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I was watching some dog shelter/pound pictures again today (taken by me or the other members here in RedBubble) and was inspired to tell a story. So, I have five rescue dogs and galgo (=spanish greyhound) Iola is one of them (maybe I will tell the stories of my other dogs some day too).
First I want you to know something about galgos and their life in Spain.
“The Spanish greyhound, or galgo, is one of the most persecuted dog breeds. Galgos are used to hunt hares in the Spanish countryside. The galgos spend their lives in damp, tiny, dirty holes or windowless shacks, deprived of daylight, exercise and affection. They are typically fed only water and stale bread. At the end of the hunting season, countless are abandoned or worse.”
You can read the whole text here (there is also other very good sites about galgos on internet): www.galgorescue.org/spanish-galgo/spanish-galgo
And then about Iola (who was called “Diana” in Spain). In the first picture she’s in the dog shelter of Villa Del Rio, in summer ’08 (I visited there actually 09/2010 and took lots of pictures, and some of them you can see in my portfolio). Before ending up to the pound, Iola used to live around the local gas station, looking for a food and shelter. People tried to catch her for three months after she surrendered.
After that she lived in the dog shelter I don’t know how long. I heard that Iola was very very timid and scared of people at the time. That’s hard to believe because nowadays she’s one of the most sociable galgo ever. I don’t know why Iola was abandoned on the streets, but I’m sure she used to be a hunting dog. I guess the owner just doesn’t need her anymore. Maybe the hunting season was over and the dogs came useless. But it’s lucky that she was not killed.
Iola has also had many litters, her figure reveals that. So maybe she’s been used as a “breeding machine” too. As you can see in the picture, she used to be very skinny, and full of scars. Iola came to Finland 08/2008 and has been very lovely and loyal companion to me and my other dogs. The picture below is taken in summer ‘09, so there’s a year in between those two photos. One year which changed one dog’s life completely.
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Comments
I’m so glad you told this story and showed these before and after pictures! If only one other galgo (or greyhound anywhere) finds a good adoptive home, lola’s story will have been so worthwhile telling! You know I’ve been an advocate here in the US for Greyhound adoption, and I’ve seen the terrible pictures and read the horror stories of galgos in Spain and Greyhounds even here in the US. There was a case recently in my own state where over 30 greyhounds were left to starve to death! How such cruelty exists is beyond my imagination, but it does exist. Isn’t it amazing how a skinny, mistreated, and starving dog can become a beautiful, well-proportioned, sweet, outgoing, and loving pet inside of a year! Bless you for helping lola and the other pets you have rescued! ♥♥♥
Thank you ♥ You must have seen very awful stories as you’ve been involved in greyhound adoption actions. I know situation of the racing greyhounds is terrible too in some countries. That abandoned 30 dogs sounds terrible, did they survived or what happened? And you’re right, it’s amazing to see when mistreated dog starting to heal in psychically and fysically. It’s a miracle.
(sorry I wrote this twice as I corrected some typos)
– homesick
Surullinen tarina jossa on onnellinen loppu, jos näin voi sanoa. Ihanaa, että kerrot näitä tarinoita sillä se on niin tärkeätä, että viesti kulkee eteenpäin. Ehkä hyvä ettet niitä ihan kamalimpia asioita mitä näille uljaille koirille tapahtuu paljastanut muuten kuin sanoilla ‘or worse’. Englantisi on minusta oikein mallikasta. Ei ole mitään hävettävää.
Kyllä on Iola todellakin niin kaqunistunut vuodessa. On nyt kuin tertveyden perikuva vaikka niin surkea olikin siellä Espanjassa.
Kiitos (tuosta englannin kehumisesta myös, välillä tuntuu ettei osaa yhtään kirjoittaa vieraalla kielellä). Joo, ei mun mielestä kaikkia shokkijuttuja ole pakko heti kertoa. Jos etsii lisää tietoa tai lukee tuon koko tekstin jonka linkitin, niin sieltä löytyy sitten tarkempaakin kuvailua. Iola on tosiaan ainakin massaa saanut Suomessa, ell just sanoi että nyt ei sais painoa enempi tulla… joutuu vielä kohta laihikselle, heh. Muutenkin oikein terve on kyllä ollu.
– homesick
OMG! I am going to be sick……Bless you Heart….She so needed you and you were there….Thank God…laura
Thank you for your lovely comment ♥♥ I’m so glad I have this beautiful and funny girl.
– homesick
What an amazing story and photos. Iola is so lucky that she found her or maybe she found you ! Anyway it is so wonderful that she has a loving owner and a great life :) Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for commenting ♥ It was nice to be able to share this story here.
– homesick
I just read an update on the case, and learned that a total of 37 Greyhounds were found dead by starvation or dehydration. Five emaciated hounds were found alive and are being cared for. It really breaks your heart to learn about these cases, especially when you know what wonderful pets they make, nor should ANY animal be treated that way. The trainer who was supposed to be taking care of the Greyhounds has been arrested. Hopefully he will be made to pay for his crime.
How horrible :( I really hope the trainer will get the punishment he deserves.
– homesick
Your story of these dogs has filled my heart with so much sadness and filled my eyes with tears. How anyone can treat any animal with so much hate in their heart in incomprehensible. You are a very special person. God bless you for an eternity.
Thank you so much for your comment.
– homesick
I think people who treat animals real bad probably treat people in much the same way. Thank you for being there and helping from your heart. :)
I think so too.. thank you :)
– homesick
This is such a moving story and I am so grateful for people like yourself who save some of these beautiful animals. When I think how pampered Italian Greyhounds are (two of which I have myself) I can scarcely believe how differently the two very similar breeds have been treated.
I wish you and your beautiful dogs every blessing.
Thank you so much for you lovely comment ♥
– homesick
Thankyou for telling us this story about Lola. I am so happy that she now has a loving home and owner. Bless you!
Thank you so much :)
– homesick
respect…!!
thanks!
– homesick