Lovely story from Beverly Farmer of Podenco Friends about the start of her journey in podenco rescue and rehoming.

’14 years ago on 7th December 2003 I made a decision to visit a local shelter to adopt a dog here in Spain at the time not knowing it would be a life changing decision. Tilly was curled up in the back of kennel shaking. Not knowing what a podenco was, we asked to take her. She looked so fragile, so we signed the papers and took her home, Her story was that she was discovered in a dumpster under the rubbish with a broken front leg. We thought we had chosen a quiet and demure dog which she was for 24 hours. Then the honeymoon was over and the real Tilly revealed herself, stubborn crazy a real diva she tested me to my limits.

Almost 3 months after, I considered returning her to the shelter for it was not a good relationship.

Thankfully that never happened and she taught me everything about the character of the Podencos, she made me change my perception of dogs and their training needs. I was the student, she was the tutor. For all her antics I would never have it any different – she has been a constant companion. our lives are intertwined and she still tells me what she wants to do.

Nearly 16 years old in the last few months, her age has suddenly caught up with her and the last couple of months for the first time in her life she has being very ill. We were watching her fade away and felt so helpless, she had stopped eating for a number of days. But I am no quitter and Tilly is a fighter and together we found a solution and we managed to get her to eat again and she is back and I know she is feeling better, she is shouting at me again.

Tilly is the reason Podenco Friends exists, she was the inspiration and today hundreds of Podencos now are on their forever sofas around the world.

Love you to the moon and back, Tilly I didn’t rescue you… you rescued me’