Page 13 - SpringSummerNL25

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 60 Birthday.
th
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
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