The Story of Oco the Podenco

Oco rescued off the street.This is a bitter sweet story.  In the south of Spain a galga has been running loose, her name Estepe.  Charlotte del Rio tried everything to capture her, but the trap instead helped to rescue a little Podenco named Oco who had been budding around with the galga.  The galga has disappeared to the distress of her would be rescuer, but to soften the heartache, Oco has found a new life before him. When he was caught he was terrified and screamed if anyone would touch him.  In fact the rescuers were embarrassed as he screamed and screamed when they were taking him out of the car into his foster home! 

It has been over a month and thanks to G.R.I.N. supporters, Charlotte has been able to have him vetted, neutered, and prepared for adoption.  Now Oco will be transported on his way to France, thanks to the effort of Beryl Brennan of Galgo News, to be fostered in a lovely home with another Podenco named Estrella who was one of the Jaen four.  We thank Charlotte for being so determined to help Oco and we wish with all our hearts that you will get news of Estepe.

Update: Estepe may have given birth as three pups were found in the vicinity, Char will keep looking.

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G.R.I.N. Assists with Medical Costs for Lady Carla, Galga Left for Dead After Being Hit By A Car in Madrid

Lady Carla recoverying after hit and run.

Thanks to our supporters, GRIN has sent our EAF Fund (Emergency Assistance Fund) for the veterinary expenses for Lady Carla.

This is Lady Carla, and this is the start of her story, as told by Sandra Baas of Baas Galgo.

'A little over two weeks ago Baas Galgo received calls saying that some kind people had rescued a Galga who had been hit by cars on the M40 in Madrid.  They had seen that the greyhound was badly injured, stretched out on the hard shoulder and that no-one else had stopped to help her so they stopped their vehicle in the middle of the motorway so as to protect the dog from further injury.  Thanks to Idoia, the Galga was very gently put into her car and immediately transported to the veterinary clinic of our dear friend and Honorary President of Baas Galgo, Carlos Rodriguez where she was treated straightaway.'

Read the rest of her story here, and donate if you can to pay the veterinary fees, over 1,000 euros already, towards her care.  Donations made to G.R.I.N can be sent to Lady Carla or you can donate at Bass Galgo.

Thanks to GalgoNews.com for bringing this story to our attention.

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Update: Sofie is walking on the street

UPDATE: 

Hello to all,

Sofie is walking on the street.  She doesn't like to walk with this thing around the neck, but we can't take it out because then Sofie tries to put the mouth in the wall.  Next week the vet will take out some "nails", another operation...

Hugs
Silvia

Related story:

Help for Sofie
Sofie is Getting Better
Sofie Is Eating By Herself

Sofie is Getting Better

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Update: Sofie is getting better

UPDATE:  Here is a short video of Sofie and Rosi.  Sofie has better character now, she is nice when crazy Rosi is jumping around or trying to take her food, she doesn`t try to bite anymore. Sofie is thin but gain a little weight, she starts to eat dry food alone. She needs to be in the clinic till they can take the "metal" out.

Related story:

Help for Sofie
Sofie is Getting Better
Sofie Is Eating By Herself

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Kharma NYC Chose G.R.I.N. For Its "This Is What Matters to Me" T-Shirt Series

Kharma NYC artist Gary Fernandez designed a limited edition T-Shirt for G.R.I.N. to support galgos.The new socially conscious lifestyle brand, Kharma NYC, just collaborated with nine artists from around the globe who created limited edition screen printed T-shirts inspired by a cause they believe in and that has impacted them personally.  The series is called "This Is What Matters to Me".

Illustrator and designer Gary Fernandez chose G.R.I.N. as his cause to support.  Gary's comments about G.R.I.N. and the galgos, "In my native country of Spain, the Spanish Greyhound, or Galgo, is a highly persecuted dog breed.  Considered second-class animals and unworthy pets, Galgos are primarily bred to hunt hares in the Spanish countryside.  During the hunting season, they are housed in damp, dirty holes and windowless shacks and are deprived of adequate daylight, nutrition and affection.  When the season ends, countless Galgos are abandoned or ruthlessly killed.  The Galgo Rescue International Network (galgorescue.org) raises awareness of the Galgo's plight through international educational campaigns and helps connect Galgo shelters in Spain with animal lovers around the world.  Their goal is to help all mistreated, abandoned Galgos find a loving home."

40% of the proceeds from the sale of this shirt will go directly back to G.R.I.N. to support galgos.

Click here to order your Kharma NYC limited edition T-shirt by Gary Fernandez and support the galgos!

Other artists include Non-Format, Mario Hugo, Keetra Dean Dixon and Gary Fernandez.  "We do good.  We don't put peace signs on everything we sell," says Kharma founder and creative director Kele Dobrinksi.  "We're designers, bloggers, creators, foodies, shitty skaters, urbanites, and maybe above all, consumers. So we sought to make consumption beautiful.  With each product we make, and each piece of ours that's purchased, you are benefiting a cause that's real and human."  The shirts are limited to 150 each, so move fast.

'From Heaven to Hell - The Story of the Galgo' - order print copy now.

From Heaven To Hell - The Story Of The Galgo Espa�ol by Beryl BrennanFrom Heaven To Hell - The Story Of The Galgo Espa�ol by Beryl Brennan

This book is a must if you care about the Galgo Espanol and want to understand why there is such a terrible problem of mass abandonment of these dogs every year at the end of the Spanish hunting season.  Learn about their history, the methods of disposal, how the volunteers cope with rescuing them, what laws are in place to protect them � and which aren�t enforced - and why the hunting associations continue to create the problem.  There isn�t another book like it!

Chapter 1 of the "From Heaven To Hell" can be read on the GalgoNews.com press release.

Available to order through Scoot Books now.

Help G.R.I.N. Send More Coats to Spain!

Help G.R.I.N. Send More Coats to Spain!G.R.I.N. sent hundreds of coats to shelters in Spain this past winter to help keep the dogs warm!  Many thanks to our supporters who donated used coats as well as those talented ladies who have been making coats.

Of course, it is not cheap to ship the coats to Spain.  A box of twenty-five coats costs about $100 including supplies.  G.R.I.N. uses "Space Bags" to be able to fit as many coats as possible in a box.   Please make a donation to help us cover these costs so we can send more!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1)  Make a cash donation to help with the expenses

2)  Send new or used coats to G.R.I.N. (email kim@galgorescue.com for the address)

3)  Donate men's ties - one of our creative coat makers uses men's ties as ties for the coats - what an ingenious idea!  If you have any ties to donate, please send them directly to Nancy Nelson at 6 Meriden Place, Melville, NY  11747.

Take a look at some of the pictures from the shelters that received coats.  What a great feeling  to help these dogs stay warm!

Please help us help the shelters to be prepared for next winter!

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Heros Meet and Greet, Colorado?

Heros Meet and Greet in Colorado?Sunday, April 25, was a blustery day in the foothills near Denver, Colorado, but five dogs and their people braved the weather to participate in a meet and greet sponsored by Hero's Pets in Littleton, CO.  G.R.I.N. had been invited by the boutique dog and cat store to showcase galgos and podencos.  Abby (Mayme), Paquito and Cervantes (Jen and Eric), Sancho (Kelly) and Prisa (Judy) provided passerbys with an opportunity to meet these wonderful hounds and educate people about the plight of the sighthounds in Spain.  Thanks also to Hero's Pets for inviting G.R.I.N.  

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