Presto came to the United States in February of 2006. Presto lived for a year in
Kanab, UT with the Greyhound Gang, and was recently adopted by a wonderful family
in Las Vegas, NV.
{gallery}galgos/presto{/gallery}
Cervantes the Brave Podenco
Cervantes is a Podenco Andaluz (Andalusian Hound) from Spain.
The Galgo Rescue International Network arranged his trip from Cadiz, Spain and he arrived in the US on October 24, 2007. He lived with a great foster family in South Carolina until a permanent home could be found for him. A couple of months later a family from Erie, Colorado fell in love with him and decided he would be a great fit for their family. Eric and Jennifer Frank already had two greyhounds (Zamie and Murfy) living with them and were ready for another hound around the house. It wasn't long before arrangements were made to fly Cervantes to Colorado. Cervantes flew from Atlanta, Georgia and arrived at Denver International Airport on December 17, 2007.
Cervantes (aka Little Man) seemed to fit in almost immediately. At first Murfy and Zamie were not sure about the three-legged hop that Cervantes does to get around. They soon realized that Cervantes was a miniature version of them and that he could run very fast around the house with their toys in his mouth. The battle over toys had begun. Murfy and Zamie investigated him thoroughly and after completing his initiation decided that he could join the family. Eric and Jennifer were thrilled that Murfy and Zamie gave them the ok to go ahead with the adoption (does this seem backwards to any of you?). Cervantes seems to like all the toys that Murfy and Zamie happen to have. The dogs like to play tug of war after they empty out all of the toy boxes on a daily basis. They each have their own beds, but Cervantes seems to like sharing one with Murfy or Zamie on occasion. Cervantes has been introduced to the local bunny that lives under the back deck. He likes to crawl under the deck to make sure the bunny is tucked in each night (ok, his family hopes that is the reason he crawls under there). Cervantes instantly took on the role of food bowl cleaner when the other two are done eating (or almost done eating). He knows mom and dad tell him not to do that (can we say chubby bunny?), but he has figured out how to act when he gets caught. He will see mom or dad coming out of the corner of his eye and will quickly act like he is drinking water out of the shared water bowl. See� I'm just over near Zamie's bowl cause I need to get a drink out of this water bowl right here�no other reason at all. I don't even like this food. Yeah right� he is way too smart. Anyway, Cervantes also enjoys hanging out in the backyard when the sun is out, taking walks at the trail or in the neighborhood, and of course taking naps right up against mom or dad. He is very much a lap dog. He enjoys the attention and loves to give you a hug and kiss when he gets a chance. He always makes grumbling noises when you hug him back. Mom and dad think he is enjoying his new life in Colorado and they know they are enjoying him every day.
The Galgo Rescue International Network received the email plea and decided that Cervantes should come to the US. He arrived on October 24, 2007 after his long journey from Cadiz. He is now in a loving foster home and is doing very well. He is a sweet, social and very endearing boy. He desperately wants someone to love him and will crawl into any available lap. He would probably do best in a home with only one or two other pets� not because he doesn't get along with other dogs, but because he craves attention. He is very good with other dogs and has shown a great deal of affection for his canine housemates, he even tried to assist his galga foster sister, when she was attempting to remove her muzzle, by using his leg to help pull it off. There is just something very special about Cervantes, and he is ready and willing to love and be loved. He is a petite little guy, less than 40 pounds, but has a heart the size of an ocean. If you think you would like to give Cervantes the special forever home he has been dreaming of, please email telma@galgorescue.org
{gallery}galgos/cervantes{/gallery}
Hidalgo's Journey
UPDATE! Hidalgo - now known as Carlos - has finally found his forever home. Carlos is a loving galgo, and his personality is really coming out. He is playing like a little puppy and seems surprised at himself when he becomes playful. He is a mellow boy most of the time just wanting to put his head in your lap and look at you with that one sweet eye! The other eye will eventually have peripheral vision with a small cloudy spot in the middle but he is really fine. Carlos likes playing with his foster brother greyhound Avi, and plays like a boxer with him... it is very fun to watch. He will make a wonderful companion for his lucky new mom and we are grateful that Carlos was sent half way across the world, at just the right time� continue to be blessed, my boy� (updated by Telma and Mike Shaw, Carlos' foster parents).
On November 20, the Galgo Rescue International Network received a very special galgo from the Scooby Refuge in Medina Del Campo, Spain. Hidalgo had recently been rescued by the people at Scooby and was emaciated, covered with sores, and had a very serious corneal ulcer. His story is one of amazingly good fortune, everything fell into place for him to come to the US and receive the care he needed, and now he is looking for his forever home. He will be available for adoption in California or the surrounding area soon.
From Telma Shaw, GRIN board member and Hidalgo's foster mom:
"I have been fostering this special and sweet boy, Hidalgo, two weeks on Friday. He came from Scooby with a deep eye ulceration, infected puncture wounds in paw, an ear infection and was emaciated. He arrived in Phoenix with a vet who had been at Scooby (Catherine Klein, DVM). She had not seen him until the morning of departure, and it was then that she noticed his eye. The poor boy endured a long trip in pain and discomfort. The morning after arriving, he was taken to a vet who suggested further evaluation of his eye, and was driven to Yuma to Dr. Suzanne Stack. She continued his care for a couple of days, then we decided to transport him to San Diego to see a specialist in ophthalmology. It was Thanksgiving and I was able to get through to the Eye Clinic. They agreed to see him the next day (as they had an emergency coming in). Immediately after arriving in San Diego we took him to the specialty center. The doctor informed us he needed immediate surgery as the ulcer was very deep and almost at the last level of membrane. He had the surgery, a corneal graft, and we brought him home."
"I will tell you this boy is fabulous. He has allowed us to do all his treatments without any problem. Has had a cone on his head since (and for another week or two) and still learned to use the doggie door! Never has he had an accident in the house. He is the MOST loving boy you could imagine. He craves affection and he gets it here, that's for sure! He gets along perfectly with all my hounds (and galgos) but because of the cone, they sort of keep their distance. Yesterday he was feeling pretty good, not sleeping as much, and was trying to play with my galgita in the morning. I have to stop him if he starts to play as it may injure his eye. His last recheck was very good as the doctor said it was healing normally. Hidalgo continues to amaze us with his progress, his gentle demeanor, and his affection. He truly made this a Thanksgiving to remember and we are grateful to all who have helped this boy not only keep his sight but also find his way. We would like to give special thanks to Catherine Klein, DVM, Elisabeth Weinerman, and Suzanne Stack, DVM. If you are interested in adopting Hidalgo, please email telma@galgorescue.org.
{gallery}galgos/hidalgo{/gallery}
Inocente - Victim of Unimaginable Abuses
From the rescuers of Refugio Kimba:
UPDATE! Inocente is doing very well and will be coming to the United States in February! The wonderful people of Elite Greyhounds in Florida, led by Sonia Stratman, are taking Inocente into their adoption program. They will have his broken hind leg surgically corrected and then he will be adopted into a loving home!
Inocente is a beautiful galgo mix, about 3 years old, but with a past that would make any person tremble if they had the least bit of sensitivity.They tried to hang poor "Inocente". He has an old fracture of the tibia with a distal deviation. There are people who do not like animals, who do not want to be next to them, but they let them live in peace. However, there are monsters disguised as humans who are capable of the unimaginable from the time they are very young. They are the future abusers of all living beings, both human and non human.
What they did to Inocente forms a part of their formation as a future sadist. Instead of attending school to receive an education, they grow up en masse like savages, even though we live in the 21st century. It's an embarrassment to all the citizens of this country, and we hear more and more news of a more irrational type of abuse all the time.
The truth is that the animal protection societies do not know how to put an end to this evil. More and more often we have to take on cases of animals who arrive in lamentable conditions, and we receive no sort of help from the administration. We need to thank a thousand times over all of our members for their membership fees, and all of the donations from our friends abroad. With their help we are able to end the suffering for some of the animals.
Those of us who dedicate our time to help ease animal suffering are not even given the water for free for these animals to drink. But those who are dedicated to torture and to bloody perfomances are given subsidies.
Tell us that this isn't a disgrace of a country.
Kimba is asking that someone please help to find a family for Inocente. One that will give him all the love possible and who will help him to forget his past in Chiclana de la Frontera.
{gallery}news/inocente{/gallery}
200 Dogs Found in Awful Situation in Sevilla, Spain
From the rescuers of Scooby in Medina Del Campo, Spain:
We have heard of another tragedy and we are on our way to finding a solution. This time it was in a town of Sevilla, at El Cuervo, a nice town where a man called Antonio has dedicated to rescue dogs, especially Galgos, Podencos, and some mixed breeds. We calculate that there were there almost 200 dogs, all together, males, females, big, small, for which the situation is absolutely untenable. The inspection organizations had given this man till November 10th to arrange this situation. We received a call from Sandra, a person living there and we began to move.
We first went there to see the situation and what we saw there was an absolute tragedy. Lots of dogs all together, some of them in awful conditions, too skinny with terrible skin problems, full of fleas, pregnant bitches about to give birth, dogs with recent wounds and some with scares from old fights. When we went to the back part of the house, the situation was worst. In an olive area, Antonio had about 30 tied up dogs, with very short chains, and most of them famished, dog bones everywhere and for what we saw we could say that this had been going on for some years now. Even Antonio told us that some days ago a Galga had given birth and that the others had eaten the puppies and then the poor mother, we even saw a dead dog in the patio.
Seeing this situation, we decided to do something, and next day we went back with the van to pick up some dogs. We have already made 2 trips, in the first one we picked up those who were in the worst physical condition, the thinnest ones, the bitches about to give birth, and in the second trip we picked up the more traumatized and some even so scared that they have bitten poor Maria in that part that women have more bulky, thank God it was only a scratch. We loaded the dogs and began our trip back home. We had to stop so that Maria could change her clothes, because she has a serious problem with fleas, so every time, after each trip, she is full of pimples. Well, unfortunately I found an abandoned Galga and I couldn't pick her up.
Again we found ourselves with a big problem that we have to solve with your help. We need you again, we need your help to help them, who are the ones who really need it. We need economic aid, organizations who want to receive these animals, vets to sterilize them and prepare them for their new homes. We need homes for them, and volunteers because these dogs need a special treatment, that is to say, we need all of you, they will thank you. Help us save them to be able to save more.
Thank you, they count on you.
LA RAZ�N Solidaria
10 November 2007
The farm with the 200 dogs with no owner
The Seprona (environmental police) finds in a Sevilla property 200 hundred neglected dogs * They had never been to the veterinary * The Guardia Civil is looking for a home or a shelter for the animals
Esther S. Sieteiglesias
Madrid- It is not the first time that a elder person accumulates a big number of animals in non desired conditions. This is not a case of direct mistreatment, for the owner of the property considers himself as a dog lover, but the truth is that the dogs were found in, as said by the people who went there, it deplorable conditions.
It happened in Sevilla. For Antonio things went out of control. He never imagined he would have so many animals nor that he wouldn't be able to feed them, and this is because feeding so many animals, even when you have the land, is more expensive than what you receive as for your pension.
A veterinary of the Agrarian Regional Office (ARO) went to visit him, for he didn't have the place prepared to have such a large number of dogs. Since then, Antonio, the Seprona and ARO have tried to find a solution.
At least 100 have been euthanized.
They first decided to take him at least 100 animals, and as there were no pounds nor shelters, they were going to be euthanized today, November 10th 2007. Through the e-mails the story was spread out. People from El Cuervo, where the property is, raised the alarm, for they didn't want the animals to die. Antonio told me what was going on and I quickly began to send e-mails to all the shelters and organizations I know says Sandra Bellido, and adds �no matter how much Antonio loves them, he has bitches with males, none of them are castrated, and some have even cancer.
The thing is that Sandra e-mails have had effect. The Scooby shelter, from Medina del Campo (Valladolid), was the first to turn up. Its president, Ferma�n Perez has already taken 60 Galgos and will possibly go this weekend with his van to look for another 30. �When Antonio was told, he threatened to commit suicide if they took his dogs away from him, says Ferma�n. �The property is pretty clean and is pretty big, but the truth is that they have never gone to the vet.
�We have all agreed, and the date for the sacrifice has been postponed, says Sandra. "I now give the Scooby telephone number, so that if someone wants to help or adopt a dog, he does it directly through the shelter. Plus, it seems that the owner and Ferma�n get along well, if people start to come, it would be very tough for Antonio.
The Scooby Association, created 20 years ago to rescue stray dogs and cats, is taking care of the expenses: transport, veterinary, sterilization and microchip, plus the daily maintenance. The organization is prepared for this type of rescue and the shelter is set up. They hope to find them a home soon, and they will probably go to look for more dogs. �I have counted more than 150, but there are isolated hovels, says Ferma�n.
http://www.larazon.es/noticias/noti_soc29021.htm
{gallery}missions/200_dogs{/gallery}
Coming to America
On September 16th and 17th, 2007, the members of GRIN will welcome these lucky dogs to America. As part of GRIN's "Shelter Aid to the Rescue" mission, our volunteers, Charles and Jane Totten and Shirley Durgan will be returning with the latest lucky bunch of canine immigrants, pictured below.
UPDATE: Thanks to our wonderful adopters, all of the latest GRIN dogs are now in forever homes!
If you are interested in adopting a dog from a future transport, please contact G.R.I.N.
{gallery}missions/Coming-to-America{/gallery}
Life at Scooby - YouTube Video
The Scooby animal shelter is Spain's largest galgo refuge. Dedicated to helping all animals in Spain, Scooby does incredible work and is a true voice for animal welfare. The following is a You Tube video montage of photograhs taken by Linda Brown who recently visited Scooby. Her photos are very moving and tell a true tale of both suffering and salvation.
{youtube}6aaF-35EsXw{/youtube}
Galgo Hell - Paterna de Rivera (Cadiz)
This past July 20th, 2007, three volunteers from Kimba went to the town of Paterna de Rivera to look for reasons as to the huge abandonment of galgos, podencos, and in general, dogs used for hunting, that exists every year in this town. The town is a living hell for these poor animals, as you can see in the pictures and videos that Kimba took on these couple of days that we visited this very modern and "European" town.
The volunteers went with intentions of rescuing some of the animals, finding them families, giving them a dignified life, and in this manner directly contributing to the safety of the animals who live so poorly in the streets and in the fields of Paterna de Rivera.
The first thing to be witnessed was how some totally insensitive dimwit, with so little regard for the lives of animals, had thrown two little dogs into a river of fecal water, in a malicious way with the intention of killing them. One of them had the good luck of landing on some branches, and was able to get out of the river. But the other little dog, who we named "MANDY" remained completely paralyzed, as you can see in the picture and in the video of the rescue.
Videos of MANDY'S rescue
{youtube}5c2bpPW8_i8{/youtube}
{youtube}Vk7PzHFpcE4{/youtube}
{youtube}ULBcbllzN6c{/youtube}
After rescuing the little dog, they conducted a search to see if there were other dogs that had been thrown into the river by that imbecile.
They found two galgos and a podenco in a man-made shack on the side of a mountain, and all of them in terribly lamentable conditions, without food or water, living among excrements, tied with chains to the ceiling, and all of them infested with fleas and ticks. And across from them was a family, in swim suits, skinning a calf who was hanging by its neck from a tree, and all of this with small children present.
We are certain that other people in that town have witnessed, just as we did, the situation with the animals, who are surrounded by excrements and lament, as you can see in the pictures and the videos that are sending to you.
{youtube}Hr8OkYJk3Vc{/youtube}
That same day we saw many abandoned galgos in and around the town, among them a beautiful pregnant little galgo, on the verge of giving birth to her puppies (you can see her in the picutures that we're sending).
As bad luck would have it, we were unable to catch her that day. Bad luck because when we returned two days later, we found that poor galgo as you can see, on one of the streets in town, where cars cannot travel at a very high speed. The poor dog had difficulty moving due to her pregnancy, and so the dimwit who ran over her, did it in broad daylight, and when we arrived, it had just happened. Truly a crime, that an animal had only lived only to serve a galguero, and once used, she was discarded as if she were an inanimate object.
A true disgrace of a town, one that on other occasions we have seen galgueros on motor scooters with a few galgos tied to the cycle and running alongside on the sidewalks or in the streets. We even saw once a galguero on a motor scooter with four galgos tied to it and running along side on the highway. They were passed by a police car, and the police did absolutely nothing.
The only beauty and happiness that we took from Paterna de Rivera are the long-suffering galgos and podenco from that hiding place, along with the little dogs who had been thrown into the river. Thanks to the great help from the Seprona (division of the Guardia Civil for the conservancy of nature), we were
able to remove them all from that disgusting location where those despicable galgueros had them locked up.
...And so now they are all happy at Kimba. They have had their anti parasite treatment, they've had food and water to their hearts' content, and all of the necessary requirements have been fulfilled for their adoptions.
If you should consider to protest to the authorities of this town for the denigrating acts that have been commited against these animals, you may do so at the following addresses and telephones:
Buzon de sugerencia de Paterna de Rivera: proyectored.paterna@dipucadiz.es
Ayuntamiento:
Pza. Constitucion 1
Tlf.:0034 956-416010
Policia Municipal:
Tlf.: 0034 956 416162
This story reprinted with permission by Refugio KIMBA
NUCLEO ZOOLOGICO: AUTONOMICO CA/ 242, NACIONAL 4129
Telefono: 00 34 679 968 900
Apartado de correos 2768 (11080 Cadiz)
Por favor ayudanos a salvar sus vidas (Donativos aqui).
Please help us to save their lives (Donaciones).
{gallery}missions/galgo_hell{/gallery}
Shelter Aid to the Rescue!
On September 7, 2007 the Galgo Rescue International Network is going to embark on its largest relief effort to date. G.R.I.N. members Charles and Jane Totten of Olympia, Washington will be travelling to Madrid loaded with medical supplies and coats for seven of the Spanish shelters.
The shelters, Scooby, Recal Extremadura, DDEVIDA, Refugio Kimba, Galgos Sin Fronteras, Pro-Galgo, and Amigos de Los Galgos, will each receive a package containing a wealth of medical supplies (courtesy of Shelter Aid, National Greyhound Adoption Program, and various donors), 30+ coats each (made with love by Telma Shaw and the coatmakers), dozens of collars and leashes, and a 4 X 10 foot banner for public education courtesy of Bob Smith of Homestretch Greys and G.R.I.N.
After spending some time in Madrid and posting the packages to their final destinations, the Tottens will visit Scooby and will return to Denver, Colorado with 11 galgos and podencos and one very special mix dog. The dogs are bound for homes throughout the United States, including Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Washington, South Carolina, and Colorado.
A very special thanks goes out to Scooby for rescuing, caring for and helping us rehome these 12 special dogs; The Tottens for their incredible generosity, dedication and time; National Greyhound Adoption Program (NGAP), Pat Sohl, and all of our donors for sending us such a wealth of medical supplies to share with the shelters; Telma Shaw and all of her dedicated coatmakers; Bob Smith of Homestretch Greys (who made the mistake of asking "Could you guys use a banner?"); all of our donors, supporters and adopters for making this happen; and most of all, a huge debt of gratitude to all of our Spanish friends serving the animals of Spain day in and day out. Don't forget to check back at the end of September to see how this mission turns out!
Calling All Animal Lovers!
It is with pensive and concerned mood that I write this. I would like to take the opportunity to reach into your heart and to ask you to think about the following words.
I have come across horrendous acts of cruelty in this country I call home. Because of what I have seen, I believe the galgo (greyhound) suffers more than any other animal. The noble, sweet reliable friend, the only canine to be mentioned in the Bible.
I ask myself: What is wrong with these people who abuse, cause pain, and contemplate how to inflict this torture? The answer to ending this ongoing slaughter and sadism is in education. Teach the children about the love they can feel from an animal; teach them to respect ALL living beings.
In most cases the "anger" that turns into physical abuse perpetrated against an animal who has devoted his life to this human, can be channeled another way. These people are also more likely to afflict pain in the home. Do they feel good afterwards? I dont know. Could they learn to talk about why they feel the way they do? Have they witnessed something similar during their own childhood?
Is it anger, or is it a lack of respect for life? There are so many questions still unanswered. Punishments MUST be tougher, examples made of the sadists who perpetrate the crimes.
For just one moment, close your eyes. Picture the horror and pain a poor galgo feels when hung from a tree for hours, waiting in agony until death takes hold. What did they do to deserve this? The bears in zoos, the helpless animals worldwide obliged to perform for man's greed? I wonder who we are at times?
So.. with these thoughts, I ask you to act because the animals cannot. Please look within yourself and help us affect change for these poor souls. Your name on protest petitions count. Be one of the brave who says NO to abusing animals. Stand together as we UNITE in saying NO to the abuse and exploitation of animals! I call each and every one of you, those who can offer funds to help fight their causes, those who sew rugs to keep them warm, those who sign petitions against abuse, those who pass the word on. Those never scared to save an animal.
So when you see a car, trailering what looks like a box, look closer and pity the galgo hidden inside it, trembling and afraid, its fate written on a tree somewhere.
SAY NO TO ABUSE! BE COUNTED!
We must respect all of the God's creatures. They are here to be our companions, not to provide entertainment through sadistic torture. They have the same ability to feel, be afraid, to love and be dedicated, as we, the human animal, does.
The great leader, Mohandas Ghandi wisely stated: �The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated - work to be the best nation in the world, to be proud to work among fellow animal lovers who protect and honor defenseless animals
It is with these thoughts I leave you. Please don't turn away, they need us all.
Written by Carlota del Rio
Carlota is originally from England and now is a Spanish citizen. She recently got involved with galgo rescue when she became aware of the atrocities being committed in her country. She is a good friend to the animals of Spain, and a friend of G.R.I.N. The picture here is of Ambo, a little galgo pup Carlota just adopted from DDEVIDA.