Galgo News

Protectora Scooby - protecting the association and volunteers

'A long time ago we had to stop the volunteering program in Scooby because we had had some similar incidents and wanted to make sure that we did everything according to law. So we got into the hands of lawyers and experts in volunteering; for this two members of our team made a workshop on volunteering and we have prepared a series of documents and rules; on the one hand they ensure the safety of volunteers and on the other hand Scooby's continuity.

We tell you a little the story about the news we share, it's an Italian volunteer from an Italian shelter who took a dog for a while, not knowing why the dog severely attacked her and the volunteer ended up in hospital. The responsibility of the shelter is being investigated. That's why, because we already foreseen this, we've done what we've done. We leave you the full news in this link '

DeAnimals, Murcia - courses in Animal Law

Regular readers will recall that back in October 2016 I was invited to the first PAES conference to talk about the plight of the galgos and podencos and other hunting dogs in Spain. There I met Raquel, a Spanish lawyer very active in taking animal abusers to court. She had started running courses for anyone involved in animal welfare - judges, police, vets, other lawyers - on how to prepare cases to prosecute animal abusers.

This has now been further developed so that anyone can sign up for the courses. Click on this weblink to read more. Let's hope that many law enforcers, including and especially in the Canary Islands, will sign up and take action to help protect the hunting hounds of Spain

Arthritis in Dogs

My little Podenca Malaguena Bebe is now 17 years old and very grey. She was rescued in 2011 injured on a Seville road and my lovely French vet operated on her to repair her injured hind quarters. She's always been a 'pocket rocket' but is slowing down now. I've had her on Turmeric for some years to help with the arthritis developing in the operation site and she's even happier now we have moved from an old stone farmhouse with lots of steps and tiled floors to a small bungalow...no steps and carpet!

This link takes you to a book on arthritis in dogs published by Whole Dog Journal if you are interested in learning more.

Intergroup on Animal Welfare - conference on galgos and podencos

I've just been introduced to this group and the discussion which took place on 3 February on the situation for galgos and podencos in Spain.

Join the group, support their work, and read the presentation by Anna Clements, co founder of SOS Galgos in Barcelona.

Intergroup on Animal Welfare

Cancer in dogs

My galgo Polar is still with us, still enjoying being with his family, comfortable and warm. His cancer is lymphoma. As it says in this article on cancer in dogs, once a lump appears, it spreads rapidly and this is happening with Polar. 2 weeks ago, no lumps, 1 week ago suddenly lumps appear on his neck. He is on steroids, painkillers and CBD oil to help ease the pain. He's only just 9 years old - middle aged as per the article which says it's more likely in dogs that age and older.

Dr Couto and his team at Ohio State University have done years of study into cancer in greyhounds. Sadly the person putting together the newsletter left and no one else came forward to continue it, so I haven't been able to get any more updates on his work.

If like me you like natural products for your animal treatment, to know more about CBD oil, click on this link. I took my vet advice on dosage and if it could be used in conjunction with the steroids and painkillers.

Head tremors in dogs

As reported last week, my beautiful young galgo Polar - dumped at the gates of Pepi's Refuge, Pedrera, at 2 months old with a bad knee injury - has been diagnosed with lymphoma. The disease is too far gone to respond to chemotherapy so he is on palliative care and getting lots of love cuddles. The cancer only manifested itself by two lumps suddenly appearing either side of his throat and within the week of the vet visit he has others on his body. He has also occasionally got head tremors, and this is a link to an article on the subject, if your dog occasionally suffers the same.

Why a Dog Sleeps - from Galgos 112

The break in dogs.

Do you know that for a dog the break isn't just sleeping? it's also being relaxed with nothing to do.

Overall an adult dog usually sleeps about 13 hours a day. Dogs sleep more hours a day than people do, but wake up more often. They usually stay in deep sleep a little while and so they wake up with small noises.
Puppies usually sleep 90 % of the time.

And on many occasions in fact, it's very common to wake them up to keep us company or to tell them something or because they're dreaming, etc.
And this is a common mistake. Your dog's health is at stake, the break is very important.

But to achieve this, it's not enough not to disturb you. You must create a suitable environment to get her to relax and sleep.

Update on my galgo Polar, with Lymphoma

Saw the vet 2/3/2021 as Polar's breathing is now affected by the tumours on his neck. He has more tumours come up elsewhere on his body. His steroids have been reduced and he has been given painkillers which he hates - even on pate or cream cheese! I also have some CBD oil recommended by a vet nurse friend which he can have 1/2 syringe morning and evening. I made sure I bought the organic oil.

A week ago there were no lumps and we were walking on the tracks around here. Now his body is covered in tumours!

So sad to see such a beautiful young lively galgo depressed. Just have to make the rest of his days as comfy and loved as possible.

Not good news for my galgo Polar

Devastated today by my vet's diagnosis of lumps on Polar's neck...Lymphoma. Samples have been taken from the lumps on his neck and also one at his rear end. I should have the results in a couple of days as to the extent of the disease.

I lost my lovely galga Sahara from cancer...

What constitutes a suitable home for a rescue dog

Read the full story on this weblink.