Virtual Adoption at Scooby

by Diane Ward

Scooby Medina in Medina del Campo Spain is responsible for the care of many dogs, cats and other animals. The cost to support these animals is very expensive. Scooby depends on donations from around the world to support the costs for living, food and medical care of all animals and the maintenance of the premises. One way that you can help is to virtually adopt one of the animals that will most probably stay at Scooby for a long time.

The Virtual Adoption program gives you an opportunity to help support an animal as if it were your very own! You choose an animal on our website that you are smitten with and that animal becomes YOURS for one year even though you can�t bring him/her home. You will be the guardian of this wonderful, needy animal. You support the animal by way of a reasonable annual donation that is tax deductible. You can pay for your adoption monthly, quarterly or annually. You essentially become the animal's guardian and friend.

To learn more about the Virtual Adoption Program you can email Diane Ward at virtualadoption-northamerica@scoobymedina.com or go to our webpage at http://www.scoobymedina.com/home_en.htm and click on Virtual Adoption on the left-hand side of the page.

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G.R.I.N. at Greyhound Gathering in Kanab!

The Galgo Rescue International Network is delighted to announce that we will be hosting an artisan booth at the Greyhound Gathering in Kanab, Utah May 16-18, 2008. The Greyhound Gathering, hosted by Claudia Presto and the Greyhound Gang, is an annual fundraising event for Almost Home for Hounds and features many fun and exciting events including live and silent auctions, many speakers, and a ton of fun things to do with your hounds. If you are attending the Gathering, please be sure to visit the G.R.I.N. booth located in the Artisan Vendor Hall at the Best Western. For more information on the Greyhound Gang and Almost Home for Hounds, visit www.greyhoundgang.org and www.almosthomeforhounds.org.

Carpe Canem Auction to Benefit Galgo Organizations

The Galgo Rescue International Network is proud to announce our latest fundraisung venture for the Spanish galgos! Carpe Canem is hosting an online auction which begins at 7am PDT/10am EDT on Wednesday, May 14 and ends at 7pm PDT/10pm EDT on Tuesday, May 20. ALL the proceeds (after shipping expenses) will go directly to two Spanish galgo rescue organizations, DDEVIDA (Defensa de los Derechos de la Vida Animal) in Utrera (Sevilla) and Asociaci�n de Socorro Animal Amigos de Milord in Palencia. Please check it out at http://www.carpecanem.com/auction/index.php?auctionid=116 - it's packed with awesome items to bid on! Thank you for your continued support! Please visit http://www.ddevida.org/ and www.amigosdemilord.com to learn more about these organizations and the work they do to help the abused animals of Spain.

Construction at Refugio Kimba

We have begun the construction of a new isolated quarantine station at Kimba so that the new dogs who come in, as well those who are ill, do not have contact with the rest of the healthy dogs in our shelter.

The old quarantine station will now be used as normal housing, since it is not isolated, and therefore we will be able to house more dogs in there, and thus increase the number of unfortunate, hopelss, abandoned animals. In doing so we will also lessen the work load for the veterinarians and the disgusting crematoriums at the filthy and repugnant dog pounds.

Afterwards, we want to begin the construction of a drainage piping system through all of the large kennel areas. We are obligated to do so due to annual inspections, which should really be focused more on the dog pounds rather than on the humble protection societies. We survive on donations that we receive from people abroad, as well as from the monthly dues from our members. The subsidies and help from city hall do not reach us, but they do reach all of the contracted dog pounds, and they are stained with blood when they do.

These drainage pipes are 80 meters in length, and an estimate of 7200 euros in cost. In addition, we will need to add the cost of an officially approved septic tank.

With all of this construction we will be able to increase Kimba's nucleo zool�gico (which is the legal number of animals that we are permitted to have by law). At present it is much lower than our actual population, and therefore we could have problems with the administration if we did not take on this big project. The construction company is going to let us pay a little at a time, but we hope that through the help we receive this will not be an unending debt.
A million thanks to all of our friends. We're sending photos of the beginning stages of this big project, and we will keep you all informed periodically.

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Anubis

Anubis Comes to Her New Home in Ohio

Once there was a little Ibizan Hound on the Isle of Ibiza who was the only pup of her litter not to be purchased by a hunter.  The only reason she did not meet the same fate was because she had a necrotic bone and needed surgery on her back left hip.  Once we heard her story and saw her sweet smile, we knew we wanted to make sure she never would face that possibility!  So the long process of waiting for Anubis to recover from her surgery and get all of the arrangements set in stone for her to come to the US began. (Anubis is pictured here with a family friend)

On October 22 Anubis arrived at the Atlanta, Ga airport.  After her long flight in from Spain, being lost in the back baggage compartment for 4 more hours, we were finally able to meet.  She met me with a HUGE smile, lots of kisses and happy tail wags.  After a night at my daughter and son-in-law's house in South Carolina, we were off to our 6 � hour drive to Ohio.  Anubis seemed to be very bored with the drive and slept the entire way!

Once home, Anubis was greeted by her new sisters, Jewel ( a 2 � year old rescued Doberman Pinscher) and Brittany (a 12 � year old blue merle Collie) as well as a new brother, Brody ( 1 � year old Rhodesian Ridgeback). Everyone seemed thrilled to have a new addition to their pack.  Anubis and Jewel have their sibling rivalry moments, but Brody and Anubis are great buds.  All of the 4 legged family members keep us 2 legged family members laughing at their antics :)  One time, we discovered her standing on the island in the kitchen, even despite her weak leg!!! - and she has definitely mastered the technique of looking innocent whenever she gets in trouble.  Her favorite response/expression is, "Gee, Mom, I didn't know! - I'm the new kid, remember?"

It's February, 4 months later, and I everyone has settled in.  Anubis is charming, sweet and sassy, full of the dickens, always wears a huge smile, and is extremely smart.  She may even be the smartest dog we have ever had!!!!!  She loves being outside and playing in the snow, eating ice cubes, playing with toys, and wrestling with Brody.  We are very thankful she found her way to us as she is so sweet, loving and comical.  It is never a dull moment!!!

Thank you GRIN!

Debbie Kesling

Waynesville, Ohio

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Special Mixes Need Homes ASAP

UPDATE! Callie was adopted by a lovely family in Canada thanks to one of our partner groups, Chinook Winds Greyhound Rescue.  A huge thank you is in order for everyone involved in this rescue, especially Telma Shaw of G.R.I.N. who spent countless hours arranging for Callie's rescue.

G.R.I.N. has been made aware of two very special sighthound mixes that need good homes. These wonderful dogs make great companions and are more �all terrain� than some of the more delicate Galgos and Greyhounds. If you are looking for a hearty and faithful companion to join you for long walks and lots of devotion, please contact us, and we can certainly help you meet the companion you have been waiting for.

Callie is a female Lurcher mix, and she's 6 years old and spayed. She was returned to the animal shelter from which she was originally adopted in Jan. 08 after five years in a home, and when she arrived, she was in a lamentable state of malnutrition and obviously had been neglected. The shelter she is in is a kill shelter in Arkansas , but because we have been in communication with the volunteers they have agreed to foster her in the hopes we can find her a home. She is brindle and slightly long haired � one of the shelter's workers contacted GRIN thinking she might be a Galgo due to her longer coat.

Callie is good with other dogs, with cats, and with children. She's a quiet girl, and a bit shy, but definitely friendly. Once she is in a foster home, we will be able to get more information on her personality and disposition. She can be brought from Arkansas in May to Kanab , Utah and if we can find a home for her, she can even travel further West.

UPDATE - Unfortunately, G.R.I.N. was unable to receive any further information about Dottie. We hope she has found her forever home with a loving family. Dottie is a ~2 year-old greyhound/deerhound mix currently living in Cheyenne, Wyoming in a foster home. She was rescued from a kill shelter recently after having spent six months there.  Dottie is a very special and sweet girl but she will need a home with someone very familiar with sighthounds/large dogs, and very comfortable with training.  Dottie is a bit of an "alpha" dog so finding her a home is going to a bit challenging.  She is not cat or small dog safe.  She is extremely friendly and sweet - she just needs to find the right home where she can grow and blossom into the wonderful dog we know she is!

Please, help us find them their forever homes, and help us make their dreams come true.

Contact: telma@galgorescue.org for Callie, christie@galgorescue.org for Elmer or Dottie.

Miko

Miko just blew right into our lives with puppiness happiness and energy. What a spit fire, she just jumped right into our life without even looking. She was so well adjusted from her first home, slightly pampered and extremely loved, it took her only seconds to find her spot on the sofa! She absolutely loves to be held and her whole body just goes limp and dangles her legs freely. I am hoping she doesn't get too big so I can continue picking her up and snuggling with her! She loves all her new buddies, two of my own greyhounds(Millie and Maisie) and one foster older greyhound, which she treats with the upmost respect..she must know and she always finds a small spot on one their pillows to curl up and sleep.(which I think comes from her being raised with that other galgo) Her favorite playfriend is Cricket, a small Pom, which she is trying to learn to play "nicely" with, but will still need a few more lessons...

We always start our mornings with a long walk to exercise all the dogs...she loves wearing either her jacket or sweater and - she loves the ranch life, romps in the straw, loves to startle the sheep, runs along side of the border collies and everyone is very accepting of her...She never hesitates to go up to the other dogs, even the old burely guard dog, Wooley...sometimes she goes up with a little too much guesto, but she is learning..ha...She hasn't gotten used to the stickers in her feet and sits down, waiting patiently for me to rescue her. She has already started those crazy figure eight runs and she runs with so much gusto!!! In and out of the staw bales, just loving it!{youtube}m0xt9rtp3bo{/youtube}

I work at home, upstairs and all the dogs come upstairs and find a spot to rest for the morning..She will just find her spot and take a snooze..I find myself always stopping and going over to pet her or pick her up and she never minds....She is very vocal and still needs to be around people, she is much better if she can just see you...She is funny going down the stairs, she sort of hops down with both back legs at the same time..and just races right up them, certainly not an issue with her!

She is quite the character, sometimes I see that she has hogged all the pillow and the bigger grey is lying halfway on the pillow and halfway on the hard floor and don't think she doesn't know it...ha...I am sure looking forward to what the future brings....she is going to bring a lot of laughter and fun, that is what she is about...So now my husband has his pom on his lap and night and I have Miko on my lap!

Here are some other pictures, not sure if I had sent them..one is a picture of a roll of paper towels that she just had a ball with...the others are her and cricket in eachothers bed, .... and then her trying to sleep in crickets bed...she has grown like crazy...now she hardly fits her bed....

Hope that gives you an idea of her life here, full of speed and light! Everything with her is wonderful...there is a certain very sweet look in her eyes and I know she will be very wise and kind...just need to get past the puppy stage..ha....thanks again... Cindy Soppe

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Inocente

"INOCENTE", another abused galgo, like so many of them who suffer in Spain. And when we save them we have to be extremely careful in our search for a trustworthy organisation or family to take them so that there will be no possibility whatsoever that they should ever go back to the same life that they suffered while with the madmen who were their previous owners.

Our dear young and beautiful galgo "Inocente" suffered through being hanged, and when he arrived at Kimba he also had an old fracture in one of his legs.  At our shelter he recovered from the lesion on his neck, and with a lot of patients on our part he finally began to accept our affection, although with a bit of misgiving.

A young and innocent animal who unfortunately was the victim of either one or more evil people who wanted to end his life by the most sadistic manner possible.

"INOCENTE" is another example of the cruelty toward galgos that the various federations try to convince the public are just stories invented by the animal protection organisations.

They can fool the administration, but NOT the animal protection people, as we see all of this trash on a daily basis.  We will publicise in every country the atrocities that are committed by this scum of society here in a country where hunting is still legal and indiscriminate, and not selective to galgos.  And where limitless overbreeding of these animals is also still allowed, and subsequently when they are no longer of use to these inept individuals, the galgos suffer a holocaust in Spain year after year.

This time little Inocente has had the great fortune of coming out ahead over his owner and the miserable destiny that awaited him.  Inocente crossed the big pond toward the Americas, where in the United States he will receive everything that this precious animal deserves.

Kimba is infinitely grateful for all the help that "Inocente" has received. Thanks to Abby Christman, to all of the members of GRIN, to Elena for the foster care she offered in Madrid and for delivering him to the airport, to his flight companion, and of course, to our wonderful friend Michael Rodrigue, a magnificent translator whose translations are helping to save the lives of many animals.

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Devin

My husband and I adopted a Galgo at the end of January from Elite Greyhound Adoption that came from your Colorado rescue group in September.  His name at that time as "Devin" and he arrived September 17, 2007.

His name has been changed to Senor and he's doing fantastic.  This is our first greyhound adoption and my husband and I are completely smitten with their graceful demeanor and gentle spirit.  Senor has three cats as house mates and my husband and I.  He has never missed a step since he's been here and we will be adopting more�I'm sure of it.

I wanted to thank you for your hard work in saving these great creatures and also ask you for a favor.  I do not have any records on "Devin" and I'm sure the dogs had to be vaccinated before they could enter the country.  If there is any way you could fax or e-mail a copy of his rabies vaccines and/or any other vaccine that he may have had so that we do not have to do it again.

Again, thank you for saving this wonderful animal that is now part of this family.  We are forever grateful,

Shelley & Robert Young

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Lola

I first met Lola while traveling to Camp Scooby as a volunteer last summer.  I took an instant liking to her based on her unique look and size (like a miniature German Shepherd!)  It was heartbreaking to leave Spain not knowing if I would see her again so we were so thrilled when I contacted G.R.I.N. after returning to America and found out they would be able to bring her to us. Thanks to the help of everyone at Camp Scooby, G.R.I.N., and Stacey and Chris Plaskett who drove little Lola and 5 other dogs from Colorado to Ohio, she made it!

We have had Lola for about 5 months now and she has really come out of her shell recently.  What used to be a shy little girl has turned into a very playful and loving dog.  Some of her favorite activities include playing tug with her brother Louie, wrestling with our cat Lt. Dan, chewing on toys, and eating!  Since we have had her Lola has participated in many OSU buckeye tail-gates, learned to walk on a harness to participate in her first doggy 5k, went on her first camping trip to Ithaca NY, and participated in the proposal of her Mommy and Daddy by wearing the ring on a ribbon around her neck!

We are so fortunate to have Lola in our family and are looking forward to seeing how her personality develops as she continues to learn how to be a real dog!

Heather Kvitko

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