Snail Tail

 Shortly after arriving in Paris, we were out walking Sandy on a street near our apartment. I overheard some young girls remarking how cute he was and that he had a "queue comme un escargot," or a "tail like a snail." It's true that his tail is often curled up in a spiral when he's walking, especially if he's happy (or when he's stretching).

It's a little hard to tell, but I think he has been pretty happy since we've arrived. He has met countless new friends, including a feisty little guy on the ground floor of our apartment (named Milou, I think). He met a beautiful brown border collie recently that he was very happy to boss around and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel whom he wrestled with for a while and seemed to love. (I should say that Sandy has never met a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that he didn't love.). Most of his dog friendships are fleeting, as they occur in the Luxembourg Garden at random times throughout the day. Still, he seems to be fairly well settled in.

We have taken him on two big outings, one on the hike through Champagne vineyards (photo below in Nanteuil), and a recent excursion to Parc du Sceaux (photos further below of Sandy in the very large wooded off-leash dog park there).

The best part of Paris from Sandy's perspective? Perhaps the sidewalk cafe culture that is welcoming to dogs. We haven't taken him to too many restaurants yet, but we'll try to take him more often while the weather is still warm and we can sit outside. (And even when we don't take him for dinner, he likes to walk past, scavenging for dropped french fries and pieces of baguette.)