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Dog poo deposited in a public garden in Loches. An annoyed resident has gone to the trouble of adding a laminated message -- 'Thanks for the smell'.
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More than 50% of households own a dog in France, the highest rate of dog ownership in Europe.
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The kennelman attends to a hound at the Chateau of Cheverny. These dogs are one of the star attractions at this chateau.
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Maybe that explains the reputation France has for the streets being a morass of dog shit.
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The much loved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mambo, trying to convince Louisette to give him some food. She didn't, I am pleased to report.
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Sadly, France also has one of the highest rates of dogs abandoned over the summer holidays. Theoretically dogs must be chipped here, but the sort of person who is going to abandon a dog, of course does not bother to get it chipped, so these dogs remain unclaimed and owners uncontactable. It's difficult to understand why dogs are abandoned here, as it is easy to take a pet on holiday. Accommodation providers are obliged to accept pets except under certain limited circumstances. Dogs are allowed in restaurants, although not into food shops. They are also allowed into the grounds of many attractions, so long as they are on a leash. At the Chateau of Chenonceau they are even allowed inside the chateau, so long as they are carried. Indeed, Chenonceau positively encourage visitors to bring their dogs in. There are notices telling you that if you leave a dog in an closed car they will come and smash one of the windows.
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A young bitch found wandering the streets of Bossay sur Claise. The owners could not be found, so retired vet Christian adopted her.
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This friendly young spaniel came out to greet us as we walked past. The farmer came out to retrieve it so it wouldn't follow us down the track.
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Golden Retriever Loki was very excited to find walkers in front of his house.
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A friend's terrier hunting voles (not very successfully -- look bottom right...)
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3 comments:
The last photo is absolute brilliance... Magnifique.
I once spotted a woman picking up their dog's poo in the park at Paulmy. "English" I thought to myself. It turned out that she was.
The French owned dogs we meet are often a menace and poorly controlled. Recently a woman turned up with a dog while I was walking Hugo at the lake at La Celle Guenand. The dog had no collar, she had no lead and no control over it whatsoever. I put Hugo on the lead and waited for the mayhem. Sure enough, the dog made a beeline for Hugo and she came running over but was completely unable to do anything with the dog when it went for him. Luckily no harm was done, her dog (a male Weimaraner) lost interest and followed her back to her car - where she shut him in the boot - not the hatchback but the boot of the car, lid down, no space or windows.
I have two chihuahuas which I brought from the US. Believe me, the "crotte" problem has really improved in the last 15 years. I regularly see people with their little bags, and I'm sure they are French as well as other nationalities. The level of engagement seems to be varied, our neighbors across the street who are professional types have a border collie who barks at everyone who goes past, including people he has smelled dozens of times. Another neighbor has 10 hunting dogs who do the same. Really annoying. Also severe lack of neutering male dogs.
bonnie in provence
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