Sunday lunch at Toulouse Rugby Clubs brasserie. In the UK you'd be lucky to get a packet of pork scratchings and a can of lager at a match. Here in France we enjoyed ' la terrine de foie gras, pruneaux d'Agen et Armagnac ' followed by ' Barre d'Espadon au sesame. Bouchees vapeur aux crevettes '. Wilf was on his very best 'going out' behaviour. He studiously ignored the highly strung chihuahua in a red tartan raincoat at the table in the corner . Instead he positioned himself by 'the fonts' chair with a bowl of water and patiently waited while the chef prepared him some plain rice and chicken. For an Anglo-Saxon it's difficult to say what's odder about life in France. Is it the quality of the food at a rugby venue ? Or is it the natural assumption that your dog will join you ( and be well behaved ) in a restaurant for lunch ? For his part Wilf has settled enthusiastically into French life and now seems to think that going out to eat with us is entirely natural. However, I can't help but wonder if you'd ever find a British waiter talking unselfconciously to a dog ? For that matter I can't imagine a British chef coming out to ask Wilf if he'd like any more rice. After his culinary adventure our family fellow slept particularly well last night.
Ah, the benefits of Gallic civilization. We fear dogs are even less welcome in eateries here in the U.S. than they are in the U.K. Enjoy, Wilf, on behalf of all of us.
ReplyDeleteJed & Abby
Wilf is very lucky to be in France. My my country or the city where i used to live, dogs are not allowed in most parks. Only one or two parks in the city. Its sad. And dogs in restaurants.. no way man. The waiters will shoo us away. How lucky Wilf is to be in France. I wish i was in France too with you Wilfee.
ReplyDeletewoofs & licks,
Dommy
I shall never forget the occasion when, at the end of their meal, the couple at the next table got up to leave and were followed by a fairly large and hairy dog. We had no idea the dog was there - it had been under the table all the time. It was probably the first time I thought to myself it must be really nice to live in France.
ReplyDeleteSince we moved from Scotland to France our Bernese Mountain Dog has enjoyed the same sort of loving attention. She finds it all very civilized and has adapted to the attention of friendly waiters with tremendous ease.
ReplyDeleteYou're right Angus, here in France, dogs are welcome in restaurants, and have their little bowl of water. In a way, they are considered as a part of the family, as children are, may be more quiet...
ReplyDeleteA new week for you sweet Wilf, enjoy it, beloved boy. All my thoughts are for you.
Cuddles and bisous.
I can think of a couple of cafes in Scotland, like the one in Crieff where I tied Hamish up outside, went in for tea and a cake, and a friendly waitress took pity on the wee man and said "och what a SHAME" and invited him in and gave him a bowl of water. The there was the time we crossed the Skye Bridge, when the tolls were still being charged, and when I handed over my fiver the attednant pulled a handful of dog treats out of his pocket and said to Hamish "welcome to Skye". And Hamish often scored treats of the trolley lady on the train too, although only in Scotland, not England, I noticed.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
I had heard that restaurants were dog friendly in France but didn't know it was really so true till I read this. I don't know of any dog friendly restaurant near where I live which is Oklahoma. I think they have them in California and Oregon but it's not the norm there even.
ReplyDeleteDog are definitely better behaved than children in restaurants. I'd much...much rather eat with a dog at the next table than a baby or small child.
I'd love to take turns taking mine out to eat! How fun. Dogs are always included in holiday meals. Guests must understand when they come to my house and most of my friends houses that the dogs will be dining with us.
Mine all sit around me waiting patiently for their bites. I have to say my friends all have strict don't feed from the table...but why? They need to enjoy too. I think its cruel to eat in front of them and not offer a bit.
I love imagining Wilf eating his lunch with a chihuahua in a plaid coat at the table next!
We're not allowed in most places here either. But people still make a fuss of us when they see us in the street.
ReplyDeleteXXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella
Jed and Abby are right. I have to admit I was a bit shocked the other day when I saw someone bringing their 2 dogs out of a Starbucks. I'd never even consider trying to take one of my dogs into one. Wilf would be the envy of all of our dogs if they knew how he's welcomed anywhere he goes--But I'm sure my boy Sam already does!
ReplyDeleteJust came across your blog- adore your dog!! The spitting image of my own dog Harris ( who died this June at 15 years )- and who was not really a breed but a Jack Russell-Spaniel cross.
ReplyDeleteTaking your dog to a restaurant is always difficult in the UK, and we made sure we always went somewhere where they would take Harris, but I agree, it's lovely when people are more dog-friendly.They normally are in the UK but not in restaurants...
I am so bowled over by Wilf that I am now trying to get a Polish Lowland sheepdog -a puppy or re-home a grown up one-and have already got the breeders page open -hahahahahaha!!!
What a fantastic dog and such a great face !!
I am a new follower - obviously need to know all about Wilf 's adventures!!
I think three Greyhounds and a German Shepherd just decided to move to France! Heck, we can't even walk through the local festival now since they serve food, never mind that mice, cats and birds potentially carrying West Nile virus can go through there freely. Bon apetite, Wilf!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, read your blog all the way through and would like to send lots of love, kind wishes and good vibes to you all and Wilf especially for his health, had no idea he was ill - and I am so very sorry ( I am new to your blog).Wilf is adorable .I realise if must be very hard for you and I would just like to say ; cherish every day you have with him and store this in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI love the last picture especially - a smiling gourmet teddybear!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy that with all your love he is enjoying the best life possible - his smile says it all - spoil the boy -
love the idea of tea being served in your tartan room to Wilf - hopefully in front of a burning fire - Lord Wilfie!!! Love Susannae
In the US we can't bring animals into restaurants. Of course we ourselves consider them our "children" and I would not have a problem taking them into eateries, but others are not so generous. I would think I had died and gone to heaeven if I saw the lovely Wilf sitting next to me at Starbucks. So glad he is enjoying the best life has to offer. Kisses to the little sweetie.
ReplyDeleteI love your tales of Wilf going out to restaurants with you! I absolutely cannot imagine a chef here in the US asking our dogs, inside the restaurant, if they'd like more rice. It's a hysterical thought!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the family fellow had such a great time!
Maybe someday here in the US we will be able to bring our dogs with us to restaurants, until then Maggie Mae will have to settle for a doggie bag upon our return home. Wilf's smiling face in the last picture melts my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Love,
Janelle and Maggie Mae
One small consolation: here in Flori-duh, despite other debatable actions, dogs can eat outside on restaurant patios -- if the governing municipality agrees. So we've had some lovely evenings with our Boyz at nice restaurants in Gainesville -- a dog friendly college-town -- and in Orlando, where, since the patio of a Japanese restaurant was accessible only through the restaurant, verboten access, one of us had to go through the restaurat to the patio, so the other could hand the dogs over the patio fence. Otherwise its Sonic, McD, and other fast-food places with outside eating -- and occasional glares from patrons afraid of getting doggie cooties I guess.
ReplyDeletexxx Joan
We only got a few malls that we are allowed to go to. Although we piappies are really home buddies. We remember being brought to these places when we were pups. Right now, only Wai-Max and Wai-Pai get to go. We are happy that you get to enjoy dining at restaurants over there, Wilf and you even get special treatment too!
ReplyDeleteWe love your photos (as always) and do enjoy the week.
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
I wish our 4-legged companions were welcome to join us at restaurants....We have enjoyed and made many friends at Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park NJ at the Jersey Shore where dogs and their humans mingle at the outdoor deck bar.
ReplyDeleteThe chef REALLY came out to see if Wilf enjoyed his meal??? I'm picturing Gordon Ramsey and giggling...Cheers, Vilfee!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for Wilf. A lovely dinner of easily digested food and a good nights sleep. Bless his heart. Actually, something that would benefit us all.
ReplyDeleteThe Herd is popular at a couple of our side walk cages, but NEVER inside. They think it is cool that there are a couple of retail stores they can go in, but that is very rare as well. Too bad. It would be most civilized.
ReplyDeleteHmmm - that would be sidewalk cafes, not cages. Spell check on an iPad.
ReplyDeleteI think it's ok unless he says that Wilf has answered him. Then I may think about finding another place to eat for a while! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is unanimous! We are all packing our bags and moving in with you guys! The Canadian canines are extremely jealous of Wilf's culinary delights, although yesterday's treat was left over chicken skin that was certainly appreciated by all, but they are by far, more jealous of his treats.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that he is enjoying every single day, and he is a fantastic reminder that we should all do that, one day at a time. Keep going Wilf, you are close to our hearts!
Your frozen Canadian pals,
Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker
I love that last picture of Wilf, it looks like he's smiling!
ReplyDeleteWe don't blame you Wilf, we go for France, a cafe, with mom or Paw
ReplyDeleteSnuggles,
Benny & Lily
Just dropped over from Jean's Grand Pressigny.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing dog you have! So cute. No wonder he makes so many friends.
Sadly, here in Canada, dogs can hardly go anywhere. Even some parks are restricted. Restaurants? NON. Stores? NON (well, except pet food stores).
A dog's life isn't so great in ultra-sanitary Canada