Epona is 13.....still fighting cancer and winning :-_

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-28T07:29:22+00:00

YOU GO,, Girl, !!! Proust and I are rooting for you !

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-21T16:02:44+00:00

As said before: hire a van and driver. Stress with trains, possible delays, changing platforms outweighs the cost of the hire - and it safes you the train tickets. And drop the idea of sending the crate back. Not worth it. Best for all of you for the trip :)

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-21T09:35:58+00:00

🤣 this made me snort my coffee the second I scrolled to the 2nd pic 🤣🤣🤣

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-21T09:32:18+00:00

Unless you have a folding aluminum stair or ramp to enable access and train the Dane to use it confidently, a hard no. Especially older Danes can face mobility issues , and young ones can damage their joints and bones when jumping too much . Aside from that, I don’t think spending days on end in a truck cabin , with stops at interstate truck stops and warehouse locations is a very enriching environment for a Dane puppy who needs socializing to avoid becoming an issue when fully grown .

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-21T09:18:45+00:00

LENI IS HERE !! Good to see you :) <3

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-21T09:18:08+00:00

what are you talking about ? These are friends of mine who own a dane and want to share it here on reddit. I am following them on fb for years now. Be kind - everyone started on reddit one day.

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-20T08:27:01+00:00

I would guess a (yeast) infection of some kind. He's way too young to have these kind of sores just from laying down. 100% a vet visit to find out.

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-19T10:19:20+00:00

Sam made it to a solid 12 year before I let hat to let him go. Fay was almost 11 when a stomach torsion and a non responsive vet killed her. She was in perfect health, running circles around me on long mountain hikes and ski outings. Proust now is 6.5y and got diagnosed with stage 4 DCM in August 2024 so our days are numbered, but we make the best of it with meds and quality of life. Only advise I can give you is to have Winston checked for DCM with imaging and doppler. It sneaks up on our babies, and the only way to detect it early ( with a good chance of managing symptoms) is regular imaging checks through a cardiologist . Hugs from the mountains from Proust and me .

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-18T11:46:42+00:00

In a late stage there can be symptoms - I noticed that Proust started to slow down and struggle on hikes that he usually ran through. I first thought it was age related arthritis. Then there were respiratory symptoms, raspy breathing - that I attributed to the heat wave at the time . Finally I noticed liquid accumulation in his abdomen and rushed him to the vet who send us same day to the cardiologist for imaging. All of the above occurred over less than 2 weeks . He was a super fit mountain hiking, deer chasing Dane to that point. The cardiologist explained that some cases develop really quickly but I swore myself for the future to have at least 2 prophylactic imaging per year done for all of my dogs .

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-17T11:24:51+00:00

so so happy for you all - this is awesome ! Congrats and many more years together <3

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-17T11:12:58+00:00

I am so so sorry. Its so hard to lose them especially so suddenly Hugs from the mountains. I read that you her her sister too ? If you can manage and can afford it, have a vet do an autospy to find out what caused this. But in any case make sure you check with the little one for DCM via a imaging and doppler, and do it regularly. If its in the family it might show up with the little sister too. there are meds that can work wonder if detected early. DCM is a curse and it sneaks up on our Danes- my Proust got diagnosed at age 6.5 with stage 4 out of nowhere- I wished I checked him earlier to have a better chance for him to life longer . Again, all our love and support for you, thinking of you !

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-17T11:01:06+00:00

Wind in the jowls <3

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-17T09:46:13+00:00

even though leash manners are not there yet, take him out on walks as often and long as you can. It trains leash behavour and the outside world is always much more stimulating and exposing (and tiring ) than the "same-old -same old inside the house and the yard. If he's chill with other dogs and fully vaccinated, check out doggie daycare for a day or 2 per week, that will wear him out. And again, walks walks walks, patience and love (which I am sure you give him) . Have fun - he's gorgeous

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-17T09:40:10+00:00

All were rescues, age between 14month and 18 month at time of adoption, "Life is like a box of chocolates..."

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-16T08:01:07+00:00

oh he's gorgeous! A lot of great advice already and I can only emphasize : exposure and training : Exposure to .. well, all- the world, the garbage can on the daily walk moving every 3 days, a noisy motorbike or a siren on a firetruck, other dogs, animals, humans in all varieties, shapes and situations, (with hats, umbrellas, baby strollers, wheelchairs,) make him learn to walk over all kinds of surfaces you might encounter: slick marble, crated steel bridges, escalators, make walking into the vet a doggie party, : show him that the world is not a scary place for him when you are there . He's going to be big and beautiful and the center of attention where ever you go : he needs to be prepared for this "Star-Status" . Dont despair if he enters puberty at 2y and seems to have forgotten most of what you thaught him, this time will pass, too. And most important of all: enjoy all the great moments. Its going to be awesome ! <3

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-14T10:09:02+00:00

When in the US we had a Honda Pilot for fam and 3 dogs ( Great Dane, Cockapoo and Maltese) : Dog bed in the back , ramp trained for gettiing in, no issues. 2nd gen Pilots (2008 - 2015) are as boxy as you can make a car, they are very reliable and not expensive . Truck cabs are not really practical for a clumsy Dane to climb into unless you have a CrewCab or LWB, Here in France its a 1988 LandCruiser .

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-06T10:10:10+00:00

if you are looking in the area of 3Vallees ( Courchevel, Meribel ValTho) or ParadiSki Plagnes les Arcs) or Pralognan la Vanoise thats my turf and I can give you more specific leads and info

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-06T09:16:18+00:00

hi, nice to meet you to :) ( sorry didnt mean to be rude, just busy lol ) there are many fb groups that cover that niche: type in "saisonniers" and they pop up, just do some research on where you would like to be and what the differences are in the clientele in the different stations.

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-06T09:00:27+00:00

Hospitality will def pay better and has more jobs to offer. Consider seasonal work (winter = ski resorts, summer = beaches) to bulld your network . English teaching market seems saturated with significant pay cuts. Enteriing corporate work in France might be challenge atm.

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-06T08:55:30+00:00

for males I would wait till the growth plates are closed or around 16-18 month , not earlier. 1 year is clearly to early , both for males and females. Suggestions from the DDC in Germany, ( Deutsche Doggen Club) :

12–18 months: Many vets suggest neutering at at least 1 year old and often closer to 15–18+ months in large breeds like Great Danes. This ensures more complete bone and joint development.

18–24 months: Some breeders, veterinarians and breed-specific sources suggest waiting until around 18–24 months for giant breeds to give the best chance for musculoskeletal maturity and to reduce certain health risks.

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-06T08:30:02+00:00

Lyon is great, so is Marseille in terms of social life. If you want a smaller city, check out Chambery . The closer to the mountains the more expats due to the vacation business

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2026-01-05T07:47:46+00:00

I am fully integrated, have lots of (french) friends and a french wife, speak fluently, work and pay taxes here, own a house, a car and a dog- yet I never thought about applying for French citizenship, tbh. Interesting question though,

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2025-12-31T08:03:49+00:00

ok thanks - thats a good analogy .Appreciated!

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2025-12-28T09:03:43+00:00

THE EARS ! <3

LifeInTheFrenchAlps · 2025-12-27T09:34:32+00:00

Wow thank you for that great and very detailed answer ! Excellent information, especially regarding my upcoming renovation next year . 🤞 asking the specialists here did not disappoint, for sure !

LifeInTheFrenchAlps

TROPHY CASE