Babar is an International Man of Mystery

So it has been quite a while since our little man has had an entry, but it's only because he's been so busy! With all the nice weather we've been having lately, he's been hiking, swimming, traveling, and running up quite the tab at his veterinarian!

Good news first: Babar went to Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany!

This was a great experience for him... despite everyone in Europe thinking he is a vicious fighting dog, he loved how dog-friendly the stores and restaurants are over there, and especially loved all of his special activities! Highlights of his trip included:

1. Going INSIDE his very first Starbucks:

2. Getting to go to the top of Mount Säntis:

3. Going to the lake region of Italy and Switzerland (and trying to eat at the table):

4. Saving everybody from the mean swans (they were VERY mean):

5. Drinking the delicious, Swiss water from the many puppy-friendly fountains:

6. And, of course, taking the best naps ever:

All in all, Babar's two weeks in Europe were a great experience for him... Since Frenchies should NEVER go in cargo or be medicated for flights, Babar came with us in the cabin and slept the entire 9 hours both ways... he was fabulous!

In other news, Babar also had a swimming lesson! The very, very hot weather in the summer stops B from being able to get the proper amount of exercise he needs, and since Frenchies can't swim naturally due to the top-heavy nature of their bodies, we took him to a local pool for a swim lesson to teach him to trust a life jacket! It was really adorable... Babar swam like a maniac, and when he wanted a break he climbed up on the instructor's shoulders! He swam for an entire half hour, and afterwards slept A LOT :)

Now for the not-so-good news... Babar had to have emergency surgery! For months now, he's been visiting his vets because of tummy issues, with no luck! We finally brought him into the emergency hospital on Labor Day weekend, and it turns out that he had about 60 sharp bone fragments lodged in his little belly! Since his stomach was ulcerated, they must have been in there for months, causing him pain, dehydration, and significant digestive issues!

Although we caught it late, Babar went into surgery, and came out like a new man! Despite a 5 inch scar (which is healing beautifully), Babar is really enjoying the process of gaining the weight he lost, and is a much happier and healthier little man. He hopes to be updating his blog much more often since he's feeling better!

Babar Does the Yard Work

Babar is a busy little guy, and considers himself quite the Renaissance puppy. He usually spends the days improving his physique with yoga and crazy runs, food tasting to make sure everything is still good, demonstrating his artistic flare by "feng-shui"ing his toys, and keeping up with his personal hygiene with mud baths and puddle jumps.

That having been said, when we decided it was time to do the yardwork today, Babar kindly offered his services.

This, unfortunately, was the result:

Apparently, when Babar agreed to help clean the patio, what he really meant was "I will eat all the soap".

He was quite pleased with his contributions.

Babar Visits Mount Vernon!

Last week Babar had a very special houseguest, and requested that we take a family roadtrip... he claims that since he is getting older, it's time for him to see more of the world... so we went to visit Mount Vernon!

This trip was a first for Babar... he's never been to a historical site before, especially not one with farm animals! Even though it was rainy and cold, meaning he had to wear his raincoat, he dealt with all of the ooh-ing and aah-ing, as well as the pokes from small children, very nicely and really seemed to enjoy himself. Here are some of the highlights from the trip:

First Babar had his first sighting of cattle... I think he was impressed, but I also think he is under the impression that he is the same size as said cattle since he had to be restrained from running into their pen!

Babar then moved onto the pen of a black pig...

I'll go ahead and let the irony of that statement speak for itself.

The ultimate favorite moment of the day, was when Babar made friends with the lambs... not only did the three of them exchange kisses between the fence, but Babar spent the rest of the day trying to steer us back to them! So cute.

So all in all, it was a great day... Mount Vernon is very dog-friendly and we all really enjoyed ourselves... B even consented to pose at the view of the Potomac for people to take pictures of him; what a gentleman!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, B!!!

Today is Babar's very first birthday!!!  He is celebrating with extra treats and walks, a play-date with his woman, and steak for dinner! He also got this tennis ball, which he's been eying at the dog park, and the look on his face when he got it was pure joy!!

Happy birthday, B :)

Babar. 2300 hours. All is quiet on the homefront, but Mommy seems to be making something in the kitchen. Will try to take momentarily, but will first wait to be bribed out of hiding with yummies.

So Babar has taken up the delightful night-time habit of sliding himself under the couch and barking for no apparent reason; it would appear that he is playing a war game and thinks that "under the couch" is both invisible to everybody, as well as some sort of bunker. 

Babar. 2320 hours. Yummies have been spotted. Am waiting for right time to strike.

At first, I thought he was just stuck; Babar has a tendency towards unfortunate decisions, and a 25-pound Frenchie underneath a couch does not go as well as you'd expect. However, he's perfectly capable of getting out, as he demonstrates if you bring any sort of treat within a 5 foot radius of his hiding spot.

Babar. 2323 hours. Yummy received. Retreating to bunker.

Unfortunately, he slides right back under the couch as soon as he gets his treat, and thus has to be dragged out so someone can sit on the couch without worrying that they'll create a little puppy-pancake. Babar is not pleased about this.

Babar. 2325 hours. Foiled again.

Babar is a lucky little man, help those who aren't!

Since Babar is my very first dog, I did a whole lot of research and got him from a fantastic breeder who treats her dogs very well. Some dogs aren't as lucky, and they are forced to live in horrible conditions to produce puppies to sell in pet-stores and online. To support those who have had rough lives, I always try to help the French Bulldog Rescue Network by buying Babar's coats and harnesses, etc. from their store, and by making donations when I can.

The FBRN is a really great organization that helps Frenchies who have been surrendered, abandoned, abused, or disabled... they find great homes for them, provide medical care, and foster them until they find their forever-families. Last night, I found a particularly heartbreaking story about a dog named Rachel who had been used in a puppy-mill and as a result has a huge number of health-problems, including pneumonia, missing teeth from lack of healthcare, splayed feet from living her whole life in a wire cage with no exercise or playtime, and she is seriously malnourished. Even with all of those problems, she is smiling and looks so happy to be safe in her pictures... If you can, please try to help her! 

All animals deserve to have as much love, fun, and happiness as Babar, and it's important that we do what we can to help that happen!

Westminster, baby!

Hello all!

Babar is super excited to be hosting a Westminster party tonight in honor of his brother and littermate CH Floresta's Spontaneous Combustion (more commonly referred to as Boomer)! This picture was sent to us by Babar's breeder to show us Boomer is his full-show posing:

Babar's girlfriend, Emma, is coming to watch with us, so Babar has been very busy cleaning up his toys and rearranging his beds to accomodate for his woman :) We'll make sure to take loads of pictures of the happy couple nesting.
Boomer is a bit bigger than Babar, but an equally gorgeous Frenchie... it makes us want to show Babar just for fun, although I think he enjoys his days of eating, walking, and playing in the park too much to want to go on the road and have to behave :)

So, fingers crossed, everyone! We'll update soon :)