¿Un perro o un gato?

Welcome to Spanish Obsessed Intermediate series 2. This is a brand new podcast series for our intermediate learners, featuring me, Rob, and Lis, from Spanish Obsessed. And, we've got a new theme tune. Hello, hello. How are you Lis?

All right, Rob. All very good. How are you? Good, thanks. And we're back with a new series of podcasts.

Can you believe it?

No, incredible.

It's been five years since we started the podcasts. What an incredible journey!

Yes.

And then, after all that time, so we finished series one and we're starting again with series two of intermediate.

Yeah. It's amazing. I seem to remember when we started.

Yeah. A long time ago in my room with a very small microphone on the floor.

But well, here we are.

Here we are. So let's talk a little bit about what this series is like. Because it's a bit different. So in each episode there's me and we're with Lis, and we're going to talk about one of five topics. So what are those themes?

Yeah. The themes are, then, culture, our lives. Lifestyle.

Lifestyle? Yes.

Politics

Politics

And meta

Meta. So we have ... We have asked our dear audience and it seems that all suggestions of topics for us may belong to one of these categories.

Categories.

Categories, categories. So culture, those are going to be podcasts focused on Latin American twine culture. Spain too, but we know more about Latin America and the comparison with England. That's always very interesting. A bit of our lives. So our stories, memories or talks about nothing, about nonsense.

About who we are. Nothing.

Someone's interested, I'm sure. Well, lifestyle is how we live. We, as people in the world. What is lifestyle like now and what are the important issues there? Politicians. Well, what's going on in the world.

Yes, a bit like social injustice.

We are going to comment more on what we know. I don't like to say much about the politics of the United States, for example, because we don't live there. And I don't want to offend anyone.

Yes, that's true.

And also what's called meta, which means we're going to talk about how to learn languages, like learning Spanish and learning and things like that. So you're also going to see that the notes and the transcripts of these podcasts have come a long way. I don't know if you're listening on iTunes, on Spotify or any other app, but you can come to Spanishobsessed.com, listen to the podcast on the page and there's a transcript that has a lot more, it has notes, it has a lot more features, you call them?

More functions, more functions.

I mean, you can comment. I've put more notes about my mistakes. Interesting phrases. So it's very cool, you have to go and watch it and for the first 3 episodes it's free. I mean, you can access it and it won't cost you anything. Well, a very long introduction to the series, but today's topic belongs to our lives.

Yes. And so we're going to talk about a topic that's been in discussion this year between Rob and I, and that's about pets.

Yeah. So we moved again. We live in South London now, in a house. And so I was thinking with all the space we have, well, it's not much either. I've always wanted a dog. And since I'm more in the house, because this is now my full time job. My permanent full time job, maybe it's time to get a dog. What do you think about that?

Well, I've always wanted to have a pet too. But I'm not sure about the dog.

Why not?

Because when we want to travel, who are we going to leave it with?

There are solutions for that, there's like... What's the word? Like doghouses where you can leave the dog.

They're not cheap, though.

They're not cheap. I mean, having a dog is not a decision to save money, nor does it have any financial motive. It's for the pure pleasure of having such a nice companion as a dog, don't you think?

Yes, it's nice, I think it would be nice, but it worries me a lot. Well, if we want to travel. With whom, who is going to look after him? Because we don't know many people.

Well, you can pay someone. You can pay someone. But it is a... It's a disadvantage, let's say.

Yeah. And the second point is that I've always found that the smell is a bit strong of the dogs.

Of the dogs? Or are you referring to me?

Also... Er, no. From the dogs. And the hair, I think I have a hair allergy.

Yeah? Are you sure?

I don't know, because I've never had...

But there are dogs that have short hair, and they don't, they don't smell as much, either.

Yes.

There's a breed of dog, which is not really my favourite, but it's a breed called a Greyhound. I'm going to look it up now. Mmmm. Dog, greyhound? Do you know what that is?

No

Well, it's Greyhound. They're dogs that do a lot of running, I mean, the fastest dog. They can run very, very fast. They're... They have long legs, but they are skinny and weigh almost nothing.

Yes, they are a bit lazy.

Yes, although they are very energetic and can run very fast. The truth is that they like to be very still and they are very lazy. I've seen a video of a greyhound dog left in the house all day and he sleeps for about 15 hours on the sofa. So it is an option.

But in that sense it would be better to bring a puppy from a, from a home that is abandoned. What are they called? Not charities, but they're like.

Foundations

Foundations and bring in an abandoned puppy.

Yeah. I like that idea.

And not purebred.

The only thing, I don't think I should say it, but, well, most of those dogs are very aggressive dogs. They're kind of attack dogs, they're called... What are they like?

I don't think so. Because they have lacked love and affection. But then you teach them at home.

Like a pit bull. Do you know what a pit bull is?

Yes.

Yes, it is, in fact those dogs are the nicest, but they are also very scary. And I don't want people to look at me thinking that I'm... I don't know, owner...

But we're still not going... If we're going to rescue a dog, it's not going to be a pit bull.

That's what I'm telling you, that most of the dogs in those foundations are pit bulls.

Oh, is that right?

Yes. Because, well, and I don't know this in detail, but I've read that, well, a lot of people buy, or have their pitbulls for... Because they're scary. It's more like a. Like something to have. For. For.

Protection.

For protection. To look more aggressive or more. Yes,

How ugly!

Yes, it's very ugly, and then they mistreat them. And a mistreated dog doesn't know how to behave well. And we, as owners, have little experience. We need a breed and a dog that is easy to handle and train. But you won't let me have any dog anyway.

And how about starting with a tortoise?

Tell me why you want a tortoise.

Because my brother had a little turtle and it's very easy. It's very easy. You feed him every four days, bathe him every two weeks.

But isn't it boring?

But you have the company.

He needs... What does a tortoise need? Like, a bed, a cage?

Like an aquarium, an aquarium which has some sand in it. With water.

Yes

Well, a small turtle. I don't know, a big one, but...

What about a cat?

No...

It's just that there are a lot of cats around here. And they seem to be, it's the perfect choice because, well, they take care of themselves, they don't eat much. Well, yes, they eat a lot, but they're easy to look after, they're easy to look after, but we both don't like them.

No. I prefer the dog in that case. The question is when. When is one ready to have a dog?

Well, when you have time. And space.

We've got... You have the time.

And you don't... Well, there's room. It's not a very big house, but there might be room. Are you okay?

Yeah, no, I'm thinking about it. I'm imagining with the dog at home to do the podcasts, for example.

Well, I'll carry on dreaming then

Maybe someday in Colombia, on a beautiful farm, we could have four dogs.

Yes, I would... It's my dream to have a dog, I want it to be a Labrador. But, well, or a boxer, better.

No, not a boxer. Labrador yes.

You won't let me. Well, let's start with a tortoise.

Yes, the important thing is to start and then when there is more space, more time and closer to friends or family. It would be easier to take care of it.

Yes. Well, then conclusion. Wait and...

Wait.

Wait, yes. Wait. Okay, then. Thank you very much Lis.

Thank you Robi.

And we also want to know about your experiences with pets, and what advice you can give us. Leave us a comment on the website, on the podcast or on the the comments of itunes, or wherever you're listening. Thanks very much, bye

Thanks