Pascal said "Les chiens ne nous font de la peine que lorsqu'ils meurent". "The only time a dog makes us feel sad is when he dies".
I had no place to go, no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain, in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find, I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat, or to gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet.
And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you", was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat,
And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur
She told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, We are a circle, a line that never ends.
And in the circle there is you, protected by your friends.
And all around you are the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home after you've been found.
And all the other folks are searching near and far,
To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star.
She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently,
And pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see."
"And then they'll join our circle, they'll help to make it grow,
So there'll be more room for more like you, who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think it wasn't meant to be,
There were people ~ People gazing down at me.
I knew in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too
They said "We have been waiting for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me."
"But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.
And send a special person, to lift them off their feet.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR PET'S MICROCHIP IN FRANCE
S.I.E.V Don't forget to do this. It is important, especially if your pet goes missing.
Société d'Identification Electronique Vétérinaire - 01 55 01 08 08.
The SIEV say you cannot do this yourself, but have to go through a vet who has the necessary form. If he does not have the forms, he can order them from the SIEV. He has to be able to read your pet's microchip, then he fills out the form and sends it off to the SIEV. Apparently the same applies for American microchips.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PET IN FRANCE
Until your pet’s British microchip number is registered over here, which can take some time, make sure he has your telephone number on his collar (collar with an elastic for a cat). If you are in France on holiday put the telephone number of where you are staying, or a mobile.
If your pet should go missing, act quickly. Inform as many people and authorities as possible:
The mairie, the gendarmes, the local fourrières (dog pounds), SPA and other refuges (animal shelters) found in the yellow pages or by internet. Print posters with a photo of your pet to be distributed in the local shops, supermarkets, etc., anywhere where it can be seen. Put ads in the local newspapers.
A useful site where they have a list of some of the shelters and pounds
http://www.viva-vous.net/services/refuges-fourrieres.php
If you cannot speak French, contact us immediately and we shall try to find the local authorities for you and inform them that your pet is missing.
If you do contact us about a lost pet, we would be very grateful if you would kindly let us know the outcome so that everyone can be informed and ads deleted.
Ten Good Reasons to Adopt an "Older" Dog
1. Older dogs are housetrained.
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
3. Older dogs can focus better because they're mellower. Therefore, they learn more quickly than puppies.
4.Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they haven't learned it, they don't get to be "older" dogs.
5.Older dogs settle in more easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.
8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.
10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
The Old Ones
The ones that are past, their glory gone by,
The ones that didn't win, however they try,
The ones that did win, but later turned shy,
The first one you bought, that had a light eye.
They're eating their heads off, the food bills are high.
Find them good homes, the answer is clear,
But the only good home that mine wants is here.
Their own special sofa, covered with hairs,
They all cut their teeth on the dining room chairs.
The safe and familiar paths of their days,
The garden, the outing, their own funny ways
That only I know... and even their food
If not given by me, wouldn't taste half as good.
So now I'm deep in old ones, who're not good at all
Who clutter the sitting room, kitchen and hall,
Who need to be brushed, to be walked, to be fed,
Who only want me to put them to bed!
They're faithful and loving and set in their ways,
So I'm stuck with them all, for the rest of their days,
But I have to confess that when we do have to part
I'll miss them so much... it will just break my heart