I’ve been homing the GDS Galgos that come to GIN for the last few years and one day last year it occurred to me that I’d never actually visited Galgos del Sol, the rescue in Spain where they come from. So with that thought I promptly signed up for their Volunteer Scheme. It’s popular, with many supporters signing up from all parts of the world. They take 3 weekly volunteers at a time, offer accommodation and provide lunch each day.
I duly got myself to Spain for my allotted week and arrived at the centre on time on the Monday morning. My fellow volunteers arrived and we met for the first time, a lovely couple from the UK.
We spent the next couple of hours being shown around the centre and learning about the routines that we’d be following. I also got to meet the incredible Tina Solera whose drive and passion for helping the Galgos has resulted in this amazing place. Despite having seen photos and following GDS online I was taken aback at how big it actually is and of course there were dogs everywhere.
A couple of hours in we were ready to finally get our hands on some Galgos. On the central notice board there’s a chart where each dog’s name is recorded against which kennel or area it’s in. On this huge site there is everything, reception, two main blocks of kennels, the vet’s surgery, recovery kennels, puppy block, quarantine, campo, education centre, agility paddock, sensory walk, quiet garden, laundry house and kitchen area.
So my first challenge, find my name on the board and check the list then get my first dog, Canela and take her for a walk. It takes a bit of getting used to and its a great way of getting your daily steps in while you’re walking to the wrong kennel block! It turned out I averaged 24,000 a day! Second challenge of the day is identify your one dog that you are walking from kennel 7 which has 3 in residence then extract just that one you want whilst not losing either of the other two lovelies that want to come too! What a joy though to give these dogs that little bit of individual attention and take them out of the kennel chaos for just a short while. Somehow despite being in a rescue these dogs seem to feed off the positive atmosphere that the whole place exudes and are generally a happy bunch.
Time for lunch then the third challenge of the day, spot cleaning a kennel block. The kennels are cleaned thoroughly each morning and then volunteers do a freshen up in the afternoon. Sounds simple, yes it is but you are responsible for a 30 kennel block and as I’m sure you can imagine that does amount to cleaning up lots of wee and poo! It’s a satisfying feeling to be doing something useful and whilst I was ‘mucking out’ their kennels the dogs got playtime in the adjoining run.
It’s 7pm, day 1 complete, time for that shower, food and sleep! I was lucky to be living on site for the week so was fully immersed in the GDS world. I didn’t need an alarm clock not when you’ve got over 200 dogs sleeping in the vicinity or rather not sleeping but ‘singing” to you at random times during the night and early morning but rest assured after the first full day ‘on duty’ you can sleep through anything.
Day 2 starts and I’m on duty at 8.30am, the sun is shining. I check my board and today I have the normal 10 dogs listed for walking, 30 mins each. These 10 are the dogs heading for GIN in a few weeks time so special for me as I get to meet them early. That takes me neatly to lunchtime where everyone gathers together for a wonderful al fresco lunch. Time to relax, talk dogs and enjoy the great company.
Lunch over but instead of kennel duties I have a new task, I take all the dogs from a kennel into the Sensory Garden and let them loose so they can relax or play. This garden was funded by GIN in memory of our founder Anne Finch. It’s a lovely, quiet area at the end of the site.
It’s surrounded by trees and planted with flowers and shrubs. There’s a water fountain tinkling in the background and seats for humans or dogs, toys and a ball pit for finding treats. Just a lovely place for the dogs to relax and it’s a perfect place to give them some one to one attention. It’s a 7pm finish.
Day 3 and now I feel I’m getting into the swing of things. I check the board, grab my favourite lead and off we go. I take Martin into the agility paddock and he shows me how smart he is by climbing the tyre stacks before I even have the treats out! Also, on my list today is Calcetines, a handsome but shy boy who’s coming to the UK. Morning walks completed it’s another great lunch and I’m back on my kennel cleaning duties for the afternoon.
Day 4 today I have some new names to walk, each day varies so all dogs that are ready to be on the walking programme get their chance. There are some dogs still too scared to leave their kennel routine, so these are given more time to settle in. The first two names on my list are two galgas that haven’t been at GDS long, Meerkat and Africa. I walk Meerkat, she’s a tiny little brindle girl that just wants cuddles and attention. We walk the route and she has to meet everyone, it’s impossible to resist her!
The second galga is Africa. She’s a quiet, gentle little soul and as I’m walking along with her and we spend a little time together, she looks me in the eye and suddenly my heart squeezes and I know I’m smitten…..this wasn’t the plan but time to have a serious chat with hubby!
Day 5, 8.30am I start my morning routine but Tina calls us all together as there are new dogs arriving from the local perrera. This isn’t unusual, it’s a constant stream of dogs needing rescue and as some leave for homes more are waiting to come in. We all help with unloading them from the van, 3 galgos, 1 podenco, a podenco mix and a pointer. Tina thinks she can help the pointer by getting him out and linking him up with another rescue for that breed. She does her absolute best when she sees a dog that needs help even if it’s not a galgo. Sadly for all those that are rescued there are many more not so lucky. These 6 are given a walk then settled into quarantine kennels for testing and monitoring.
Every Friday a huge paella is made for lunch for all to share and today it’s a bit special as we are celebrating the GDS vet, Salva’s 60th Birthday. Toasts are made, paella is eaten and there’s cake, all in the Spanish sunshine.
Fun over it’s back to kennel duties. 7pm finish.
Day 6, 8.30am as usual. On my list I’m delighted I’ve got Africa to walk so I get to spend more time with her….is this a plan, they know I’m seriously smitten? Then playtime in the Sensory Garden for two new galgas, Rumba and Flamenca. Still a bit bewildered by their good fortune they don’t know quite what to do. Sweet Flamenca looks older, with some large scars but she’s actually only 4 years old. Then it finally happens, Tina says we can get the London pups out to play in the garden, woohoo! They are gorgeous wriggly bundles of fur, teeth and razor sharp nails but who cares, I’m in heaven!
Day 7 and it’s my last, where did that week go. Today I’m walking the dogs in the Quarantine and vet kennels. New skills to be learnt here. Vet kennels are smaller and some are on top of each other as these dogs are in recovery or being treated. I now know I can lift a galgo down from a shoulder height kennel and more to the point can lift it back into that kennel, including getting all those dangly legs in! It’s a beautiful sunny day and I look around and absorb the now familiar sights and sounds as I know I have to leave the following day and I know I’m going to miss it.
Sue Sarney March 2025
