At the beginning of July, I posted the story of Beatriz, a podenca rescued from Spain and now enjoying a new life in Devon. 6 weeks on, her Mom has written an update on her progress.
‘Having rescued beautiful podenca Beatriz from a little private rescue in Ontinyent, Spain, two months ago to a small farm in Devon, UK, she is now almost unrecognisable, temperament wise. She is still a little timid, especially with male strangers, but like all things, this will take time.
It’s a common sight on mainland Europe to see hunters in their vehicles, with a small box trailer towing their hunting dogs, squashed in, hardly room to breathe. In Spain, that country well known for sensible laws – I must be joking! – hunters merrily drive around transporting their dogs like that. Yet people licensed legally to transport dogs and cats can be targeted by the authorities. No doubt these authorities are hunters too. We all know they look after their own.
There is a belief in Europe that guard dogs should be chained up. There is also a belief in Europe that any dog can be chained up, many of them without even shelter. I see it here in France – a border collie chained up in a farmyard particularly angers me. Podencos also suffer this maltreatment and Aaniferira, a Portuguese animal rescue association, have published a piece about dealing with the problem. You can read more about it here.
I received this yesterday and circulated it to associations. I’m desperately hoping someone has taken her to safety. Basically her bastard hunter has said he doesn’t want her and so he’s going to kill her. She’s 5 years old and in Alicante.
Please contact Cristobel tele (Spain) 678 78 75 22
On 29th June I posted a plea for help for help for a podenco mom and her puppies. Bev Farmer liaised with PodencoWorld in Holland and Little Pod Foundation to save the family. Bev tells the story.
‘I saw the post on Facebook about a Dutch family arriving on holiday in Malaga only to find a Podenco had just given birth to a litter of Pups under the BBQ. They had contacted many of the local refuges but there was no space available and the only other solution was the local Perrera, who advised the family that they would destroy the mum & puppies.
This photo was of Vidal, a podenco chained up in a disused building. Luckily he was found and rescued. I’ve finally found out what happened to him.
Vidal was chained to a wall, he tried to free his head from the chain around his neck but it got caught in his mouth and he was then left like that as nobody really bothered with him. He then eventually either broke free or he was turned loose. When he began running around the town centre people saw his plight and the town hall was very pro-active in assisting with his capture and getting him a rescue place. He travelled to France where Sandrine, of Appel of Levriers, placed him in a foster home. The family fell in love with him and adopted him. Here’s a photo of him with his friends, and a stuffed rabit which he adores.
Two more podencos hoping they will get a forever home. Here are their stories.
‘Linda is just 18 months old and has already suffered at the hands of her cruel hunter owner. Some of her puppies were rescued and got away to homes, but others were killed and now Linda herself is left behind with a very very uncertain future!! It has been known that the hunters return in August to steal the dogs back from the refuge because they are good breeders…….. so poor little Linda could just disappear one day back to her life of horror!
This breed make wonderful pets, gentle, intelligent, playful and adorable. Please contact us if you can help Linda – even if it’s to foster her till we can get her a forever home here in France or even through contacts we have in the UK. We must get her out and safe as soon as possible! Call on :-05 65 69 12 26 or email at :- doglinks.fr@gmail.com to save this little sweet creature from disappearing back to a life of cruelty.
Little Maggie is 4 yrs old and weighs 15kgs – so she’s a small medium rough-haired Podenca Andaluz – and she’s an angel we’re told!
She arrived at a refuge in Spain as a tiny puppy and then spent 4 years there, locked up and never knowing life outside her cage – imagine this! She was recently brought out of Spain to a foster home here in France and is now finding out how wonderful life can be! She is slowly learning that people can be kind, food is good and how her gentle, affectionate nature brings out the best in people! She plays with cats, explores her garden, adores walks and to roll in the perfumed lavender, and soaking up the sun in her new found freedom.
Maggie will need another dog for company, an enclosed, safe garden and continuing TLC and patience to fully build up her confidence and trust. To know a Podenca is to love them! Doglinks has a rescued one who was so badly treated we never thought she would ever trust humans again…….. but she has, because this breed is intelligent, but above all kind and accepting, grateful and giving.
Please think of giving them a good home please and if Maggie (or others) would be welcome and cared for in your home, please contact us : 05 65 69 12 26 or email direct at :- doglinks.fr@gmail.com You will never make a better decision by taking on one of these amazing dogs. Thank you!’
Linda in the refuge.
We all love happy endings and here’s another one, about this beautiful podenca bitch called Beatriz. Ellie tells her story.
‘Having spotted Beatriz on the Paws On Spain Adopt A Pet rescue site
two months ago, Bea is now in her new forever home down on the farm in
North Devon, UK. Rescued in a terrible state, emaciated and very
scared, Bea has come on in leaps and bounds, thanks to the care she
received from Paws On in Ontinyent, a small, privately run rescue.
News from Macu, in Seville. ‘Look at this little old girl – about 12 years old! She’s with another 15 dogs living in a shack, waiting to be moved to a kennels. It would be marvellous if she could spend her last few years in comfort. She weights less than 10k, is very gentle. Is there anyone who could take her, if I get her out? I’ve already got 16 in a kennels which I am paying for? What I need is an association which could take her and get her adopted’.
Contact macu197820102@hotmail.com (Spain) 665809169
