These are some of the lucky galgos, brought out of Spain this weekend to their forever homes in France. One had been rescued from a perrera, covered in wounds, but there is no doubt that her personality and confidence will blossom within a few weeks.
This is one of the not so lucky ones. Rescued from hanging, she had been in the refuge near Cordoba only 2 weeks when I visited at the beginning of June. She was terrified, a walking skeleton, bearing the horrendous burn marks from the cord around her neck. We arranged for her EU passport, with microchip and vaccinations in place, to be done as soon as possible.
The team went back to collect her last week. Everyone is heartbroken. The gypsies have broken into the refuge and stolen her and 3 other galgos.................one cannot imagine the sheer terror which this poor galgo must feel, back to a life of hell.
Theft of galgos is a BIG problem again now. Hunting in Spain begins in September. The refuges are located in the middle of nowhere,(spot the refuge in this prairie of poppies) unattended at night. The gypsies set up camp nearby and watch.....and wait their moment.....over the wall, grab the galgos and away.........they hide them in holes in the ground, tied to walls in alleyways, shut in a derelict building................breed from them, sell them...........
The wonderful volunteers working in the refuges and for associations deal with this nightmare every year. We all need to support them and support the many calls to sign petitions calling for a law in Spain to protect these beautiful long-suffering dogs.
This absolutely breaks my heart. Bad enought what they went through in the first place, but to be so close to a future as a loved, cared for, valued member of a family and then to have to go back to hell is just to much to bear. When will it end?
Posted by: Catherine Morton | 30 August 2009 at 07:21 PM
TypePadIt's broken Bea's heart, I can tell you. Normally she does not go to Spain on galgo rescues during July and August because it is so very hot there, and difficult for the dogs to endure such a long journey into France. And as you will understand, she is just so wishing she had gone back last month, when the galga's EU passport would have been ready. She only went this week, temperatures around Cordoba are 40 degrees and more, because of the threat of more galgos being stolen. And if you could just see them all when they are brought out of the vehicles into the compound in our big barn, and left to run free, with food and water, it is just so wonderful. Some are understandably very nervous, like the galga rescued from being euthanaised in perrera, frightened, covered in wounds (looked as though she had been in a traffic accident) so thin - and the following morning, she was much more confident, mixing with the other galgos, and she will now be in her forever home. This just makes it all worthwhile, but it's only a very tiny drop in a huge ocean that at the moment is never ending.
Thank you for your support, please publicise this horror and encourage people in the petition-signing and letter-writing campaigns.
Bless you for caring.
Amities
Beryl
http://www.galgonews.com
Helping to make a difference
A person who has never known a dog's love has missed a wonderful part of life. Bob Barker
The dog has no ambition, no self-interest, no desire for vengeance, no fear other than that of displeasing. Count of Buffon
Posted by: Beryl Brennan | 31 August 2009 at 09:35 AM