We’re in the Limousin region of France, not far from Limoge which is famous for its pottery. So much further down than where your dads are. If we were to go to Calais it’s about a 7 -8 hour drive South.

Lins is right about the passports, you should start the process 7-8 months before you plan to re-enter the UK. If I remember rightly Brodie as a pup had his first vaccine at 7.5 weeks; second at 9.5 weeks and I think had his micro-chip at the same time; 11.5 weeks had his rabies vaccine; 13.5 weeks had his rabies blood test; then results took about 1 week. There is a reasonable number who fail the blood test and either you can wait and take another test or do another rabies vaccine. The number of dogs who failed depended on the vet I spoke with in the practice, the one I trusted the most said 1 in 12; however another said 1 in 5.

Karen, did Maggie just put the bone down when you told her to? Brodie is a reluctant giver. It’s hard enough to get him to voluntarily give to hand – he always needs some form of encouragement. However he’s good at leaving something if he’s not already got it e.g. I play at rolling the ball to him saying “Brodie leave it” or “Brodie take it” and he’s very good. However with a “leave it” he does do the same neck/body stretch and won’t take his eyes off the ball like Maggie is in the picture. Sometimes I think he’ll topple over because he’s stretching so much and shaking with excitement but still trying hard to keep his bum on the ground in the sit position :)