Galgo News

Join us on International Day of the Dog

Come walk with us on the 3rd International Day of the Dog (IDOD), Sunday 27th April 2008. The IDOD was the brainwave of Dog Listener Jan Fennell, who wanted to celebrate the canine species and acknowledge the wonderful relationship which can exist between man or woman and his 4-legged companion.

So what we want is as many people as possible to do something on this day, whether it is organising a dog walk with friends, or the local dog training club - in order to raise funds for your favourite canine charity.

Supporting the campaign from Basse-Normandy

Nathalie Pollet lives in northern France, and every month she drives thousands of kilometres to transport galgos from Spanish refuges to new homes and a new life in France. It's amazing how many long-legged canines can sleep comfortably in a Fiesta.

It's also amazing how school-teacher Nathalie finds the time to go on so many rescues, as not all of them are organised during school holidays.

She's always been an animal lover, having been a volunteer for many years at a local French refuge, and learned about the plight of the Spanish galgos and the French rescue association L'Europe des Levriers in a television programme.

"When I decided to adopt one of these gentle dogs in June 2006," she explains, "I completed the 'Request to Adopt' form and Atenea was chosen as the one most suited to my lifestyle, having been saved by volunteers in Spain from being gassed."

Christmas lunch takes shape

Popped along to the venue for the lunch on Sunday. I've not been before, and I was very impressed. It's a clubhouse, stone walls and wooden beams, with a stylish wooden bar, and an assortment of furniture.

Unfortunately the snooker table was well taped over with plywood - it's got to serve as the table for the food!

A busy week but fingers crossed for Blanquita

It's been a frenetic week. More than usual, that is. It's never quiet in a home with animals! For starters, the two foster dogs haven't been as uncomplicated as foster dogs usually are. Then there is the Christmas fundraising lunch to organise with Sue.

That's only four days away, and I've yet to shop for the food I'm preparing. On top of that EDL are organising another rescue this weekend, and besides seven adult dogs to house overnight, we've got two puppies arriving as well. Or it could even be three. One never knows, until the cars and vans stop outside the door, just how many dogs will arrive!

Interview with Beatrice Monnet

Beatrice Monnet is one of the founder members of L'Europe des Levriers (EDL) established in August 2006 and I talked to her about how she got involved with galgos.

Beatrice Monnet (featured right): I was a volunteer with the SPA, mainly working with dogs who were considered to have no chance of rehoming. One I worked with was called Wanda and she was very traumatised by the gypsies. After six months she was fine with me, and I discovered she was a crossed galga (female galgo).

So I decided I wanted to help other galgos. I fell in love with the breed. I was very angry with the cruelty against them and I feel that fighting against the galguerros (Spanish hunters) is also fighting against barbarity in general.

Beryl Brennan: When was your first rescue?

BM: To begin with I was a volunteer with Levriers en Detresse for two years and went on many rescues with them. I also went to Madrid to do a rescue for Amigos de los Galgos and at the same time I discovered another association called Perrikus. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship with Cristina de Luna.

Watch out there's a cake thief about

It's a misty November day, just the sort of day for getting the laptop out and starting off my blog. My main computer is upstairs in the study, so another reason for getting the laptop out is because I'm babysitting.

When I say babysitting, it's babies of the four-legged variety.

Adopt Jazmin the Podenco currently homed in France

Jazmin is a 4yr old rough-haired Podenco with enormous ears. She is gentle, loving, adores being stroked and hugged.

She is good with other dogs, not aggressive in any way. She is a little timid at the moment, but will blossom in a caring permanent home. Sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped and blood tested, she will make a wonderful pet.

And would like nothing more than to curl up on the sofa with her head in your lap.

She was brought out of Spain by L’Europe des Levriers on a recent rescue, as she was in danger of being stolen by the gypsies. She is currently being fostered in Deux-Sevres.