Years ago, when I lived in the South of France, I adopted a dog. Everyone had a dog, and dogs rode buses, they waited patiently outside groceries or slept in boutiques. We later moved in with my parents in the States. Someone was always home to help with doggie walks and outings.
In the last 15 years, the kids have grown up and moved away from home. I now have two cats. When I am away, a good friend visits once a day to socialize with them and let them on the screened porch.
Currently, I am fostering a rescue dog. But I’m finding numerous challenges that I didn’t remember from earlier years with kids and pets. Not problems with the dog or compatibility of pets but the lack of personnel or places to take the dog! Dogs require attention—they need to be let out several times a day. Plus, there are few cafes that accept pets on the outside terrace.
If you can't live in France, the ideal solution seems to be to live in dog-friendly neighborhoods. Pet people know one another from walks or play in the dog parks. Usually, someone is available to keep your dog or step in several times a day to help out.
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