triciajh

Poor dog,what a state he is. I do hope somebody has saved him. Or is too late already?

    Jon,so pleased you are enjoying your new life in France. I'd ignore all the negative argumentative comments on here. I for one was very interested  to hear what you had to say about your experiences so far. As we are about to move out there it was good to hear some positives. I think most intelligent people realize that every country has good and bad points-nowhere is perfect!

    Magnolia, Still no-one for Lea and Joy? There must be some-one out there who can give these beautiful dogs the chance to have a happy life. I wish I was in the position to help.

    Please some-one give these gorgeous dogs the chance of a new life. They both have such appealing eyes and look as if they are longing for love and lots of cuddles. Good luck Magnolia you do a wonderful job.

Magnolia. Lovely pics of the new addition to your family. Luca is gorgeous and looks so happy and relaxed. Good for you for adopting him and I hope you have many happy years together.

    How very,very sad-what wicked cruel people there are in the world. Please someone give this lovely dog the chance of a happy future. He certainly deserves it.

    So happy for you and Lou lou. A happy ending! He is so gorgeous. Lots of luck for your future together.

    Good luck! I do hope Loopins comes to live with you. You sound just right for him. Panda, your gorgeous little dog looks very much like my daughter's miniature labradoodle!!   He is such a little character,only seven months old.

    You can't take horses on Eurotunnel-you're right. Loc Horse Transport are excellent.(Liz)

Good luck to you and your family. Follow your dream-just do your research first. You will pick up French more when you are living there.Your children will pick it up very quickly.We leave it too late in U.K. not starting languages until secondary  school. Once again I hope all goes well for you Tricia

    I wasn't meaning to sound smug !! I do believe anybody can learn a foreign language if they really want to and learn in the right way. My son in Thailand is certainly not a natural in languages but is certainly learning a lot of Thai and can now carry out a conversation(again having a Thai girlfriend helps) We are getting completely off topic though. Follow your dreams,but be realistic.

    Actually I wouldn't have too much problem as I  learnt French at school and have done many couses at Evening Classes. I helped all 5 of my children pass G.C.S.E French. You do have to try hard but any-body can learn a foreign language if they want. My son teaches in Thailand and his Thai is getting quite good-mind you he does have a Thai girlfriend!! Negativity again-Howard's Carpentry.  

    I do agree it was probably easier living in U.S.A because of language but we still had problems. All I am saying is that  some people are being too negative. It doesn't hurt to be positive as long as you don't lose your sense of realism. Of course you must do a lot of research be fore you make a move to any new country.  If my children were young I would make sure my French was good enough to help them with their homework!! Don't give up on your dreams,just be realistic. You only get one life!

    Actually I agree with a lot of what Jon says- aren't newbies allowed to have an opinion? There's an awful lot of negativity floating around on this thread. Of course you have to be realistic but a little bit of positivity doesn't hurt!

    He's so gorgeous,looks so lovely and cuddly! I'm still in U.K. but would be very tempted if I was there. Has any-one adopted him yet? If not I don't know why.

    Thanks for wishing me all thebest in France. We certainly didn't have a nest egg when we were in the States but did speak the language! The children were very young at the time and a good income which helps! All I'm saying is that having dreams even though they may not be fulfilled is what makes life worth living. I can't believe that any-one would be so naive to think everything would be perfect when they move to a new country.

    Don't knock people who follow their dream.That's exactly what we are doing! We've wanted t o move to France for years and now we are doing it. It is easier for us as we are retired (early) and will have enough money but we will be bringing 2 horses,4 dogs and 3 cats!!  Life is too short and you do have to take chances some time. We spent several years in America when our children were young(5 of them!) and enjoyed it. Also it was very good for the kids . Nothing ventured,nothing gained. Every country has its good and bad points. Most people accept that nothing is perfect in life and that you have to find your own happiness wherever you live. You have to be realisic when you move to a new country,it won't be perfect but there is nothing wrong with having a dream. Children are very adaptable and love adventure. Being fluent in French would be so good for them. English schools aren't brilliant these days either!

    Thank you all for your kind messages-really appreciated and certainly helps even though they make me cry again! Cathy thanks for recommending book-I will try and get it. Have been through this with other animals -doesn't make it any easier. Each one is so special  and  you feel as if part of you is missing when they leave you. My O.H. has framed a beautiful photo of her when she was sun-bathing in the garden with the other dogs,that's how I want to remember her,not herlast few days. As my oldest son said-she had a very happy,long life. Thanks again to you all Tricia

    Thank you all so much for your kind messages-they do help. Thanks Christine for the beautiful poem. Have just taken our other dogs for a walk-they are very quiet today so I know they are missing Toffee. I keep seeing her face as she looked up at me before she fell asleep for ever,such love and trust in her eyes.......... The vet was wonderful and he cried with me.

    I'm so sad this morning. Yesterday my beautiful Golden Retriever Toffee had to be put to sleep-she has gone to Rainbow Bridge. She was almost 15 and we have had her since she was 6 weeks old. She was a wonderful dog,perfect in every way and will be so sorely missed. I held her in my arms as she peacefully slipped away. She had tumours and been getting weaker the last couple of weeks so we had to let her go before she started suffering. There is an ache in my heart ,I see her everywhere I look.My other dogs are missing her too and are much quieter than usual. We will scatter her ashes in the woods which she loved so much.

Hi Frenchie and Guillaume, So great to see Platon looking well and happy.  Survivor is a good name for him! Animals will always surprise you-your love is keeping him going. I hope you have many more happy relaxed days with him-enjoy every one. Tricia.

Frenchie, I totally agree that Lizzie is the important one in all this. I just hope her new owner will give her a lot of love and a life-time home. If I was in France now I would love to give her a home-there's plenty of room in my cardboard box(with the rest of the menagerie) [:)]

SPG I think Christine Animal said they would be moving into a larger house after a year? Some rental places(and some cheap ones )DO take pets. I still cannot understand people who part with their animals. Personally I would live in a cardboard box than give them up-they.. are part of my family. I used to do part-time work for R.S.P.C.A  and the reasons some people re-home their animals is outrageous. We would also try to re-home companion dogs together(of course not always possible)  

I still don't understand how people can part with their pets. Could she not have found a rental property which would accept pets? We are in the process of moving to France and are going to have to live in rental accomodation until we buy our house. There are places that will accept animals,we've found several(and that's with 5 dogs,3cats and 2 horses! If I couldn't bring my animals with me then I would stay in the U.K They are part of our family. Any-way Lizzie is the important thing  she has such sad eyes and deserves a really good home. Good luck to whoever adopts her.

Frenchie, So pleased for you both that Platon is doing well. He looks very relaxed and happy.Long may it continue. He looks even more like my Suki in that photo!