This is the story of Paloma, another victim of the barbarism to galgos.
She was run over on 28th January.
Just another case of the thousands seen daily by those who work the galgo plight.
Named Paloma for her white coat, like a dove fallen from the sky with broken wings.
Charlotte tells her story.
Paloma is another victim fallen from the hands of a hunter. She has been wandering the streets of a local town for round about a year now, begging for food wherever she can.
Poor poor Paloma, as though having been neglected from the hands of a hunter wasnt enough, to being abandoned, to progressing into a punch and torture bag for local Gypsies to take either their frustrations out on, or enjoy the bouts of torture they put her through.
On more than one occasion they entered the town for their night time games, – a local lady hearing Palomas screams at night, went out giving the group of monsters a piece of her mind seeing the remains of a lost soul, lying there no strength to fight any more. In agony and terrorised.
Paloma, lost her wings to fly, like a fallen dove from the sky.
Still, Paloma was not taken in, she was fed by locals but no one wants a galgo, no one wants to be seen from a small time town offering a galgo a home as a pet. So she stayed in pain, in the cold, albeit a little less hungry than she was before.
As if that was not all. Life on the street is hard, and when you are already hurt, its harder still.. in the cold and feeling rejected like vermin and then a lorry comes round the corner, and bam Paloma again, lost her wings to fly. Still with her strong will to live she continues this new life of the locals feeding her, its more than she has ever had before.
After so much, and open wounds, sickness takes hold of Paloma, and “finally” a friend of mine was called to see if she can help. A long time coming, and help that could have been offered before had people called earlier.
It is just that people are so used to seeing galgos on the street, they are nothing more than beggars to town folk, a nuisance that could bite, could be ill. So very misunderstood! I’ve seen it all before.
Paloma did not want to be caught, but after some hard work between the lady who called in her abandonment, her son, and my friend they managed to put Paloma into the back of the car and rush her to the vet. The wound she has is massive and a was a danger to her.
She began to haemorrhage, and under full anaesthetic began to see the broken veins and how profound her wounds were that she had been carrying round with her, the pain as much as the ache in her heart. She is recovering now, albeit the vet has said it will take a month before the wounds are closed fully.
I have no doubt in my mind, it will take a lot longer than that to heal her broken heart! Are you the person who can help her achieve happiness and know real love, feel the warmth of a caring hand and a full stomach?
Paloma is not in the care of an association, she is in the vets, and under care of a friend of mine who helps the galgos when she can.. this is what we all try to do.
Her care is expensive, her recuperation timely, but galgos have an inner strength and a forgiveness that overwhelmed me in amazement. Sincere to the end! If you can help Paloma find her forever home, or offer any help at all for her veterinary care, please contact Alejandra at info@hasiandasha.com or myself Charlotte at comdelrio@hotmail.com
Where is the law that could protect Paloma from that, why is there so much passiveness?