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Tag: adopt a podenco
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Pepi’s Dog Refuge visit September 2016
I recently spent a week at Pepi’s Dog Refuge where I took the money raised from my Fun Dog Show to help pay some of the vet bills. The weather was baking hot, temperatures over 40 degrees, so the dogs spent a lot of time sleeping in the cool of their kennels. The roofing is special material which keeps out the rain but also keeps out the sun, provided by Anpana association in Italy.
On the day I arrived, we visited the vet. A podenco puppy had been found injured on the road in the village and xrays had been taken of his broken leg. The vet asked Pepi’s to take him. His leg was in a splint as in some cases with young bone, the injury can heal itself, new bone can grow. The pup was named Vero, he’s an adorable little chap and no doubt when he has recovered, he will soon find a forever home.
Another young podenca bitch is quite an escape artist and able to climb out of her kennel to spend her days in the corridor run! She too arrived with a broken leg which has healed perfectly.Saturday was an interesting day!
Hunting with podencos starts Saturday evening and finishes Sunday lunchtime. During that time there were several hunters, each with 4 or 5 dogs mostly podencos, hunting rabbit amongst the olive groves. There was great concern on Saturday evening when one walked on land in front of the refuge greatly upsetting the pepi’s dogs. Behind the house he fired off his gun, narrowly missing the corner! Hunting is prohibited within 150 metres of property. When the hunter saw us all he scarpered, leaving behind the dead rabbit. Alan Brian called the Guardia (gamekeeper) who said he would have a word with the hunter. As Alan said, it’s likely the hunter could be a relative of his! Also, as elsewhere in Spain, if they complained to the Guardia Civil, it is very possible they would find their refuge dogs poisoned or stolen. Hunters are very vindictive.
Sunday morning saw another hunter approach the house, 2 dead rabbits hanging from his belt. With him was his Podenco, Braco (brown & white pointer) and a small rough-haired dog of dachshund type. He is the local butcher in Pedrera and told us he had found the little dog and kept it. Sadly later in the day there was a young podenco running around, obviously lost and left behind by his hunter. We left water out for him but he had disappeared the following day.
I also saw a couple of vehicles ‘training’ the galgos …goodness knows how far the poor dogs were being made to run in the searing heat! In the Pedrera area they are used for coursing, not hunting. Jane remarked that no doubt one or two of them at least would be dumped at the refuge gates during the winter.
Sadly when I left on Tuesday morning, Pepi was having trouble breathing and was taken to the vet for oxygen. She was rescued from the piggery opposite the refuge and, even with a heart problem, lived with Brians for 16 years. She will be greatly missed by Jane and Alan but her legacy lives on in all the Pepi’s dogs rescued and rehomed.
Pepi’ Dog Refuge survives solely on donations and fundraisers. Money is currently needed for microchipping and castration of some dogs in preparation for travelling for adoption. If you can help in any way, please do. Without Pepi’s Dog Refuge, the dogs of Pedrera area would face a terrible life.
Introducing Vero and some of the other current Pepi’s incumbents, every one waiting for their forever home.
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Peaceful Protest for Spanish Hounds – 1st May 2016 in London, Manchester & Glasgow – photos
Early in the year when I read the Spanish Royals were to visit the Queen at Windsor and I contacted my friend Polly Matthewson of Podenco Alliance about it, suggesting a demonstration, I had no idea how it would grow. So thanks to Polly, Martin Podman French of Podenco Support South West, Dawn Karen Walker (Manchester March) and Irene Allen (Glasgow March) for taking up the idea and developing it to the marvellous day we all had on 1st May 2016 publicising the suffering of the Spanish hounds and showing what marvellous pets they can make. Herewith my photos from the March in Manchester – sadly it rained but didn’t dampen the spirits and we handed out lots of leaflets about the plight of the Spanish hunting dogs. (Spot me on the left holding the big banner!) The London organisers handed in a petition to the Spanish Embassy and also No 10 Downing Street.
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Victims of the thunderstorms hitting southern Spain – seeking refuge at Pepis
Horrendous storms battering Andalucia this week, including Pepis Dog Refuge. These are the latest arrivals at the gate, Jane Brian tells the story.
‘1/11/2015 – This may be an unusual combination but these two seemed to have teamed up together to keep each other warm due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms we had last night, it was one hell of a storm. We found them soaked and looking very sad and gave no resistance to being helped. Both females and so lovely. Drove them back to the refuge, dried them off and gave them a meal. They are now in a pen with soft bedding to warm them, safe and cosy from the rest of the bad weather we have forecast.
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Tombola for Pepis Dog Refuge – buy tickets now – lovely prizes
There are over 70 dogs at Pepis Refuge, Pedrera, Seville, including galgos and podencos. This year alone 2 heavily pregnant galga bitches were dumped there, producing 19 pure galgo puppies; two more young galgos were thrown over the perimeter fence, luckily neither was injured; and this month a hunter brought his galgo as he no longer wanted him. Add to this the podencos who have been there since puppies, awaiting adoption, one recently dumped at the gates in a box. And now old girl Anka, a lifetime spent breeding puppies, kicked in the eye, dumped, and needing vet care. All these dogs need vaccinations, sterilising, chipping and more. PLUS it costs 700 euros/month to feed all these dogs.
So I’m appealing to you on behalf of the hounds at Pepis Dog Refuge to help them by purchasing some tickets in this tombola. First prize is a copy of Martin Usborne’s superb book ‘Where Hunting Dogs Rest’, donated by and personally signed by Martin.
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Galgo/Podenco Tango – stunning hound waiting for his forever home
Just look at Tango, a galgo/podenco X in Lanzarote. He’s a star in obedience classes, could go on to agility. Only a young boy with years of life and love to give to that special person who will take him into their home and heart.
He is a fabulous dog – attentive, intelligent and above all really loving. He will melt you with his beautiful eyes. He is 6 years old and has been waiting patiently for his forever sofa for no particular reason. He has attended basic training and did incredibly well. He is in Lanzarote with The Kennel Klub but we will arrange transport for the right home.
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Educating galgueros – Pepis Refuge, Seville
Even with 75 dogs to care for 24/7 and a pregnant galga just rescued after being abandoned and running loose in the village, and about to produce babies, Jane and Alan of Pepis Refuge made time to visit a local hunter. Here Jane explains.
‘As part of our ongoing effort to be involved in the world of the Galgos and the Galgueros in our area, we were invited to go and see a local Galguero and his dogs. He was very proud to show us the food he prepares them every day, which consisted of pasta, vegetables, meat and bread, with a supplement of vitamins which we saw cooking as we were there.
His dogs have a large compound with individual sleeping compartments, spotlessly clean. His dogs are micro chipped, vaccinated and tattooed on the ear. For security reasons he has a vault door filled with concrete and thick walls as some of the Galgos are from champions and to him are priceless, he has dogs of over 7 years of age that he won’t part with.
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A galgo in prison
I defy you not to shed a few tears – as I have – when you read this moving story. remember, Scooby needs donations to feed the hundreds of dogs and other animals in their care.
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It’s a Dog’s Life – Tails from Pepis Refuge
10 years ago Jane and Alan Brian moved to Spain to open a caravan site. Instead they found a hung galgo in the olive groves and started their journey with Pepis Dog Refuge, saving hundreds of abandoned dogs, including galgos and podencos. Alan has written some amusing and poignant verse and I have collated these into a book, interspersed with a selection of stories of Pepis rescued dogs by their adoptants. The book is Print on Demand, which means it is only printed when ordered and paid for. (Allow 2 weeks delivery) Order now in time for Xmas delivery. A delightful gift for dog lovers.
