Help the dogs in Spain
Help the dogs in Spain
Help the dogs in Spain
Help Dogs in Spain - Consider a Podenco
We are aiming to help dogs in Spain, starting with the Podenco. The Podenco is a Spanish breed of dog which is used primarily for hunting and life in rural Spain is hard for these working dogs. It is not uncommon for these dogs to be starved for five days prior to a hunt to "keep them keen", and they are kept on a short chain in living conditions which offer little shelter. In fact, they are very often kept in a 'vallado' which is a fenced holding pen.
These are situated in uninhabited areas and the dogs are visited only two or three times a week to be fed on 'left over food' and are given some water. Many barely have enough food to keep them alive.
These dogs are only of value whilst they are able to hunt. Once they are no longer fit enough for this role they are discarded, dumped miles from their home and, there has been occasions when one of their front legs was broken to stop they returning home.
In case you have not had the good fortune to meet one of these beautiful, gentle animals, I would like to tell you about Tara who is around two years old. She was taken to a veterinary surgery called Canisax' which is situated in Sax. Her front leg had been badly shot and she was very much under weight. Her owner wanted her to be 'put down'.
Thankfully, this was Tara's lucky day because the French vet, Williams Soria, was not prepared to let this happen. Williams set up Canisax with his Spanish wife Eva Azfoiri, three years ago and they are both totally dedicated to helping lost, abandoned and mistreated animals.
They are both on call for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Williams offered to take responsibility for the animal, despite knowing that she would need months of care and several operations, all of which would be very expensive. He also knew that he would need the help of an Orthopedic Specialist. Fortunately, Williams knows Dr Coke, an Orthopedic Specialist who works in an animal hospital in Novelda, and is well known throughout Southern Spain. Again, luckily for Tara, Dr Coke is also committed to helping abandoned and mistreated animals.
After receiving the required treatment, the next task was to find a loving home for Tara.
P.E.P.A is an animal charity and they have a website where details of animals can be placed for re-homing.
Eve Allen, a member of this charity, heard about Tara and went along to the Veterinary Surgery to take photographs which were posted on the website. Since moving to Spain two years ago, I have adopted several abandoned and hurt animals and, therefore, when I saw Tara's details on the website I made the decision that I was unable to rehome yet another dog. However, some time later I came across Tara's details again and was very concerned that she was still waiting for a loving home. I contacted P.E.P.A. and arrangements were made for me to visit Tara.
I visited Tara on several occasions whilst she was at the vet's having treatment and in April 2009 I took her home to start her new life. She continues to need the care of Williams and has further visits planned with Dr Coke. At the end of May discussions took place with the specialist as to what further treatment will be required. She is gradually becoming use to her new surroundings although she was initially very nervous.
She is settling in with the other cats and dogs and watching her confidence grow is so satisfying.
She really is a beautiful pet, so loving and gentle - all she needed was a second chance.
The second chance would not have happened had it not been for the care and dedication shown by Williams, his wife Eva and their wonderful team. They give freely of their own time and money and have to rely on the goodwill of specialist people such as Dr Coke.
There are occasional donations but they are desperately in need of further financial support. Tara's story has touched the hearts of many of my friends and we felt we wanted to make some contribution towards Williams and his team so that they can carry on with the tremendous work that they do. Our fund raising is in full swing and I would like to thank Jan, Pat, Jack, Nicky, Declan,Helen, Di, Tony, Beryl, Phillipa and everybody who has helped or donated to this cause.
I would also like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Williams for the love and kindness he shows to the animals that come into his care. Dr Coke for his invaluable assistance and to Eva Allen, who is now a close friend for all her help and encouragement during the rehoming of Tara.
And last, but not least, I would ask that you support the animal charities who desperately need your help and should you be able to rehome a dog, I would plead with you to consider taking on a Podenco.
They are very loving, very quick to learn and will repay your love tenfold - and they definitely deserve to have a better life. Help us help dogs in Spain, they need you!
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