Dog Trots Globe - To Paris & Provence (A Sheltie Goes to France) [Hardcover]

Sheron Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2011

Join Chula, a 9-year-old Sheltie, as she travels from California to France. This lively and often funny adventure finds Chula sniffing around the boulangeries, lavender fields, and big outdoor markets of Provence. In Paris, she trots across the Seine, stands on her hind legs in awe of the Eiffel Tower, and attends opening night at a gallery. Through vivid color photographs and Chula's unique perspective, you'll experience Paris and Provence in a delightful way and see why Chula says, "It's a dog's life there!"

- A fun read with a dog's eye view of France.

- More than 150 color photographs of Paris and Provence.

- Anecdotes on French life and info on everything from cheeses to the Eiffel Tower.

- Helpful Afterword on pet travel.

- 4 bonus videos (available online). Visit markets of Provence, experience 3,000 sheep on the run, admire the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and take a glorious walk with Chula through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

- Online Extras on French travel, dog fun, and free downloads.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: OIC Books; 1ST edition (2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936951002
• ISBN-13: 978-1936951000
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,106,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #95 in Books > Travel > Europe > France > Provence

More About the Author

Sheron Long

Sherry first visited France as a student in Grenoble and has returned dozens of times to soak in the joie de vivre. The best trip, though, was when Chula came along. Relying on her years as a publisher, Sherry coaxed Chula into telling the true story of her travels and then turned Chula's barks into print.

Chula Wula D'Augue

Chula, whose first name means "pretty" in Spanish, is a 9-year-old, 30-pound Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) with a true sense of adventure. Whether chasing squirrels in her backyard in Carmel Valley, California, or evicting feline squatters from her backyard in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Chula gives it her all. She's always ready to drop everything and go on a trip to town or across the globe. And she does it all with that lovely Sheltie smile.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Dog's Life - Bliss! April 28, 2012

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Sheron Long has created one of the most entertaining AND educational travel books about France available on the market. And she has accomplished this in the most warmly and friendly way. The book is actually 'written' by Chula, the 9-year-old Sheltie, as she accompanies Sheron and her husband Robert on a trip from the Carmel Valley in California via air to France. All of the little niceties are included from Chula's viewpoint - the flight in a cage, arrival in an airport without grass 'facilities' and the journey to Provence. Once in Provence the reader is introduced to the glories of French cuisine, ambience, markets, extraordinary lavender fields and sunflowers a la Van Gogh by means of photographs - richly colorful images on literally every page - all through the eyes of our guide Chula.

There is of course a side trip to Paris and we view the magic of that City of Light through Chula's eager eyes (as well as the photographers who offer more inside information about the city that we expect). There are helpful footnotes by the author that explain customs, sites, history, and types of cheeses etc that make the book very valuable as a resource. The book ends with a final view of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence before heading back to California. In the course of this brief book we learn more about the joie de vivre of the French than many other books offer - and perhaps that is because the book is so gloriously unpretentious. Sheron Long does add an afterword about traveling with animals that is most helpful to those readers who want to mimic the experience of Chula and the Longs. This is a delightful romp of a book - a great little bread and butter gift to leave when visiting friends! Grady Harp, April 12

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and Interesting, both Dog and Her Tale/Tail! May 12, 2012

By Maria C. Cuadro

Format:Kindle Edition

I just finished Dog Trots Globe - To Paris & Provence, and it left a big smile on my face - I'd wag if I had a tail to wag with! I'm so glad Sheron's 9 year-old Sheltie, Chula, was willing to give us readers a 'dog's-eye-view' of her travels. This part-travelogue, part-canine memoir took a refreshing approach, showcased an endearing narrator, and used beautiful photographs to liven the tale. The book's enhanced version gave added delightful and surprising sound bytes and videos to enrich the reading experience.

Chula's journey began at Carmel Valley in California where she prepared for the longest stretch of her travel - a plane ride to France. Most of Chula's visit was spent in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, but there were interesting adventures in Sault, Roussillon, and Paris. Chula regaled me with tales of 'boulangeries' (bakeries) to sniff, Market Days to enjoy, fields of sunflowers and lavender to explore. She gave me tips on how sensitive noses visit a 'fromagerie' (cheese shop), on how to locate the next 'grass facility' during long plane and bullet train rides, and how to make sense of the many signs and rules for four-legged creatures in bustling Paris. And when Chula's tale was done and she was back enjoying her creature comforts in California, Sheron Long was kind enough in the Afterword to supply me with tips and important considerations when taking one's pet to France.

I was immediately won over when I saw the first shot of Chula - she was aptly named, with "Chula" meaning "pretty" in Spanish. An adventure with this adorable star was certain to bring a smile and a chuckle my way! But Sheron Long did more than let Chula's good looks do the work - the book's lighthearted tone and easy-going pace helped me enjoy a lot of interesting information about France and Provence's different regions without getting bogged down by too many details. Readers who get a printed copy of the book will find the beautiful pictures a breathtaking accent to Chula's account of her travels, and Darius Detwiler's illustrations add a sweet charm to the printed pages. Readers who can access the enhanced version of the book will find the accompanying videos a vibrant description of the sights and sounds Chula experienced - I had no idea what a deafening ruckus a street full of sheep and goats would make! No wonder Chula ran for cover - not one of her shining moments, but even a Shetland Sheepdog can only take so much sheep-wise. Seeing that video of the La Transhumance (the herding of livestock from the lowlands to the highland grazing grounds every Spring during Pentecost), definitively drove that point home to me!

Dog Trots Globe - To Paris & Provence was a delightful read, and its appeal will touch many different kinds of readers. Would I recommend it to dog-loving Francophiles? That's preaching to the converted, really - but I would hazard that Chula herself would win over a cat-loving Francophile, and dog-lovers who have never given France a second thought would enjoy it through Chula's eyes. I also think that even if the reader is still quite young, say about 5 years old and up, the enhanced version could possibly start a curious young mind to thinking about France and other interesting places to see and learn about. So I'll say Highly Recommended, and wait around to see if Chula decides to travel again - I would love to hear about where she'll go next!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dog Trots Globe, Writes Memoir! December 29, 2012

By Dan StYves

Format:Hardcover

Is "Dog Trots Globe - To Paris & Provence" a travel memoir, a guide book, or a fun look at France from a dog's perspective?

Turns out, a little of all those elements. "Dog Trots Globe" recalls a getaway to various parts of France as recalled by Shetland sheepdog Chula, as she accompanies her human travel companions (as the title suggests) from Paris to Provence.

Transcribed by Sheron Long, filled with pages of photographs by Robert Long, and illustrated by Darius Detwiler, Chula Wula D'Augue marvels at this experience,and provides some good-natured laughs along the way. I particularly enjoyed the recurring "dog humour" (I hated to "hound" the guy at the sausage table) that sneaks in repeatedly throughout the book.

Chula is wide-eyed, primarily polite and curious about every new experience, and readers get to discover France alongside her own meanderings. From bees to sheep, from lavender fields to historic landmarks, Chula soaks in everything with all the wonder you might expect of a first time visitor. Even if she is a canine!

Along the way readers also get tips on traveling with their own four-legged companions, including an Afterword that expands in detail on bringing your pup to a foreign country. Everything from the appropriate crate to use, along with sufficient food and water, and the inevitable paperwork requirements are covered, with links to online resources. Not just a travel memoir, valuable advice for your pet's travel safety!

"Dog Trots Globe" is fun, informative, and a primer if you've never been to France. I don't think you'd have to try too hard to convince Chula to return. Bring this along for the flight if you're going - it's available in hardcover, e-Book, and an enhanced version with iPad with embedded videos!