In 2019, we started Monsieur Proust, this to provide a flexible and knowledgable experience for dogs and their owners.  While we’re proud of our fun and easygoing attitude, our commitment to the health, safety and security of your dog guides everything we do.

At Monsieur Proust dogs can be dogs!

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Our Pack Leader Proust is a Labernese 'Saint Pierre', (mixed breed Labrador and Bernese Mountain Dog), born at the MIRA Foundation in Quebec, Canada on June 26, 2017. When he was 9 weeks old, he picked out Gera, to be his 'Kahu' and foster parent! 

 

Every early morning and end afternoon, under the bells of the Saint Patrick Basilica in the Montréal International District, Gera taught Proust how to follow her instructions, have good doggy manners and act like a 'gentlemen'.

At 10 months old,  Proust went back to MIRA for his evaluation test week. He did very well, received high scores and was selected to be trained as Guide Dog for a blind beneficiary. On the last day, the MIRA veterinarian disqualified him, because he was suddenly limping, and agreed that Proust would be adopted by Gera and stay under her care forever. Gera was right there by Proust his side, wrapped her arms around him and brought him back home. Life as Monsieur Proust had started!

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Some fun facts:

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Proust was named after Marcel Proust, the French novelist and with a wink towards the word 'Proost', which means 'Cheers' in Gera's native Dutch language.

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When Gera adopted Proust, she made him the promise that he would always be at her side and that they would start helping other dogs together. Proust has given his guidance and confidence to many puppies and dogs in rehabilitation.

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Proust is a 'splitter', meaning he has the talent to sense when the energy between dogs goes too high. When that happens he will warn Gera and immediately splits up the dogs involved. Meaning, he will step between the dogs and literally split them up, lowering their energy and de-escalating the situation.

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When there is an unknown dog with an unstable energy coming close to the pack, Proust will automatically position himself between the pack and that dog, this to keep the pack safe while Gera is focusing on the unstable dog in question.

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One of the first steps in the process to see if a new dog fits into the pack is that it meets Proust. It is up to Proust to decide if he thinks a dog fits or not. Within the first few seconds of meeting a new dog, Proust will make Gera aware of his decision and Gera trusts his guidance in that. Until now Proust his instinct has been flawless in this. 

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Proust is Gera's 3rd dog in her life. Her 1st dog Tommie (Dalmatian mix) was guarding her in her baby pram outside in the garden.

Gera often joined Tommie as toddler in his doggy bed. Tommie reached the age of 15 years old.

Gera's 2nd dog was Doesje (Dutch Schapendoes) who choose Gera by dragging a door mat around of the farm shed where he was staying, dropping it on Gera's feet. He was the first dog which Gera trained together with her mother as teenager. During her study, often during the nights as well, Doesje stayed awake till she went to bed. He reached the age of 14 years old. 

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After her 2nd dog, Gera spent most of her time living and traveling around the world and it was not possible to have another dog. Until...Proust came into her live in August 2017. When she adopted Proust from MIRA in June 2018, she promised Proust she would stop traveling the world every week and stay with him, enjoying life together till one of us crosses the rainbow bridge. 

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Picture is showing Proust and Gera's first day together, Proust 9 weeks old. It was an instant magical connection from the beginning!

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