Such a cute little pup, born to an abandoned podenca at Javea, Costa Blanca. Introducing Podenco Ibizan Hound – Jasper. Megan tells his story.
‘All my life I have wanted a dog, but work and travel commitments prevented me from doing so. When we moved to Spain I decided the time was right and fate must have heard me say so, because we spotted an advert in our local paper for podenco puppies available mid January (2009), just in time for my birthday!
A podenco bitch had been rescued, starving and very scared, from a small bay near Javea, Costa Blanca North. Three days later she had a litter of pups and our lovely Jasper is one of the lucky survivors. We collected him at 9 weeks old, he was so beautiful with bright blue eyes (which are now the classic amber colour of the breed). We didn’t realise how puppy-unfriendly our house was until he arrived – we have a spiral staircase for example, initially it was barricaded with suitcases and then with a baby gate – only to find after a few months that he wouldn’t, and still doesn’t, venture even on to the top step.
When he was around 20 weeks we began puppy training with him. Well it was ‘owner training’ really and we quickly learned the basics of sit, stay, come etc. I still now (he’s almost three) practice these commands – especially ‘come’. Everything I had read about his breed said that, as sight hounds, they could never be allowed to run free. But we have friends with three Beagles who invited us to walk with them, so one day, with heart in mouth, I let Jasper off the lead for the first time. It was a wonderful experience to see him running at full pace, clearly having the time of his life. We, and the four dogs, are now a regular feature in the woods or vineyards around Denia every Sunday morning. We have also found a great cave-house in Andalusia, with a fenced garden, for doggy-centric holidays.
Everyone thought we were mad to adopt him as podencos seem to have a bad reputation for some reason – he was, admittedly, crazy as a puppy, but aren’t they all!. Over time his mad puppyish antics lessened, and at the age of two it was almost as if a switch had been thrown and he suddenly matured (well, 95% of the time), and now he is the most loving, gentle, adored dog in town.
We dare not go out without him as all of our friends ask where he is, and vie to fuss and play with him. Jasper loves people, especially children, and will lie down completely at ease as toddlers and small children pet him. On one walk a small girl, with Downs Syndrome, ran up and threw her arms around his neck and he just stood there, almost smiling.
We are completely besotted with Jasper. As everyone who meets him loves him, visitors always want to take him home and strangers, of every nationality, stop us to ask about him, why don’t more people adopt them?. Kind, gentle, loving, funny, handsome – there are not enough words to describe these wonderful dogs
Megan and David Brown’
Thank you for sharing the story of Jasper, isn’t he stunning! Wouldn’t it be marvellous is all podencos could find such a wonderful forever home. Well, hopefully through Podenco Post, we’ll persuade a lot more people to do so!
Comments
7 responses to “Ibizan Hound Jasper – saved on the Costa Blanca – an ambassador for the breed”
How I wish more people were aware of the wonderful qualities of Podencos and Podenco cross Galgos. These are the most adorable sweet natured, highly intelligent of hounds and worth all the minor problems. The only problem as I see it is that they do tend to disappear when on a walk and sometimes takes hours to return. I have four Podencos and they are all happy to be confined to my home area which is around 5,000 sq.mtrs. More than enough room for running and playing without the worry of losing them. I have lost one four years ago and have really never recovered(I think she was picked up by a hunter)So now I don’t take any risks. So please anyone considering adopting do not hesitate!!!
Wow, Penelope, you’ve got 4! Fabulous. I love them to bits too. And they don’t all go walkabout when off the lead, I know that Rick Beauchamp in the UK, who takes SARA Protectora podencos from Lanzarote for rehoming, has had one or two who simply weren’t interested in walkabout. Would love some pix of you 4 – all publicity for the podencos has to be positive. Thanks for caring so much
Thank you for publishing the lovely story of Jasper, the Ibizan Hound, in your newsletter; it gave me comfort to hear about that one moment of maturing. I have a little Podenco, now aged 10 months (rescued from Spain), and also I am waiting for him to pass this teenager insanity (he is “Loco” and not “Inigo” for most of the time)… 🙂
Hi How great that you also have a podenco. Please send me the story of Inigo/Loco and some pix, to publish on Podenco Post. The more stories we have about these fabulous hounds, to show what marvellous companion dogs they make, the more chance the rescued ones have of finding forever homes. email me direct band@bbrennan.eu
Thanks for caring and commenting.
Thank you, Ms. Beryl, I’m going to reply to your invitation soon, with more insight into the life with a little Ibizan hound youngster. I love this life to bits, although he is a great school for me daily : he “forces” me unintentionally to remain “in the moment”, which is the best thing that happened to me. So, more news about me and Inigo, my little rainbow companion, soon. Thank you again 🙂
He traducido (no muy bien, jeje) vuestra preciosa historia sobre el Podenco Jasper. Yo también tengo una preciosa Podenco, Luz se llama.
Saludos.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=236530106394563
Hola
Envíenme la historia sobre su hermosa hound y publicaremos – también enviar algunas fotos – correo electrónico me band@bbrennan.eu