- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
@Emily_Babbelhund, so good to see Señor Carbon, great wagging tail and intelligent expression.
The Labraventures of Carbón, Spanish (ex-) foster dog extraordinaire
- Thread starter Emily_Babbelhund
- Start date
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
The lack of my photo library access is going to make this a dull post visually, but bear with me. 
We've now been (back) in the Big House in Cornwall for just over a week. This weekend was only the third weekend since early January since I'd not moved and it was LOVELY. I've developed a pathological dread of doing up my suitcases again, so I'm trying to very much enjoy this month and the three weeks I have left of it.
I've not been great at getting Carbon and myself to the beach once day, so I need to work on that. I have to admit, part of it is the fact that I'm still not very comfortable with the narrow curvy lanes that lead to all beaches nearby. Left turning curves when driving on the left in a left drive (German) car are completely blind and it I can't seem to banish the idea of "I'm going to die in a head on collision just trying to get my dog to the beach". Everyone assures me I will get used to it, so I just need to put on my big girl pants and saddle in for the wild ride.
I'm also not really managing my work balance so well. Even though it is only part time, it is for the same manager that I worked full time for many, many years. She is very used to me being 'on call' 8am-7pm and I am very used to doing that for her. It's a hard habit to break! In addition, I'm just not very efficient yet and SO easily distracted. I've got to get my 'work at home' mojo back!
Carbon has adjusted to this new sit-at-home-and-watch-me-watch-a-screen-all-day lifestyle very well. He's an amazingly adaptable pup. The first week was hard on him, but now he pretty much just sleeps next to me on the sofa where I work until 16:30 pm. Then woe to me (and to my laptop) if I don't PAY ATTENTION HIM BECAUSE HE IS VERY VERY HUNGRY. Once again, I think that he is a better human trainer than I am a dog trainer.
Speaking of which, we are nearly at the end of his first month of online training. I can't believe it went so fast! I gave up thinking I would make it through the curriculum in the allotted time and will ask his trainer this week if we can add some additional private sessions. The way it works is that you have a set of online lessons - both theory and a set of behaviours to learn - in text, audio and video. You have access to these for two years per class. However, there are also three live sessions via Skype which are weekly during the month you signed up for the class. Our last one is this week and I feel like we just started!
The trainer is located in Canada and is very much positive-only (and @snowbunny pre-approved I'd like to add). I like that she believes in positive human training as well as positive dog training, so I don't feel down about my missteps after a session but rather have a list of different things to try and suggestions.
This current class is our first, but there are over a dozen in the full curriculum. We've got our lesson plans through June so far. I love that I can be consistent even with changing countries all the time. Thank you, modern technology.
Lots more Carbon news, but as I've already written a novel here, I'll let that go for another day. And maybe Carbon should tell some of his own tales himself again.
We've now been (back) in the Big House in Cornwall for just over a week. This weekend was only the third weekend since early January since I'd not moved and it was LOVELY. I've developed a pathological dread of doing up my suitcases again, so I'm trying to very much enjoy this month and the three weeks I have left of it.
I've not been great at getting Carbon and myself to the beach once day, so I need to work on that. I have to admit, part of it is the fact that I'm still not very comfortable with the narrow curvy lanes that lead to all beaches nearby. Left turning curves when driving on the left in a left drive (German) car are completely blind and it I can't seem to banish the idea of "I'm going to die in a head on collision just trying to get my dog to the beach". Everyone assures me I will get used to it, so I just need to put on my big girl pants and saddle in for the wild ride.
I'm also not really managing my work balance so well. Even though it is only part time, it is for the same manager that I worked full time for many, many years. She is very used to me being 'on call' 8am-7pm and I am very used to doing that for her. It's a hard habit to break! In addition, I'm just not very efficient yet and SO easily distracted. I've got to get my 'work at home' mojo back!
Carbon has adjusted to this new sit-at-home-and-watch-me-watch-a-screen-all-day lifestyle very well. He's an amazingly adaptable pup. The first week was hard on him, but now he pretty much just sleeps next to me on the sofa where I work until 16:30 pm. Then woe to me (and to my laptop) if I don't PAY ATTENTION HIM BECAUSE HE IS VERY VERY HUNGRY. Once again, I think that he is a better human trainer than I am a dog trainer.
Speaking of which, we are nearly at the end of his first month of online training. I can't believe it went so fast! I gave up thinking I would make it through the curriculum in the allotted time and will ask his trainer this week if we can add some additional private sessions. The way it works is that you have a set of online lessons - both theory and a set of behaviours to learn - in text, audio and video. You have access to these for two years per class. However, there are also three live sessions via Skype which are weekly during the month you signed up for the class. Our last one is this week and I feel like we just started!
The trainer is located in Canada and is very much positive-only (and @snowbunny pre-approved I'd like to add). I like that she believes in positive human training as well as positive dog training, so I don't feel down about my missteps after a session but rather have a list of different things to try and suggestions.
This current class is our first, but there are over a dozen in the full curriculum. We've got our lesson plans through June so far. I love that I can be consistent even with changing countries all the time. Thank you, modern technology.
Lots more Carbon news, but as I've already written a novel here, I'll let that go for another day. And maybe Carbon should tell some of his own tales himself again.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Oh dios mio, how I love my pillows. Look at my eyes: I am drunk with the love of their softness. You would be too if you spent all the first part of your life on concrete. Pfft! That is what I say to concrete. Give me beautiful pillows and a nice duvet...
...preferably in a big bed all to myself. Foster lady? She must sleep on the sofa. This bed is all para mi, for ME!
Buenas noches, todos!
...preferably in a big bed all to myself. Foster lady? She must sleep on the sofa. This bed is all para mi, for ME!
Buenas noches, todos!
- Location
- South Manchester England
Buenas noches Senor Carbon 
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
So comfy!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
There is nothing quite like the face of a dog who is enjoying the exquisite bliss of comfort after an eternity spent on concrete
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
You can say that again. When I think of him on concrete in an outdoor kennel - no wonder he's such a discerning pillow connoisseur these days! This dog doesn't really do floors or outdoors anymore. It's sofa with pillows (not just a sofa, oh no) or the bed. Preferably the bed in the sunshine (his new fave) or at night the bed under the duvet.There is nothing quite like the face of a dog who is enjoying the exquisite bliss of comfort after an eternity spent on concrete
I have a lovely back deck that gets full sun in the afternoon. I keep opening the back glass doors for him thinking he'll want to lay outside in the sun while I work a few feet away. No way, José. He is NOT coming off that sofa!
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Hehe, when Ginny is on the bed, she gets really snuggled in among the pillows. Yesterday, we put two new memory foam beds in the apartment; Squidge immediately laid on one in the sun. A few minutes later, Ginny hopped over to investigate, clearly wanting to sit on it, and so she squeezed herself in to the smallest space next to the chocolate monster and then gradually expanded until Squidge moved to the floor and she had the whole thing to herself. Yep, there’s a certain sense of entitlement there
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
I know how Squidge feels. I'm allowed about a foot and a half on the edge of the bed and that's only because I push and shove to get that 'extra' half foot. We all know who the bed really belongs to.
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
Alex is the same. Floors are not for him AT ALL!!! There is a dogs only sofa in my room and Alex owns half of it. He makes it very clear that the others don't get his half. He has to have comfort at all times, even in the car. Memory pillows are not an option, they are an essential. Seeing him enjoy his comfort and freedom makes my day.
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Seeing him enjoy his comfort and freedom makes my day.
One day I will rescue a dog and they will live the life of luxury they deserve like Stanley does.
He just doesn’t appreciate how lucky he is - just thinks it’s his right to have whatever he wants whenever he wants it.
But to be fair, when you’re that perfect.. you do deserve whatever you want
He just doesn’t appreciate how lucky he is - just thinks it’s his right to have whatever he wants whenever he wants it.
But to be fair, when you’re that perfect.. you do deserve whatever you want
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
I have to say that when we saw Carbon last week , we both thought he looked incredibly happy and also in good shape too . That garden is so lovely for dogs and hoomans too ! x
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
We've been using it for training and just running around now that it's not wet. It's really nice to have a space like that - almost never happens that I have an enclosed garden!
Beanwood
Administrator
Spent a couple of days with the lovely Emily AND HER DOG CARBON! 
Carbon has come so far in such a short time, it is really astounding to think he has been with @Emily_Babbelhund just over a year ( I think...?) Anyway, lots of fun on the beach, in the lovely Cornish upside house, and a bit of fun training thrown in!
And finally crashed out after an exciting day at the beach!
Carbon has come so far in such a short time, it is really astounding to think he has been with @Emily_Babbelhund just over a year ( I think...?) Anyway, lots of fun on the beach, in the lovely Cornish upside house, and a bit of fun training thrown in!
And finally crashed out after an exciting day at the beach!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
A huge thank you to you and Benson for sharing a couple days with us - and also for the fab photos! I love the one in the heart.
@Boogie, do you recognise your pheasant?
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
