On October 15, GRIN embarked on a journey to help the hunting dogs of Spain. Specifically, the dogs of Scooby Protectora de Animales in Medina del Campo, Spain. It was a mission bigger than anything we’d ever done before, involving three countries, three organizations, and 12 volunteers. GRIN sent a total of 12 people, four from Canada, eight from the US, to Scooby in teams over a three week period. Two of our volunteers stayed for the entire mission. Most of the volunteers were there for seven to 10 days. The volunteers, people from all walks of life (construction, veterinary, animal care, retired, office personnel, videographer, etc.) came together at Scooby to repair and rebuild facilities ailing from the effects of time and the passage of thousands of paws through its gates.
Our team stayed in two rented apartments in Medina during their time at Scooby. Together they learned from the volunteers experienced in construction how to put down concrete, powerwash kennel walls, install tile, weld, paint concrete, install doors, and so much more. They worked primarily in the quarantine area of the shelter and repaired, painted, improved, and refurbished the majority of the paddocks. GRIN purchased several tools for use while there, and left them for future use. They included a welder, grinders and accessories, a skill saw, a power washer, three hot water heaters, workspace lighting, and a heavy-duty door for the tool shed. We also funded and installed a Starlink high-speed internet unit for the office.
We’d love to say that they faced no adversity, but the mission was interrupted by a few mishaps and conditions. The biggest one: RAIN. Torrential rain. Not a sprinkle here and there, these were rain storms with winds that could blow you over. You can do some things working outside in the rain, like power washing walls, but painting, concrete work, etc. is not an option. Ironically, it had not rained in quite some time in this region of Spain, but it rained on and off the entire three weeks. Also along the lines of challenges to deal with, one of our team members suffered severe food poisoning after eating a sandwich at the Chicago airport on their way to Spain. If you grew up/lived through the ‘80s, you might recall the barf-o-rama scene from the movie “Stand By Me”. It was reenacted by our team member in the boarding area of the airport. We are surprised, with all the apocalypse/zombie movies starting with someone getting ill on an international flight, that anyone was willing to board the flight after witnessing the event. Another team member faced severe adversity on her way home when the plane she was boarding told her that the two dogs she was taking back could not fly because the hold could not be temperature regulated. Several days later, and after an unwanted visit to Portugal, our volunteer and two galgos made their way to British Columbia.
Eleven dogs made their way to North America at the end of the mission - nine galgos, one podenco mix, and a little terrier/bulldog mix. Two of the galgos, Lizzy (FKA Lagartija) and Dacota, went to Canada. Dacota was adopted immediately, Lizzy remains in foster care with Extraordinary Galgos and Podencos. Seven galgos and the two mixed breed dogs went to the US. Upon arrival in Chicago, Baltasar was picked up by his new mom (one of our first wave volunteers) and driven to his new home in Maryland. The remaining eight dogs were driven in caravan style from Chicago to Denver. Unfortunately, the van containing all the dogs hit a deer in Iowa. Thanks to the sharp driving skills of the mission’s foreman, the accident was minor with only a side mirror damaged. We don’t know about the deer, unfortunately. Upon arriving in Denver, Leia (FKA Gloria), Freyja (FKA Bruja), Portia (FKA Karina), Isabelle (FKA Gioia), and Melchor were adopted and went to their forever homes. Arturo (FKA Turbo), who was supposed to go to Canada to EGP from the beginning but was too big per the airline’s rules, went into foster care for a month in Denver. He finally made his way to Victoria, BC Canada, via Seattle, a week ago. Amigo the podenco mix, and Calixto the terrier/bulldog mix are currently being fostered in Colorado and will soon be available for adoption.
Our volunteers were all amazing, with each bringing different skills and tremendous enthusiasm to the table. We can’t say thank you enough to: Stacie Shaw, Lonnette Graham, Bernadette Boe, Dave Rempel, Anna Szeitz, Michele Wright, Matt Bula, Kimberly Logan Waggoner, Brian Lynn, Kristen Metzger, Abby Hull, and our foreman, Steve Hull. A special thank you is owed to Robyn Silo and Anne Hoekema of Extraordinary Galgos and Podencos for their help coordinating the passage of three galgos to Canada.
Scooby is a magical place. We have been working with Scooby since 2005. The majority of the nearly 100 dogs GRIN has rescued have come from there. For some of us, it is home - at least in our hearts. The shelter has been operating for more than 25 years, and just as with any facility, time has taken a toll on the structures there. Shortly after our final group left Scooby along with Nieves Perez (the heartbeat of Scooby), we learned that the roof of the infirmary had collapsed due to the torrential rains. We need to continue our mission to help Scooby, and any donation you can make to help them function would be deeply appreciated. Please visit www.galgorescue.
