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A new life in Southern Brittany
 Paul
and Elaine Clark and their daughter Cheryl, Gracie, Ficelle and Haïyla, their 'girls' and Harry
the cat left the stress of the UK behind back in 2004 to make a new life for themselves in
France, following a dream that dates back to when Elaine was 17. Paul was a police officer and
Elaine was a French teacher. Cheryl had just completed her A-levels, when she announced, at the
age of 17 - just like her Mum - that she wanted to live in France. This time they didn’t
hesitate. They sold up and went for it!
For
the last five years, we have called the armpit of France our home! Brittany is the 'arm,' the
west coast the side of the body - and the Vilaine Estuary is, therefore, the armpit. We live in
a quiet hamlet, surrounded by fields and woodland, near the banks of the river Vilaine. We are
just a short drive from the beautiful coastline and minutes away from the picturesque, medieval
town of La Roche-Bernard. The area is wildlife-rich, to put it mildly. Red Squirrels, Hoopoes,
Black Kites, Black Woodpeckers, White Storks, Swallowtail butterflies and much more. Our garden
list is impressive! We are close to the nature reserve La Grande Brière – a miniature version
of the Norfolk Broads.
 Now
Cheryl is more French than English, working full-time and living with Renaud, (son amour*)
and Daisy, her blue merle BC! Elaine teaches English in six primary schools and also to adults
and children privately. Paul runs our two dog-friendly gîtes, or holiday cottages. Our passions
are – old Volvos (Paul) and for Cheryl and Elaine it's wildlife and photography.
Above
all, we share a passion for our dogs
Our first
two mutts, Bill and Ben were wonderful, but completely un-trained! The loss of our 'boys' just
a few weeks apart at ages 17 and 14 years respectively left us devastated. Almost a year later
we plucked up the courage to visit the local RSPCA. Giving a home to a dog-in-need didn’t quite
seem so much like disloyalty. So two days before Christmas Day 2002 Gracie came to live with
us.
 Gracie,
a Sprollie, was nine months old and terrified of everyone and everything, having spent her life
being beaten. We decided to enrol in the local dog training club 'just for a few weeks' to help
her socialise. Under the very capable guidance of Wendy Mercer - thanks Wendy, if you are out
there reading this - Gracie and Elaine completed the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme,
gaining the Gold Award just a year later! Six years on and we are still training every day – we
just can’t stop!
Before
leaving the UK, we joined an agility club and Gracie began to learn the sport. Enter Ficelle,
another Sprollie and another rescue, this time from Irish Collie Rescue – not beaten, but
starving. Just a month later we left for France. Building work, finding jobs, getting to grips
with French administration, setting up the gîte business... there was always something getting
in the way of finding a dog club.
Finally, in 2006 we set about trying to find a dog club. We visited so many clubs with the
'Maître Chien' attitude (training by submission) that we began to despair. The few clubs that
practiced training in a way that was acceptable to us, proved to be badly run and lacked
organisation. so we set about creating an agility course at home to keep the training going.
Then
came a big blow. Elaine fell into the river from a pontoon -it's okay, you can laugh - and
dislocated her right shoulder which was not so funny! Complications set in during the
healing process and she was off work for six months and continuing physio 18 months
later! Another set back for Gracie's career.
 Then,
via a chance meeting, everything changed.
We met Michelle Johnston of Pottery Pets. Michelle is not only a talented sculptor,
but a very capable and caring dog trainer. She competed in Agility at Crufts with her blue
merle Acer, representing France in 2008. She helped us join a fantastic dog club called Club
Canin Luçonnais, situated a good two hour drive south, but where Michelle and Elaine are
welcomed with open arms! Michelle has become a very good friend and has brought on Elaine's
handling skills as much as she has helped Gracie’s accuracy on the agility course.
We
obtained our Certificat d'Aptitude à l’Education Sociale du Chien in February this year. This
is a requirement for those wanting to compete in France.
Our first
competition was in Rennes on Sunday, 19 April 2009. We did three courses and came away with two
'Very goods' because of time faults due to the fact that I was stressed-out and
determined not to make a mistake - and one 'Excellent.' There were 62 dogs in our class
for each course. - The final course was so tricky that 30 of these were eliminated! Gracie
didn't put a paw wrong. We were in the time allowed and finished 9th. I think we can hold our
heads high!
We
have also caught the dancing bug! Our first performance was a guest-appearance at the opening
of a new dog club in Chateaubriant – with the Mayor and local dignitaries in attendance. Gracie
and Elaine strutted their stuff to All That Jazz and the crowd went wild - well, clapped
at least! This
video is of the first dance we did, our first ever in public. We did it four times
throughout the day, plus agility though we only did jumps, weaves and tunnel and slowly as the
floor was too slippy to risk running. There were 200 visitors throughout the day and lots of
people signed up for the new club - which was the aim.
Even
the latest member of the Clark family, Haïyla, joined in the fun and gave a very impressive
demonstration of her obedience skills. She had just turned five months! Maeglin Haïyla is a
pedigree Border Collie. French rules do not allow crosses to compete at the top of the sport -
a bone of contention for many of us! She also happens to be Acer's great-niece! Watch this
space!
 And
the holiday cottages?
Historically, 90 % of our visitors have holidayed with their dogs and a very large
number have returned - many again and again. We are ideally situated for that perfect doggy
holiday. Surrounded by fantastic walking (our girls regularly swim in the river) and not far
from beaches where dogs are permitted. Most of the local restaurants welcome well-behaved dogs.
We
give demonstrations of agility and dancing to guests and our guests are welcome to use the
agility equipment. We will shortly be offering agility breaks – including workshops and the
possibility of entering a local competition during your stay. Contact us for more details or
visit our web site.
* Son amour is
French for 'her sweetheart or the love of her life!'
First published 28 April 2009
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