Panda à Paris

People we haven't seen in a while (like Talya and Ari, our current visitors) always ask how Panda is adjusting to life in Paris, usually with the implied subtext of her anxiety issues. We always say she's doing great, and then have a hard time describing what exactly is so great about her life here. Maybe pictures would help.

Mostly, Panda's life is great because she spends so much of it sleeping. She probably sleeps - or lays down, curled up or sprawling on her side - around 20 hours a day. You'd be pretty satisfied with your life too if you slept that much.

Of the four hours per day she's awake, a good hour and a half is devoted to walks. We take Panda to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont morning and afternoon, and to her special nighttime pee spot just before bed. In the park, Panda frequently runs off-leash, especially when there are other dogs around. But even when we keep her on-leash, she still gets to make plenty of new friends. We're slowly but surely learning the names of the dogs (if not the dog-owners) who are "regulars" at morning romps.


Then there are more infrequent adventures, like going on errands with one or both of us, hanging out at a café, or catching a glimpse of a stilt-walking lesson.


Yup, Panda's got it made. Now if only she would sleep a little less, and spend a little more time helping me with my research . . .