From YouTube to Rural France: The Story Behind a Custom Pet Portrait

This is the story of how a love of French countryside vlogs led to an unexpected meeting, a heartfelt gift, and a moment that still makes me smile every time I watch it back.

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How a YouTube rabbit hole led to a pet portrait in rural France

Like many creative people, I have a weakness for YouTube.
Specifically, YouTube channels about people buying old French châteaux and slowly bringing them back to life.

Somewhere between The Chateau Diaries and Life in Rural France, I discovered a whole constellation of creators living quieter, more intentional lives in the French countryside. Through them, I found Brian’s Life in France — and then Chris, whose channel is called A New Life in Central France.

Watching these vlogs from New Zealand, something clicked.
I didn’t just want to watch France — I wanted to experience it.

So I booked a flight, hired a car in Paris, and set off to explore the villages, hamlets, and back roads I’d seen so often on screen. Central France was every bit as beautiful and grounding as it looked online. It was, quite simply, an awesome adventure.

But before I left New Zealand, something sad happened.

Chris’s much-loved Jack Russell, Lola, passed away.

Anyone who has loved a pet knows how deeply that loss lands. Lola wasn’t just a dog — she was part of Chris’s everyday life, woven into his routines and his home. Watching from afar, I felt compelled to do something meaningful, in the only way I know how.

I decided to create a custom pet art print of Lola — and, if possible, deliver it in person.

That turned out to be easier said than done.

Finding a good reference photo of Lola was… nearly impossible. After scrolling endlessly through Instagram, I found exactly one usable side-on image. No perfect pose. No clear front-facing photo. So, I guessed. I trusted instinct, experience, and a lot of quiet care.

Then came the journey.

Thirty-two hours.

Auckland to Paris.

Flight delays, trains, torrential rain, dragging a suitcase through unfamiliar Paris streets, and arriving at my hotel a full day late — tired but determined.

After two whirlwind days sightseeing in Paris, I drove south to central France.

I knew Chris worked as a plasterer at Château de Lalande, so that’s where I went. And in the château’s kitchen, completely unplanned and utterly human, I surprised him with the artwork.

Chris decided to film opening the print for his channel.

What you see in the video is his genuine reaction — unfiltered, emotional, and completely unscripted. It’s one of those moments that reminds you why art matters, and why pets hold such an enduring place in our lives.

I’m incredibly grateful to Chris for allowing me to share that moment with you.

If you enjoy stories about rural France, creative living, or simply slowing down and doing life differently, I highly recommend visiting Chris’s YouTube channel, A New Life in Central France. Alongside the countryside, you’ll also discover a very talented musician quietly living his dream.

And for me?

It’s a reminder that sometimes, a YouTube video can lead to a road trip, a chance meeting, and a piece of art that travels halfway around the world — straight from the heart.

This experience is just one example of why I create custom pet art — to celebrate the animals who leave a lasting imprint on our lives, whether they’re still with us or dearly missed.

If you’d like to explore the custom pet art designs available, you can view the collection here.