Well, it’s Sunday September 13th, and if our plans worked out, we just arrived in Spain. We are supposed to fly into Madrid early in the morning, and then take the fast train to Barcelona for a few days of vacationing. All the folks we know who have returned from Spain rave about the food, so I pretty much envision Jim and I eating our way from one side of Barcelona to another. (Note to Andy, my personal trainer: Do not read the above sentences, and do not ask me if I did my exercises while I was gone.)
Thanks to Wikipedia for this photograph of Placa Reial in Barcelona. Maybe Jim and I are strolling here as you read this?
On Friday the 18th we return to Madrid, and on Saturday evening I’ll be giving a talk about our relationship with dogs, and the Spanish version of Love Has No Age Limit (El Amor no tiene edad). Please come up and say hello if you are a blog reader. I can’t wait to meet Spanish colleagues and dog lovers, and to be able to speak in person. (I’ll apologize now for my poor language skills. Me disculpo. Did I get that part right?) On Sunday I get to spend some time with trainers for a casual Q and A session in which I’ll undoubtedly learn more than anyone else. If you haven’t already, check out my host, Dogalia, for more information.
After we return I’ll write about the trip, and hopefully have some great stories about dog training in Spain versus the U.S., along with some photographs of the trip. Stay tuned.
MEANWHILE, back at the farm: Well, as of today we’ll have only been gone a few days, but I know I’ll be missing the dogs hugely. Belly rubs to Tootsie, Willie and Maggie. I love you more than I can say.
I’ve published this photograph of Willie and Maggie before, but it’s one of my favorites. I’m putting it in now for my own sake, because I’m writing this a week before we leave and I’m missing the dogs already. Silly me.
Here’s to my Toot Toot Tootsie girl. Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll be home soon.
Melanie Popovich says
September 13, 2015 at 7:13 amHappy travels. Looking forward to hearing all about your trip. Been considering a trip to Spain myself. I hear it’s so beautiful!
susan S. says
September 13, 2015 at 7:11 pm“Me disculpo” pretty much means that you forgive yourself, which is just fine.
Martha Chiang says
September 13, 2015 at 10:17 pmI sincerely hope you have a fabulous time. What a wonderful opportunity to both expand your circle of dog trainers and people with interest in the human canine bond with what sounds like fabulous plans to eat your way from one end of Barcelona to the other. I wanted to thank you for setting me right about the book you reviewed two weeks ago, Dogs and Human Health. For some reason the day I first looked, Amazon had a glitch and it looked like I could only order it from Amazon in the EU. But now I shall have it in my hands in one more day, and I can hardly wait to read it. Dr. Milena Penkowa accepted my friend request so I look so much forward to learning more. Last week you asked what we are reading, and I did not have time to respond. But, as I am a “new” dog trainer, I am reading, among other things, Control Unleashed: The Puppy Program, Bones will Rain from the Sky is next, I adored Kathy Sdao’s Plenty in Life is Free. Right now though, I am engrossed in materials for my classes with Jamie Robinson at Play Your Way Academy. I am in the first Canine Game Theory Certification Training class, and also her Surviving to Thriving: Your Relationship with Your Dog. Have a fabulous trip! And I don’t think it is a bit silly that you were missing your dogs before you left, I almost never travel without my dogs. Belly rubs to them all!
Frances says
September 15, 2015 at 4:17 amBarcelona is a wonderful city – fabulous architecture and amazingly beautiful food markets, too! I hope you get lots of time to explore and enjoy a holiday, in between lectures.
Lynn says
September 15, 2015 at 9:25 amWhat a great place to go !! I have been to Spain 4 times – all dog related 🙂 I own several Spanish Water Dogs. I have mostly spent my time in southern Spain – absolutely beautiful !. I hope you get a chance to get there.
The SWD’s are herders and the breed is over 900 years old. They have only been a recognized breed in FCI since the 1980’s and been in the USA for less than 20 years. My oldest just passed away at 13.5 years.
Safe Travels!!
Cristina Meyer says
September 15, 2015 at 12:50 pmWhen you are in Barcelona, go to the Restaurant “Los Caracoles”. I love it, and I know it since I was 16 (I’m 50 now). Now if anything it is even better.
Just say “perdoname” but in Barcelona they speak Catalan, anyway.
I hope you enjoy your trip. Have a great time!
Juan says
September 15, 2015 at 1:11 pmGreat to know you Will be around!
Ana Tafur says
September 15, 2015 at 1:42 pmPlease make some comment about the situation of ‘galgos’ in Spain. They’re used for hunting and then discarded, killed in the most appalling ways. Sorry to ruin your impression of sunny Spain, but this is a terrible reality for thousands of dogs every year.
Trisha says
September 16, 2015 at 11:03 amThank you Ana, I just read about the galagos thanks to your comment. Sounds just awful… I’m sorry to say that some hunting dogs in the U.S. are also treated horribly, especially some bear hunting dogs, and of course, the dogs of fighting rings. So sad what we humans can do to other animals. Are there efforts to help stop the abuse of galagos?
Julia says
September 22, 2015 at 9:44 amI have visited Madrid, Spain before with my sister. It was a nice city with lots of things to do. I really enjoyed the food. I can only imagine how much you miss your dogs, I can be away for one work shift and miss my dog terribly. Safe travels!
Monika & Sam says
September 22, 2015 at 11:21 amHappy trails (and happy tails when you return). I’ve only been to the island of Mallorca but totally love Spain. Hope it’s just fabulous for you (trust me, you’ll be walking so much, you’ll need to eat your way across Barcelona just to stay even on calories). 🙂