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 and Naila, the proprieteurs, were her humans.
Our dear Bouchette went to doggy heaven about a week ago and is doubtless ambling around another village square, enjoying more sunshine, and dozy naps—dreaming of lazy days, good friends and family, tummy rubs, and—as befits a Hound who was the heart and soul of a restaurant — food!
Bouchette was born over 10 years ago, but she didn’t have 10 birthdays as she was born on the 29th February – Leap Year. She was a character, she did what she wanted: she was stubborn, she decided when it was time to saunter round the village on social calls, and when it was time go home. She’d walk the ancient cobbled streets that led to the top of the village, and if she wanted a drink of water, she’d stand at the village pump, waiting for someone to turn the handle for her.
She’d wander over to the bar—with the confident expectation of food, and often she’d succeed with a soft-hearted tourist.
Each year on the day of the Blessing of the Animals, when villagers take their dogs, cats, rabbits and horses to be blessed by the curé in the square, Bouchette took herself. She didn’t need to be on a lead – she simply waited with the others to be blessed
At wedding receptions, of course, Bouchette was there, fast asleep with guests quite happy to walk around her
Bouchette and Galinette occasionally stayed with me when her family went on holiday.
The village won’t be the same without Bouchette. She was always there – and now she isn’t. I, and many others, especially her family of course, miss her so much. R.I.P. sweet Bouchette.
Et en français … excuses pour les erreurs.
Si vous aviez visité le village médiéval de Gorbio (mon village) au cours des dix dernières années, vous auriez sans doute rencontré Bouchette, le Basset Hound. Un personnage sur notre place principale et la doyenne de tous les chiens du village.
Stationnez votre voiture, descendez à la place et il y avait Bouchette, probablement endormie au soleil, seule ou câlinée avec son colocataire, Galinette, un minuscule shihtzu.
Si vous avez eu la chance de manger dans le magnifique restaurant Beauséjour, vous l’avez peut-être endormie à vos pieds, le digestif le plus réconfortant de tous les temps. Le Beauséjour était son foyer, Yvan et Naila, les propriétaires, étaient ses humains.
Notre chère Bouchette est allée au paradis des chiens il y a environ une semaine et est sans doute en train de déambuler autour d’une autre place du village, profitant de plus de soleil et de siestes douces – rêvant de jours de farniente, de bons amis, de frottements abdominaux et – comme il convient à un chien coeur et âme d’un restaurant – nourriture!
Bouchette est née il y a plus de 10 ans, mais elle n’avait pas 10 anniversaires car elle est née le 29 février – année bissextile. C’était un personnage, elle a fait ce qu’elle voulait: elle était têtue, elle a décidé quand il était temps de flâner en ville sur les appels sociaux et quand c’était l’heure de rentrer à la maison. Elle marchait dans les anciennes rues pavées qui menaient au sommet du village et si elle voulait un verre d’eau, elle se tenait à la pompe du village, attendant que quelqu’un lui tourne la main.
Elle se dirigeait vers le bar avec l’attente confiante de la nourriture et réussissait souvent avec un touriste au cœur tendre. Chaque année, le jour de la bénédiction des animaux, lorsque les villageois amènent leurs chiens, leurs chats, leurs lapins et leurs chevaux à être bénis par le curé de la place, Bouchette s’empare d’elle-même. Elle n’avait pas besoin d’être en laisse – elle attendait simplement avec les autres d’être bénie. Bien sûr, lors des réceptions de mariage sur la place, Bouchette était là, profondément endormie, avec des invités plutôt heureux de la contourner. Le meilleur de tous pour elle, était d’avoir une conversation avec Papy, le père d’Yvan sur la place. Et elle était déjà prête pour un jeu avec les enfants du village.Bouchette et Galinette sont parfois restées avec moi lorsque sa famille était en vacances. La photo dans la neige est d’eux jouant dans notre neige rare.
Le village ne sera plus le même sans Bouchette. Elle a toujours été là et maintenant elle ne l’est plus. Elle me manque beaucoup à moi et à beaucoup d’autres, surtout sa famille bien sûr. Repose en paix, adorable Bouchette.
44 Comments
What an absolute darling. A wonderful tribute.
Thanks so much! Yes she was indeed. A real character. So happy you liked it, William Kendall x
That’s really nice Jilly; thanks for sharing this.
Floris, thanks so much for writing. She was so much part of our village, wasn’t she? With love – Jilly xxx
Well what a delightful obituary and fabulous photographs …..she will obviously be missed in Gorbio.
Thanks Jilly.
Donald, thanks SO much. You will remember Bouchette, I’m sure. Bless you for your comments. Hey and see you very soon xxx
So beautiful Jilly! Such a pity I missed Bouchette in real life and only met her now
Kathrin – You would have loved her – of course! with love xxx
Oh Jilly, What a beautiful tribute to darling Bouchette. The photographs are all so beautiful. I am sure that she will be terribly missed.
Suzanne, what lovely words. Thank you so much. Yes she will missed. She was such a fixture in the village and made everyone laugh. Love to you xxx
Oh what a lovely tribute Jilly.
Bouchette is lucky to have you to tell her story.
Thank you for sharing!
Michael, Thanks so much. She was such a character and will be missed. Perhaps you saw her when you were in the village. I can’t remember now. Love to you and thanks. xxx
The photo tribute truly captures what she meant to the village, her family, and you. The fond memories somewhat make up for the pain of losing such a soul.
Doug, thanks so much for your kind words. She will indeed be missed in the village. She was just always there! Thanks Doug x
Oh, Jilly, what a perfect tribute. Would that we could all be so wonderfully memorialized. You’ve captured Bouchette to a “t” with words and images I suspect even she would have approved.
Karen, thanks so much for writing. So glad you liked what I wrote. She sure will be missed. with love x
Beautiful story and a colorful dog.
Thank you Abe. She was indeed. So glad you liked her story. xxx
So sad to read that Bouchelle left us. That was de great dog.
Thanks Sylvie. So many people knew Bouchette – she was indeed a great dog. xxx
What a lovely name for a lovely dog. Your pictures are beautiful Jilly !
Thanks so much Paula. Yes, I agree, a lovely name and she was such a character. So happy you like the pics. love to you xxxx
No one could have remembered Bouchette better than you do with your wonderful stories and beautiful pictures. RIP Bouchette, you will be missed but kept in so many people’s loving memories.
Thank you Sigi so much for your lovely words. That means so much to me. Yes Bouchette will stay alive, as so many of us remember her. She had so many fans! With love to you – xxx
What a wonderful tribute Jilly, such a beautiful furbaby and to be loved by so many. Bouchette has earned her rest but her memory lingers as do all our beloved pets, sending the village love, Moira x
Moira, So happy you like it and thankyou. Yes, absolutely, our dogs live on through our memories of them. Bassets are such characters and Bouchette even more so. Thanks, Moira x
A beautiful ode, Jilly. So sad to hear of the passing of sweet Bouchette x
Thank you lovely Christine. So happy you like it and thanks for writing. With love as always – following your travels of course xxx
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful character. Also to Gorbio – clearly a village from another time where pets can still safely range and sleep and be themselves without fear of being squished or stolen. The photographs were themselves stroke-able – I can easily imagine how much Bouchette will be missed. Thank you for sharing. Big Hugs!
Oh Penny, what a beautiful commentary – thank you so much. Yes, no cars in the Old Villge or in the main square although that didn’t stop Bouchette. She’d wander into the area where there were cars and someone would bring her back! So happy you like the photos and the tribute, dear Penny. Hope life is good for you in beautiful Florence. J xxx
Jilly, what a beautiful tribute to a character who gave such joy. Your love for the companions of our world is very hearwarming. To take herself for the blessing of the animals is amazing.
Irene, Thankyou for your lovely words. Yes she was amazing – perhaps when she queued for the Blessing of the Animals she thought she would get food. Very good-focused was our Bouchette! But hey, perhaps she knew she was to get blessed. xxx
Hi Jilly …I can see she was very much loved by everyone …beautiful photo’s and memories …If only all animals were treated with such love … they give so much back when asking for very little …What a beautiful tribute …be blessed ..
Margaret, thanks so much for your lovely words. Yes she was so loved. I so agree if only all animals were treated with such love. I wish, you wish. So glad you like the tribute. Thankyou. Jilly x
So sorry…
JM
Merci beaucoup, Jean-Michel x
Thank you for your photos, and for your words about Bouchette – her soul comes right through your camera and I thank you for that gift. Forwarded this piece to my daughter who loved and lost a Basset Hound. They are very special dogs, aren’t they?
Thanks so much for your kind words. Basset Hounds are indeed so special, funny, naughty, stubbon, greedy and yet totally adorable. I’m so sorry your daughter lost her Basset and hope she finds comfort in this article. Our dogs leave us far too early of course. Best wishes Jilly
Ahhh Jilly, this is so beautiful! What a gorgeous doggie and story of her life! I love your photos, they are so elegant and vivid and they make me feel like I am there. Much love to you xx Linda
Linda, How kind you are to write. So so happy you like my photographs – and yes, Bouchette was one very special doggie. Thanks Linda. Jilly x
Merci Jilly pour ces nouvelles en provenance de notre petit village adoré. Tes photos sont toujours magnifiques.
Cet été, nous chercherons probablement Bouchette et nous connaîtrons la raison de son absence.
Au plaisir de se revoir prochainement sous le soleil de Gorbio.
Christine et José
Christine et José, Merci beaucoup. Alors oui, maintenant vous connaissez la triste nouvelle mais quelle vie merveilleuse Bouchette a eue. Je suis ravi de vous voir lors de votre prochaine visite à Gorbio. Merci pour ces belles paroles. J’espère que vous allez bien tous les deux.Jilly x
Jilly what a beautiful heartfelt touching post. You must miss Bouchette so much. The photos are a stunning visual narrative (and tribute) of (and to) a dog much loved. Love to you Jilly xxxx
So happy to know the post touched you, dear Millie. Yes when I go up to the village now, there is a big gap with no Bouchette to have to walk over or around! Thank you so much for your beautiful comments. love to you dear Millie – J x