Had you visited the medieval village of Gorbio (my village) in the last ten years, you would have doubtless met Bouchette, the Basset Hound. A fixture in our main square, and the doyenne of all the village dogs. Park your car, walk down to the ‘place’ and there was Bouchette, probably fast asleep in the sun either alone or cuddled up with her housemate, Galinette, a tiny shihtzu. If you were lucky enough to eat at the beautiful Beausejour restaurant, you may well have had her asleep at your feet—the most comforting digestif ever. The Beausejour was her home, Yvan ..
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When I moved to France all those years ago I was more used to big dogs than small ones. So it was a surprise to see little dogs carried in bags everywhere.  I used to breed, exhibit and judge Old English Sheepdogs and they don’t get carried around in bags!  At first my reaction was ‘Oh no, let them be real dogs and run around,’ and I still think that but I do see the sense of putting a tiny dog in a bag in a busy city, a market place, anywhere with lots of people. The dog feels secure. ..
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It only takes a few weeks and suddenly I find I’ve not posted on this blog – then more weeks go by and I justify this to myself by saying, ‘Oh well, everyone sees my photos on Facebook and Instagram.’  I post an image each day on both of those social media platforms at Jilly Bennett Photography.    And then,  several of you lovely people wrote concerned for me – was I ill?  Is everything alright?  How kind and how caring.  Thankyou!  Follow up emails made me realise that not all of you are on Facebook or Instagram, indeed many of ..
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Dear Wonderful Friends, Wishing you a Merry Christmas Day filled with love and good things amongst family and friends and your beloved animals, of course!  Thank you so much for your love and comments throughout the year on this blog,  on Facebook and on Instagram –  it has meant SO much to me.  With all the fear and negativity in the world, one of the things we can do is love our family, friends and animals and be loved back.   So have a wonderful day today. This is little ‘Indy’ posing for you.  I rather think she wants it over ..
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Since living in France, all my dogs have been rescue dogs and are nearly always older dogs.  Not many people adopt older dogs and truly they are the best!  You are in need of love?  Adopt an older dog! Anyway this isn’t the story of ‘my latest dog’ but it’s of the one who got away.  I’ve been looking for a friend for my last rescue dog, Ours  (‘Bear’ in English).   Ours is pronounced – sort of – like ‘horse’ without the ‘h’).  Yes I know it would have been easier had I changed his name to Bear!  Ours ..
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