Carbón's Big Adventure (aka Labratour Part IV)

I was feeling sympathy for you Emily, honestly I was, but then Cath went and distracted me!

Edit: OK, I've read the latest pee in the hotel post now and I'm feeling sympathy again (although tinged with with some amusement about the running shoe - sorry ). If its any consolation Carbon looks great in that picture where he is lay on your legs - what a lovely dog he is.

 

Yes, I could certainly give that a try. I'm really wondering what magic my back garden in Spain held for him. I even thought maybe it was that he didn't want to wee on leash, but tonight he still had his harness and leash on when he weed in the hotel room.

 

I wonder what would happen if he was taken camping for a week.

 

So despite the wee incident(s), today was better. Paul settled more quickly in the car and both dogs did better on our morning walk than the evening prior. Part of that was familiarity (Carbon always does better the second time around) and part of it was that the street cleaners of Salamanca do a great job of getting rid of all traces of partying the night before, so the streets held a lot fewer temptations.

Between the morning walk and me sorting out my hotel for tomorrow night's destination, we left Salamanca pretty late. As it turned out, it was perfect timing, because it rained for the entire five hour trip and then the sun came out just as we reached our destination. Sean (my erstwhile Irish satnav) had a bit of a wild hare moment and sent me down a rather 'picturesque' way a few times, which resulted in us being slowed down by goats and a grumpy-looking farmer. And potholes. Lots and lots of potholes.

Eventually we got to Cathedral Beach, which was the whole point of today. I remembered being here two years ago and the amazing cliff walks, which I thought the dogs would love, even if they weren't allowed on the beach itself. Turns out the cliff walks are completely closed now, but I got the dogs on beach after all, and then we walked along the coast on an immense boardwalk that leads into the next town.

This area of Spain has a definite Celtic feel and reminds me a lot of the west coast of Ireland. It's kind of back of beyond, but that also means very few tourists despite it being June. From the looks of the parking, there is only one other guest in the hotel and the beaches are pretty much empty. Perfect.

Tomorrow is a rest day, with only a 2 hour drive down the coast to our next stop. I thought we all needed a bit of low key!

Our two buddies on Cathedral Beach in Galicia near Ribadeo


Exploring the cathedral caves


"I own this place!"




"You keep digging for the treasure, I'll keep the lookout!"


Enjoying the long boardwalk


Spain or Ireland?


In addition to the ocean view from our hotel, we also have goats! And the very typical Asturian grain storage stilt house.

 

He'd self-implode?

 

Re the wee and poo: Oh dear oh dear oh dear! But I did have a good laugh!! Sorry!!

Wow, that scenery is lovely. You sure do make the most of your travels. Very impressive.

 

Oh Paul! How could you let Emily down like that after those lovely walks?! I think I would be tempted to put him in toddler training pants and hope he would be too busy prancing around to notice and try to pull them off!

 

Great minds...I was just thinking, "Mmmm, I wonder if he'd notice if I slapped a pair of premie diapers on his cute little posterior?" I'd much rather bear the embarrassment of being seen with a dog in diapers than have a repeat of this evening's debacle.

Plus Carbon would laugh his head off, I'm sure. He's getting a little short of patience with Paul these days and humiliation would likely be a plus in his book.

 

Your adventures always make me smile. Sleep well you urine soaked explorers. Hugs from me kisses from Rory xxx

 

Heh, heh...that's us to a tee.

 

Goodness, you don't do things by half.
I think I would be looking for a nappy - or some of those girl dog "season" pants

 

So driving across Europe alone requires some courage... driving with your own dog is quite brave. Driving a thousand miles with two foster dogs is extremely brave. Travel across Europe in Honda Jazz with a weeing bodeguero named Paul is just off the scale
Go Emily

 

Oh my...you are certainly facing some challenges with Paul and the toileting department. So strange that he won’t go outside! I’d be tempted to try some puppy pads, too.

What a gorgeous place for walkies! Lucky dogs!

 

OMG those photos are amazing! I can't believe that's Spain! And the goat food storage thing - Maori used to store food etc in similar buildings, very cool!

You're probably one step ahead of me already, but I've learnt a few things by frequenting the Tales from the Front Desk sub-reddit (a hotel worker's forum, they have great stories). Giving a glowing Trip Advisor review and naming a helpful staff member by name can make a huge difference for that staff member - lots of hotels give cash bonuses or gift cards to staff if they're mentioned by name on review sites. Hotel staff don't seem to mind messes like that, as long as the guest is apologetic and not acting like an entitled dick, plus you cleaned most of it yourself which she will have really appreciated.

Do Paul's future owners realise that they're getting a dog with rather peculiar toileting needs?

 

Yep, at the very least I need a refresh in my clean up supplies. I'd not bought enough for two wees/poos a day for the whole trip, just for 'accidents' (ha ha). The funny thing is that I've not seen a supermarket in the last five hours of driving. Not sure how the people around here manage! But I have enough for two days more and by then we'll be in France where there seems to be a mega Carrefour on every corner.

Thanks for the kind words...I think it's more ignorance and being stubborn than bravery. It's just wee, after all.

I think the hardest part is missing Brogan. Of course I realised how well-behaved he was and how in-synch he and I were, but this really puts it forefront in my mind again. Even with Carbon, who is quite well-behaved considering his young age and complete lack of training/socialization, I find myself thinking, "Why doesn't he just do...!?" Well, then I have to think about how much experience and training Brogan had so that he would 'just naturally' behave in a certain way. It's something that builds over years, certainly not over a six day road trip!

To his credit, even Paul is handling most of this really well. Dragging him into a major city for the first time, hotels, car, new everything, a (sometimes) grumpy human... he could be quaking in fear and just shutting down, but he greets every day and every new thing with gusto. He is so excited about discovering the bigger world. I think he will be a fabulous travel companion for his new family once this elimination issue gets sorted.

Yes, already thought of that. This is a wonderful hotel and I already would have given them a glowing review, but I will certainly mention the young woman and her going beyond. Personally, I don't know how they stay in business as it's relatively small (not that many rooms) and they only charge EUR32 a night - no extra charges for the dogs either. And that's a large balcony, ocean view, brand new decor, spotlessly clean and beautiful garden. However they do it, I appreciate it!

Yes. They know about his 'struggles'. Oddly enough, they say that their BC Polly had the same issue and even now isn't fond of eliminating away from home.

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So we're off again this morning. Last night's sleep was MUCH better than Salamanca. I woke up with Paul jammed up against my back and using my neck as a pillow and Carbon's head under my chin. I was very grateful for the extra warmth as I'd stripped the bed of the lovely white (!) quilt and replaced with my own duvet cover, which was a bit on the chilly side.

Today is only a two hour doddle down the coast to our next hotel, which is right on the beach. I'm hoping the beach is dog-friendly, but if not, I'll sneak them out there in the late evening and feign touristic ignorance if anyone says anything.

Then that's it for Spain as tomorrow we head for France!

 

Love you write ups. Keep them coming Have a great day.

 

The fact that my OH's name is Paul makes the whole "Paul and his crazy elimination habits" discussion rather hilarious

 

Soldier on through, Emily! You're edging towards your final destination!

Maybe when you have time you could add a little write-up of the hotel for the recommendation section of the forum?

 

Great idea.

 

I was thinking of putting the puppy pads and or carpet square outside, just in case he feels he can only do it 'inside' at the moment! A sort of transition!