girl at large

Miss Ruby is afraid of the trains, in fact she fears the entire train experience–the train station, getting on and off the train, watching the high-speed train bullet by, riding the slower regional train, even the loudspeaker announcements through her off-balance. going back and forth from Cannes to Antibes by train is still a snap–provided i pick her up and carry her and don't mind de-furring my clothes upon arrival.
the other night, she was showing marked improvement–walking into the station herself, though haultingly. as we turned the corner on to the platform, she froze. a few yards away was the most terrifying looking dog we've ever seen. it was a giant pitbull-rotweiler-albino-demon cross, complete with intimidating chain, muzzle and security officers. Ruby understandably hit the pavement, trembling. first the train, now this! one security officer was amused–"Regardez–l'aperitif!" he said to the drooling beast.
speaking of aperitives, amuse-bouches, appetizers—i'm amused myself to know the french use so many ways of saying hors d'oeurves, without ever once in my experience using the word hors d'oeurves.
(though to be accurate, l'aperitif is usually a starter drink, not a food…wonder why he choose that word? or maybe i misheard..wouldn't be the first time).