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Paris is Burning

It has been a hot couple of days in Paris. The faces on the street seem to be wilting with the heat. I have been showing a lot of "tongue" here -- panting is the only way I can stay cool so close to the sizzling cobblestones. It's a dog's life, but I persist. I'm in Paris. I can't complain. 

Yesterday we visited some of the more famous monuments here in Paris. I'm trying to assess the lay of the land before I start my mission in ernest. So far, I have noticed more Americans here than Parisians, which is a good sign. Most of the locals are vacationing in the south. It means that the country is empty and weak -- a good time to make my move.

 

I tried to enter the American embassy today, with no luck. They didn't believe I was American. I know I look German, but I'm from the midwest, folks!

A couple of funny notes about Paris:

1. When kids see me, they say "wow wow!" instead of "woof woof." Apparently, "wow" is how French dogs bark. You learn something new every day.

2. I didn't know that it was illegal here to clip a dog's ears and crop the tail -- today we saw a Standard Schnauzer with a curly tail like a Chow! Everyone (yes, everyone) asks how old I am -- apparently this law isn't that old, so they think that perhaps I'm older than the law. I'm only 10, so that confuses them. Then they ask if I'm American. Yes. I'm a savage. We crop ears and tails across the pond. Forgive us. To Nikki's credit, she got me from the shelter this way, so her only crime (in my estimation) was having the veterinarian remove my "croutons." That wasn't a happy day.

3. I can be slightly hostile toward bicycles, wheelchairs, strollers, rollerbladers, motorcycles, and joggers. I find the above items offensive. In New York, people get bent out of shape when I bark at these wheeled contraptions. Here in Paris they think it's funny. Viva la France! I like that.

On another note, I love going to the cafes here -- they serve me water and they are very complimentary. Yes, I'm adorable. Adore me.

Comments

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Wow, Paris is quite the interesting location. I can tell that you have your mission all planned out, which is very good. Well 'Woof woof' from an American dog and her owner.

Posted by: Senna Yarrow | August 20, 2008 at 04:24 PM

Pepper - I love your story. You should publish this in a dog book. OK, maybe a kids book. Have fun and stay cool. Wow wow.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 08, 2008 at 12:08 PM

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An American Dog In Paris

  • The international adventures of Pepper, an American Miniature Schnauzer, as he traveled from New York City to Paris (via Hamburg and Amsterdam) on Cunard's ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2.

    When I was 11 years old, my human, Nikki Moustaki, and celebrated our 10 year anniversary with the trip of a lifetime to Paris, via Cunard's luxury liner, the Queen Mary 2, quick stops in Hamburg and Amsterdam, and then on to Paris. It turned out to be a real adventure. And since I have no control over my wardrobe, NIkki insisted on dressing me like a girl. I did not approve of this whatsoever, but I am just a small dog with no opposable thumbs, so I can't dial a cell phone for help. I posted nearly every day to let all of my canine friends know what it was like to be an American Dog in Paris.

    All photos on this site are copyright Harald Franzen or Nikki Moustaki.

About Nikki Moustaki

  • Nikki Moustaki, MA, MFA, is a nationally known dog trainer, TV and radio personality, and animal expert who splits her time between New York City and Miami Beach. She is the author of 9 books on dogs and 25 books on birds and has been featured on national television and radio shows including CNN, NBC, ABC, BBC, and Howard Stern. More . . .

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