Albi

It is SO nice to be reunited with Albi after almost an entire summer apart. We really missed him, especially after we arrived in Paris and were exploring our new area. The kids kept saying 'Albi would love this!' and they definitely missed cuddling him before bed. He has settled into the apartment so well (although his second day was a nightmare!) and he has got used to apartment living. Although Paris is dog-friendly and Albi gets a lots of fuss on the streets, Paris parks are most definitely not dog-friendly! We have two incredible parks nearby, the Jardin des Plantes and the Jardin du Luxembourg, however Albi isn't allowed into the JdeP at all and is only allowed in a small part of the JduL! However, we're very close to the river and that is great for walking along; we often meet other dog-walkers and there's no traffic to worry about (although we don't let Albi off the lead here). It has the added benefit of being a really lovely walk that passes the Pantheon and Notre Dame so I enjoy the view-even if Albi doesn't care! On the days where I have French and don't have time for a long walk with Albi, Sam takes him for a run early in the morning to burn off steam. 

We were worried about Albi making a lot of noise in the apartment but he has been very good. He used to gallop around the London house but he has adapted to the smaller apartment and waits until he's outside to let off steam. His biggest problem are the three cats in our apartment block-two of them delight in tormenting the poor dog. They sit on plant pots, flicking their tails and staring at him as we walk past, much to his frustration! However, one thing he loves about Paris is the cafe culture. Occasionally if Sam is working from home, we stop for a coffee and croissant after we've dropped the kids at school (shhh, don't tell Leila and Harry as they'd never forgive us!) and we always take Albi along. He loves sitting under the cafe table, hoovering up croissant crumbs and getting stroked and petted by people passing by. My French conversation teacher laughs about the English and their fixation with their dogs and I have to admit its true-we are obsessed and he is our third baby! He obviously thinks so too as he's sitting on my knee as I write this!