Category: Advice
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Looking back on 2024
So another year draws to a close. Another year when the Spanish government has done nothing to protect the hunting dogs, their over-breeding, the cruelty of the galgueros, using them just as a hunting tool and discarding at the end of January when hunting in Spain finishes each year. Thousands abandoned in the campo, dumped in perreras, dumped outside shelters.One difference in my 15 years involved with the plight of the galgos and podencos is that there aren’t the hangings in olive groves which there used to be. The bad publicity has possibly been one influencing factor, plus the increase in shelters and rescue associations to help these wonderful dogs to find forever homes around the world.
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Understanding prey drive in dogs
Most galgos have a very keen prey drive, so this article explains more.
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Do dogs grieve the loss of another dog?
I certainly believe they do. 4 years ago I lost my much loved galgo Polar to lymphoma. Galgo Bracken became very clingy, as did little Podenca Bebe. 3 months after losing Polar we lost Bracken to a tumour in his lungs. Bebe couldn’t cope with the loss of yet another housemate and just gave up on life. She would not eat, drink, get off her bed – she was just wasting away, no matter how much we cuddled her, so we had to make the kindest decision to send her over the bridge to join the others.
Do dogs grieve? -
Looking after a Senior Dog
It’s a sad fact of life that a lot of senior dogs are dumped in shelters and perreras when their owners either can’t afford the vet fees for medical care, or in the case of hunters because the dogs have served their purpose and they no longer want them!
This article explains how to care for an older dog, although I’m sure my readers are already well experienced in caring for their senior dog.
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Galgos del Sol – educating the young Spanish to care for the hunting dogs
Greyhounds In Need support a few rescue associations with education packages. Galgos del Sol is one such rescue which has been undertaking this for many years. Tina Solera (founder GdS) originally did it herself with the help of her children. Times have moved on, this is the latest news on the education frontThis news doesn’t get attention like rescuing a dog does, but it’s what is needed to prevent needing to rescue in the first place. Sam is travelling around the schools in the Madrid / Toledo area teaching as many kids as possible about pet welfare and the work that we do at GDS.
This wouldn’t be possible without the amazing Greyhounds in Need who support us with this all the way. For us education is important as the idea of running a rescue centre is to surely one day put yourself out of work because you are no longer needed.
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Pet Blood Bank – could your dog save a life?
This is a weblink to the Pet Blood Bank website which explains what is needed if you have a confident dog which could be a blood donor and save another dog’s life. -
Justice for Podenco Mr Bones – a call for change
Although this sad story is about a podenco, it is also about a situation that could happen to a galgo. Sharing the story written by Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends.
From Bev Farmer‘This is a long but important post and it would be greatly appreciated if you can share it. Paws on Hearts/Aguiproan Animal Rescue And Rehoming
As a rescuer, this is one of our greatest fears. Many rescues, including Paws on Hearts Animal Rescue and Rehoming, work tirelessly to ensure their dogs are safe, even after rehoming. A common practice is to dual-register microchips in both the adopter’s name and the rescue’s name. In theory, this system ensures that both parties must be consulted before a rescue dog is euthanised.
But tragically, this safeguard failed Mr. Bones. He is not the first rescue dog to be euthanised without a rescue’s knowledge or consent — and heartbreakingly, he won’t be the last unless change is made.