- Location
- Sydney, Australia
He looks super happy Emily. Gorgeous pics
The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Apologies that I'm slow with the ferry photos and the full scoop. Between Curly to play with for Carbon and me taking full advantage of having a friend on hand to chat away the evening, I've not made a lot of computer time.
It's been great for Carbon, though - we had a couple growly encounters with other dogs on the street our last day in France which really told me I'd pushed him too far. I'd not seen that behaviour since early July and I know it was down to the general craziness of the past weeks. He's a remarkably flexible dog but everyone has their limits.
Speaking of limits, I'm also grateful to not be so much on my own as I got word yesterday - finally - about my job interview.
Discussions have been going on for nearly two months and it's all been a bit baffling on my side as essentially the post is the permanent version of the job I've done as a freelancer - in the same company - for the past 8 years. Well, yesterday all became clear: I was the manager's top choice but HR/legal said no because I don't live in the US. Despite it being a remote (via internet) job, despite me having a legal entity in the US and paying full taxes there as well as in Germany. Also not willing to shift the job to Germany despite having other employees there. I know that is because German law makes it much harder to make employees redundant and US companies in general want to have the option to fire people at will as they do in the US.
Anyway, a non-dog-related rant to say why I'm feeling pants! :-( But hey, look there, I got to say 'pants' so there's always a bright side? ;-)
Onward into the rainy Irish morning to see what comes next!
It's been great for Carbon, though - we had a couple growly encounters with other dogs on the street our last day in France which really told me I'd pushed him too far. I'd not seen that behaviour since early July and I know it was down to the general craziness of the past weeks. He's a remarkably flexible dog but everyone has their limits.
Speaking of limits, I'm also grateful to not be so much on my own as I got word yesterday - finally - about my job interview.
Discussions have been going on for nearly two months and it's all been a bit baffling on my side as essentially the post is the permanent version of the job I've done as a freelancer - in the same company - for the past 8 years. Well, yesterday all became clear: I was the manager's top choice but HR/legal said no because I don't live in the US. Despite it being a remote (via internet) job, despite me having a legal entity in the US and paying full taxes there as well as in Germany. Also not willing to shift the job to Germany despite having other employees there. I know that is because German law makes it much harder to make employees redundant and US companies in general want to have the option to fire people at will as they do in the US.
Anyway, a non-dog-related rant to say why I'm feeling pants! :-( But hey, look there, I got to say 'pants' so there's always a bright side? ;-)
Onward into the rainy Irish morning to see what comes next!
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Sorry about your job disappointment @Emily_Babbelhund - as you say ‘pants’ sums it up in one word. Hopefully a restorative time in Ireland will show a way forward. My motto is ‘onwards and upwards’ - there is always a solution ahead 
.
.
- Location
- East Sussex
Sorry the job offer didn't happen. Glad you're with a friend and hope there are other things you can apply for.
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
That whole "at will" business in the US is just awful, you can protect employers without screwing over employees. I hope you manage to find the perfect job asap. It's nice to know that you were your manager's top choice at least, always a nice boost to the ego.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Yes, you're right about the ego boost. The hiring manager has never actually met or worked with me, it is one of her own employees that was my manager for many years and she and several ex-colleagues recommended me. I really think the hiring manager tried, she was just hamstrung by HR and legal. She said I would be top on her list if they can afford to hire any freelancers in the future. Considering the state of the company, that is probably a long shot, but I do appreciate the sentiment and if it comes about, then great.
I feel nervous about my future and the news was a let down, but as I told Rose today, if I can get used to the idea of being told I have cancer, I will certainly calm down about this news as well.
In the meanwhile, I'm lucky that I have a couple good friends here in Ireland that will either commiserate with me or slap some sense into me. Either options are very helpful.
Not to mention the support here which I've said before is such a boost, particularly when I'm Lone Ranger-ing my way across Europe and sometimes get way into my own weird thoughts. Now with the job question behind me, it's time to get back to my goal of a post a day and writing all kinds of nonsense.
Tonight though it's off to my friend Cian's as he's invited me to have a confab at his house in front of a roaring fire. I think we've worn out Rose and Curly so that will give them a break and Cian can enjoy Carbon's particular brand of Spanish lunacy.
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
I'm not in any way religious but sometimes it does seem that we are meant to move from one situation to another. Maybe this was one of those situations. Something will come along and you'll be glad you didn't get this job?
Carbon has such an expressive face. He is lovely.
Carbon has such an expressive face. He is lovely.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Hope you get some relaxing and fun times with your friend, and the same for Carbon! He is remarkable at how he manages with all the upheaval, but I’m certain he would enjoy a slower pace for awhile, too!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
She’s ours now, the US had its chance
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
I'm sorry Emily for your disappointment, but I always think, things happen for a reason. You never know what's round the corner, something spectacular xx
xx
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
As you say, the US has some beautiful places, but the logistics of living there for me are quite, shall we say, "challenging".
I won't go into all the fiddly bits of why it doesn't make sense for me to return to the US, but let's just say at this time it's not in the cards. I would lose all my rights to live and work in Europe and those have been hard indeed to earn. It has taken me 8 years to get to where I have about 1.5 years before I can get German citizenship, at which point I COULD return to the US and not lose my rights in the EU. Even if it means not working for the rest of that time, it's more advantageous financially and logistically for me to wait out that time period. A lot of it has to do with the medical system in the US as well, where I am not insurable due to pre existing conditions.
Thanks, gave me a good chuckle!She’s ours now, the US had its chance
Carbon is LOVING Ireland! He and Curly are practically inseparable and then yesterday Carbon fell in love with Cian because he threw the tennis ball for an hour on the beach. The ways to Carbon's heart: (1) be a dog, (2) give him food, (3) throw his tennis ball.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Hola todos! I am taking over because foster lady has been MUY irresponsible in documenting our travels. I trust her to immortalise my adventures - and yes, "immortalise" is a big word for a Spanish gentlemen dog such as myself - but what does she do? Talk and talk and talk with her human friends here in the Green Place and she does NADA to make sure my beautiful photos and all my hard work modeling for them gets out into the big world.
Entonces, I am taking over to make sure things are done right, verdad?
First a little time travel back to France...
Here I am on the beach in Antibes. It was a very rainy day and we all know how I feel about that (wet from above = bad, wet from below = good) but I am such a professional model that I am still smiling. Aren't I brave?
Here I am on a sunnier day in Antibes giving you my patented helicopter ears look. Muy guapo, no?
Here is my friend Pickle. Vale, she is not really my friend as she kept trying to bit my beautiful nose, but I will keep trying to be HER friend because, as we all know, I'm a gentleman like that. Pickle is a Turkish dog, so maybe it's just a cultural miscommunication (ooo more big words - my English is getting so excellent)? I will conquer her on our next visit, I am sure!
Finally, here I am in our place in Antibes. Foster lady puts down my covers everywhere, but I prefer pillows. Lots and lots of pillows. Why sleep on your own blankets when there are so many lovely pillows where I can leave my lovely black shiny fur? That's why foster lady has that sticky rolly thing to collect all my precious fur before we leave each place, verdad?
Adios Antibes! Adios Pickle and Chloe! Hasta la proxima vez!
Entonces, I am taking over to make sure things are done right, verdad?
First a little time travel back to France...
Here I am on the beach in Antibes. It was a very rainy day and we all know how I feel about that (wet from above = bad, wet from below = good) but I am such a professional model that I am still smiling. Aren't I brave?
Here I am on a sunnier day in Antibes giving you my patented helicopter ears look. Muy guapo, no?
Here is my friend Pickle. Vale, she is not really my friend as she kept trying to bit my beautiful nose, but I will keep trying to be HER friend because, as we all know, I'm a gentleman like that. Pickle is a Turkish dog, so maybe it's just a cultural miscommunication (ooo more big words - my English is getting so excellent)? I will conquer her on our next visit, I am sure!
Finally, here I am in our place in Antibes. Foster lady puts down my covers everywhere, but I prefer pillows. Lots and lots of pillows. Why sleep on your own blankets when there are so many lovely pillows where I can leave my lovely black shiny fur? That's why foster lady has that sticky rolly thing to collect all my precious fur before we leave each place, verdad?
Adios Antibes! Adios Pickle and Chloe! Hasta la proxima vez!
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Muy guapo indeed 
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Vale, now we are moving along to Brittany. I liked it better than Antibes because I had a big house with a big garden. The garden had apples for me to eat and cows for me to smell. Muy delicioso! Also a nice man brought bread every morning and foster lady shared it with me.
This first batch of photos is a leeetle bit boring because there is not enough ME. Not by far. I don't know what foster lady was thinking. So just skip this one if you want. The next batch gets better. Yes, that means there will be more ME doing my best modelling. Don't lose hope, mis amigos.
This is something foster lady calls 'architecture'. Yawn.
Por fin, here I am! De verdad, she could have skipped the others and just had this one. I am a modest boy, but you have to admit all 'architecture' is improved by this Spanish gentleman dog.
This first batch of photos is a leeetle bit boring because there is not enough ME. Not by far. I don't know what foster lady was thinking. So just skip this one if you want. The next batch gets better. Yes, that means there will be more ME doing my best modelling. Don't lose hope, mis amigos.
This is something foster lady calls 'architecture'. Yawn.
Por fin, here I am! De verdad, she could have skipped the others and just had this one. I am a modest boy, but you have to admit all 'architecture' is improved by this Spanish gentleman dog.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Si, si... the beach! So much better than these 'architecture' stops! This place had a path to walk on and so many good beach smells. It also had a funny house smashed between some rocks.
The funny house...
Me making the funny house much more guapo...
Not much sand but lots of rocks to climb on...
Foster lady making me pose next to architecture. De verdad, just skip the architecture part, foster lady...
Oh, this is better! "The many moods of Carbon, Spanish gentleman dog"! Me gusto, I like it!
The funny house...
Me making the funny house much more guapo...
Not much sand but lots of rocks to climb on...
Foster lady making me pose next to architecture. De verdad, just skip the architecture part, foster lady...
Oh, this is better! "The many moods of Carbon, Spanish gentleman dog"! Me gusto, I like it!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Aye, aye, aye...I was modeling up a storm in that last batch, no? As foster lady says to me, "I got it". What is "it"? I am not sure, but I am sure whatever it is, that I do need have it.
After the funny house beach, we went to an abbey. I'm not really sure what an abbey is, but there were cows, so it was good.
More architecture. I really need to train foster lady better to make sure I am in each photo, no?
At least we got a nice walk here behind the abbey.
Then we went to another beach, where I did some EXCELLENT modeling.
But can you believe that NONE of the beaches were dog-friendly? That means I could look at them but not walk on them. Foster lady was very grumpy about this. We even drove for an hour to get to a special beach that was supposed to be for me, but when we got there it wasn't. I was very sad because all I could do was look at it.
Don't worry, amigos, because the next day foster lady found me a real beach and I played and played and played. Here is a pre-view until I can make her sit down and do more photos.
Now we have to go to the beach with my new best friend Curly because it is a sunny day in the Green Place and foster lady says we are SO SO lucky. Hasta luego todos - I hope you have sun too!
After the funny house beach, we went to an abbey. I'm not really sure what an abbey is, but there were cows, so it was good.
More architecture. I really need to train foster lady better to make sure I am in each photo, no?
At least we got a nice walk here behind the abbey.
Then we went to another beach, where I did some EXCELLENT modeling.
But can you believe that NONE of the beaches were dog-friendly? That means I could look at them but not walk on them. Foster lady was very grumpy about this. We even drove for an hour to get to a special beach that was supposed to be for me, but when we got there it wasn't. I was very sad because all I could do was look at it.
Don't worry, amigos, because the next day foster lady found me a real beach and I played and played and played. Here is a pre-view until I can make her sit down and do more photos.
Now we have to go to the beach with my new best friend Curly because it is a sunny day in the Green Place and foster lady says we are SO SO lucky. Hasta luego todos - I hope you have sun too!