The story of the Galgo in print now …

Beryl Brennan, of Galgo News, has spent a long time researching and writing her book “From Heaven to Hell – The Story of the Galgo” and is pleased to announce that it is now available in print.

Although it is written primarily about Galgos, their plight is exactly the same as that of the lesser known Podencos.

A percentage of the sales from this book will benefit abandoned and mistreated sighthounds in Europe.

Read more at       Galgo News

This is why we do it!!

Recently I reported on Ronnie the Podenco looking for a home in the UK. I then reported on his successful adoption after being in foster with Rick and Lesley in the Nottingham area.

There were various people helping with this adoption namely the staff at the Sara rescue centre in Lanzarote, the flight escorts to Germany and a kind volunteer in Germany that helped at the airport. Rick and his friend that drove through the night from the UK to Germany and back on the rescue trip. Lesley and Charlie (Rick’s wife and son) that fostered him in their home and the yard staff that walked and looked after him along with the other foster dogs. Podenco Rescue were also involved with liasing the adoption process and Beryl from Galgo News helped with publicity. And finally his new adopted family.

Many people and a lot of man hours but the following photo, sent to me by Rick showing a very contented Ronnie making himself at home, in front of the Aga, in foster care, shows us why we do it!!

To all volunteers and rescuers ;

Never give up, keep fighting for their rights and make them “smile”.

This photo makes it all so worthwhile …………………….

If you can offer a rescue Podenco a new home in the UK, please contact Rick on         sarashelter_uk@hotmail.com

Spanish Galgueros defended in newspaper article

There is an article in a Spanish newspaper defending hunters and calling them “humble”. It transfers the blame for the atrocious photos we have all seen of the abused, hung, burnt and maimed hunting dogs in Spain and the Islands, onto “robbers” who have published them to defame the hunters. Although there is a minority of hunters that do care for their animals, there are 1,000’s of others who treat their dogs shamefully.

This article should never have been printed as it a completely one sided view written by a hunter himself and shame on the newspaper for allowing this.

You can read the full story on Galgo News   Please follow the links and leave your comments on the original article in the newspaper.

Cross Europe trip to rescue 4 Podencas

Monday 25th is the first day of the rescue mission from Nottinghamshire to Dusseldorf airport and back for Rick Beauchamp. Hopefully, if everything goes ok with their flights etc he will be returning with 4 female Podencos from Sara Protectora in Lanzarote in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Three times a year Rick and Lesley go to Lanzarote and personally choose four dogs to prepare for UK adoption. They ensure they have their rabies jabs and arrange for the necessary blood tests. Then the wait begins as the dogs cannot leave Lanzarote for at least 6 months.  Flying the dogs over is not an option as the British airlines will charge an extortionate amount for their flights (approx. £500 per dog) so the dogs are flown into European airports for much less. This means that they then have to travel overland and on the ferry to get them safely back to the UK.

Rick and Lesley are now searching for homes for these four beauties. Pintada = 5 years,   Agora = 3 years,   Abrila = 18 mths,   Dulce = 18 mths.

Two of the dogs are flying  into Cologne on Tuesday mid-day and fortunately their flight partners have kindly agreed to transport them by car to Dusseldorf. There they will meet up with Rick who will be waiting for the second two dogs that are arriving late afternoon. Things could be a little hectic at the airport trying to find and organise two sets of flight partners and four dogs. If anyone lives near to Dusseldorf airport and could spare an hour on Tuesday to lend a hand your help would be gratefully received as all four dogs will need walking etc before their long trip back to the UK by road.

Further details can be obtained by Emailing  podenco.rescue@hotmail.com

 

Profile Pic

Some of you may be wondering who this little cutie is as she is used as the profile pic for this weblog.

Beryl Brennan from Galgo News very kindly allowed me to use a photo of her beloved Bebe.

You can read all about her rescue and how she fits in with Beryl’s Galgos in Living with a Podenco – your stories.

Your Stories

I have introduced a new page called Living with a Podenco – Your Stories, where I hope people will send me their experiences of having a Podenco in their lives.

It is a general assumption that Hounds (be it Podencos, Galgos, Greyhounds etc) do not make good house dogs and need acres of garden for exercise. Being working dogs it is thought that they are aloof and not very affectionate. This is so far from the truth as hopefully “Your Stories” will prove.

It is true that they need exercising, but then, so do all other breeds. It is also true that they appear to be aloof but that is probably down to being wary of strangers. Many of these animals have never known a cuddle or a soft voice.

Imagine spending your whole life on the end of a short, heavy chain, in blazing sunshine with only rock hard, dry rolls to eat (if you’re lucky). Imagine only hearing harsh words and loud commands. Imagine only knowing the feel of a humans hand on your skin was when you were being beaten into submission. To them it is not normal for someone to stroke them gently or to be spoken to in “baby” voices. They have never been called “poppet”, “sweetie” or “honeybun “. They don’t even know what a squeaky toy is – they have never been taught to play.

One thing they are though is intelligent. Once they have realised that there will be a bowl of proper food available everyday, that strange thing in the corner is a really comfy bed all for themselves and those stupid “baby” noises you keep making are not going to hurt them …. watch them change.

They are loyal, affectionate and will soon become a valuable and much loved member of your family …… but don’t take my word for it, read Your Stories

Database up and running

My original intention was to set up a database of as many abandoned Podencos that were looking for new homes. Specific needs could be sourced easily by prospective adopters without the need to trawl through hundreds of rescue organisations.

I have spent the last few days preparing the database format and I have now started to add dogs to the list. I now have the long and laborious job of uploading data but thankfully I have plenty of time on my hands.

If anyone has details of a Podenco in need of re-homing please contact me for a questionaire. These are currently available in English and Spanish but hopefully I will have a German one available soon.

Sorry but I have to restrict this to Podencos only.

Welcome

Podenco Rescue

  Well, I finally got my head around setting up this blog. Hopefully, between us we can help all the wonderful Podencos that are sick, starving, being mistreated or currently looking for new homes and honour the people who work tirelessly on their behalf.

I will need your input and ask you to send me details of any Podencos you know of that need our help. Have a look at the “About” page for further information and my intentions to start a detailed database to facilitate adoptions.   Joanne