for sharing it with us. Wish I was there to cuddle up with those cuddle bunnies (and, oh yeah, to see my sister!)!

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