Maddie

You've had lots of good suggestions.  However cruel it seems to be I found using a crate for my young lab worked wonders.  We moved house several times when she was young and were recommended to use a crate at night for the following reasons:  the crate, if introduced correctly, becomes a den or a place of safety, comfort and refuge particularly if filled with comfy bedding, a small selection of unbreakable toys (under supervision of course)and perhaps covered over with a blanket to make it feel extra safe and cosy also, as others have said, dogs very rarely mess in their own beds.  In fact, my older dog used to try to sneak in for a sleep while we weren't looking during the day!  We only ever had one accident at night (of either variety) and that's when she ate something disgusting when out on a walk!  She loved going into the crate at night or for a nap during the day and we continued to use it for transporting her in the car.  Also a good quality food, little and often should help too.  You could try speaking to your vet just to eliminate any possible medical problems. Also, is she coming into season?  I had one bitch many years ago who was clean all year round except when she was just before or just after her season.  Then the little packages appeared! Good luck!

Glad (well not really but you know what I mean) we are not the only ones to have had this experience.   The moral?  Just make sure you get your dogs jabbed for rabies annually if you live in France to avoid any possible complications!  Have yet to find out what my French vet thinks of the new EU passport!Also, it seems to be SO MUCH cheaper to get treatemens ie the combi rabies/lepto/parvo/disptempter/influenza etc jab done in France!

I thought I would share will you my experiences!  I have 2 dogs, both had the old style UK pet passports.  Both had rabies jabs as soon as they were able (ie 14 weeks).  One is aged 2 and the other 3.  At the time the rabies shots were done they were valid (according to the manufacturer) for 2 years.  So, one has had the required booster (10 months ago) and the other's first jab is due to expire this December.  So their UK pet passports, in theory, expired one in December this year (24 months after the original jab) and the second in December next year (24 months after the booster jab).  With me so far? Fine to return to the UK, yes?  Nope!  I went to my vet in France (he is great, by the way) who insisted on issuing new French pet passport documents (not the new EU one though as he had no idea when French vets were going to be issued with them) plus the tick and worm treatment.  Then the problem arose that one rabies jab was still valid according to French regulations (ie had been done less than 12 months previously) and the other not (ie done more than 12 months ago but less than 24 months and therefore still valid according to the UK manufacturers).  He got very confused by this. We entered France when one dogs rabies jab was over 12 months old but still valid according to the UK rules (I know it has to be done annually here in France and intended to get the boosters done when the the old pet passport expired for one dog and one year after the second dog was given the jab - so both were due for a trip to get French stylie rabies boosters in December).  Simple right?  Nope.  The vet saw both rabies serum test results and was happy.  However, he was not happy that the UK rabies jab was valid for 2 years not for 1 year, as it is here in France, (both vaccines are produced by the same manufacturer, by the way, Rabisin and Leptorabisin!)  He tried to call someone at the Ministry but could not get through.  So his solution?  Vaccinate both dogs again now and reissue French PETS forms with a 12 month expiry date.  However, as one dogs jab had expired (according to French rules) he issued a blue form - indicating it was the first jab for this dog (and told me to keep it separate to all the other documents until we returned to France and use the old UK PETS form my old vet had given me to travel on) and a pink form for the other one! Anyway, the documents we ended up with did the trick and we passed through the check point at Eurotunnel without hitch.  They did say that we definitely needed the new EU passport for reentering the UK in future (even though the documents we had are still valid for at least another year). Solution?  Having to visit a UK vet (who seem to be the only ones that actually have the documentation) who charged £80 for 2 new passports (just filling in the booklet and scanning the dogs microchips)!  He then got all sniffy when he saw that the French vet had insisted on reissuing his perfectly valid UK PETS paperwork.  My vet in France charged 110 Euros which covered 2 tick and worm treatment certificates plus the treatments themselves (20 euros x 2), 2 French PETS forms plus the annual combination rabies/annual parvo etc booster(35 euros x 2) and issuing the French rabies certificates.  AND we were in his office for 75 minutes!  A bargain! You may also be interested to know that the latest rabies jab given in the UK (by this UK vet anyway) is valid for THREE years!  I am sure this will only cause even more confusion.  The new EU passport looks great and has spaces for all sorts of vaccination records which can only be a good thing.  My only concern is that mine is a UK passport (and I now live in France) and does not have any translations into other languages like the old paperwork had.  Let's hope all newly issued EU passports take the same format regardless of issuing country or I can foresee even more confusion!

Thanks - the www.nokia.com site sent all the details to me by SMS - all I had to do was save them! Nic

[quote]Daft question: Do you have to subscribe to SFR-Vodafone Live? I note there are all manner of charges listed on their website.[/quote] In answer to your question - you dont actually have to subscribe just have a WAP enabled phone adn have WAP on your list of available options on your account which I do have. The charges are similar to making a call - so much per minute

I've never had this problem with any of my dogs but I know people in my dog training club who have.  One of the tips they were given is to completely ignore the dog when they do this - turn your back on them and stand still, not making any eye contact (it's usually an attention seeking ploy).  The other thing my friend had sucess with was with a water pistol.  Her dog always used to bite her ankles so she had a water pistol or jif squeezy lemon or old washing up bottle filled with water.  Don't let the dog know you've got it but when he bites give him a good squirt!  Better if someone else can do it so he knows you are always the "good guy".  Another tip is ignore any bad behaviour and reward good behaviour.  Easier said than done!

Hi there!  When we came to France I bought a new SFR sim card and put it in my Nokia 6600.  It works but I can no longer access Vodafone Live and my email etc by phone. I've tried calling SFR to get the appropriate access point for WAP and GPRS and just get transferred and passed from pillar to post.  After calling 4 different numbers, including their English speaking help desk at .70 euros per minute I've given up.  Can anyone out there help me? Nic

[quote]To set one up or register as an artisan (can never remember the exact phrase in French) you need to go to your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). My old man is going through the process ...[/quote] To follow on from my previous comment.  Went back to the CCI today with a letter from my old man's employer explaining exactly what he did and how he was paid only to be told he had to go to the GREFFE for them to decide whether he is an Agent Commercial or something else.  The lady at the CCI still could not fathom it out and kept trying to speak to someone at "head office".  We went directly to the GREFFE at the slightly scary looking Palais de Justice and showed the lady there the same letter we'd shown the CCI and she immediately said Agent Commerciale was the route to go so no further dealing with the CCI (or so we are lead to believe!) and we left with a whole bundle of forms to fill in!  Hey ho - one step closer (we hope!)

To set one up or register as an artisan (can never remember the exact phrase in French) you need to go to your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI).  My old man is going through the process now and, believe me, nothing is ever easy.  All he wants to do is register so he can do the same job he did in the UK, for the same company even, from his desk here in France.  Then he can legally "work" here and pay the appropriate French taxes and social charges.  He doesn't make or sell anything - the company (his employer) he works for does it all in the UK!  Try explaining to the CCI how you can work here but not take any money from clients or actually trade in France. They just cannot get their heads around it!  Good luck

There are advantages and disadvantages in both (as we were told).  Your best bet is to see an accountant who can advise you on what's best for your own circumstances. 

Last Wednesday, Channel 4, Grand Designs Abroad, straw houses in France (the Lot)!  Here's the website for channel 4 with the page details.  Haven't actually looked at the details but watched the programme! http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/grand-designs/grand-designs-abroad/lot.html

Please, please be careful if you are thinking of fitting a woodburner into an existing old chimney.  We bought a recently renovated house in 31 with all new wiring, plumbing, roof etc and a lovely brand new woodburner in the kitchen fitted into the existing chimney.  It was March this year when we moved here - woodburner but no central heating - so we lit it up (the chimney had been swept) and it worked beautifully.  Five nights later, having cleaned and relit the fire several times, we awoke to a room filled with smoke and the chimney itself was on fire.  It turned out the metal flue inside the chimney had been inadequately insulated and the chimney itself not cleaned out before the flue was installed so all the maize husks, straw and goodness knows what had started to burn.  We had all the documents relating to the installation and it was allegedly done by a professional installer not a "builder".  Apparently, this is quite a common problem.  The first thing the pompiers said when they arrived was that it had not been installed properly!  Just be careful, whatever you do.  You can never be too sure about these things.  It was only our dogs moving around that woke us up or we'd have been gonners!  Still, the insurers have paid for a nice new woodburning Rayburn in its place, the kitchen to be replastered, the old chimney has been well and truly demolished and I have lovely oilfired central heating!!!! Good luck in your search!  We do know of a supplier/installer of woodburners but they are in 32 which is probably no good for you.

www.mappy.com  

Hi We moved to SW France in March with 2 large dogs.  We'd actually planned not to stop overnight but ended up having to due to blizzards.  We stayed in a hotel that had a tariff for "animals"(not specifically dogs).  The next morning when we left, one of my dogs started taking an interest in the chamber maid as she left the room next door only to be told by her that there were 2 cats in there!  I doubt very much if you would encounter a problem, especially if you have baskets for them. Good luck 

[quote]you don't need tick and tapeworm to enter france however it is advisable to ensure your dog is protected with a tick preventative when arriving in france as tisk fever is a serious issue new EU passpo...[/quote] Quite - don't underestimate the tick problem - it's serious especially in SW France.  Neither of my dogs had ever seen a flea never mind a tick. Since I've been here I've discovered one has an allergy to flea saliva which was very nasty and the other, becasue she loves roaming in long grass, gets absolutely COVERED from head to toe with ticks.  I ended up grooming both thoroughly after each time they went out and still they ended up having ticks attach (and they are both short haired).  The treatment you can get (Frontline for exampe) doesn't stop the the ticks attaching but kills them in 24 - 48 hours which is, hopefully, before the ticks have a chance to pass on any nasty diseases.

I am taking my dogs back to the UK in 2 weeks time.  They can re-enter under the transitional arrangements as their current UK passports have not expired.  I spoke to my French vet about the new EU Passport for domestic animals only to be told no vets in France have been issued with the guidelines or paperwork yet. How true this is I do not know.  Fortunately, I am still in contact with my old vet in the UK and he has agreed to do the new EU paperwork from the UK end while we are there.  If you can, I would start the process in the UK and get the EU passport thing there.  At least vets in the UK seem to be more up to date on EU rules than here in France! I'd try to get a rabies jab too even if you don't get the blood test until you get to France given all that is going on here at the moment with the rabid puppy in Bordeaux You don't need flea and tick treatment to enter France only when returning to the UK.

Hi It seems to vary from vet to vet but I had my lab pup vaccinated against rabies 2 weeks after her second lot of "annual" vaccinations ie at 14 weeks with no side effects and a successful blood test a month later.  If your current vet refuses to vaccinate before 6 months I suggest you ring around.  After all, it does not matter who does the jab as long as the pup gets it and has the antibodies when blood tested. Nic

[quote]Recently there was an article stating that 'middle income earners' now pay over 50% in tax in the UK , one way or the other.I think the big difference is that in the UK (self employed) we pay in arrea...[/quote] Quite ...and I haven't even got that great a house!

I totally agree and am now one of those stupid people in a position of being terrified about lack of money etc.  When we arrived my old man had a job here to come to so we had an income (and still do have) and did not have to rely on income from a "gite" which seemed to make us the exception (although we do have half a house which we can rent out!).  But the costs of mortgage, moving, decorating, renovating and all the other stuff that crops up means that we have no surplus at all and all the savings are pretty much gone.  I deeply regret the day we came here and would give anything to be able to return to the UK.  Too late  - can't afford to do that either! I thought we were fairly well prepared as we'd had a house in France before but nothing can prepare you for the anxiety and sleepless nights.   The only ones to benefit from this move are my 2 dogs who now have me at home full time and 4 acres to run around in and the removal company! Oh and the French tax man!

Thanks everyone! I have tried telling him this but the words brick wall, against, head and banging spring to mind.  He keeps going on about finding an accouintant but has so far done nothing.  Anyone know of a good accountant, preferably with some knowledge of English, who can help him through this minefield? By the way, I just can't get on with this new search thing and have tried searching through previous posts and coming up with all sorts of weird and wonderful things. Give me a mad (not literally) dog to train anyday!

Anyone got any help for someone who DOES NOT categorically want to start a business?  We bought our house in France and decided to move here full time earlier in the year.  My other half was offered a position in London but when they found out he was moving to France (he is quite good at his job!!!) offered to kit him out with all the necessary computer and phone equipment so he could do it from here in France.  So, essentially he does exactly the same thing, working for the same company, under contract, but is paid in Euros as if salaried but is technically self employed, I assume.  His work involves no advertising, his clients do not know he is based in France, he has no equipment, he employs no other people, he does not make anything.  So how does he stand with regards to taxes and employment status etc?  Also, as his clients are all English speaking he has to speak very little if no French on a daily basis which leaves all the complicated stuff like this for me to deal with which I could well do without! (My French is gradually improving as I have to deal with builders, tilers, plasterers, plumbers, electricians etc and have made an effort to mix with my local community by joining a dog training club!) All contributions gratefully received Nic