lynda777

Why don't you try posting on www.totalfrance.com ?  That website seems to have quite an active Pet forum.  You may reach a few more people. Lynda

There is a very friendly Jack Russell dog (neutered) with the SPA lady that Poorpaws deal with.  He is 11 years old and was left behind when his owners had to return to the UK for medical treatment.  So sad for him. Lynda (Just taken possession of 6 month old Border Collie from Poorpaws who would love to sit on my lap but she's a little on the big side!)

I had 6 to move from Ireland.  I got a few quotes before deciding on Skye Horse Transport.  One company quoted £6,000!  We ended up paying about half that. I wanted to travel with them, which was a factor.   One company said that it would not be possible as it was too stressful for the owner!  [8-)]  Needless to say they didn't get my vote.  I was lucky that I had a 9 horse lorry just for my horses so there was room for all the gear too.  Beware companies offering part-loads.  Your horse might end up on a 5 day tour of Europe before they get to your door.  [:(] Lynda

Just a further comment for "plastered again" (love the name!).  I don't know whether you have a trailer or a lorry but that may also influence your decision.  Long journeys by trailer are much, much more stressful on the horse's legs as they feel so much more of the bumps from the road.  A lorry (usually) has much better suspension and gives the horses a more stable, smooth ride.  Also, of course, trailering is much slower....... Lynda

Try Philip Hirst of http://www.skyehorsetransport.com.  He's experienced and good with the horses.  He's also not as expensive as some of the other more well known companies.  He brought my 6 all the way from Ireland (via the UK).  That was 3 days, 2 ferries and 2 overnight stops.  They all arrived in good shape - mentally and physically - including a yearling that had never travelled before and a neurotic Arab.  [;-)]  I travelled with them too so I can recommend him.  It certainly made the journey less stressful to hand the responsibility over to a professional. Lynda

We're getting a little off topic but that reminds me of when I went to see a gelding (I wanted a mare) to see what I might get for my money.  15 years later gelding is still with me.  [:$]

Sorry, no.  I think these two will be more than enough for us to cope with.  Someone suggested I should get a ball launcher for when my arm gets tired of throwing them.  Great idea I thought! I'm interested in doing some agility with her but I don't know whether there are any clubs locally (or even anywhere).  Does anyone know of any? Good luck with finding Lea a home. Lynda

I posted a little while ago as we were looking for a playmate for our Jack Russell cross.  I had hoped for a spaniel but Christine pointed me in the direction of Poorpaws who were looking for a home for a Dalmatian. We met the lovely Dalmatian lady but, although she was perfect in every way, she just didn't hit the right notes with me.  I can't put my finger on it but I didn't fall instantly in love.  She was friendly, playful, good natured and beautiful.  I just couldn't see her as my dog. However, whilst we were there we met the adorable Clara.  A 6 month old border collie who wheedled her way under my skin.  We went back today with Mickey and she is definitely the dog for us.  All being well, she should come home on Saturday.  We are in the throes of having the house rewired so I'm hoping to restore a little normality before we bring her home.  I know how demanding border collies can be but hopefully with an energetic Jack Russell, a farm to play in, no roads close by and time on my hands, we will give her the home she needs.  I can't wait.  :-)) Thanks, Christine. Lynda

Apart from fleas, two other things spring to mind. What part of the tail is affected?  If near the body, could he have a problem with worms? Could he have damaged his tail, particularly if its an especially waggy tail?  May have created discomfort/numbness which is irritating him. HTH Lynda

Thinking of you and knowing how sad you must be.  Be good to yourself and thankful for the long life that she was able to live with you. be well Lynda

Poorpaws have told me the reason for leaving the last home, which appears to be no fault of Pepper's, but that family had adopted her themselves from the SPA so I don't know.  Apparently she is with an SPA inspector at the moment so maybe she will be able to tell me on Saturday.  Lynda  

Just to let you know that we are off to meet Pepper the Dalmatian on Saturday.  It turns out that she is only 10 mins down the road from us.  I am told that she is very beautiful but shy of strangers - bit like my daughter so I'm sure they'll get on fine.  [;-)] I hope that she is the right dog for us as it turns out that this is the second time she has been in a shelter for adoption and she's not even 2 years old.  I am sad for her but a little nervous that there was a reason her previous two families couldn't keep her.  We shall see.  I will let you know how we get on. In the meantime, perhaps someone could clarify something.  Is it true that large dogs have to be muzzled in public?  If so, would Pepper the Dalmatian class as a large dog? Lynda

Thank you, Christine.  The Dally certainly looks a lovely handsome lady.  I have contacted Poorpaws for more information. Thanks, Cerise.  I have already been on the SPA site but didn't find a reference to Montauban, only Deux Rives.  Is that the same thing?  I scrolled through the 67 dogs that they have.  They all tug my heartstrings but don't quite fit the bill at the moment.  I'll resist a little longer. Lynda

Hi The OH and I have decided that our young Jack Russell cross is lonely and we would like to get another dog. We live in the centre of 40 acres and our new dog would have an active outdoor life.  Mickey, our 8 month old JRX, is very boisterous, friendly and loves other dogs.  He's also very fit, strong and much bigger than a normal JR.  His typical day is to run after rabbits, "help" me feed the horses, play with our 4 year old daughter and then collapse exhausted in front of the fire.  After much talk, we have decided that we would like a Spaniel, ideally an English Springer type but probably not many of them about.  Preferably a girl but would still consider a boy.  Not a puppy but a young dog.  It obviously needs to be good with children and the potential to be sensible around the horses.  Mickey learnt quite quickly to stay out of their way when the yearling pounced on him.  [:$] We are in Tarn et Garonne but would travel a little way.  Lynda  

Hi Jane Yes, that is extremely helpful, thank you very much for taking the trouble. What a minefield. I have been told on another forum that because I keep more than 4 horses, I need to register as a farmer and pay cotisations for that - even though I do not currently breed them or have any intentions of selling any.  If that is the case, do you know if the cotisations for that will be in addition to any I pay under a micro enterprise for the massage and how would they calculate if I'm not earning anything as a farmer?  Many thanks. Lynda  

Eh?  Sorry, this custom doesn't seem to have been mentioned in any of the books I have read. Could someone please elaborate?  What is the expected participation?  Present for the postman?  Is that normal?  Anyone else?  What about the school-teachers?  Lynda  

Hi there I haven't been on here long and only just found this sub-forum.  I might linger a while. I've been in Tarn et Garonne 2 months (accompanied by small person, dog, cat, 4 horses and 2 ponies). On our land we have several small ponds and in one we have a squatter but I'm not sure what.  The first time I saw him, I said "Oh my god, a guinea pig!". Then sanity re-established its tenuous hold and I remembered that (a) guinea pigs didn't really like water (had 100s when I was a small person) and (b) it really was quite a lot bigger than a guinea pig.  What my brain couldn't get around was the fact that it was WHITE.  It was obviously a rodent and a swimmer but......WHITE???  I'm assuming its an albino mutation of......er.....something.  At first I thought "Coypu" but when I checked in a friend's wildlife book, I think it was too small and more the size of a cat.  Could it be a Muskrat?  I was so excited about it, that I practised my (limited) French on my neighbour....."Grand Blanc Souri en Etang!"  He smiled (for what seemed a long time) and left...  Then I thought that was rather stoopud as he'll be round tomorrow with his dog and gun.  But I guess he just thought "mad English woman". So what do you think?  Are there muskrats in 82?  Any other ideas?  "Snowy" is very brave and doesn't disappear if you're not too noisy.  Has anybody else seen an albino? Lynda

I'm so glad.  They, more than most, really tugged my heart strings but I have a 4 year old daughter and could not risk taking on an older large dog, let alone two. So good to hear that someone is giving them a home.  I grew up with GSDs and know how wonderful they can be. Lynda

Cheers everyone for the doom and gloom. Fortunately, I was born with a little more optimism.  Facts are that I'm here in France.  I have a qualification which is unusual in France.  I'm in a horsey area with different types of competitors within striking distance.  I can only try and that is what I intend to do. I'm told that there are new rules coming in for the lower earning self-employed.  Otherwise, I guess I will have to work a bit harder.  Its funny I started this thread saying that I was getting lots of conflicting information.  So far, I might have to go to the Chambre de Commerce or I might have to go to the Chambre de Metiers, but I could try the APNS.  I will be paying anything from 3.5K to 7K or could be lower with new rules.  (Incidentally, that was a great website which calculated 3.2K year 1, 4.5K year 2 and 6K year 3.) Thank you all for your help.  Lynda (slightly the wiser and a little more determined)   

We got a (cross-bred) puppy recently which came with jabs but no micro-chip.  When I bred pedigree dogs 20 years ago, I only ever bred once a year and for a specific reason - like wanting a dog for showing or knowing that I could find homes for the puppies.  The last puppy I bred I sold without papers into a good home.  And I can tell you that there is absolutely no money to be earned from breeding puppies.  I get upset to see so many dogs going into the refuges but there is still a place for pedigree dogs if that is what you want.  Parentage is more certain, temperament often true to the breed and no previous handling baggage to sort out.  And if showing is your hobby, then dog and owner can get a lot of enjoyment from that.  I don't think I would have one now but I wouldn't judge another person for wanting to have one.  The focus should also be on making dog owners take more responsibility. Good luck with whatever you decide.   Lynda Would you dump your child at the side of the road?

Hi there When we came over 2 months ago, we made a small run for the crate with chicken wire.  It was on a square wire crate so easy to tie four poles out from the corners and wrap the wire round the poles.  We then put the litter tray and feed + water in the run.  She was in there for about 30 hours and seemed happy.  She was able to use her toilet without getting smelly herself - which of course cats hate. We were lucky that we had room to do this.  Obviously if you have two cats, it might not be practicable.  All the best Lynda

My heart breaks looking into those eyes.  I hope they find a loving home soon. Lynda

Thank you for that, chessfou.  Thats a big help.  Lynda

Thank you. I'll start with the Chambre de Commerce. I'm in Tarn et Garonne so not far from the Dordorgne but not quite so many Brits here.  No complaints on that though.  :-p

Help! I have countless books on "How to set up a business in France".  I've looked on quite a few forums but I'm totally confused. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information, no hard facts and not much in English. Is there any definitive (English) guide that I can find out how I go about setting up a business, what's the best way to do it and exactly what I will need to pay and for what?  I am hoping to set up as a qualified Equine Massage Therapist.  My turnover will probably be quite small, say less than 5,000 a year.  Cheers Lynda P.S.  I am learning French but..........