Valencia podencos – together forever

When I visited Bev, I met two of the 50+ podencos rescued from a hellhole in Valencia. Their necks bore the marks made by the chains and collars. After rehabilitation with Bev and Warren, they have now both found their forever family. a wonderful happy story!

Bev writes. As we prepare Nacha for her big trip to America to Sallie Lisa and her team at Grateful Greyhounds Inc. there is another twist to this story. One I had secretly hoped for and this week it has become a reality. We got confirmation that Nacha will be reunited with Esme and these two Podencos will never be separated again. Martha Feltenstein, who has already adopted Esme, was at the airport on the 5th December to welcome Nacha and take her home. This fantastic ending to such a sad story has only come about from the co-operation and team work of so many people.

Here is their story… on the 11th August this year late one night I had seen a post from Galgos112 that they had been notified that 58 dogs, mainly Podencos had been discovered in a building in Valencia. For months they had been chained to the wall or the floor, a desperate situation. Of course I wanted to help and contacted them immediately. Galgos112 were able to remove all of the dogs within 24 hours and got them all to safe havens and attended by vets.

I collected Esme and Nacha on the 15th August, both pretty beat up, each had severe skin conditions. At the time we were just making sure both girls were settled in and began their treatment programme.

However, someone must have been watching over these two, only later when I had some time I began to think through the chain of events. Looking back it all seems as though some cosmic force was in play and it was their destiny to be reunited.

Only recently I discovered a photo from the rescue site and noticed that Esme and Nacha were chained up side by side. When I went to collect them there were 3 podencos in the van and I was asked to choose which two I wanted. For some unknown reason I was drawn to Esme and Nacha. The other Podenco was stunning but both of these girls looked in bad shape and I decided they needed our help the most.

It was obvious to see these girls had a very strong bond with one another. They had endured so much hardship and here at the finca when it was time to bed down for the night, both girls always cuddled up to one another.

A chance remark make by Nan Kilgore Little on one of my posts in late July had caught Martha’s eye. She contacted me and wanted to know about the situation here in Spain regarding the Podencos, so of course the flood gates opened and I sent her a pile of information.

Then Nan contacted me (with a little nudge from Martha) and asked if she could adopt podenca Amira, my response 100% yes yes yes!!!! I could not think of a better person for Amira. Martha stepped in and very generously offered to be the patron for the flight back to America. A few days later I open a email from Martha “what about Esme would she fit in with my other dogs?” so Esme is reserved and will be joining Amira on the flight.

In the meantime Sallie of Grateful Greyhounds offered a place for Nacha and the plan was she would fly over in the Spring. Then at short notice a spot came available for the 5th December, would Nacha be ready in time?. No problems all the relevant documents and blood tests were completed.

On the 12th November I said goodbye to Amira and Esme, it was a stressful time due to the airline been difficult; we were racing against the clock to get the girls through security. I did make a throw away comment to Martha that Nacha would be arriving in America on the 5th December and just left it at that. All through the day I was keeping calm, keeping a lid on my emotions. I didn’t want the dogs to feel the tension and once Martha and the girls passed through security. I let the tears fall, I just broke down and sobbed my heart out, I never got to kiss them goodbye in all the madness that we had to deal with.

So a short time later I open another email from Martha…. Esme is a gem, she has just fitted in so well, then I read these words “do you think Nacha would fit in, who do I contact to adopt her?”

Many phone calls and emails flew between Martha and Grateful Greyhounds Inc. adoption contracts were signed and we will have our happy ever after for Nacha & Esme.

The list of thanks is long from Galgos112 who first rescued them from hell, to Nan Gilmore who has championed our cause for many months, Martha for being a life-line and without whose support some podencos would not have been rescued. Sallie Lisa and her team at Grateful Greyhounds for reserving Nacha inc, Telma Shaw and GRIN who do a fantastic job of making sure all the transport to the States run smoothly. 70 Galgos and Podencos will have travelled with them by the end of this year. To Irene Allan for been at my side at the Madrid airport and handing out the hankies.

For our part we have the joy of caring for these two Podencos to see their wounds heal and their spirits soar. To be just happy, watch them laze in the sun and have playtime with the other rescue Podencos we have here.

Is there a moral to this story I don’t know… but one thing I do know, never give up on your dreams, surround yourself with good people, throw in a little bit of luck and magic can happen.

Esme & Nacha – ever thine ever mine ever ours — with Cristiana Tonin.

For details of other podencos with Bev, looking for forever homes, contact Podenco Friends.