So Rune and I were in the woods….I came across a nice black short lead leash that someone must have left.  It was pretty far back on a trail that takes a bit to get around so I took it. I had a walking stick stolen once so I was going to try to find the owner of the leash.

I came across a group of 4 women, a man and 5 dogs, 2 being Malinois….The people were obviously French. I explained that I had found the leash and did they lose it? Well, this caused a 30 minute delay in my finishing my walk and then on to the next thing.

First the man had to look it over, I handed it to him. They then thought they knew a woman who lost one but it was maroon ( brown) …this one was black. They debated the color for at least 5 minutes, then the length…it is short and I think it is for a big dog to have maximum control. …This was debated. ( I had had this conversation with myself in my head previously and didn’t need to have it with them. 

The woman continued to try to reach someone.

Then they took a photo of it. The man held onto it. He didn’t want to let it go. After all, I am en etranger!

Finally, I said….

DONC! Do you want to keep it and post it on the FB group or do you want me to…a long conversation ensued….eventually I said

DONC! Yes or no? They laughed, my patience was waning. I explained  that I heard a lot of French but no yes or no…do you want to take it? ( there was a younger woman with a Malinois who stared, almost salivating at the bunch off sticks I had collected for firewood. She had to keep stopping him, but she could see that I was getting frustrated with all of the subterfuge and unnecessary banter. She laughed. I think younger people in France are now getting away from this long musing on your shoelace.) 

I love the word DONC...it mean "in summary" or, OK then "...lets get to it.

I decided I had had enough and took it from the man and told them…I will give you my phone #. If it is not your friends, I will post it in the afternoon.

And that is what I did.

They were very nice but I am and will always be a New Yorker ( born and bred) and have zero patience.

I have said before and this is a good example, the French could talk about a crust of bread on the sidewalk for 20 minutes.

To be continued….