TARA animal shelter, Gran Canaria – podencos searching for forever homes

Brian Baptist is a volunteer with TARA, an animal rescue shelter in the beautiful port of Mogan on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. He’s passionate about the podencos on the island and the hard life they have. Here’s what he writes.

‘Canario Podencos are a breed of canine that evolved from goddesses and gods of Egyptian folklore. If any canine is god-like, it must certainly be the Podenco. They are beautiful beyond belief – ethereal in presence and physicality. Despite their reputation as a hunting dogs, they are in truth just about the best family pet for whom a human could hope.

Despite their ability to seemingly sweep up and down mountain sides like wisps of autumn wind, they walk at their human companion’s side like champion show dogs. Podencos are intensely intelligent, eager to please to a fault, faithful and loyal beyond human capacity, and embody joie de vivre that is compellingly contagious. Their grace is legendary: no Podenco movement they make or position they take, even lying about, is nothing short of elegant!

And yet, Podencos are abandoned (or worse) by the hundreds every year. If they don’t cut the mustard as a hunting dog or are getting a little slow of foot as the seasons pass: bye-bye, baby. Not a lot of sentiment here as far as TARA is concerned, and an horrific loss.

So do yourself a great pleasure: March on down to The Best Little Dog Shelter in Paradise (Mogan Shelter), and make proper introductions with one of the wonders of the planet.

Sylvia and her dedicated volunteers have not less than 4 beauties desperate for the pleasure of your company. Try it! You’ll love it!

Save a dog’s life; gain a friend for life!! Fair exchange, no?!’

Pictured above is beauty Vitola, and below are Sara, Jara and Jacinto. Contact the TARA website for more details.