Sick on the streets of Calasparra –

Galgos are still dying in perreras all over Spain, as well as the thousands of other innocent dogs and puppies, victims of indiscriminate breeding and a non-neutering programme. Here’s the story of one more galgo save from the street. Lesley tells the story.

‘My friend and I were told about a galga that looked in a bad way in the car park of a local restaurant in Calasparra, Murcia. We went to investigate and it was obvious to us that she had leishmania. We started to feed her whenever we could to try and win her trust and discovered that staff at the restaurant were also feeding her, she began to put weight on but still had many sores. A friend with kennels agreed to provide a place if we could catch her and she arranged with a galgo rescue centre in France to take the galga, once rescued.

Although she would come to us for food and would let us hand feed her, we just could not get hold of her to get her in the van. We became increasingly worried about her health and on 2 occasions used sedatives from the vet to attempt to catch her, but she just would not give in.

Eventually one day when we went to feed her a member of staff from the restaurant came out with the name and telephone number of a Spanish man called Andres who had been feeding the galga, and apparently he could get close enough to cuddle her as well. We communicated by text message as I cannot understand Spanish over the phone. Also when we did eventually meet, his speech is strong Murciano, we all struggled to understand each other! However we managed to agree to meet the following evening to try and catch the galga……typically she was not there for the first time ever!!

We were busy for a few days so arranged again to meet on Friday (13th April!!) in the morning. We could not believe it…I opened the back door of the van and Andres just patted her head, picked her up and put her in!!!

We named her Andrea after her Spanish saviour and she is now in the kennels awaiting a blood test and hopefully a great future. I asked a Spanish friend to ring Andres and explain what was happening with Andrea, as he was very concerned about where she was going. I have promised to give him updates and copies of any photos that we may get.’

UPDATE from the kennels.

Andrea is now Alice as when I got to the vets, I forgot her name. The vet said he needed a name. She is doing well and wagging her tail; she cries for me when she sees me. She has been to the vets and had a blood test. the lieshmania is very bad so another test tomorrow.. She has had 2 injections to try and take the pain from her legs

I will give her a big kiss from you both; she loves her bed and I cried the first night when she was fast asleep,safe ,and warm. I do thank you from Alice. I am sure if she could say it she would be so happy for what you have done for her’.

Keep us updated Lesley, and send us some pix. Bless you for saving another deserving soul.