My latest guest star: Toby the Bodeguero

Buen viaje, Alfonso! We're looking forward to hearing about your new adventures in England with your new family. Give your foster lady lots of licks!

 

Alfonso, you are a wonderful storyteller and your handsomeness is beyond question.

 

Go well handsome boy xx

((Many hugs for Emily))

 

@Emily_BabbelHund I was in Ronda in 2007 but I do not recall much! Did we even walk around much?? We certainly didn't have as great a tour guide as you. Lucky Alfonso! I am willing to don a purple harness with leash attached if "foster lady" will show me the sites! My heart broke for you regarding the door and the stairs and hills. Perhaps after Sunday your puppy will find you.

 

That's an adorable photo - I'm glad you found it and shared!

 

You don't even need the purple harness and leash. I really love Ronda and it's always on my "must see" list for any visitors. Kind of like my patented "death by walking" tour of Cádiz, which Alfie also got!

Thanks for your kind thoughts. Brogan's ghost is indeed everywhere, but that's only because he was pretty much everything to me. Being more active with Toby/Alfie has really driven home how much more I could do with Brogan than I can do now. In my memories, Brogan was just enjoying the day with me, but in fact he was working hard and the one who made it possible to get in all the little hidden away places or cliff sides or steep steps that for me make exploring fun.

But I still had a great time with Alfie, even if I couldn't hit every single highlight of my Endless Ronda Walking Tour. And I noticed new things with Alfie that Brogan and I overlooked - like the birds and lizards and bicycles and pretty much anything edible at Bodeguero level.

And I hope you are right about my puppy finding me - I think it is indeed time to find my own big black (or chocolate) beast.

 

If you can manage a smaller one, I have a chocolate beast ready and waiting for you here

 

Yeah, but you might notice if she went missing and come hunt me down. I'll gladly take a short-term beastie cuddle, though!

 

It was a tough day and I'll post more later. Suffice it to say, Alfie was good as gold during the very long drive to Malaga and he is now in a kennel with a dog buddy who will also have a new home in the UK. He'll have his last medical clearance tomorrow as required by the UK, then the great voyage will begin Wednesday. Sunday he will arrive at his new home with @catrionas . I'm very happy for Toby (as he is to me) and his new life as Alfie. More than a little sad for me coming home to an empty house. When you cry over the sight of an old mangled broom, you know it's bad. But well worth the sadness to have had the privilege of knowing such a wonderful boy.

 

Oh Emily! How sad you must've been but Toby will definitely remember you and all you did for him!

 

How sad but happy at the same time. Emily you made such a huge difference to Toby's life and he will continue to be a fantastic boy in his new forever home because of this. Be proud of yourself x

Have a safe journey Toby, I will miss you and your adventures xxxx

 

Lovely, lovely photo

I always ask my pups to remember me in their dreams xx


Weeping for you


.

 

A beautiful picture of you both Emily
xx xx

 

Hugs to you Emily. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with Toby/Alfie. Definitely a highlight of the forum for me the last little while. Your special pup is getting closer, so don't despair.

 

Emily, very well done for bringing Toby AKA Alfie along so far, and giving him the best of chances in his new home - you are an amazing, kind & generous woman.

 

What a lovely photo! I hope you'll be able to visit Toby/Alfie in his new home sometime in the future. Well done for helping him so well onto the next stage of his life.

Meanwhile, the great puppy hunt continues...!

 

Lots of love from us all here.

 

Aaaah. Such a big heart you have to put yourself in this position, to let yourself go through this. Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow you can continue the puppy hunt!

 

I am in tears. Emily I have no words. I will promise to give him all my love and won't let him forget you.

 

Beautiful photo of you both.

He won't forget you.