All the stuff you never knew you needed to know about life in rural France.....and all the stuff the books and magazines won't tell you.

Sunday 4 March 2012

Seduced by a Sheltie....



I am not the greatest fan of the view of France as being either Paris or Provence – there's an awful lot in between - but I am putty in the paws of a dog, particularly a beautiful Sheltie called Chula.


Thus it was that I allowed myself to be led through her adventures....flying from the United States to France....finding her paws in a new country....exploring St. Remy de Provence...and back to Paris for a walking tour before boarding the 'plane again.
This is a travelogue in a new guise, with the addition of good advice for people traveling with their pets – and some chirpy illustrations, too.

Chula's human, Sheron Long, writes wittily and well of her pet's adventures and the photographs are stunning. We're all used to the stock stuff; well these are photographs of places as they are, taken by someone with a real eye and there are quite a few I turn back to with pleasure.

In the enhanced e book format, there are also videos to play as you go along, some with music, some not, which give the book a different dimension – you have to see the video of the sheep filling the streets of St. Remy!

If you had asked me to read a book about Americans visiting Paris and Provence I would have probably said no...not another one...and turned it down.

I would have been wrong. It's a super little book and I heartily recommend it to you.



Now...the details.

The book is available as a hardcover from OIC Books and Amazon , as a Standard e book available from Amazon and from Apple iBookstore, and as an enhanced e book (with the multimedia) from  Apple iBookstore.
As I understand it, if you buy the hardcover or the standard e book version you can get the multimedia on the OIC site ---not to be missed!

Oh...and Chula has a Facebook page too, which is more than I have - I always thought dogs had more intelligence than most humans...





16 comments:

  1. This is a high recommendation and no mistake!

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  2. Sounds fun, Fly, but unfortunately it hasn't made it yet onto the Amazon UK site, even in e-form. Perhaps later.....

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  3. Steve, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book in enhanced e book format.
    I would not have thought it my thing at all - which will teach me to master my prejudices in future!

    Perpetua....have you tried the OIC site?
    The book is fun, especially with the videos and music. A lovely present for someone who loves the idea of France...

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  4. I've just checked the OIC site, Fly and it's still all listed in dollars and no mention of a UK outlet. Not having an iPad I can't go that route either. Ah, well....

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    1. Oh dear! I hope I haven't muddled up the links!

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  5. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. Looks like something I might enjoy--when I'm taking a break from reading thrillers, that is. :)

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  6. I'll have to see if I can find this. It sounds like a fun read. Thanks.

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  7. e, I liked it very much. Great photographs and well written.

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  8. It sounds lovely although I can't think why anyone would want to go on holiday abroad with their dog. The admin hassle would frighten all but the most determined I'd have thought.

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  9. Sarah, since moving here I've noticed how many Americans bring their dogs on holiday and it has to be said that if you're not travelling between the U.K. and France the hassles seem to be a lot less.

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  10. Well being a very much a dog person, and I unashamedly own up to having conversations with my dogs, I think this is a book I'd really enjoy.

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  11. Ayak...that was the angle that got it past my prejudices...and I'm glad it did.

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  12. Dear Fly, I never thought of myself as a seductress, but I'm glad we met and hope to see you when I'm trotting around France or Costa Rica one day. I tend to frequent butcher shops and sausage tables. By the way, I asked the publisher about the UK stores and learned that Amazon will soon be carrying the ebook there, and it is already available worldwide in the Apple iBookstore. Hope you can let Perpetua know to check back at Amazon UK in a couple of weeks. Chula

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    1. I will be sure to do so, Chula.
      Let me suggest some good sausage stalls for you for your next trip.

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  13. The publisher just told me- Dog Trots Globe is going to be available in the Amazon Kindle Store and Apple Online store in the UK and France tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the book!

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