A short week in Gascogne

5 days in Gers (south west of France) with a cute dog

  

We drove during 5 hours to reach Sue's house in a small hamlet in Gers. Sitting Dottie, a 6 years old female Springer spaniel was a good opportunity to discover Gascogne, a french gastronomic province, famous for its duck "foie gras" and Armagnac liquor.

Welcomed generously on Halloween evening by Sue, Vincent made a first short walk with her after our arrival. The 3 of us made a much longer walk the following morning before Sue was going away for 5 days. She wanted to show us the routine.

At first, Dottie looked rather shy, hiding into the bushes of the garden. Sue had to call her several times before she dared to approach us.  Later, after dinner, she went directly to the staircase and jumped on her favorite sofa. But she soon accepted our cuddles. When we took meals in the kitchen the following days, she remained near us on the cushion near the fire place.But she prefered to sleep in her master's room and never tried to come to ours.

We became the best friends playing ball with her ! As the temperature was quite warm for early november, we could take lunch outside, 

She loved to bring us her toy, between the bars of the terrace, waiting for us to throw it back. The game could last for hours ! Sometimes Dottie liked to refresh in the pond, she loved chasing frogs !

Apart from playing, Dottie enjoyed long walks in the big fields around. We threw her sticks she loved as much as balls. Perfectly trained, Dottie could be left unleashed : very obedient, she came back immediately when we called her. A relief !

 

    

Though we had to pay attention, to be careful : a hunting dog remains always a hunting dog ! Sue had told us Dottie had once run away behind a big deer which was followed by hunters ! Luckily cars stopped in time on the nearby main road !

We had been told Dottie hated to be left alone for more than 2 hours. As we planned to visit some famous medieval fortified villages around -such as Sarrant, Fournes or Larresingle- we took her with us everyday. She always behaved nicely in our car, never barked, slept immediately on the back seat as soon as we left the house.

 

In  town, she followed us during our tours, without protesting. In restaurants or coffee shops, she always stayed quiet. Lying calmly under our seats, paying no attention to other dogs, even rather agressive ones... a real sweet heart !