The Original TinTin

Also in Grande Place is the TinTin shop where you can buy everything TinTin including posters, mugs, t-shirts, books etc.)

The TinTin Shop near Grand Place in Brussles

A Dog Kerchief or Dog Bandana with European Style!

Spring is in the air and the snow is finally gone here in Lyon and all the pretty spring flowers are poking their heads through the grass. To celebrate this wonderful time of year, I want to show you how to make a beautiful dog kerchief in a TinTin & Oliver style. As I am not a sewing expert, I will let my mum tell you how to do this! I did help in process by acting as a model and also sitting under the sewing machine pedal, which I was told was not really that much of a help……….

Here is what you will need:

1. Small amount of your favorite fabric (we are using Liberty of London fabric which has wonderful array of different flower designs, but you can use anything you like)
2. Small amount of tracing paper
3. Scissors
4. Sewing Machine ( you can sew this without a sewing machine)
5. Thread that matches fabric
6. Tape measure
7. Button and ribbon for decoration

Step 1) Measure your dog’s neck circumference. In this example we are working with a dog who has a neck size of 14”.

Step 2) Make sure you have enough length of fabric for your dog’s neck size, plus an additional 3-4” on each side so that  you leave enough length to tie the kerchief around your dog’s neck. In our example, we have taken 14” plus an additional 8” (4” for each end of the kerchief) for a total length of the top side of the kerchief at 22”.

Step 3) Determine the triangle size for the kerchief. This should be relatively easy, we promise there is no rocket science here….  if you have a shorter dog, then the triangle will need to be shorter, whereas if you have a larger dog, the triangle will need to be longer. In our example, we are working with a jack Russell who has a larger neck, but who is very short, so our triangle has to be shorter with very long sides. The triangle pattern we will be making for our friend Paddy, has a top length of 22” with a 4” height (for a larger dog the triangle height could be increased to 6-8” or more as necessary)

Step 4) Draw your triangle on tracing paper first. To do this, take a piece of tracing paper, measure out the longest side of the triangle on the straight edge of the paper to be the length of the dog’s neck plus 3-4” extra per side (for a total of dog’s neck size plus 6-8”) in our example above this is 22”.  Find the center point along this line (for us this was 11”) and draw a straight line to determine the height of the triangle. We decided that 4” height of the triangle worked well for Paddy’s height.

So far you would have drawn the following on the tracing paper

Using a ruler, draw the other sides of the triangle. Then cut out your kerchief pattern.

Step 5) Before cutting the fabric, this would be the time to check how the kerchief pattern you have created fits your dog. You can hold the tissue paper pattern around your dog’s neck to make sure the triangle is a good size and also the length (you can always quickly adjust the pattern if needed or create a new one, rather than cut the fabric incorrectly. It is always better to measure twice and cut once !

When you are ready to cut the fabric, fold your fabric length ways, then again sideways, like the diagram below:

Step 6) Now you have cut your fabric, you should have a double triangle shape like below:

Using an iron fold the two triangles in the middle line that joins them together and put the two points together making sure the fabric is inside out.

Using your sewing machine or sewing by hand, sew down side A and sew down side B (you are sewing the two triangle sides of the fabric together to form the kerchief, but making sure not to completely finish side B, so you can push the fabric through to the right side.

Step 7) Now all you have to do is push the fabric through to the correct side through the small opening you have left (usually a knitting needle is a good way to push the fabric through to the right side. Sew down the last part of side B (closing the opening) and the kerchief is ready for decoration. We have used a ribbon tied in a bow with a silver button as our decoration, but you can be creative and use anything you would like to decorate. Just make sure to put the decoration on the triangle of the kerchief, not on the side as it might interfere with tying the kerchief around your dog’s neck.

voilà- your spring doggie kerchief is ready to wear – prêt à porter!

Here are some of our friends wearing kerchiefs made by TinTin and Oliver  …………

Our friend Johnny in Los Angeles with his TinTin & Oliver Kerchief

Here is our friend Johnny again with another doggie kerchief made by TinTin and Oliver. You look very cute Johnny

Our Friend Ben-Her (and Paddy) in Guildford, England wearing a TinTin and Oliver style kerchief

Happy Halloween!

  The weather is turning colder and there are pumpkins abundantly available at all the fresh food markets here in France.  It is almost Halloween and if you like to dress up at Halloween, then chances are, you might enjoy putting together an outfit for your dog as well. I like to join in the fun…well…sometimes…it does depend on the outfits I have to wear!

For Halloween costumes for dogs, there are a few choices:

1. Purchase a Costume:

Here are some tips for purchasing an outfit for your dog: Click Here

2. Sew a costume:

Here are some links to some sewing patterns you can purchase:

Sewing Pattern Option One 

Sewing Pattern Option Two

Sewing Pattern Option Three

Sewing Pattern Option Four

3. Creating  from what you already have 

As a third option,  you can put something together from things that you already have in the house or can easily buy – and instead of using the items just once (like a hot dog costume), you could use them more often. Oliver and I took a little time to put together some simple but French inspired costumes from items we already had in the house (plus a baby beret and some string to attach it on with).

French Fisherman Outfit

Oliver in his French Fisherman Outfit for Halloween

Items Needed:

1. White, black or navy blue dog sweater
2. Small neck scarf ( borrowed from our mum’s closet)
3. Baby/child beret ( from a children’s store)

Moi, in my French Fisherman Outfit

French Artist

Oliver in his Matisse Halloween outfit - he just needs an easel, paintbrush and a pipe!

Items Needed:

1.TinTin and Oliver Shirt

2. Small neck scarf ( borrowed from our mum’s closet)

3. Baby/child beret (brought from a children’s store)

Other French Inspired Ideas:

Female  Chanel Model:

1. Beret
2. Piece of fake fur trim from local sewing shop

We did not get time to put a photo of this together, but for a female dog, you can buy a small baby beret(black is the best color), add a little string to hold in place and also look for some inexpensive fur trim from a sewing shop and use it like a “fur” wrap on your dog (secure with a safety pin) and your dog will be fabulous.

Jacques Tati:

Mon Oncle - Jacques Tati

1. Baby Beret (black is best) or some sort of miniature hat (try Claire’s Accessory Shops)

2. Dog trench coat or Sports Jacket

3. Miniature Pipe (attach to coat )

This could be a lot of fun! If you have ever watched Jacques Tati in the films Mon Oncle or Les Vacances de M. Hulot, you will instantely recognize this beloved French film character.

French Halloween Recipe for Pumpkin Soup:

Wondering what to do with the pumpkin insides when you carve your pumpkin for Halloween? You can make a fantastic Pumpkin soup! Pumpkin or Potiron in French, makes a delicious soup and you can actually use the inside of the pumpkin that you are carving out for Halloween to make this soup.

French Halloween Pumpkin Soup

What You Need:

1. Inside of the pumpkin (around4 -7 cups – size up how much you can fit into your large saucepan (until about 3/4 full)
2. 1 Onion (chopped)
3. 2 Shallots (chopped)
4. Flat Leaf Parsley, (handful, chopped)
5.  Butter (of course… it is a French recipe!!:))
6. Good quality vegetable stock (2-4 bouillon cubes)
7. Salt and pepper to taste
8. Nutmeg and Crème Fresh (or full fat yogurt)
9. Hand Held Mixer
10. Large Saucepan

Directions

1. Cut up pumpkin insides into small cubes or if you already scooped out the inside in small pieces then it is not necessary to cut into cubes.
2. Chop onions and shallots
3. Heat large saucepan with 1 tablespoon of butter – medium heat, add shallots and onion and sauté for 5-10 mins on low heat
4. At the same time boil enough water to cover ¾ of  the saucepan
5. Once onions and shallots are heated, add parsley and pumpkin
6. Add vegetable bouiillon cubes and hot water – make sure water covers all the pumpkin and if necessary add a third or forth vegetable bouiillon cube for taste if you have a very large saucepan and lots of pumpkin.
7. After soup comes to a boil, reduce to a low heat and simmer for 35-40 mins.
8. Once pumpkin is soft, take soup off the heat and carefully (as soup is hot!) use the hand mixer to blend the soup until all pumpkin is blended.
9. Serve in bowls and add some grated nutmeg, crème fresh and little bit of parsely for decoration to each portion

Yummy!!

Have a Fantastic Halloween!

TinTin xx

Dog Travel: Travelling with your Dog from America to France:  Dogs and Airlines

 Dog Friendly Airlines

Air France - Great for Small Dogs & Travelling to France and within Europe

British Airways and Virgin Airlines don’t allow small dogs in the cabin (come on guys – let us travel with our parents!!), so we looked for a company who would let me fly in the cabin and we ended up flying with Air France (which was great because I flew on a direct flight from Paris/Los Angeles/Paris). It was a great experience and they even let me get me out of the bag during some of the flight (although I am not sure if they would let you always do this- it might depend on the crew).  Your dog can travel in the cabin if the dog and the bag weigh less than 13 pounds (6 kg). The cost is relatively low – somewhere between $70-$150; however, make sure you call and book a place in advance, they only allow a certain amount of dogs on each flight. Remember to always ask what the airlines require in terms of paper work as it can be slightly different that what your destination country requires.

Unfortunately if your dog is larger than this he/she will have to go in the hold. But do not be dismayed,  British Airways and Virgin Airlines place animals that are travelling in the hold in the temperature regulated section on the plane and keep the lights dimmed to help  the animals stay calm.

Swiss Air and Lufthansa also let’s you take your dog on board up to 17.6 pounds (8kg)!!

Swiss Air Information for Travelling Pets – Click Here

Lufthansa Information for Travelling Pets – Click Here

Air France Information for Travelling Pets-Click Here

British Airways Information for Travelling Pets-Click Here

Virgin Airlines Information for Travelling Pets- Click Here

For Information on other airlines Click Here – this is a great place to check what your airline’s rules are in regards to travelling with your dog:

Bon Voyage !!!

TinTin xx

PS- Next Weeks Blog – Dressing your Dog up French Style for Halloween

Dog Travel:  Travelling with your Dog from America to France

      Happy Friday everyone!  Today’s blog is all about dog travel. I travelled to the US when I was young and my parents had to fly me back to France. I thought I would share my experience with you in case you are thinking of visiting France with your dog and wondered how to get your beloved furry friend over to Europe.

TinTin Travelling to France in Style

  So you want to be like Waddlesworth and Oddball running through the streets of Paris? Or hang out with the Aristocats and possibly to be adopted by a rich old lady in a chateau? My friends, the world of good food & being able to actually go into a butcher’s shop  (WOOF!) awaits you in France; however, there are a few things you need to take care of before you travel from the US to France & Europe.

Dog Travel to France Check List:

•  Pet needs to be over 3 months old
•  Each family is limited to 5 pets
• Micro Chip – the European one.  (Standard ISO 11784 or annex A ISO 11785)  – ask your vet about ordering this for you. It will be a separate microchip to the US one you already have, but they are easy to order & same procedure to put in your pet as any other microchip.
• Valid Rabies vaccination – do not get the shot right before leaving; if it is the first rabies vaccination for the pet, you must wait 21 days after the shot before travelling to France
• You must have a certificate for the EU filled out and signed by your vet no more than 10 days before leaving the US***  this is not an EU rule (certificate is valid for 4 months from date of signature of vet and USDA stamp) however, Airlines require health certificates to be filled out normally no more than 10 days in advance, so they know that they are transporting a healthy doggie to France and Europe.     
• A TinTin and Oliver Dog Shirt – if you want be totally stylish for your trip.

            To get the specific certificate/form for France Click Here

     TIP: Unless you are travelling to the UK, Malta, Sweden or Ireland, you do not have to do the Rabies Serological Test – see the certificate instructions for more information. We also did not have to fill in the back page about tick prevention medicine or echinococcus treatment.

*** You need to either go in person with the form or send the form to your local USDA office to have it officially stamped. We would recommend going in person when you can, as normally you only have a short turn around  time to get this document signed because of the airlines 10 day rule for the form.  A very sassy cat I know called Toots,  almost missed her flight to South Africa because they ran out of time within the ten days before the flight to get the paperwork done! Meow!

 The French consulate has all the information needed about bringing your pet into France – Click Here

 Also a great online store with fantastic travel bags & travel forms and information is the Pet Travel Store

 This is bag I have – Click Here

Your bag needs to be airline approved – so check with your airline first before you buy the bag to make sure it fits their requirements (for size and weight).

Catch you later!

TinTin x

PS – Part Two Comming Soon

Welcome to TinTin’s blog.

 When they asked me about writing a blog, at first I wondered where I would find the time; between my busy schedule of walks in the park, playing with my toys and barking at bicycles, where was I going to fit in writing a blog? But I can squeeze it in as I thought it would be fun to share my life and experiences as a dog living in France with my friends abroad, so here it goes……….

About Me:

I am a 3 year old 6 lb Yorkie, with dark brown fur and blond fiery highlights and quite handsome if I might say so myself. I live in Lyon in France and my best friend is Oliver.