The Labraventures of Carb贸n, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I had never thought to think like this, but it is eminently sensible, lifts the spirit immediately.Hmmmm..... that's a LOT of goals for September!I would be happier if I saw a bit more enjoying things and less really challenging milestones. You know, thinking like " I want to walk to my favourite place and ...etc..." Think what needs to happen to achieve this.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Carbon and I had a visit with our favourite lawyer today. Carbon was a bit miffed that we didn't see HIS favourite antiques dealer (in the opposite direction from our lawyer) but once we got closer to Herr Janson's office the tail started wagging like mad as the penny dropped.
I was just going to drop off my temporary residence permit which once again needs renewal and say hello to Herr Janson if he was there. I told him I'd be stopping by but didn't have an appointment. As soon as we got there, both receptionists gave Carbon treats, then we were ushered into the meeting room by Herr Janson where a full bag of natural organic chicken strips and some fancy schmancy tinned organic liver treats were waiting. Herr Janson had gone shopping just for Carbon! Oh my!
We sat and chatted for an hour and a half while Carbon slowly worked nearly all the treats from Herr Janson. By the end I was just laughing and saying "You are TOO SOFT!" because Herr Janson would tell Carbon, "No, you've already had enough" at the same time he was dropping treats in the mouth.
And Carbon managed to climb 3/4 of the way up onto Herr Janson's lap. Good thing is was casual Friday.
It was a nice visit, mainly just us sharing our respective lockdown experiences. His were definitely more social: he continued to travel all over Germany for court dates and while they closed the law office to clients, Herr Janson and his colleagues kept coming into work. They also apparently installed a PlayStation and had adventurous recipe dinner parties. He said, "I've never had so much time in my life! I got to read books that had nothing to do with law!".
He was a little giddy about the whole thing, but then admitted if the courts wouldn't have kept open he'd have gone bonkers.
We did talk briefly about my residence permit application - pending for 2 years and counting. He says he's really optimistic that it will get approved before Christmas. Me...not so much, but it was nice seeing him so bouncy about it.
Once I get my residency permit - whenever that may be - then we start working on my citizenship. It used to be that if you asked very nicely, many, many times, you would be allowed to have dual US/German citizenship. Four years of Trump have taken their toll and now that rarely happens. I can't give up my US citizenship as I'd no longer be able to work or return to the US for longer than 90 days at a time. With an 80 year old father, that doesn't cut the mustard. So we'll try...and hope that the exit of Trump may help US-German relations.
Anyway, moot point until I get my permanent residency.
Carbon left with a full tummy and a bounce in his step. Herr Janson said, "When your temporary permit comes back I could mail it to you or I'd be very happy to see Carbon again..." Then I got the puppy dog eyes, and not from the puppy.
"Carbon will be back whenever you'd like," I reassured him. I hate to break up such a love affair.
I was just going to drop off my temporary residence permit which once again needs renewal and say hello to Herr Janson if he was there. I told him I'd be stopping by but didn't have an appointment. As soon as we got there, both receptionists gave Carbon treats, then we were ushered into the meeting room by Herr Janson where a full bag of natural organic chicken strips and some fancy schmancy tinned organic liver treats were waiting. Herr Janson had gone shopping just for Carbon! Oh my!
We sat and chatted for an hour and a half while Carbon slowly worked nearly all the treats from Herr Janson. By the end I was just laughing and saying "You are TOO SOFT!" because Herr Janson would tell Carbon, "No, you've already had enough" at the same time he was dropping treats in the mouth.
And Carbon managed to climb 3/4 of the way up onto Herr Janson's lap. Good thing is was casual Friday.
It was a nice visit, mainly just us sharing our respective lockdown experiences. His were definitely more social: he continued to travel all over Germany for court dates and while they closed the law office to clients, Herr Janson and his colleagues kept coming into work. They also apparently installed a PlayStation and had adventurous recipe dinner parties. He said, "I've never had so much time in my life! I got to read books that had nothing to do with law!".
He was a little giddy about the whole thing, but then admitted if the courts wouldn't have kept open he'd have gone bonkers.
We did talk briefly about my residence permit application - pending for 2 years and counting. He says he's really optimistic that it will get approved before Christmas. Me...not so much, but it was nice seeing him so bouncy about it.
Once I get my residency permit - whenever that may be - then we start working on my citizenship. It used to be that if you asked very nicely, many, many times, you would be allowed to have dual US/German citizenship. Four years of Trump have taken their toll and now that rarely happens. I can't give up my US citizenship as I'd no longer be able to work or return to the US for longer than 90 days at a time. With an 80 year old father, that doesn't cut the mustard. So we'll try...and hope that the exit of Trump may help US-German relations.
Anyway, moot point until I get my permanent residency.
Carbon left with a full tummy and a bounce in his step. Herr Janson said, "When your temporary permit comes back I could mail it to you or I'd be very happy to see Carbon again..." Then I got the puppy dog eyes, and not from the puppy.
"Carbon will be back whenever you'd like," I reassured him. I hate to break up such a love affair.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@Emily_Babbelhund, what a great read 
Herr Janson definitely has a Carb贸n crush! How lovely of him to get all those treats for him and spend time chatting. If he doesn't get you residency... well, it sounds like he cares for both of your wellbeing. Even if you do have to pay him no doubt exorbitant amounts for his work. Though not for today I hope!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
He's a cool dude. When I first hired him five years ago I called him the 'baby lawyer' as he'd just gone into practice, but now he's got his name on the practice and - sniff - baby boy is all grown up. Kind of. I still think of anyone less than 35 in 'boy' territory.
On the cost, he wouldn't bill me for the longest time, then finally insisted on charging me a flat fee for the whole darn visa thing. The fee was practically nothing, especially considering his normal hourly fees. I asked him if he was sure he wanted to charge such a low fee as it wasn't fair to him. He said my case was interesting and he loved seeing Carbon when I came in. I asked again because the fee was only about the equivalent of six hours work and he's been working on this last case with me for two years now. Nuts on his part, but he wouldn't budge so I finally just said "Thank you very, very much".
That's one of the many reasons he gets Carbon therapy any time he wants it.
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Is he married? 
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Hmmm.....l am also wondering.... 
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
To be honest, I can't quite figure it out. I'm like some kind of older auntie that he's halfway adopted. But likely the truth is the obvious one: he just loves Carbon.That's good to hear. Maybe it's not just a Carb貌n crush Herr Janson has...
No, and if I thought he'd go for it, I'd be taking Nadine to every meeting. She went to my first meeting with him years ago and just about swooned.Is he married?
- Location
- South Wales
And Carbon YET AGAIN earns his treats. "It is all for you that I do these things, ML".
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I did wonder @Emily_Babbelhund whether he had a crush on you and the way to your heart was through Carbon. Then you mentioned he was but a boy 
Then I remembered that my Mother was happily married for forty years to a man 22 years younger than she was. He was 26 and she was 48 and he pursued her!
Then I remembered that my Mother was happily married for forty years to a man 22 years younger than she was. He was 26 and she was 48 and he pursued her!
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Look, I hate to squash all this ardent matchmaking, but I suspect that I don't have the right...ahem..."equipment" even if I WAS 20 years younger. But then again, I don't really have great intuition on that: my longtime friend in Ireland surprised the heck out of me a few years ago by finally settling down with a girlfriend and not a boyfriend.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@Emily_Babbelhund, he can but dream, even if it is hopeless 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Maybe you should test the water and invite him out for a walk with "Carb貌n".......?
You lot are terrible
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Well, not with matchmaking in mind (really, people, shame on you all!
) but he's taking care of his colleague's Vizla for two weeks soon and I could see if he wanted to let Leo and Carbon play together on the river. Herr Janson lives in the Old Town a couple minutes' walk from me, also in an apartment with no garden. I think it may be more challenging than he thinks to have such an active dog in an apartment all day. Having Carbon to help wear him out could be very helpful. Plus having Leo wear out Carbon would be helpful to ME!