A visit to Carbón's former shelter in Spain

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I'm feeling quite anxious about today. One of my intentions about this visit to Spain was to visit the shelter Carbon came from. I've kept in touch with the shelter head (Concha) since we left four years ago, sending her photos and videos of both Carbon and Vizzy every few months. As someone who has had fosters, I know how much that makes your day. Being head of a shelter in Spain must also be very depressing sometimes, so I think a little happy news now and then about an adopted dog has got to be welcome. Concha is always lovely about replying.

So I've reached out to her and asked if she'd like us to visit and today is the day. I know it will be positive with Concha, but I'm worried about my own reaction of seeing all the other dogs. They are all potential Carbóns or Ginnys or Talias or Vizzys - if someone would just take them out and love them as individuals. It just makes me so sad. Not that they aren't well-cared for at the shelter. This is a private shelter, not the perrera (the local government run places that the Germans call 'kill stations'). But they still live in outdoor concrete runs and have limited human contact. Some live in the shelter their entire lives.

I've also managed to worry about Carbón in this scenario, i.e. "What if he thinks that I am taking him there to leave him?" I know this is absolutely ridiculous. Carbón is the most bullet-proof dog I've ever had. He simply doesn't worry about ANYTHING for very long, unless it's food. But my brain has latched onto this thought and is unhelpfully spinning on it.

Anyway, heading off at 11am this morning, hopefully it all goes well and by noon I'm feeling silly that I even worried!

 

[Joy]

I understand why you feel like this Emily and hope it is a really good experience for you all. I wonder if you offered to let Concha share some video of you with Carbon on your travels as publicity for the shelter, with voice over talking about how he came from there, might encourage potential adopters to see how wonderful a rescue could be. x

 

[Jacqui-S]

I'm sure Carbòn will be fine, may just stick to you like glue.
You know better than any of us (apart from Fi Snowbunny) what the shelters in Spain are like.
I think the hard bit if visiting a shelter for any reason is not feeling wracked with guilt that you can't save all the dogs and take them home with you.
Good luck.
You will both be fine. I was only joking about a wee friend for Carbòn........

 

[Selina27]

Yeah, it's a difficult thing to be doing for sure Emily, I think you're being very brave xx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I was only joking about a wee friend for Carbòn........

I would love a wee friend for Carbón, but not to be unless I settle down. I can see me trying to pass off a Bodeguero as a SECOND service dog on a plane. It would be very crowded under that seat. Can you imagine?

You know better than any of us (apart from Fi Snowbunny) what the shelters in Spain are like.

This one really isn't bad because it's private. I'm a little worried how it may have changed - everything else down here seems to have changed drastically in 4 years - but I'll just have to deal. Mainly the issue is as you say - you want to take them all home.

I wonder if you offered to let Concha share some video of you with Carbon on your travels as publicity for the shelter, with voice over talking about how he came from there, might encourage potential adopters to see how wonderful a rescue could be. x

She could do that anytime, but I will mention it again. I'd be thrilled if Señor Carbón would turn into a poster boy for his fellow Spanish señors and señoritas.

 

[Boogie]

All the best Emily - let us know how it goes.

 

[Atemas]

God luck today on your visit @Emily_Babbelhund. Understand your concerns

 

[Lab_adore]

Good luck Emily

 

[kateincornwall]

Hoping your visit goes well for you both , thoughts with you xx

 

[Cath]

Good luck Emily. I will be thinking of you and Carbon. I am sure all will go well

 

[Loraseal]

Hope all went/is going well Emily.X

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I'm back and it was all very anticlimactic. I got there on time, rang the bell and it was crickets. Very normal as it's hard to hear that bell over the barking dogs and usually only one person there. So Carbon and I sat on our spot in the concrete outside the gates - or usual spot - and waited. There was also a podenco wandering around outside the gates who clearly belonged to the shelter and he sat with us. Very sweet boy who looked vaguely familiar.

After 10 minutes or so, someone came out, so we could go in. In the meanwhile I'd got a message that Yoli would love to see me but that Concha was out looking for a lost dog. Yoli is the caretaker who I spent a lot of time talking to when I used to volunteer because during the week, I was the only volunteer and Yoli was the only caretaker. Even though I've kept more in contact with Concha online, Yoli was the one I knew better four years ago.

She greeted us happily, kind of remembered Carbon (which is sweet considering all the dogs that go through) and then excused herself as she has all the runs to clean by herself. Then I sat there by myself. Every once in a while, all the dogs would bum rush the fence and start barking at Carbon, then they'd go back to their own business. This happened in waves.

The podenco stayed in the entrance area with us. Turns out he is Truman, who is a good egg but also tried to take off my index finger one day, ensuing in impressive blood loss and Yoli and I raiding the vet supplies to wrap up my finger. I fed him Carbon's treats but stayed away from his mouth. Yoli said he's been adopted a couple of times in the last four years but always ends up biting someone and coming back. He looked very healthy and happy and clearly wants to stay exactly where he is.

Meanwhile, Carbon was not happy. He'd noticed a Bodeguero in the crowd on the other side of the fence and clearly thought it was Paul/Vizzy. Even though we'd just had a visit with Vizzy in the UK only three weeks ago. Also the longer we waited, the closer Carbon got to me until he was practically sitting on my head. It was time to escape.

But I had to wait another 45 minutes to get Yoli's attention to be unlocked out of the prison gates. I told her we could try for another visit, but we'll see. The whole thing was odd as Concha messaged me at 10pm last night to meet her today, but Yoli said Concha has been looking for the lost dog for 2 days. Who knows. We're only 15 minutes away from the shelter so it's no problem in terms of distance to try again. Yet I kind of feel like I've been there and done that. No need to go back.

What it did make me appreciate is how far Carbon has come. Those were some bad days indeed and the only good that came of the whole mess was Carbon and Vizzy making an escape. When Yoli let us out of the massive metal gate, Carbon had a big long wee and did a little zoomie. We both just wanted to go home, and wherever HOME is, it's thankfully not a dog shelter anymore.

 

[Cath]

We both just wanted to go home, and wherever HOME is,

Home is together where ever you are

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Well, I think we are officially done with our shelter visit. Carbon has been very subdued this afternoon and didn't even ask for his dinner. That alone tells me heaps. Also glued to my leg while I worked. I'm not doing that to either of us again. I'll continue to send photos and videos as before, but the visiting idea wasn't a great one. Well-intentioned, just not great.

What a weird stay in Spain this is turning out to be, on nearly every level!

 

[kateincornwall]

I`m glad that you went in a way because it has highlighted how far dear Carbon has come under your guidance and love but I agree , no need for another visit as it obviously sparked a dead rooted memory for him and not a happy one either , love and hugs to you both xxx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

no need for another visit as it obviously sparked a dead rooted memory for him and not a happy one either

It was funny, because he absolutely PULLED to get in the doors and seemed thrilled. He remembered Yoli and gave her an enthusiastic greeting. It was seeing the other Bodeguero, I think, plus as we sat there and waited and waited you could just feel him shift mindsets. Could have been him sparking off me too, as I was not happy myself to be there.

But he's had his "tea" and after my last work meeting we will take a nice walk. I really wish I could get him out for a swim, but Porthcothan is a little far away, so a walk and getting cookies for not eating the lizards will have to suffice.

 

[Stacia]

Carbon must have been so relieved that the long wait wasn’t for him to go back in, poor love. All is well now for him. I am so sorry you didn’t get to see Concha.

 

[Cath]

Be kind to yourself tonight Emily

 

[Beanwood]

It was funny, because he absolutely PULLED to get in the doors and seemed thrilled. He remembered Yoli and gave her an enthusiastic greeting. It was seeing the other Bodeguero, I think, plus as we sat there and waited and waited you could just feel him shift mindsets. Could have been him sparking off me too, as I was not happy myself to be there.

But he's had his "tea" and after my last work meeting we will take a nice walk. I really wish I could get him out for a swim, but Porthcothan is a little far away, so a walk and getting cookies for not eating the lizards will have to suffice.

Maybe just picking up on the weird Spanish vibes this year? Tomorrow is another day

 

[Lisa]

Sorry this was so unsettling for you both. Well, as you say you can cross it off the list. Hopefully Spain will bring some good surprises before you leave!