The next chapter begins

We are here in Lille, feeling massive relief and having zero regrets. I didn't sleep on the flight over and I don't think Bailey did either, but we made it. We had an airtag in her crate and the crate was also tagged as luggage so we could tell that she was onboard the plane. Unfortunately she couldn't know that we were only a few feet away from her the entire time. She was happy to see us when we picked her up after the flight, of course, but she was calm in her crate and she's been handling everything new like it was old hat. 

The thing about this move that few people know at this point is that we are being filmed by a French television program. Its focus is new immigrants to France and Clay got connected with them through one of many Facebook groups he's been involved in since starting this process. He's been corresponding with the producer and has sent videos showing aspects of the life we left behind. We were met at the airport by this producer and an English-speaking cameraman who accompanied us from the airport in Paris to Lille, interviewing us along the way. We spent most of the afternoon with them as well, as we got to our apartment and then went out to introduce Bailey to nearby green space. They also want to film us doing a few other things over the next month. There are other people who are being profiled as well, of course, so at this point we don't know when it will air. I just hope it doesn't come out like some bad remake of "Real Housewives." 

When the television folks left to catch a train back to Paris we were finally on our own. We went out for a couple of drinks and some bar food and managed to stay up until 9:00 p.m. before we crashed. I didn't get up until nearly 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, feeling great and really appreciating the restorative power of good sleep. After a quick cup of coffee, I took Bailey out to a nearby grassy area. She's never learned to tell us when she needs to go out because we've always just been able to open the door and let her go. She's also never had to do her business while on leash. She had fasted for over 24 hours so getting her system going and learning her schedule is now my main priority. 

Our second walk of the day was to a local dog store where we bought a very pricey but very nice dog bed for her. Then she got some crate time once again while we went to a big store for a fan, pillows, and some other necessary and unnecessary items. Then it was another dog walk to some green space followed by some down time for all of us. After I finish this, I'll take her out again before we go out for a couple of beers this evening. 

I've seen lots of dogs in town, including people with dogs in bars and restaurants, but I'm not ready for that just yet. She's doing great, walking nicely, non-reactive, but I want to introduce her to city life slowly. I also want to get her accustomed and comfortable being crated so we can leave her in the crate when we necessary. 

After the increasing anxiety and pressure to get everything ready before we left, I now feel that's all behind me and we both feel happy and relaxed, free of many things that had been weighing us down. I've already pulled some things out of my bag and said "why did I think I needed this?" 

Lille is nice and the temperature is wonderful. Best of all, no one here voted for Trump. 

The opera house in Lille

Bailey, pre-flight

On the drive from the airport in Paris to Lille, Bailey climbed up and sprawled across Clay's and my laps and tried to nap. I don't think she slept on the flight any more than I did.

Climbing the stairs in our new apartment.

She didn't pee, but she did roll on the grass in the green space near our place.

Trying to assimilate the local scents?

This building is just outside our window on the other side of the alley.

Waiting for me just outside the bathroom door, with toy in her mouth.

Our apartment is down this alleyway.

Bailey has never really had dog-friendly furniture to get up on. 

She didn't hesitate to hop up here.

We took shelter in an alcove when caught in a rain shower on Saturday's walk.

Bailey still loves to do an "up" on command.

We got her a nice new bed on Saturday.

Our home for the next 90 days is an AirB&B in an old building that has been modernized.

It's two floors, bedroom down below, and seems very functional.

We went shopping on Saturday for a little bit of food and some other things we'll need, but it is well equipped and furnished.