Book Review: Dog Trots Globe- To Paris & Provence

Eleven-year-old Sheltie Chula Wula D’Augue doesn’t let her age get in the way of exploring the world. She flew to France, hiked off-leash in Les Alpilles (Little Alps), visited vibrant farmers markets in Saint-Rémy, enjoyed the sparkling lights of Paris, and she has now written a book about it. Well, it’s her owner Sheron Long who decided to share Chula’s travels in her latest multi-media book, Dog Trots Globe- To Paris & Provence (OIC Books).  

Dog Trots Globe is a delightful treat. Flipping through the pages of this book, readers will enter the wonderful world of Chula as she takes her first international trip to France from her Carmel Valley, California home. Readers experience the sensory delights the always smiling Chula encountered on her adventures through 150 pictures, illustrations, music videos (via e-book and online for print readers), and vivid descriptions told from her point of view.

Chula, whose name means pretty in Spanish, stays true to her name in every picture with her perfectly groomed blonde mane, curious dark eyes, and flowing tail. You will find her drinking from water fountains, traversing through lavender fields in Sault, taking in the smells of fresh croissants at sidewalk cafes, and visiting her favorite vendors at the big Provençal market in Saint-Rémy.

Photo courtesy of Sheron and Robert Long

Chula taking in the smells in a lavender field in Sault

Author Sheron Long fell in love with France when she visited as a student. After dozens of trips, her and her husband decided to take their furry friend, who was nine years old at the time, with them to their house in St. Rémy-de-Provence where they spend two months in the spring and fall seasons every year. The best trip, Sheron said was when Chula came along. "I wrote this book to share the joie de vivre I relish when I'm in France and to help others know how easy—and how much fun—it is to travel with your pup," she said.

Like most dog owners, Sheron was worried about having her dog on a plane for long hours. To put her mind at ease, she spent 3 to 4 months researching the best airlines to fly Chula to France. She had to look for non-stop flights, and airlines that allowed owners to keep their dogs in the lobby area until boarding. Sheron finally went with Air France, which allowed them to keep Chula with them until 20 minutes before take off. Chula was in a cabin with the same pressurized atmosphere that her human companions enjoyed. Best advice Sheron has for travelers- “Freeze the water in the bowl, so it doesn’t spill over and the dog has water during the flight.” Sheron doesn’t recommend giving sedatives to dogs as they can increase risk of dehydration.

Once there, the Long family took Train a Grande Vitesse (bullet train that goes up to 200 miles per hour),  from Paris to St. Rémyin the southern part of France. There, in their 200 hundred year old home away from home, Chula got to explore French life to the fullest, first by chasing the cats in their backyard and finding out about other dogs in the neighborhood.

In Chula’s voice, Sheron writes, “I could tell there was a dog two doors down in the real estate office, but it took a lot of sniffing to figure out he was a French bulldog. Of course!”

But it was the fountains of France that Chula loved the most. “She thought the French had great respect for dogs by placing large water bowls in every village!” said Sheron.

As for Sheron’s favorite thing, “I love going to the markets. There’s one in one village or another every day of the week. Buying very fresh food and cooking something up that just came from the ground is wonderful. Chula loved the smells because there are other dogs around there too. It’s kind of like dogs day out at the market.”

Photo courtesy of Sheron and Robert Long

Chula and the sheep of Saint- Rémy

In one outing in St. Rémy, Chula encountered 3000 sheep crossing the streets to get to a plateau outside of town. “They just kept coming. Bleating, baa-ing, beh-ing, and clainging their dreadful bells,” Chula/Sheron writes. Although Chula was a bit scared at first, Sheron thinks it was the highlight of her trip. “I think in a way she secretly enjoyed the experience.” After all, she is a Shetland Sheepdog.

In Paris, before heading home to California, Chula got to experience the city of lights. She rode in taxis, crossed bridges on the Seine, admired the Eiffel Tower and attended a party at a Paris gallery. While Paris was a bit more strict about allowing dogs in restaurants and stores, dogs are welcome almost everywhere else in France. Chula/Sheron writes, “The French have the right respect for dogs- in France we chiens get to go to lunch and dinner anytime, anywhere.” Only rules- “No barks” and “Under the table.”

Original music, and four videos (embedded in the enhanced eBook and available online for readers of the print and standard eBook editions) provide an entertaining bonus for the adorable and often funny narrative. My favorite video was Aux Marchés de Provence (The Markets of Provence) which features music based on a well-known French song "Auprès de Ma Blonde" and scenes from the markets Sharon and Chula love.

Photo courtesy of Sheron and Robert Long

Sniffing pies at the Provencial Market

If you enjoy a fun travel story with traditional music, language, and a charming dog that walks you right into a different culture, check out Dog Trots Globe. You’ll want to get on the next plane with your dog to somewhere exotic.

                                                             ***

Standard eBook is available from Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Enhanced eBook with audio and video embedded is available in the Apple iBookstore.

To keep up with Chula’s travels, check out her Facebook page.