FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

My thoughts are with you Kristin and hope for a complete recovery for poor, little Smokey. What a traumatic experience it must have been for the little guy, and you also. Keep us posted, we are pulling for you.

Dearest, sweetest Smokey,

What you have been through, I can't even imagine. You are very brave and strong. If you weren't, we would not still have you here with us. Please rest and heal. Your mother, your family and your friends want to see you back on your paws real soon. Even though this event will haunt you, remember that the world has much more love in it than hate. Most of that love goes out to you and your family today.

Dear Smokey and family,

You poor sweet thing. Just about two weeks ago when we were there, I cuddled one of your sisters. I am sending you a big cuddle too. You are a brave little boy and your loving mother (canine and human) will nurse you back to health. I am looking forward to pictures of you romping through the vineyards.

Poor Smokey, hang in there, guy. We need you in this world.

This brought bad the terrible memories of losing pet rabbits to dogs running loose and to a wild raccoon. They didn't make it, but you will, Smokey!

When I read the news this morning I was deeply saddened. An innocent pup against such a horror.... Goldens are loving and trusting dogs, and I hope that will not lessen his trust for other dogs. And, poor Briese...watching that all unfold. My sister just had to put her Golden Boy Boomer to rest last night. He was such a great soul.....So sad today for losing him....but, so happy for Smokey to be so very fortunate.
Wishing Smokey a speedy and thorough recovery...
Warmest Regards,
Marianne Giordano

I'm so sorry to hear about Smokey and the trauma your family experienced. I am so glad that he's doing much better and as another dog lover, Cinnamon, my 3 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi and I wish Smokey all the best with his recovery.

My Darling Kristi & all of her friends at FWAD,

I received "the phone call" from Kristi a couple of days ago when this unfortunate accident happened. Kristi was the child that never opened her heart to animals, when we had our little orphan dog Benji I believe Kristi was jealous because he was always on my lap. I remember only a few years ago when I was visiting that I approached Kristi about letting the kids have a dog - Max must have been around eleven at the time and Max and I would secretly plan our strategy (sp?) each night on how to overcome Kristi's resistance. I used guilt, "How could you let a boy grow up and not know the companionship of having a dog for a best friend." As you all know we won the battle and shortly after I left that autumn Braise came into their lives. Kristi soon experienced the joy of unconditional love that dogs are famous for, and her heart began to open. The lessons learned on Kristi's journey have enriched all of us, this has been a difficult time for Kristi. When she told me she was lying in bed with Smokey on her chest singing "Amazing Grace" to him ... I was instantly with her in my heart. How brave of you Kristi to open your intermost thoughts and feelings to all of us, to let us share in your true circumstances as life touches you in all of it's greatness.

As always, I am so proud of you...

XOXO

MOM - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I am happy that Smokey is ok. I lost a kitty to a pack of dogs, I was heartbroken.

What a relief Smokey is okay and recovering!!! He's such a cute little guy. I'm sure he'll be as right as rain sooner than you know it!

Smokey - I'm sending you all sorts of loving vibes and a gentle pat on the head from across the ocean. :) Get better soon! :)

The important thing is il doit s'en sortir! He will, I am sure. : ) Please don't forget to keep us posted of his progress. We'll love to see pictures of him as he gets better.
As for the translation, here is my try:
The trafficking of fake medicine in developing countries is an open wound for the world.

Oh Kristin, what a frightening experience. As a member of a Greyhound rescue group (with 2 greyhounds of our own) we periodically hear about an attack upon greys on our Group Chatboard. Greyhounds by nature are very docile, skittish & thin skinned and, although large in size, they are easy prey for more agressive dogs. Your mother, as always, is correct, tho. My mother-in-law has frequently reminded us over the years that 'dogs are animals, after all'and "do not think like us" no matter how well we think we understand their motivations. I am so glad to hear the happy ending to little Smokey's story and will send up a little prayer to St. Francis that he continues to improve and is safe from harm. Our loving bisous to Smokey!

When I first started to read this, tears were instantly forming, but then I remembered the picture of Smokey's silver patch from the staples. I read on through those tears. Everyone has already, so eloquently said what is in my heart. Jules inspirational LOVE story is so dear. As mother's, (yes - even to puppies & kittiens it seems), we are a nurturing group. Braise, especially knows what to do and when to do it. So obviously do you Kristin. Sweet Smokey is healing in every way! And quickly. God bless! Hugs and kisses all around.

Dearest Smokey and Braise,

I know that the attack will add to your list of instinctual threats you will now always be concerned about.

However, the pain really does go away since you have a family, like I do, that loves you and gives you lots of kisses, hugs, and snuggles.

Wishing a quick recovery and lots of good play and runs,
Dixie (I was rescued as a wandering puppy 2 weeks after Katrina in New Orleans)

Oh, Kristi, how frightening! I'm so glad Smokey is okay and recouping. Give the little guy a big pet on the head from us!!

Oh, Smokey and family! What a horrifying experience. I'm praying to the Lord for healing and that this incident will not affect the little guy in the future. It's an awful, helpless situation, but he's been spared for a reason. There are plans for your little life, Smokey! Grand plans. :)

I do not normally comment but have enjoyed your posts for quite some time now. I am so glad the puppy is okay and doing well.

I love the comments you have received - just wonderful! Reading your post, we all felt horrified and then relieved. Again, so very glad he is on the mends. I can only imagine the love this puppy must be getting but, from all the comments, the love we are all sending him from around the world! A neat thought!

Cat

Smokey,
We are so very glad you are going to be all right! Ooh how you must ache all over.
Be careful around all other dogs. Kristin is right that any breed can attack. Even standard poodles-however we are very friendly and only want to play or nap. Our person wishes she could send you a get well package, but postage from the U.S. to your home is expensive.

Merci encore for all the love and kindness! Smokey and family... we're drinking it up!

To answer a couple of questions:

Bev: re the antibiotics -- ours are tiny. That said, after mixing them into the puppy pâté (the kind that comes in a can)... I am not sure Smokey is getting the right dose. He doesn't eat all of the food (his mouth is still swollen and he can feel what he's eating... a lot of it drivels out of his mouth. So, no--we don't have those big pills to worry about (just the worry that he is taking in the small ones!).

Martina: thanks for asking about Braise. She is the only one that knows exactly what happened. I remember looking into her big brown eyes and telling her that it must have been an awful thing to witness, but that she was a brave mama for chasing away the dogs!

Now that Smokey has replaced his puppy breath with "dried blood breath", Braise is acting a little strange around him. I would have expected her to be more of a mother hen. Instead, it is best to sympathize with her reaction and, again, remember that she has her own instincts.

Be brave little Smokey, the world loves you and is cheering you on to good health and a long and loving life!

Praise God, and Braise, that it was not worse. I am so glad to know the healing has begun. Please give lots of kisses and pats to Smokey and Mama Braise.

Smokey, I wish you a speedy recovery. Braise, I hope the nightmare of watching your son being mauled will fade with time.

To everyone: Be aware that dogs who will attack other dogs might also attack humans, especially children. Do whatever you can to protect people/children from animals. In our town, fences aren't allowed (regarded as un-neighborly), but dogs must be leashed. So if you notice or hear any unleashed dogs, make sure everyone is inside or somewhere out of harm's way.

So glad this story had a happy ending.

Hi FWAD FRIENDS,

I just received another phone call from Kristi, giving me more detail of exactly what was going on while she had SMOKEY lying on her her heart while she was singing and praying away for him. I told her to go directly to her computer and open a new file on BRAISE, SMOKEY AND THE GANG, because she refused my suggestion to write in more detail what she was sharing with me on the phone...on FWAD...she doesn't want to be too dramatic with her readers. But you all know me well enough to know I can't keep a little snippet of her story from you. Appartently she had on her VICTORY PAJAMAS which she gifted to herself after her coo (sp) in Paris at the American Library. As you who have been following her for awhile must know - Kristi used to have all kinds of phobia's (sp?) about everything, God forbid a dog in the bed!!! To hear her on the phone a moment ago going on and on about the smells of a ravished dog, the dirt, dare I mention caked blood on his little paws and cheek----add to all of that Kristi's feelings of joy as you glanced down to the trail of tears on her new p.j.'s. Then she told me she held on to that moment, knowing she was witnessing her own strenght. I know all of this may sound a little dramatic, but I am hoping Kristi will open that new 'file' and start recording some of her more private feelings concerning "THE GANG" that we may all share in someday in the future. You know MOM, always trying to direct my kids lives aft3er all of there years.

XOXO

JULES in PUERTO, VALLARTA, MEXICO

Best wishes and sighs of relief from me and my Pomeranian Sunflower to brave little Smokey and Braise! What a terrible ordeal--he must be a strong pup who has every intention in the world of sticking around for a very long time!

P.S. My previous Pom had to have a gigantic cancerous tumor removed from her back and was stapled from neck to tail. We called her FrankenPom for a while...

If Smokey is having trouble eating, you may need to acquire a syringe (without any needle of course), suck up the mushy food and help little Smokey eat by gently inserting the syringe into his mouth, towards the back of the tongue, with little bits of food. Consult your vet on this, but it is a way to be sure he has his nourishment. I will keep him, Braise and all of you in my prayers for a complete recovery, physical and psychological. May God Bless you and give you Strength to do what is necessary.
Love to all, Simonette from Michigan

Smokey,
You are a very lucky dog. It may not seem that way now as you recover, but Braise stood by you and Kristin and Jean-Marc came to your rescue. Having visited you in late September I could see the entire scene play out when reading Kristin's post! My parents had a Springer Spaniel named Maggie who survived a Javelina (wild boar) attack in Prescott, AZ. It took a lot of loving care but she pulled through as I know you will.
Suzanne

Thank God he is safe. What an experience!

Love to all,

Mona

Oh, poor sweet baby! I am so sorry. Thank God you found him when you did. Can dogs take arnica? I remember when we lived in France, neighbors were always offering arnica for my young boys when they had injuries. I hope he heals quickly and has no lasting effects from the attack.

Dearest Smokey,
So brave, so strong! I cup my hands around your jaws and send healing energy throughout your tired body. Mama Kirsten will feed you, Mama Braise will take care of you, and your many aunts and uncles around the world will pray for your recovery.

Jeannie in the northcentral high desert hills of Arizona

I am so glad Smokey will be alright. I had a very similar occurance many years ago with a full grown Golden. His playmate, a German Shorthair came to the rescue or more damage would have been done. Emotionally all both Smokey and Braise need right now is lots of love and soft pets and nose kisses.

Kristin,

Thank you for sharing this story. I gave my golden (Koah) an extra hug this morning after reading about what happened to Smokey. Tell him we are sending hugs all the way from california! I plan to visit france again next year for a few months, maybe I'll be able to meet this brave little guy in person someday. :)

Ashley and Koah

The moment I brought home my little puppy from the shelter, I became a lover of all dogs. And because my puppy survived being hit by a car I can relate to the anguish a "mommy" goes through at a time like that. What joy that our puppies survived! Et voila, my puppy is now 14 years young! I love her even more! Give Smokey a little squeeze from me!

Many prayers are being sent your way! Dieu vous bénisse!

Oh no! Thank you for sharing the outcome first! I also loved the fact that you used a lot of French phrases in this article(as I am still a beginning French learner, I am often wondering what the French equivalents are when you write English exclamations)!

So very happy to hear that Smokey is okay now (well relatively). Maybe Braise is afraid of the vet smell on Smokey's mouth?

Speedy recovery to all of you!

Best,

Chere Kristi, more than any words that could possibly be added to the above, if you could see the tears that ran down my cheeks,and remain there, you would know how my heart reacted in sympathy for all -- especially for you.

I actually ache, wanting so much to talk with you. So much to share and fearing much will not be.

Just back late last night. Hope you get to read this. Comme toujours --- Fred

From what I've been told, my talk in church was a coup aussi!

Must add: is the star with "hope" on it what I hope it is? Do you remember writing back when I commented on your intimate stories were my favorites and said that, by extension, perhaps others would like that style also? Another coup for Fred?

Kristi,
Oh, thank God Smokey is alright.
I've followed this story from the time Blaise and her boyfriend went galavanting around Marseilles, when you and your husband were desperately trying to find them both and fearing the worst.
The "happy event" and the six wonderful pups - and now this.
Puppy prayers on their way:-)
Jill (friend of Kirk and Anne Woodyard)

Bless you all! Gentle, soft hugs to Smokey, and support to the entire family. Please keep us posted, as I know you will with your heartfelt writings of such clarity. With love from Australia.

i am reminded - avec bien des larmes - the loss of my darling Poupouche.
But do think ahead, Kristin. Après la pluie, le beau temps... You need to lift your own spirit and know that this awful and so very painful period will pass. Do trust the Almighty.
bises, nadine

Dearest Kristi, as Jules says, you grow stonger and stonger every day. YOU are amazing... and loved by many, many mothers all around this wee little world of ours. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you and yours. We will continue to look for news.

Ah little Smokey! Greetings from Canada! We're so glad to hear you're doing better. I know very well the fear and heartbreak of your 'humans' since the same terrible thing happened to my beloved chien when I was a little girl. Alas, my little one did not make it but...you...you are going to be just fine. You are a tough little fellow in spite of your liquid brown eyes and blond coat. :) You hang in there. Hope you've got some good 'meds'. XXOO

Poor sweet baby, poor dear parents..I see how sad he seems even now with some "repairs" Our caniche was attacked by a coyote in our front yard last year..we had taken her out for her night business before turning in..and suddenly she ran to a place in the yard that was out of the light from the porch and began screaming. We thought she was being killed, and then saw the coyote run off down the street! Horrors! I know just how you felt, Kristen and Jean-Marc! We rushed her to the emergency vet and so lucky she was! The coyote had grabbed her by the head, and left a gash in her scalp and a puncture in her jaw skin, but not deep damage, and no blood vessels were broken. Our friendly, trusting puppy was some days in shock and afraid to leave the patio. Now we go out with her on a leash, and with a shovel handle weapon..and there is a motion light to illuminate that dark area. We hope your baby resumes her happy trust and that she is soon well again. I think I am not the only reader to have tears reading about her scary experience. Bless you, Kristen and Jean-Marc, and love and kisses and blessings on little Smokey!

Oh Kristin, what a terrible time for Smokey and his mother and you and your family. It sounds as if he's on the mend and dogs are so resilient. re giving him antibiotics. I'd suggest not giving them in his food - as you say, unless he eats every morsel, you don't know he's got them. I give my dogs and the dogs who stay here any medication embedded in one of those tiny cheese cubes you buy in the supermarkets in France - Apericube. Sometimes you find them in the chilled area and sometimes just on a shelf. You perhaps know of it. Try a tiny piece of it first and if he woofs it down, then hide the pill (s) with the rest. From then on, he'll love it! Hope that helps. Your love and care is getting him through.

"Le trafic de faux médicaments dans les pays en voie de développement est une plaie béante planétaire. This was correctly translated by Ann, above. Other translations were a bit off, sorry.
Traffic in fake (counterfeit) drugs in developing (third world) countries is a gaping wound (a huge problem) on our planet.

Hi Kristin,
What a scary thing to happen to Smokey! I hope he will be fine. Our pets become a part of our family and when they are hurt it is like one of our own children. He looks so sweet in the picture.
Take care and all the best to Smokey!
Eileen

I lost my little dog after the wildfires in Southern California. My little dog socks was attacked by a bobcat and I heard the horrible screams. I found my little dog and took him to the vet where they put him to sleep. The injuries were too severe and he would never be the same.
I am so happy for you that Smokey is alive and will recover. It is a traumatic event for the whole family when a pet is attacked or lost.
Bon Courage to all of you.

Oh dear little puppy...what a heart wrench you have given us all and especially Mama Braise and all your family!! Keep safe and keep close to those who care for you.

This morning the ocean is stretched out before us like a pond and we have been watching a mother whale and her calf frolic in the water. Mother would lift one enormous fin out of the water and...ker-splash! Baby would lift her much tiner fin out and...ker-splash too. Just wonderful! It makes you realise how beautiful and gentle nature can be one moment and how wild and fickle she can be the next. Enjoy your little puppy Smokey...I think he has some wonderful protectors!!

I found you through a friend's blog - and I was stunned to read your story of Smokey - but so relieved to know he is going to be okay!!! That must have been so traumatic for ALL of you! I love your blog - love having a chance to learn a word or two of French...now if only I can retain them!

Dear Sweet Smokey, I am so sorry you had this traumatic experience and very glad to here you are bravely surviving and my heart goes out to you and Kristi and J-M and the children who love you so....you are in all our hearts and prayers. I hold you in my arms and sing sweet songs to you; you are wrapped in the warm wishes of so many who are wishing for your speedy recovery. Dear K, you are so brave - we are thinking of you with all our hearts and hugs "across the miles." Tourjours, Pat

Cher Smokey, mon cher Toutou and I are so happy you have survived such an attack and send warm healing thoughts and much love to you and your family. Amazing grace how sweet the sound...nous t'embrasse tres forte! Cindy

Although justified and from personal experience, the following is a bit of a rant, maybe not for Smokey's tender little ears:

My youngest daughter (2 or 3 years old at the time) and I were delivering food for sick friends a few years ago and were approaching the front door when a neighbor's pit mix bounded from somewhere from which he had been previously invisible and headed straight for my tiny girl. Had I not gotten to her first (she was lagging behind me by about 4 or 5 yards), she would have been snapped up in a mouthful and torn to shreds. I understand that these creatures are not responsible for their animal instincts, and my ANIMosity is entirely with the human owners who exhibit neither the higher intelligence one should expect from homo sapiens, nor the common consideration that is due to others-- especially when they and their animals are the ones encroaching upon the property of others. Furthermore, instincts that cannot be mitigated as anything less than evil are being cruelly (for both humans and the animals) bred into these dogs, with irresponsibility and wantonness.
To understate, I have never been a fan of violent breeds, and find the motives in those that feel the need to keep and breed such animals to be triggered by a pathological need for power and cruelty, or by some exaggerated response to victimization. I love dogs for what they were originally created to be: man's best friend, capable of wonderful, unlimited amounts of affection and unconditional love, including protection if need be. Even German shepherds-- such as those my family owned-- can be both effective protectors and great family dogs. How many tragedies with the death, maiming, and permanent disfiguration (countless statistics with small children, in particular) will it take to show the more-than-obvious menace that irresponsible pet ownership poses? Friends of ours had half their son's face torn off by a rottweiler that came into a yard not owned by its owners. This is by no means some random statistic; such occurrences are so constant and quotidian that one must question why they are yet so unregulated. Keeping pit bulls, rottweilers, and large or poisonous snakes at all-- but especially without painstaking care to restriction-- bears precisely the same dangers and attention to public safety (or children living within the household, most often the victims) as does the keeping of any savage or exotic animal. Those who propagate the creation of genetically-engineered monsters, who flaunt complete disdain for the rights and welfare of others, should be penalized in a way that renders a prohibitive effect to their criminally careless behavior.

I am praying that Smokey is completely healed, both physically and emotionally. Dogs *do* make complete recoveries in both aspects. May you have your sweet, trusting puppy back very soon... and may poor Braise be totally recuperated from her traumatization, as well! Love to all of you.

Le pauvre petit Smokey! I was so upset to read the poor lad's terrible experience but am glad to read he is recovering. Mia and Floydie (mes deux chiens) send their best wishes and healing licks.

You don't say if the attack dogs were ever caught?

All the best

Anca

ps love reconnecting with my slightly lost French via your word a day and reading about your dogs and their adventures.