Friday, September 10, 2010

A Postcard From Benjy

Readers! Fans! Bipeds and Quadrupeds (including Feline Ones)!
Over the course of the summer, many of you have inquired about my whereabouts and spirits - thank you for keeping The dachshund in your hearts. I gave my amanuensis/assistant/nanny/owner some time off these past two months and went on adventures of my own.
From my home in California, I flew to Paris in early July; there I was feted as I should be. I then took the train to Normandy, where my warm hostess was one Dame Elizabeth. I roamed gardens and paths in the vicinity of the D-Day beaches, and also worked out an agreement with my hostess's husband: as his appetite waned, I kindly helped him polish off the steaks on his plate and for a while, no one was the wiser. Yum. A few weeks later I headed for Lafitte, the manor in South-Western France where I always spend parts of my summer, ruling over the park while my assistant's mother made apricot preserves in the kitchen.
Finally, I hopped once again into my silver Mercedes, dozing off on my personal backseat checkered blanket as we drove to Belgium for dear Celinoo's wedding; during the cocktail, many prominent, international guests came by the Mercedes to curtsy or bow before me, and during the ceremony, as Mary-Laure walked up to the mike to read her limerick, a song composed and performed by the bride in my honor played in the background ("Benjy Pipi", hopefully soon available on iTunes).
And now?
My assistant is shuttling between Los Angeles and New York for work, so to avoid all those flights that disrupt my activities (meditation, soccer, digestion), I have stayed in Paris. But I will join her again soon, either in our LA home or, if all goes well, in our new home, in a city whose name I will shush for the time being...
Love, Benjy

31 comments:

donna baker said...

Well Benjy, you are a teaser. Would that I could travel like you. And, you look just like my Mr. Winky. Do you understand French and Italian? What little Mansy. I don't know how your Mom is going to make it without you.

Laura in Paris said...

May I add that today, Sunday, Benjy is off to Honfleur and Trouville, in Normandy. We go for some oysters ... though he must hope to get a bone ...

BENJY said...

DONNA - Oh I would love to meet Mr Winky some day. Dachshunds of the world, unite!
Certo, parlo italiano, parlo benissimo! Ciao!

Anonymous said...

Pour que je sois bien le pere de ma maitresse a compris qu'il fallait remettre le plaid sur MA banquette a l'arriere de SA voiture; il le fait sceance tenante.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Benjy, it sounds like you've had an extraordinary summer. How grand your assistant is so delightfully fey :-). I will be back often to read of your adventures. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Giulia said...

Oh Noble Hound,

I shall return for a proper & baroque statement to you. Today is a solemn day in Washington & NYC (elsewhere) & so my maman is busy. She told me she would take my dictation as soon as possible. I insisted that she write down this preliminary missive so as not to seem ungrateful for the mention of Felines at the beginning of your most interesting postcard.

To leaven the seriousness of the day, our verification word is, yes, 'cattine.' It is a sign, Benjy.

PS: You get to go to Normandy?! I am so deprived. Sniff.

Giulia, la Gattina

Gabbi said...

awww... Benjy, you write the nicest postcards. I loved reading about your adventures and am quite intrigued on this new mysterious city you mention. *bises* to you and your lovely Mary-Laure!

Mary-Laure said...

ANONYMOUS - ah oui, Benjy adore son petit plaid!

GIULIA - I know that Benjy was thinking of you and Petimoo when he mentioned Felines at the beginning of the postcard.
Yes, he is off to Normandy this weekend. Trouville, Honfleur, places haunted by my dear, dear Flaubert.
Gattina, how dare you say you are deprived when you have your very own kitty house at Susan's place! Really, you sound ungrateful.

Penney said...

Benjy,
Consider yourself hugged and scratched!! You are so darling!
xo,
Penney

spoonful said...

What a great summer you had!

Robin said...

Ah, mon petite "Oracle"....you know that your "Assistant" loves you dearly and makes sure you are well looked after with her "staff" wherever you go....all of this travel will help you grow your "psychic powers"....and when you settle in your new home with your "PAML"....(aka personal assistant Mary-Laure) - life will be even richer and better! (Not too much sirloin though....)

Hugs to you both,

♥ Robin ♥

BENJY said...

PENNEY - scratch my belly please, that's my favorite place!

ROBIN - ah yes, her staff, maybe I should thank them in my next postcard/speech. Remind me to tip them too.

Arlene said...

Thank goodness the pup is well. I have been missing my Benjy updates. And now where are you moving????? Can't wait to find out!

Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Oh, so fantastic to hear from Benjy. He sure lives the life..! And a NEW city..! Ah, the anticipation and wait will surely kill me - but I will try to keep my cool. :)

love,
-maria

Mary-Laure said...

ARLENE & MARIA - really, I was sworn to secrecy and could not possibly tell you anything about my possible relocation. Let's just say I am going to order 4 boots for my paws and a duffle coat...

Giulia said...

Ah, Susan here. Giulia is sulking in her little house. I think she's a bit ashamed of her high-pawpad-ness. And she forgot that she had her own little house...sent to her, btw, by a friend. One of several who spoil her rotten. Seriously, she receives packages from UPS & USPS & FedEx. All I do is sign & open them, haul out recycling, put things together. She even, the nerve, throws her self into the boxes, as she would like those to stay in the apt. - along with the presents.

And now I feel a little guilty for complaining because she just came out & flung her long-legged self onto the floor in a most dramatic fashion.

ciao bellissimo, Benjy

simon said...

what a cool traveller! My "rat bag" tenterfield terrier travels from the back of the house onto other neighbours lawns, barks non stop at people, birds, lizards. Kills snakes, bites my sons best friend..

Come to think of it- Does Benjy want a travel partner? I am happ y to pay for a one way ticket! ahaha

J Elaine said...

What an exciting life you lead, little Benjy! I hope that our paths will cross soon. I miss you SO.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

It's a dog's life!!! that is one lucky pup!! xxx Julie

BENJY said...

SUSAN - yes well, I am sure Giulia La Gatta deserves all those lavish presents.
This reminds me to add a dog house to my X-mas wish list.

SIMON - oh YEAH, I love having pals around! Send your pooch by certified mail ASAP please. But don't tell Mary-Laure, she thinks one pup is way more than enough.
Also, I hope to see pics of your dog on your blog some time.

J ELAINE - sigh. I miss our play and your tenderness and going all the way up to your little aerie in the Paris sky.
I am in Paris right now so if you go there soon, maybe we could get together.

JULIE - a dog's life indeed!!!

Taocito said...

Oh but do tell us more about this wonderful song. What is it about? Where can one find it?

Sam said...

Oh Benjy! Thank you so much you sweet noble creature you for that eloquent up date of your adventures and tours of Europe and the States these past few months! It was a very entertaining and informative read! How in heavens your dear Mary-Laure is coping without you I don't know! She must be counting down the days until she is reunited with her dashing companion!

BENJY said...

TAOCITO - that was a beautiful song, a celebration of my, er, unique ways. A bit on the libelous side at the end but otherwise witty and great fun. I liked the piano arrangement and most of all the cheerful barking at the beginning and the end.

SAM - how she copes without me I do not know either! I am sure she is most miserable without my company. Hopefully we will be together again very soon.

Sammi said...

Hooray for Benjy!

What a beautiful summer it sounds like he's been having.

I wonder where your new city might be, Mary Laure..?

J Elaine said...

Dear Benjy, You will be the first invited guest back to my aerie! A christening of it in all the usual spots with a view on the Eiffel Tower! Wait 'til I get my hands on you...

Mary-Laure said...

KEITH - sounds like you have exciting plans! Keep us posted!

SAMMI - believe me, as soon as the plans are confirmed, my blog readers will be the first ones to know.

Annie said...

Benjy, I am a little late, but I am so glad to know what adventures you have been on. I have missed you so, you dear, sweet angel.
xoxo

Fifi Flowers said...

GREAT photo!!! Good to know you are living the life there in France... I would love to be along with you... your adventures sound FAB!!!

BENJY said...

Annie - ah yes I am a dear sweet angel but I am also a little devilish sometimes, he he he...

FIFI - there are several of your lovely paintings in the room where I sleep in Paris!

Kwana said...

Hi Benjy! So glad to hear from you. Hello from the Jackster!

Elsa May said...

My Benjy I confess I am quite envious of your life - sounds quite 'the dog's life' indeed