From Bev Farmer – For all you Podenco and Galgo Lovers..
I was so honoured to have been asked to contribute for a book created by Marga Hendrix of Viva la Vida Foundation that shines a light on the Podencos and Galgos of Spain. I wrote two pieces: one about Tilly, my first Podenco who began my journey with these remarkable dogs, and another about how we began rescuing Podencos and the desperate situation they face in Spain.
But this book is so much more than my words. (more…)
From Bev Farmer
Tila — a rescued Podenco and RFEC Agility Champion of Spain 2025.
I’ve followed Adrián Granda for several years watching his incredible journey with Tila. Once again, for the third time, she has won her group at the Spanish Championships.
Tila’s story began in the most humble of places. She was one of three tiny pups in a pet shop that helped local rescues find homes. At just 3 months old, Adrián adopted her… who could have imagined then, that this little Podenco would grow into a three-time agility champion? (more…)
There is a UK facebook group called Camping & Caravanning with Greyhounds and Sighthounds. This includes podencos. Recently the group held its first meet at Hertford Caravan Site, in a lovely quiet area bordered by huge trees and bushes in which lived squirrels, a muntjac deer and a fox. 39 hoomans and double that number of greyhounds, lurchers and whippets – and 1 Podenca Andaluz – all gathered for a lovely socialising relaxing weekend.
My Podenca Rosie is typical of Spanish rescue hounds – very fearful of men. But this weekend she excelled herself, coping with lots of strangers and even bravely accepting attention from a couple of men. Here she’s making friends with greyhound Paddy and his hoomans, plus Rosie’s Dad. The black greyhound is Brian who was very clever at getting into boxes of treats, even with the lids on!
Sadly sometimes however careful a adoption process is, sometimes it can go wrong. This is the sad case of Zola and Louie. Bever Farmer tells the story.
Urgent – Zola and Louie May Be at Risk – Please Help
I need your help. Two Podenco Canarios adopted to the UK are now considered at risk, and I am doing all I can to ensure their safety.
Zola (Zia) – Female, 7 years old
Louie (Leonardo) – Male, 8 years old
Last known location: Beckingham, Doncaster DN10 4SR.
Both dogs were adopted to the same individual – Zola in 2019 and Louie in 2020. For several years, we received regular updates and all seemed well.
In nearly 80 years of having dogs as pets – as well as horses and cats – apart from one occasion the time has come in their lives for us to make the ultimate decision. Apart from young dog Shandy who got on the scent of a bitch on heat, crossed a road, was hit and killed – all our animals have lived long and happy lives, much loved. Sometimes the ultimate decision has been taken out of our hands – our old border collie got dementia, Molly the greyhound got collapsed lungs at 14 years old, galga Carmela had a stroke and a brain haemorrage, Ben a lab x, galgos Sahara, Polar and Bracken developed inoperable cancers – see photo above – podenca Bebe died at 17 of old age).
In Bev’s words.
People often ask me why I chose to rescue Podencos. The truth is—I didn’t choose them. They found me.
I’ll never forget the first time I looked into the eyes of a Podenco. There was something ancient in their gaze, something wild and wise and unbearably sad. I saw in them, a quiet strength, a gentleness despite the cruelty they’d endured.
It wasn’t just about rescuing dogs. It was about giving a voice to the unheard, shining a light on a breed so often overlooked and misunderstood. They aren’t “just hunting dogs.” They are soulful, sensitive, intelligent beings who deserve far more than the world has given them.
Living with a stomach tumour
This is our blind podenco Bo (Bocelli) who we adopted in 2022. In 2023 he had a small tumour removed from his stomach. We were warned it could return. He is the third of our Spanish hounds to suffer from stomach cancer. Galga Sahara had an inoperable one many years ago and galgo Bracken had one in 2021, not long after our return to the UK after living in France for 19 years.
In February 2025, 2 years later after diagnosis. Bo’s stomach started to swell again. A scan at the vets confirmed our worst fears – the tumour had returned and this time it was judged inoperable, as it could be attached to either the spleen or the liver.
In himself, Bo was his usual happy cheeky self, eating normally, playing with our other podenco. But as his stomach swelled, he hadn’t the energy to go on the long walks of previous years.
From Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends
Peque’s Journey to a New Life🩷
Last week Peque landed in Chicago, ready to begin an incredible new chapter. This moment has been months in the making, and his story is nothing short of inspiring.
Peque was rescued by Galgos Felices Fundacion six months before I shared his adoption post on November 23, 2024. Up until then, he hadn’t sparked much interest. But that day, a message changed everything.
From Bev Farmer.
This photo takes me back 10 years to a time when three special Podencos came into our care late in 2014. Each of these boys, Juan, Raine, and Zeus, arrived with a story of sadness but also filled us with determination to help them.
Juan was found near our finca, @@abandoned in the sweltering heat of summer. Dehydrated and confused, he was lucky to have been spotted by friends who brought him to safety.
