Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Arthritis forgotten.





Summer has unexpectedly returned to South West France. After last weeks chill winds this morning dawned bright and fair. Azure blue skies and temperatures of 18 degrees ( 65 for our friends across the ocean ). Wilf stuck his head out of the door, decided this climate was definitely to his liking, and trotted off, unbidden, to the car. Arthritis completely forgotten. As I lifted him up he gave me a look that said " what's been keeping you. Don't you know it's croissant time ?" .

The cafe was humming. We had to circle the square twice before finding a parking space. It seems the good weather had brought out every van driver within a fifty kilometer radius. Every van driver that is with the exception of anyone or anything to do with work on the rickety old farmhouse. Sightings of our electrician or plumber are every bit as rare as confirmed sightings of the Loch Ness monster.

Never had a ' Bonjour Vilfeee ' from the peroxide haired waitress in the battery operated ' Bon Noel' apron with flashing lights sounded as good. Wilf settled into his vantage point in the corner of the cafe by the radiator and watched as I dutifully shook hands with the regulars . A bowl of water, a head tousling, and a piece of croissant. Normal service resumed. In the market square a man in a splendid chefs hat had set up a stall to sell freshly made doughnuts. Both Wilf and yours truly agreed that it was worth a detour. Another delicacy added to his list of favourite foods.

Home to find a turbaned Madame Bay waltzing along the corridor with the hoover, lip-synching badly to Julie Andrews singing ' I could have danced all night'. Wilf and yours truly shall be going to the vets later today for his fifteen day check-up.

30 comments:

  1. Whew! A vast sigh of relief is about to spread over the dog blogosphere. Good luck at the vets!

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  2. Wilfy looks so happy, in that second photo especially. No wonder, blue skies, 18C and doughnuts!

    Warm temperatures = arthritis forgotton, sounds like my granny who stuffed cotton wool in the keyholes to prevent drafts and could seemingly barely walk in the English winter, all because of rheumatic pains, but then would take off to stay with her sisters in pre-package tourist Majorca (1960s) in the summer and send back photos of sea swimming and other energetic beach pursuits pursuits.

    Good luck at the vets.

    Gail.

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  3. Beautiful day there and I love the photo on top of your blog what a clear and bright sky.
    Good going it's donuts now too.

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  4. Yay! I knew he'll be going for croissant today :) A whole croissant? wow! i am so jealous of my furry friend in France.

    woofs n licks,
    Dommy

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  5. Oh Angus, how happy i am with this post. Happy to see Wilfee's "bonne humeur" is back, and arthrisis away.
    As Anny, i was preety sure, the sweet boy will have his part of croissant today, we all want to believe tomorrow will be best than today.
    Enjoy warm and sun my beloved boy. Cuddles and bisous to you.

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  6. What a wonderful morning - may the entire day be filled with good and happy news!

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  7. A good day that brings warmth no matter what the temperature is outside!

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  8. Here's to more days like this one! Hopeful that your visit with the vet goes well too.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  9. wonderful...hope the Vet visit goes well!
    xoxo

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  10. Such a happy report after yesterdays sadness/melancholy. Husband and I are visting Paris--what a difference in temps, as you know. Snow and drizzle up here. Good luck at the vets. By the way, when our PWD was feeling his arthritis, we used a large beach towel to lift him into the back of the station wagon. It seemed to ensure that we weren't pressing on anything that would increase the discomfort.

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  11. I love Wilf's smiling face!

    I imagine a scene like Cheers when the two of you walk into the pub every morning, where everybody knows your name. I'm so glad he's feeling better today.

    Fingers crossed he gets one of the nice vets and not the curmudgeon!

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  12. Summer and Wilf wanted his croissant outing! A good day for all. Fresh doughnuts sound like a welcome addition - for both of you!

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  13. So glad, so glad, so glad! Best to Vilfeeee.

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  14. Good luck at the Vet today, keeping our fingers and paws crossed for good news. Good days=good food for the Wilfie!

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  15. So glad to read this post - brightens all of our days to know darling Wilfie is having a good good day.

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  16. Ah, this puts a smile on my face.
    It's baking day here and it's difficult to turn out perfect cappuccino cheesecakes if I'm worried about Wilf!
    Made the good weather stick around.

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  17. i am so happy that wilf has cheered up today...we can all have an off day after all...but anyone would cheer up if given doughnuts AND croissants....wouldn't we??? Good luck at the vets..xx

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  18. Now we'll all be awaiting news from the vet visit. Go ahead and do tomorrow's post this afternoon! :)

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  19. Best news we have heard today by a long shot!! Perhaps its just the nasty cold that had him off his regular routine. We three here can certainly account for cold weather! Keep the good weather going and hope all is good with the vet visit. Keep going Wilf!

    Love from the chilly Canadians,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  20. I think of Wilf his health every day and pray all will go well from day to day, so I am so thriled to hear this .Courage Wilf , and may I say, Angus !!My thoughts are with you.

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  21. Have a doughnut for us, too.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  22. all the best dear wilf for your checkup we know you will do just fine loves and licks xxx

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  23. Wilf-I've noticed you always have a smile on your face...is there a "secret" you are keeping from us? Do you have a secret stash of food in your pocket?

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  24. Love getting back to your normal routine (well, with a doughnut detour). Best of luck with the vet visit.

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  25. Wish summer weather would return here! At least it didn't snow today. We had rain which melted some of the snow.

    I'm glad Wilf went out with you today. When he didn't go yesterday, it really had me worried.

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  26. Whew, is right! Wilfie, keeping you in our prayers. We check in daily to see how you are doing. Hugs & scritches from Fay in N.CA

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  27. Wilf
    How wondewful to get such a bootiful sunny day to enjoy youw Cwoissants and weceive all the love and admiwation of all awound you..good luck at the dogtow..I think of you and pway you keep feeling good fow a long long time
    smoochie kisses fwom fwozen newYawk
    love
    ASTA

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  28. So glad you had a good start to the day. Hope the vet visit went well and Wilf finished on a high note: another gourmet meal. Didn't know the French allowed depraved food like doughnuts. Figured that must be an American invention: artery-clogging, no redeeming social value, just delicious empty calories and lots of them.

    Jed & Abby

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  29. it's amazing how your weather has changed so drastically. we're glad, for Wilf's sake. we're happy to hear that you got out for your croissant and donut! life is good.

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