Podenco Molino – from Malaga to the UK – a happy ending

Teresa Watkin tells the story of Molino, his rescue and rehoming.

‘I first spotted this photo of Molino last year as I was looking on Podenco Post with a view to adopting a galgo/podenco to live with us in West Sussex. I had already a whippet which Id recently adopted and felt two dogs keep each other company.

I had never heard of the plight of the galgo and podenco until my previous whippet Dan age 15 died. My daughter said to me one day “Mum can you stop crying now. One’s grief has to come out and be dealt with, if you love your hounds then you will grieve.

So whippet Linus was adopted and I began looking on galgo websites and Podenco Post.
When I saw Molinos photo, I didn’t believe he would survive. I kept thinking about what he’d been through and endured and although I knew he was leishmaniosis positive I thought, if he survives I’ve got to adopt him.

Weeks went by till I saw his picture and there was an update, he had survived with the help of an angel namely Diane from Axarquia animal rescue.

Originally her friend who worked at a local school, saw a collapsed dog outside the school. Diane went straight away and scooped him up, she said he was terrified but licked her arm as if to say ‘thank you’. (This was Molino)

Diane’s vets looked after him until weeks later he was able to go to his first foster mum. All the special mums did a great job in helping his rehabilitation and putting love back into his life. They have all said they thought he was a special hound and they were right, he is a darling, he hasn’t got a bad bone in his body,loves other dogs, children.

There are a few little things that make him stop and look at me like if he hears anything that sounds like a gun firing. I’m sure his past links were with a Spanish hunter, but that’s by the by now. He has survived with all his lovely mums from Axarquia animal rescue, Diane,Sam,Lisa,Isabel, Maureen to name a few. They do a wonderful job of helping abused animals in Malaga, finding homes and I think they are all amazing because I know some of the sights they see are not with happy endings.

But they say ‘one at a time’. I’m so glad it was Molino’s time and my time involved him in my life because it’s been all the better for having him.

Still maybe the podenco is under estimated but I can shout out to every one that adopting a pod is a wonderful experience all round and NOT to be missed.

Molino only came to live with me in Feb 2013 so I have only had him a few months but feel like it’s been forever.

Here is a photo of him from when he was rescued and two of how he is now.

Good luck and love to all you podencos out there waiting for your forever homes, I hope the wait is not too long.’