It is hard, nearly impossible, to think that we adopted Kipling four months ago. The scars tracing his belly where his horribly large intestinal hernia was repaired have healed and his coat has grown back fine, although not yet to his proud puffed chest of before. I see the time passing when I look into his eyes, those eyes that were closed tight to near slits with fear when we first met him and are now, only now, really open. Open with trust. It is beginning. And it feels wonderful.
Remi and I still have peace to make with the fact that someone could abandon such a wonderful one.
When he sneaks under the table at lunch and rests his head on my feet, I know that it is something that he did before, in his previous home. When he looks up at our bed with longing, I know that too is something he knew in his other life. So then, why?
It is a question I am trying to let go of as the now begins to balance the weights of his past. I see him learning the ropes, again, with us. When we are in the country, how proud he is when he remembers to come back to us as he will go far so far ahead, at times too far, in big circles to the side so that we wonder if he was used in hunting to flush out game. And certainly, he licks his lips at our towns pigeons and strains to reach the cats. He is no angel…
…nor devil either. We call him coquin or rascal, it was Remi who started it, just like he was the one to choose Kipling for the adventure of it all. For who knows what happened during those ten days while he was waiting for his owner to come out of the shopping center? His front teeth are broken, making it nearly impossible to know his age–did that happen then? But he has, amazingly, retained a sense of humor, one he is only beginning to show. He would make a fine poker player.
All I know is that he remembers. I believe he would follow us to the ends of the earth.
And Ben? Not to worry. Ben has all the love he has ever had…
…and is discovering what it is to have a copain to boot. For the first time. Learning the ropes.
It is never too late.
Mais oui, you did not think that I could end there, did you? Really? No. Because you see…well, I am calling out to mes amis français…oui, je sais que vous êtes la grâce aux statistiques même si vous ne me communique pas! Vous êtes nombreuses en plus…Are there any of you who would be interested in adopting this fine gentleman? His name is Lou and although he is ten, he is in fine form…Just think of all of the love that he could give! Look at that perfect Golden smile…I know that he is a special boy and if I didn’t live in an apartment in town I would go all Bruce Weber and adopt a brood. For their love is spectacular I have to say….Camille, who told us about Kipling says that he is a sweetheart that gets along with everyone and everything.
If you are interested in having more information about Lou, please see: Here.
Many thanks to my friend at teamgloria for mentioning Kiplings adoption today. You can see her lovely portraits of her friend Richard and his Golden, Diego: Here.
For those of you that missed it, I guest-posted on the lovely idea of “Provence Time” chez the brilliant D. A. Wolf’s “Daily Plate of Crazy”: Here.
And for my friends in the States that are commemorating Memorial Day, I was deeply moved by the tribute that my friend NK wrote, especially as she is par norm a brilliant comedic writer so this is all the more surprising and beautiful: Here.
How lovely of you to stop by! And I wish the same for your beautiful doggies as well! 🙂
Hello Heather,
It's been such a long time since I've been able to visit your blog. I just HAD to get over here and find out what's going with your two lovelies! As an owner of two rescue dogs, I totally know what you mean when you say shades of his former life are still with him. Just like with your Kipling, my Val and Kris are sometimes faced with a situation where memories of their "former lives" emerge. Loud noises and quick movements frighten Kris; Val is afraid of stairs. How we wish we know what happened to them in the past. No amount of comforting and reassurances has helped my two overcome these hand-ups, and others. All I really care about is that our dogs are now loved unconditionally and totally…and are safe. Great post, Heather; love your doggies!!
Oh they are just so, so gorgeous! I can tell they give you so much joy, Heather. I truly hope Lou finds a wonderful home.
Clare x
Thank you so very much Gina. I read your beautiful response this morning but wasn't able to reply until tonight. And actually something happened this morning that made me think about what you had written. I was out on my morning walk with the boys and I crossed paths with a certain elderly gentleman who was possibly the French version of a cowboy (yep, they had them here first in the nearby Camargue, they are called Les Gardians and have been a group for 500 years) in his younger years. Well, Kipling, who is not the most friendly pupper before you know him, took to that man like house afire. I just watched without making a thing of it, while talking. Kipling went and leaned into him–I couldn't believe it! He was so happy. Remi has always thought instinctively that he belonged to an older man before and I know that he doesn't quite know what to do with me, a feminine character. So this was a clue just like Charlie taking off to the east…
Well, they are with us while they are and each day counts. They teach us that. 🙂
ox to you too, Gina,
Heather
Dear Heather, We adopted a lost dog. His owners didn't or couldn't claim him. He was found wandering along a country highway by a policeman. They kept him for a week. I know that he came from a loving home because he is the most loving dog. I would so like to know what his life was like. He loves cowboys and trucks. He loves herding animals and he never leaves his guard post until everyone has gone upstairs for the night.
For many months he would disappear while we were working in the garden. We would immediately go looking for him. He would always go east, trying to find his former home, I think. Now, 5 years later he doesn't leave anymore. I would still like to know what his former life was like. Did he come from a family with children who miss him terribly? I know that it would break our hearts if we lost Charlie.
Heather, I look forward to reading every one of your posts. They are so beautifully written. ox, Gina
Oh, don't you worry, Karina always manages to ge her licks in.
That is a really good reminder. Because there are still moments when Kipling is so sad. He just disconnects. I just try to give him extra love to plug him back in…
Sara! That moved me so much that you would even consider Lou. And you know what it is to be a rescue Mom–you are such a great one. 🙂
Bisous to Fifty…
Leslie, we do wonder the same thing about his owner. He was scared to pieces when we first met him but maybe Kipling just went through a lot of hardship in his time on his own before he was rescued? Did I mention that his paws were trimmed when we met? I noticed it right away. This is a dog who was cared for…
And of course, I should have known you would love Lou. Isn't he just the essence of Golden?
xo,
H
As long as I have their dogfood, definitely. 🙂