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

Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
After such good news about Carbon's heart during the ultrasound, I arrived home last night to an email from my lawyer. My application is progressing - though much slower than promised - but the real bombshell is that he says I may not leave Germany until my application is not only processed but approved. This left me positively speechless as he's known for weeks that my accommodation in Regensburg is of the temporary variety and that I was headed to the UK and Ireland as soon as I can, what we just Friday agreed would be three weeks from now.

I'm doublechecking with him today as it's such a complete and utter turnaround. I have a minute amount of hope that somehow I've misunderstood him or vice versa.

But if he confirms, then that means a scramble to build an accommodation itinerary within Germany for the next four months. Logistically it is a pain in the backside, but emotionally it's tougher. For all the yuckiness around my resident permit over the past couple months, my carrot at the end of the stick was a long quiet stay in Cornwall, good visits with UK friends and then a nice visit in Ireland with @RosieC .

So last night I got a fortifying pep talk from Rose (who as an Aussie in Ireland knows all too well the soul-killing struggles with immigration) as well as a new key word for the next challenges: "Recalibrate". Today I'm hoping for a reply from my lawyer - and frankly some sort of explanation of how he could have neglected to tell me this INCREDIBLY CRITICAL detail SOONER - and then I shall be recalibrating my heart out. :oops:
 
HAH

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Right, well - speechless too. But dear @Emily_Babbelhund, yet again you show why you have a tight and supportive network of friends who will help you through this latest challenge - and your Rose has exactly the word for all of us at these times. I hope recalibration isn’t too painful, and you get some sharp and decent answers from your lawyer soon. In the meantime, yet more hugs coming your way xxx
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
No reply from my lawyer yet today. I'm hoping this means that he is double and triple checking this information about whether it is possible for me to leave Germany. I know he's on my side and a hard-working guy, but right now he's really not in my good books. I'm trying to remain zen and think of @RosieC 's "recalibrate, recalibrate, recalibrate". Unfortunately in my current mood and being a Doctor Who fan, it's an easy slide into "Exterminate, exterminate, exterminate!"

For non Doctor Who fans, that's not me wanting to do any actual harm to my lawyer, just a bad dalek pun:

Assuming I'm going to be ensconced in Germany for the duration, I've had a look at north sea holiday rentals and found some good options for March that are exponentially more economical than hanging out here in the second most expensive German city. I'll need something that resembles a beach and ocean in the next few months - even if it's only a very chilly sea and not a proper ocean! - to maintain my zen. Maybe the North Sea will do the trick.

Secondly, I've been hunting down some online training classes for Carbon to keep his mind going during the next one to three months of no off lead runs. Found something interesting out of Canada that starts the beginning of February, so might just fit the bill.

Carbon himself seems in good spirits, bouncing around our little flat and playing with his stuffies. No side effects at all from the new medication, though it's only the second full day so maybe I'm being too optimistic too soon. We got a dusting of snow today so he thought that was COOL BEANS on our evening walk in the park. He thinks I'm an old grump for not letting him off lead, however, and I can see a big snit coming the longer we go without a free run. That dog forgets NOTHING, least of all the last time he was allowed a good romp.

We're off to Irish pub night later on, which we all always enjoy. Last week he figured out how to get up on the bench seating with Fine, which I should have never ever let him do, but it was just so funny. I have the feeling he will be inspired to do that much or worse this week: maybe attempt to perch on the top of my head and drape himself about my shoulders a la @Beanwood 's Benson? :hmm:
 
M

M.F.

Recalibrate is such a useful concept!! I need to try I out. Even though I do find change very challenging. I really, really feel for you! When I decided I wanted an adventure in Australia many, many years ago, every time I decided I’d go, they changed the rules! Eventually I went on a tourist visa and sorted out things when I got there. Not without stress. Eventually when I applied for citizenship, I had to clock up a certain number of days in the country. I travelled so much then (work and personal) that it was really, really hard for me. But I did it. Then circumstances changed and I no longer live there! I really hope your lawyer will have better news for you.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Still going round and round with the legal stuff. I got a draft of my application letter from my lawyer this morning via email and spent a couple hours trying to make sure I understood it. Corrections went back to him via email and then I stopped by his office so they could get a copy of my current passport.

He did address the travel outside of Germany question, but didn't answer it 100% to my satisfaction, so I'll try to pounce on him in person tomorrow afternoon. If he's in the office, Friday afternoons are very relaxed as they aren't considered normal German office work hours.

Despite all the drama, I'm pleased with the letter he put together to accompany my application. He cites legal precedents for approval plus - at my urging and 'hey, wanna add this?' - has added a bit of the emotional side explaining why I want to continue my German residency. We've double and triple checked that all information is factual, so hopefully with this last review it will be ready to send in to the powers that be. Then we wait!

Carbon seems to be reflecting my inner turmoil and I'm getting to see more flashes than usual of Señor Grumpypantalones. This also may be due to the fact that our last free run was Monday morning before we found out his heart worm diagnosis.

Along with increased on lead dog reactivity, what is really irritating is that he wants to stop and sniff and potentially wee on every bush, every corner, every pole. It is driving me around the bend. Usually I signal him to move on and treat him once he does, or if he's particularly attached to a sniff spot, I'll touch the side of his head and try to guide him away from the sniff spot (no, this doesn't really work that well). Nothing seems to be working at the moment and with my own short temper I've started resorting to the 'I"m just going to drag you behind me' thing, which really just makes everything worse. :(

Any suggestions to get him to move along positively, but still MOVE the heck ALONG?
 
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M

M.F.

For sniffing and stopping, I’ve long given up trying to move my boy along. Sorry. No advice! That’s why I walk off leash mostly. Sorry. I’m of no help!! But interestingly, when my husband and I walk together with Snowie and my husband is holding the leash, if I walk on, Snowie immediately stops sniffing and follows me! Now, why won’t he do that when I’m holding the leash?!

Best best best of luck with the application!
 
Loraseal

Loraseal

Location
The Hague, The Netherlands
I have been doing leave it in a high pitch voice with Hunter in the house... With snacks. On the walks during a good sniff I say leave it high pitch voice... He then wees and I go ott with praise and food reward. I am no expert but this is working with Hunter! The sniffing drives me bonkers!
 
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