My home is sometimes used as an overnight stop for one of the French galgo rescue associations, and I have been privileged - is that the right word? - to see quite a number of galgos, of all colours, and podencos running free in our enclosed courtyard, whilst on their way to be fostered or go straight to their adopting family.
Some have suffered injuries in their Spanish life which have left them with physical scars, including missing limbs, but one of the mutilations which I find horrendous and so pointless is the cutting of the beautiful pink podenco nose to make the dog look like a pig?
And yet these mutilated podencos, who have suffered unimaginable pain, still have so much love to give to someone.
Joy is just such a podenco. Here is his story:
Joy by name Joy nature. This 7 year old podenco has had a terribly sad life and deserves something good to come his way like a forever home. He was rescued from Spain after having 6 years of abuse.
He was starved and beaten and his nose was mutilated to make him look like a pig. Since being rescued he has grown in confidence and he amazingly, still loves to be around people.
Joy is very thin although he eats well. He loves nothing more than a cuddle and a play with a ball. However, he's not always good with other dogs especially dominant ones. He becomes very jealous if other dogs are being given attention instead of him and he is very possessive with food.
Joy will make someone a wonderful pet and companion but he would be better suited to an older family with no other animals. All Joy wants is a peaceful life.
If he could be walked once a day, to be able to run around a garden freely and have a good sniff and to be fed and watered regularly. But most of all he needs love, patience, cuddles love and a bit more love.
He is currently being fostered by a couple in Charente Maritime, contact Jackie Stewart on jackieandjohn86@hotmail.com, and L'Europe des Levriers.
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