From Heaven to Hell - The Story of the Galgo Espanol - readers' comments

Here are some comments; you are very welcome to send me yours, good or bad, and I will add them to the list.

It's fabulous Beryl........ well done. Best wishes

Anne Finch (Founder, GIN UK)

From Heaven to Hell", a MUST-READ for all animal lovers and those with a social conscience. Although heart rending, the world needs to know of the living Hell experienced by the Galgo Espanol in modern-day Spain, and what little the Spanish government does to improve conditions. This book tells it with real-time events and specific facts about the bred, related conditions in Spain that are not for the weak-of-heart, the heroic work of volunteers, the adoption process and just about ever related fact from A to Z. Beryl has hit the nail on the head with her book, telling it like it is, no punches pulled. C Brannan, USA

Beryl, I read a lot of it today…I must admit that although most of the info and stories I have been aware of having followed everything for years now, the impact was devastating..I felt so helpless, sad, demoralized, deflated and angry..angry that these savages wreak this havoc on these innocents and nothing can be done or better yet nothing is implemented to make any changes..It is so frustrating to devote most of your life working to raise funds, write articles, raise awareness, save a few dogs from this side of the ocean and know that it is a bandage a mere bandage of help in the larger scheme of things. Telma Shaw, President, Galgo Rescue International Network, USA

I have to remind myself that each little life that is saved is the only way to retain our sanity in this endeavor. Each winning story, each life spared the torture is what will drive me on..nothing else..Chars poem at the end is the clincher…my heart goes out to all the rescuers in Spain who face the broken bodies and souls, it is to them my cry goes out as well..how can they endure? We are far away, the pictures we see impact us, we work hard to help, but they, they have the brunt of the madness of Spain and these sub humans who do these things to our beloved galgos and podencos and all others suffering..it is truly sickening and it is good you put it out like it really is…It needs to be in Spanish as only the Spanish can make the changes.

I hope this book gets in the hands of those who can legislate to help end this horrific situation..I know the rescuers can’t even breath under the burden, there has to be people, attorneys, people of means out there who can help stop this..I pray….

Beryl - the book arrived safely in the post this morning. It looks great although so far I've only had the chance to scan it quickly. I don't know whether I'm looking forward to reading it in depth or not when some of the bits I've read so far have made me so incensed at the treatment of the galgos and frustrated at not being able to do more. I can't believe how much information you've managed to bring together in one volume. I did read Charl's 'Senor Galguero' though and it completely undid me, I had to stop twice when I was reading it, it was so distressing and reduced me to a sobbing mess - I hope she appreciates how effective and affecting her writing is. S.Scott. UK

Received my print copy and I am delighted with the work Beryl has done. Some of the content was extremely distressing and will admit to a tear or two but I am positive that this book will have an impact on re-educating Spains youngsters about these gentle creatures, the spanish galgo! 'Ode to a Galguero' by Charl also had me in tears. I imagined it all too well whilst reading it on the sofa snuggled up with my galgo. The most loyal dogs treated like vermin. Thank You Beryl. T Solera, Spain

The book " from heaven to hell " as the title says is the story of the Spanish greyhound. In Spain the greyhounds are called GALGOS . This book gives you a very complete history of the galgo and an insight into the lives of these beautiful and gentle dogs. Even though I know how the galgos are treated in Spain I had to read the book very slowly and stop several times and try not to cry. It is so poignant. It moves you to tears. However you have to go on reading because it gives you lots of information on how to help the galgos.

All my respect goes to the author " Beryl Brennan" who must have steelded herself to able to write it.

The book also has beautiful illustrations and poems. Do not miss the " letter to Senor Galguero". I can only say " buy it! Read it!. and help the galgos. M Essaemaker, Belgium

Just received my copy of your book today and it is FABULOUS! I haven't had a chance to read it in it's entirety, but I did read several articles and looked at ALL the photos.
It's SO informative and well written and best of all, to the point. I am proud to have been asked to share my story of Lucho with everyone.

If everyone were to read this book, perhaps the galgos would be treated like the kind, gentle beings that they are. C. Mosey USA

Got our copy today.
In tears from page 1. K. Malone, USA

I believe your book is the first ever and most thorough documentation exposing the plight of the Spanish Galgo. Anyone who loves animals must read this book. V. Wolf, USA

My personal thanks go to Beryl for this book. The sweat tears and toil over creating this book. For us, it was a pleasure to help with and I am thrilled that SR.GALGUERO has reached into peoples' hearts and shown a piece of just what it could be like, being galgo in Spain. A dark world!!! I know the galgo, I know its serenity and what it can bring to a humans life, they deserve nothing but FREEDOM. Charl del Rio, Spain

Thank you so much for writing this book, as hard and heartbreaking it is to read, it is a must for anyone with any compassion for spanish hounds. I now am more informed on all the `politics`involved with the hunting situation in Spain and feel more comfortable telling people the facts. My husband has taken the book to his workplace as some of his collegues didn`t understand his concern for the Spanish hounds I am pleased to say they do now!! Thank you so much for all that you do for these beautiful animals. J Deeley, UK

Looking forward to the Spanish version. It is a great story, very well documentated and real life, unfortunately. But one of the most important things is that people know. I must say that, thanks to so many of you (us..) things are finally getting through although slowly. Many people know about what happens and are very interested in adopting or fostering galgos (more then podencos unfortunately). Vera T R, Spain

Received your book, From Heaven to Hell, it was one of the most difficult books to read, and yet a book that I felt I HAD to read. I have loaned it out to a friend that knew nothing about the plight of the Galgos, she is having a rough time learning the truth!!!
I can only imagine how draining it was for you to write, but thank you so much for making the truth available!! Very well written. Painfully true. Thank you for all you are doing for the Galgos/Podencos. W Lacey. USA

I am so happy there are people like yourselves who as well as caring about the terrible fate of the galgos are also so involved in trying to do something about it - though it must seem like an impossible and endless task. personally, i cannot bear to think that spanish people are our 'brothers' in the EU! i have read your book through twice now - and as you have invited me to comment on your book, i feel i should.
Anything at all that brings the attention of a wider audience to spanish cruelty is to be commended - and i do hope your book will be able to reach out further than only to those like myself who have already become aware of the problem and perhaps have adopted a galgo. O M Davis, UK

I have finished the book heaven to hell and I now feel I have gone to hell and just can't seem to get back those poor souls. My heart bleeds for them. If only I lived closer. The part at the end is what made me start to want to help these galgos. Don't get me wrong, the book is excellent, you learn a lot from it. I sobbed on and off all the way through it but the end, about the last hours of that galgo, you couldn't have written it better, the way you describe whats going through that galgo's head, heart breaking. Bless them all. Jen (UK)

Here's a link to the GAGAH forum with another review.

Comments

[Laura Savill]

I have just finished reading the book and it broke my heart. I just had to kep cuddling my two precious galgos.

It will take some time but I pray that eventually this terrible "holocaust" ends for such beautiful dogs and Spain wakes up to the responsibity it has.

We all must play our part in helping that day comes soon.

[Beryl Brennan]


TypePad HTML Email

Bonjour

Thank you for commenting. I hope the book
helped explain the problems faced in trying to get change in Spain, with regard
to the annual holocaust. Thank you for supporting the galgos and for
caring. And Im collecting stories of adopted galgos now in forever homes,
if you would like to write 200-300 words about your two.

Amities

Beryl

http://www.galgonews.com
Helping to make
a difference

A person who has never known a dogs 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

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/deuxsevres/
Read
about life in Deux-Sevres

[jill]

thank you so much for writing this book as hard and heartbreaking it is to read it is a must for anyone with any compassion for spanish hounds. i now am more informed on all the `politics`involved with the hunting situation in spain and feel more comfortable telling people the facts. my husband has taken the book to his workplace as some of his colleages didn`t understand his concern for the spanish hounds i am pleased to say they do now!!
thank you so much for all that you do for these beautiful animals

[Beryl Brennan]

Bonjour

So pleased to receive your comments, this is exactly why I wrote the book. So many people have been unable to understand the complexities of why, however much we put pressure on Spain, nothing gets done.

I will post your comments on my reviews page, and thank you again for your comments, and for caring about the galgos. The more publicity we get for their plight, the more we can hope to help them.

Amities

Beryl

[John]

I've yet to receive my copy, ordered and paid back on May 20th. I just sent and email to scootbooks to see what the hold up was.

[Beryl Brennan]


TypePad HTML Email

Bonjour John

The book wasnt actually in print to send out until
the middle of June, so the first orders, including yours, were sent on 21st
June. We have now discovered that the rate recommended by the main post
office is an extremely slow one! A couple of people have only just
received theirs which were posted on the same date. Very
frustrating.

Since then, a different post office has recommended
another rate which is taking approximately 2 weeks.

Lets see what Scootbooks suggest.

Amities

Beryl

[jenny]

beryl now i have finished the book heaven to hell i now feel i have gone to hell and just cant seem to get back them poor souls my heart bleeds for them if only i lived closer the part at the end is what made me start to help these galgos dont get me wrong the book is exellent you learn a lot from it i sobbed on and off all the way through it but the end about the last hours of that girl you couldnt of wrote it better the way you describe whats going through that girls head heart breaking bless them all

[Beryl Brennan]


TypePad HTML Email

Thank you, Jen, for your comment, which has been
added to my comments page. You are such a wonderful supporter of the
cause of the galgos, every single coat you make and every single donation you
give, makes a difference to a needy galgo, whatever the situation.

Senor Galguero needs plenty of tissues to hand -
Charl was drained of emotion after she wrote that - as you can imagine.
But it comes from the heart and is exactly what many a lost galgo must
feel. These dogs are so sensitive and so loving, they feel every slight
and cruelty .... which makes the annual holocaust all the more
terrible.

Thank you for caring and all your
support.

Amities

Beryl