In June we said farewell to our blind Podenco Bo, which meant we had space for another dog, a companion for Podenca Rosie. This time we decided to foster an older dog..
Project Galgo is an association in east England formed in 2020 which brings podencos and galgos to the UK for foster and adoption. They work with 3 Spanish associations, Fundacion Benjamin Mehnert, Galgos del Sur and Galgo Rescue Almeria.
After a home check, we were accepted and advised that galga Nera would be coming to us from Galgos del Sur. She travelled by road with another half dozen galgos and a couple of podencos. It’s a long journey….
First of all the dogs travel from the shelters to the TRACES kennels where the DEFRA paperwork is completed. After a couple of days the dogs are loaded onto the van and their journey begins. Travelling up from Malaga the length of Spain, across France to the Channel port. The van loads onto the ferry for its journey to England where the dogs are then dropped off at the actual homes to which the are going – for foster and adoption.
Nera finally arrived with us late Saturday afternoon. This meant she has been on the journey 6 days! One of the dogs was destined for a home in Edinburgh, which would be another day’s journey from us.
Thinking about this led me to thinking about the galgos and podencos who travel from Spain as far away as Canada, America and Finland…with further travel after they arrive at the airports to their final destinations.
The dogs all cope – they are incredible – especially when one considers the terrible conditions they often have endured at the hands of the galgueros.
Nera is 8 years old, has a full passport, free of Mediterranean diseases and will make a delightful addition to any household. A very happy galga with no hangups. Contact Project Galgo is you have room in your home and heart for her.