The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Oooh you're in for a treat!

Who knew the DMV was so famous? Thanks for the chuckle...even though that portrayal may be an insult to sloths. And frankly I only WISH real DMV personnel were so charming and adorable.

Thanks for the good thoughts on the test! It's all done and dusted (to quote my Irish friend). This time the writing bit went better and the speaking bit was a bit rough. I think mainly because the order was reversed and we did the writing bit first this time. By the time we got to the speaking test I just wanted to go home to my comfy sofa. I won't know for at least six weeks, but I think I have a good chance of passing.

Next test won't be until spring and that one is voluntary. I learned from my lawyer yesterday that I could be eligible for citizenship 2 years early (next year then!!) if I do the high level German test - so I took that as a good challenge. But a challenge for another day. The rest of today is a no German zone.

Poor Carbon weathered another long day alone but is going a little loopy in the head with the lack of exercise. The goal of the next few days: re-Carbonizing this poor pup so I can have the pleasant to live with pooch vs. the "I want to stand on your face ALL the time" pooch.

Many thanks again to @snowbunny for the idea of working on his recall for feeding meals/treats inside the house. We're having such fun with that and I do all sorts of silly things to proof his stay and then recall. There may even be dancing and singing involved.

Finally, considering all the whinging about feet and tests and residence permits I've been doing on HIS thread, maybe it's time Carbon takes over telling his own adventures for a few days. We'll see how THAT idea works out!

Wishing everyone and their pups a happy Sunday where ever in the world you are!

 

[Charlie]

Hoping you are ok Emily during such an awful time. I am sure Carbon is a great comfort to you. Keep smiling xxx

 

[snowbunny]

There may even be dancing and singing involved.

You know the rules. If it's not on video, it never happened....

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

You know the rules. If it's not on video, it never happened....

I KNEW you would say that and in that case... it never ever ever happened!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

In a tribute to @snowbunny, here's a video of Carbon doing a recall for his dinner and me being a tad silly. Also you get great view of my very weird scary little vacation rental apartment.

Warning: there's a lot of orange involved.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Adorable, sigh

 

[Jacqui-S]

I just loved the enthusiasm of him jumping on your bed

 

[Aitch]

He really is gorgeous!

 

[Cath]

Great work

 

[kateincornwall]

 

[Ashley]

I him!!!

 

[snowbunny]

Wonderful! If he wasn’t licking his lips as much, you’d be sleeping in a puddle of drool tonight!
I was too busy looking at the delicious boy to notice the orange

 

[Granca]

He's so lovely! What a good boy - I love the way he skidded to a halt by his bowl!

 

[Stacia]

Very impressive but I would have made it simpler . I would have left him on the bed and then be quite silent and out of sight and after a moment, or some moments, I would have done your recall word.

 

[SwampDonkey]

We might not have got the dancing? though?

 

[Beanwood]

Good boy Carbon! Benson has just woken up and done that cute head on one side thing when he heard Carbon's name .

 

[Boogie]

Well done Sr. Carbón!

 

[edzbird]

I see a big think bubble. It says "Foster Lady BONKERS!"

Carbon looks so keen to please. He's wonderful.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

We might not have got the dancing? though?

Hey, I've got a bum foot. It was more hopping up and down on my right foot while saying 'cha cha cha' than a "Strictly" performance.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

It says "Foster Lady BONKERS!"

Yep!

And yet he still loves me as long as I have food. Maybe even SOMETIMES when I don't. Case in point...

Yesterday Carbon and I spent four hours at the car dealership waiting for a service and the dreaded TÜV inspection (MOT for y'all in the UK). He was doing oh so well having a lie down and being chilled out in the very posh waiting area when we were approached by a tiny girl...maybe 4 or 5 years old? She asked me quite bossily if she could take Carbon for a walk. I said she could as long as we stayed inside and I would walk next to Carbon. The look on his face when she grabbed his leash! It was like he was thrilled but also VERY confused.

It turns out the little girl was the daughter of the owners of the dealership and was there for the day while her parents worked. Carbon and I became defacto babysitters for the next two hours. At first Carbon loved it and I tried to give her treats so that she could 'train' him - interesting as Carbon's commands are in English so we had a bit of a language barrier. Then the little girl suddenly decided to throw a balloon. Ugh. Carbon went for it before I could put a stop to it all and predictably the thing exploded right in his face. He was kind of done after that and so was I. Where he'd happily followed the girl around before, he was now solid as a rock even when she tugged on his leash. He was not moving if I wasn't coming along to protect him!

So foster lady is good for something besides being an automated food dispenser, huh? I can also provide muscle to protect again scary little German girls name Lena.

I even got some good cuddles later in the afternoon, but by the evening after Irish pub night it was all worn off and he was back to his old "I'll just sleep in the other room on the sofa" Carbon self.

On the bright side, my little Tardis car passed with flying colors and it is good to depart Germany for places unknown ASAP. The day before inspection I'd dragged Carbon to the self-service car wash and spent three hours detailing it, so while it may be a bit battered these days, it's clean as a whistle inside and out.
Ready to start layering in the sand, dog hair and crisp dust again!