I’ve been putzing around with By Kilian’s newest release, By Kilian Prelude to Love, for a while now – on the fence entirely on whether I like it, love it or despise it. Notes of Seville orange, bergamot, Amalfi lemon, ginger, pepper, orange blossom, and Florence iris would seem to be completely up my alley, and the open is all promise and freshness, bubbling with citrusy goodness. But what in the world is swimming around in the base? Is it the ginger or the pepper? Iris too rooty? It’s almost like grass or hay, too, but that’s not listed as a note, just feels like it’s definitely there.
At first I thought it was the warm weather that kept me on the fence on By Kilian Prelude to Love, but now that it’s cold, it smells exactly the same, and I’m still… dithering. Part of me really likes it, and part of me thinks it is too much earthy in there that makes it not a great thing to wear out in public lest I get “those” looks. But I sniff it at a distance and swoon, get closer and wrinkle my nose.
I’m also dithering on another dog. A beautiful bulldog pup can come home with me in January, and I honestly don’t know what to do. I’m listing the pros and cons. Pros: I’ve wanted an English bulldog forever; Buddy seriously needs a canine friend lest he completely devolve into thinking he is a human or a cat; two dogs are almost no more trouble than one – you are just as tied down with one dog as with two. Cons: do I really know how hard it is to walk two dogs rather than one; double vet expenses and boarding expenses when I do travel; Buddy may hate having a canine friend, but probably not; bulldogs can have special health and care problems, but this is a great breeder with healthy pups; I have two cats and one dog now, do I really, really need another dog?
What to do, what to do?!?!?!? Help! I’m going to need to decide by 12/7, which is when I go visit the pups, and then… it will be, oh, much, much too late, once I put one of those roly-poly, wriggling fat babies in my arms and melt.
Okay, I’m back over into the sorta love on the By Kilian Prelude to Love – the rootiness seems to be blending better, smoothing this thing out into something I can live with. Maybe this dithering is all a By Kilian Prelude to Love?
Dear Patty…this is your older and wiser brother. DON’T GET THE DOG!! Oh and by the way….the Sam Elliott Collection was FANTISTIC!!! Send more!!! And once again….DON”T GET ANOTHER FU**ING DOG!!! Love ya!!>:d<
I never seem capable of doing the in-depth reasons why I prefer, or don’t prefer a certain scent…but like By Kilian Love much, much more than Prelude to Love. Just my humble opinion.
A great big YES to the bulldog! My heart belongs to a little fat dog named Thor. He doesn’t really care much about other dogs, or cats, he is totally into humans.
Here is everything you’d ever want to know about them, obsessed and wise bully parents, plus more cute photos than you can stand:
http://bulldogdomain.com/forum/index.php
;)I ment purchase(freudian slip?)….two more would be SUCH fun….hmmmm:o
:xWe have always had more than one dog;at times three(plus three cats,which they never paid attention to).They always enjoyed each other;I do not mean PLAYED together,but,the mere presence was soothing,,,the walking was never a problem;they just trotted along,each enjoying thier own ‘sniffs’.And lest we forget;PUPPY BREATH!!!!!….and a soft sweet plump of a warm body to enjoy!!!….no hesitation of this purchases is needed…it will be pure bliss:d
I love dogs. FACT.
The SA at the Tokyo store said that they are not getting in the Tokyo-exclusive until (most likely) the first week of December. I’m definitely eager to get it when it’s released.
Please, please, please, if you get another dog, go to a rescue or shelter. There are PLENTY of purebred relinquishments out there — even puppies. The terrible economy has forced a record number of people to surrender or even just dump their dogs. Every rescue I know of is overflowing and adoptions are way down.
Another benefit of rescue is that most offer a 2-week trial period to ensure the dog is a good fit with your household. I’d be happy to hook you up with contacts if you are interested (and anyone else out there thinking of getting a pooch). That’s my 2 cents.
As to the Killian, I have been very curious about the one — citrus, giner and pepper sound like a match made in heaven, but i must say his other perfumes have so far amounted on one big meh.
I’m going to throw my one-cent in here: I’m with Mariekel on the adoption/shelter option, at least as a consideration. At least go check it out – if you have your heart set on a bully you might find one there who would just LOVE to be your love-slave (and Buddy’s too).
We adopted, by default, a young boxer-mix pup El O found wandering down the middle of a 4-lane highway. I have two Rottweilers (father/son) who were not at all thrilled about this but after the first scary couple of days the younger Rott fell in love with the pup. Took the dad a bit longer to get with it but now they’re all one big happy family. Yes, it’s a bit more difficult walking 3 instead of two but we manage.
I think animals usually acclimate – if the cats already have a dog, getting another won’t be a total shock to them (probably a bit harder if they’ve never had to deal with a dog).
Whichever way you go, be it shelter or breeder, if you go with another dog I’m sure it will be a much-loved pup!
xo>-)
One more thing to think of, and that’s the cats. There’s no guarantee the bulldog will be good with them. I have a friend who had two beloved cats and then got dogs. The cats have lived exclusively in the basement for years now. Your cats are lucky Buddy gets along so well with them. It’s hard to think of the downsides (especially hypothetical) when faced with an adorable puppy, but the more variables (animals) there are, the trickier it gets.
I vote not to get the dog. There’s no guarantee what kind of dog you’ll wind up with when you get a puppy. They’re all adorable, and all a pig in a poke. If Buddy is happy and you have an equilibrium, I say don’t mess with success. Plus, the economy hasn’t gotten as bad as it’s going to get by a long shot, and another dog (especially one who could have palate probs, etc.) is a whole other bag of money.
I say get the dog. He’s certainly already gotten you. Why fight it?
Ooh, another doggy! Girl, I would love to have another dog, but my husband is not a big dog lover like I am or the kids are. I say, go for the pup! Dogs are so wonderful. I just love my baby so much!
Oh, yes…where was I?…oh, that’s right…perfume…By Kilian Prelude to Love. Well, this is a very well made bergamot fragrance, the likes of which abound in other just as lovely and cheaper fragrances, like Divine Bergamote or Cologne No. 68. I mean, I liked it, but not enough to justify the price tag.
Hugs and love!
I didn’t dislike this Kilian. I just didn’t love it. And at those prices, I damn well better want to swing from chandeliers w/ it.
Bulldog puppies are SO adorable! As long as Buddy is OK w/ having another sibling, I think you should go for it.
that must be it! Like it, find it interesting, but just won’t tumble over for it.
Buddy would be okay with it. The only thing Buddy is NOT okay with is boxes. he hates boxes.
Oh Paty, get the dog!! I have two and they are really the loves of my life, I have a pug and a shih tzu! First I got the pug and she is a little spoiled and then when I brought home my little fur ball of a shih tzu I thought it might now work out, but they are so cute together, they play fight and then they fall asleep together and I do like the fact that my puggy is not alone so much anymore. I absolutely love French bulldogs, so adorable. They might have some of the same problems as my pug, because of their little smashed in faces, but so far, knock on wood, I have had no breathing problems with her, she is only four years old though, so we’ll see. I wish you the best of luck, of course if you have an appointment, you will be coming home with the puppy, if you don’t think you want a dog, don’t go to the appointment, because if you are like me, you will melt and that purse with the credit card will come flying out, kinda like when we like a really good perfume, but these little dogs need a lot more upkeep. But, my goodness, when I come home they run over to me like a long lost relative, and I just love that.
yeah, I know I definitely can’t meet the pups if I’m on the fence. I have to be at yes first. Your pups sound great. I have thought about getting a pug, too, but thought a bulldog is a little bigger and stouter and would be a better match for Buddy.
My friend who is also conveniently a vet, has one of those beautiful bulldog babies. I want to take her home every time I lay eyes on her but he’s always telling me that as wonderful as she is, she can be a lot of trouble. No fault of her own. He said the skin between her wrinkles has to be cleaned regularly or she can get skin infections. Her eyes weep & she has breathing problems that “can” lead to upper respiratory infections AND she has trouble cleaning herself after she uses the “potty”. But you know what, all I hear is “blah, blah, blah” every time I look at her. She’s an angel! Good luck making up your mind!
As for Prelude to Love, I’ve been curious whether to try it or not. The reviews seem really mixed. And what is it about some fragrances & the mystery note? I know perfume notes aren’t accurate, but sometimes I need something descriptive to explain that “weird” thing I’m smelling.
yeah, I knew about the skin folds and some eye problems they can have, normal bully stuff, but I STILL want one! I’ve been lucky with Buddy because labs are generally so healthy and happy. I know bulldgos can have problems, but they are also happy, happy dogs, which is perfect for my house.
I don’t know about those weird notes. I have a lot of perfumes that sit in my dithering column because I like a lot of it, but just a note or two is a clunk.
Sadly, I can’t help on the ‘by Killian’s, as my samples are just now on their way to me.
However, I can definitely help on the doggie decision. Dogs are pack animals at the core, and with some exceptions, truly blossom with a canine companion. If you haven’t already, take your Buddy to a dog park and see how he reacts to the other dogs there. If he seems like he wants to make friends, he’d probably do fine with a new little pal at home.
Obviously there can be an adjustment period, when the two animals establish a pecking order, but that’s normal and won’t last too long.
Buddy loves other dogs, he’s not an alpha at all, more like a zebra. Other dogs, if they are threatening, scare him, but he will do great with a pup.
I agree on pack animals. Buddy has made me, the boys and the cats his pack, and none of us quite go along with the program he’s set out for his pack. Though the new cat, Rex, has helped get him some bones out of the trash can recently
I adore Prelude to Love. It’s so creamy; the orange blossom is so smooth. I also love Love, and there is something in Prelude that is connected to it If it weren’t so expensive, I’d get a bottle.
You don’t get that harsh, earthy note? Hmmm, wonder if it’s me.
My sister is totally agreed with you on Love, she adores it, but only in winter.
Nope, nothing harsh and earthy on me at all. I was amazed at how rich the orange blossom was, with indoles in sight.
“with NO indoles in sight”. Oh, for an editor.
Go for the bully pup! We have two adorable wigglepigs who are a constant joy. They both are such sociable, sweet little hams– they live to make everyone they see laugh. I love taking them for a ride in our convertable– just to see the looks on other drivers’ faces. People light up when they see a smiling bulldog.
Also, while they do need a little exercise, it won’t be as much as a normal dog. I read once that all the exercise bulldogs need is to look at a lawn daily. I wouldn’t say that (my girls loooove their walks, but thats probably because they love the attention they get from the neighborhood kids!), but they don’t need a three mile run like a lab.
That and they are so much fun to name! I look forward to seeing puppy pictures!
What did you name yours?@? I’m leaning towards Sherman or Peabody, but something else may come along, if I decide to go for it.
My fear? Once I have one bulldog, I’ll want two.
The general and the journalism award!!! Two is fun– they are hilarious to watch play– their low center of gravity makes them look like two little tanks rollin around, raising hell. My girls’ names are Frankie (Lady Francesca Butterscotch) and Petunia (Petunia Valentine, or Tuna as we call her). Frankie is named for “Frank the Tank” in Old School and Petunia for Porky Pig’s girlfriend. I’ve heard some great ones– Oliver, George, Sugarbritches, Angus…
Would you get two from the same litter?
I don’t know about the Prelude, but if you’re wondering if the rootiness is “something you could live with”, I’d say it’s a pass. All the perfumes I actually wear and enjoy(as opposed to just own) at least started out with like, intrigue, or comfort /:)Off-putting in any way, not so much…
I am only =:) that you have the option of adopting an adorable pup. My condo is too small for a dog I could wrestle and hike with, and I’m so often out, that it wouldn’t be fair for a flufferhoney to come live with me now. Unless the “cons” weigh really heavily, I’ll be looking forward to pup-pics in a few months =d>
I know. I really do have the perfect setup. I’m home all day, I have time to walk them and play with them, animals are almost never alone.
You can probably almost bank on those pup pics soon. Do I have to get a little step-stool so the little pup can get up on the doggie chair? Yes, Buddy has his own chair, it’s embarrassing.
Patty,
It sounds to me like you really really want to take this opportunity to share your home and heart with a newbie. I say go for it. You are a fabulous girl who no doubt will provide the best home possible for the little guy or gal. I would ask myself something like this: how will I feel on 12/8 when I could have chosen a puppy yesterday? I know I’m kind of exaggerating, but I love my baby (joint custody thing, and she’s here right now…a beautiful snow white samoyed). I never thought I was a dog person until 8 years ago when I met her. I am firmly wrapped around her paw. I think, quite simply, a new puppy in a great home is a good idea.
I’ve tried Prelude a bit, but I just don’t know. If I want iris, I grab Serge’s. This one, I don’t know, maybe it’s because it’s “unisex” and not risky enough for me. It’s beautiful, but I’ll pass.
Love you:x
I’ve taken a pass twice now on a bulldog pup, the timing was just wrong, I was traveling too soon after getting him/her, or it just didn’t feel right. This time, it feels right. I can get him/her right after I get back from Europe, and I won’t be traveling again for four months then. The breeder is perfect.
Not sure why prelude still isn’t quite clicking. It’s risky in some weird ways, but I’m just not sure they are lovable risks?
Oh, gosh, I can’t remember what I didn’t like about the new Kilian, so I will keep my mouth shut. Is this the one that smelled like pickles?
Dogs: two is really not much more work than one, but yes, you do have larger vet bills. If you get a bulldog from a very reputable breeder and don’t ever let the dog get overheated, you should be fine. It’s a wonderful,stable breed. I’ve never lived with one but like pugs, they seem to have a lot of human traits, in a good way .
that’s why I love the bulldog, they are so expressive and lovable and funny! buddy is already funny enough, I can’t imagine what adding a bully will do for the household.
You’re absolutely right when you say you have to decide before you see the pup, because that will be it. I really liked having two dogs for the reason of keeping each other company. And of course more to love. Ask yourself if Buddy likes the company of dogs (some dogs only care about being around humans). Will it please him or upset him? The walking of two dogs can be annoying, but it’s not a deal breaker. But it really isn’t the same hassle of having one dog, it does indeed add to the hassle (dog sitting, taking in the car, vet bills as you mentioned, wrangling two beasts in general). And then there’s going through puppy training (which for me is the deal breaker, I only adopt adult dogs). Barking, chewing, maybe not as well behaved as Buddy…Maybe you should borrow someone else’s dog (preferably of the breed you want to adopt) for a week and see how you feel about having two around. When it boils down to it, it’s going to be double trouble, but it’s also going to be double love and entertainment. Which do care about more? You sound very easy going, so I’m going to bet you can handle the trouble that comes with the joy;)
Well, you took the words right out of my mouth. I’d only like to add a couple of things:
–Dogs so much love the company of other dogs; think of Buddy’s sake.
–If a dog is well-trained, it won’t be a problem to walk it. Perhaps both dogs will need training/more training.
–Clicker training can get even chickens to do amazing things. Very fun to do with dogs.
–You’re bright and have the money to deal with any health problems this dog could have, especially since it is coming from a breeder who cares about good genetics.
Yes, I am a Dog Enabler.
I need to go re-visit that clicker training. Buddy is so food obsessed, we couldn’t move beyond the treat stage. 🙂
I do think everyone is right. Dogs need friends.
Buddy loves other dogs and gets along great with them, so I’m not worried about that. Since he’s had five years of his life with humans, he’s much more bonded to humans and cats than other dogs, just because they’re not around as much, I think.
so Buddy will be fine, I’m sure, either way. I just have to think how it will impact me and the house as a whole. Is it just too darn many animals?