More snapshots from El Refugio ...

Happy Eda and happy students

Look at that contented face

Toscos is feeling much better after the operation on his ears

Fanto thinks he likes the taste of hair!

Tokyo is still a little bewildered

Little Stan has a most distinctive tail

Building the stairs to the field - a wonderful surprise for Fabienne

Sweet Layla gets a makeover

Golden basket! Please! Soon!

Cheerful, hard working students. We couldn't do without them.

Talking Dogs ....

... guaranteed to make you smile, or even laugh out loud!

This dear fellow wants bacon ....

.... this sweet boy longs for a kitten of his very own.

The wait can be long ....

... but in the end it is so worth it. Fabienne has sent these pictures of dear Joselet, one of our long stayers, so happy and well in Denmark. The photos say it all.

Dia del Pero - A Great Success

Last Sunday, 14th April, was Dog Day in Fuengirola. It was a marvellous success. A wonderful atmosphere with a great many visitors. A happy day, made even happier to see Ton, our treasurer, now recovered from his illness.

Everyone joined in and helped including a group of our loyal volunteers from the Netherlands and Natasha and her family who have been working for weeks helping prepare everything. It didn't stop there - everyone was busy all day.

Our vet Antonio and his wife came along as did many people who came to see us and to take part in the events and activities. We explained to many the benefits of neutering and chipping, with the aim of raising awareness of the vital importance of these measures.



The Dutch volunteers had a very pleasant surprise for us. They had saved up the amazing sum of 600 Euro and they presented it to us at the end of the day. We are so grateful. Many many thanks for this great gift.

We would like to thank all the people who helped us with the goody bags, to everyone who has helped us with anything large or small. It is very much appreciated. Our attempts to change attitudes and habits are perhaps drops in the ocean, but you have to start somewhere.

We won't give up!

Fabienne

Eufrazie sets off on her long journey home ...

... this sweet dog, one of our oldies, is seen here at the beginning of a happy journey. It may be a little scary at first, going in the big flying bird, but when she arrives in Holland she'll start a new life of freedom and love, hugs and cuddles.

It's sad to say goodbye ...

... but happy knowing what's ahead.

A last stroke and cuddle ...

 

... before the long journey

... first to the airport, then the big bird and then

 .... at last, the longed for golden basket.

More Happy Endings - 48 more sweethearts have flown off to their golden baskets ...

... and this time there's a cat too. A beautiful cat called Kento. You can already read Winner's story on the Dutch Blog. He's now called Max and his new owners are thrilled to have him. (If you don't read Dutch, use Google Translate. It's pretty bad but at least you get the bones of the story.) These are just the Dutch adoptions for March but more dogs have gone to Belgium and some to other North European countries. Heartfelt and sincere thanks to everyone involved in their rescue, in the arrangements for fostering an adoption, to the foster and adoptive families - indeed everyone involved in helping the wonderful ACE, in any way at all.

In de maand maart zijn 48 honden en 1 kat geadopteerd in Nederland!!!

In Praise of Dogs, our Friends

On the occasion of the Dia del Perro, I wanted to pay tribute to our friends, the dogs, and to the humans who love them, respect them, rescue them, devote their lives to them. Who heal their wounds, take them home and offer them hope and golden baskets. 

This year the Dia del Perro - Day of the Dog - is taking place on Sunday 14th April, and as last year it will be in Fuengerola. Once again we are immensely grateful for the help of our students, our volunteers and special thanks to George Prior of Sur.

Sur in English is the famous English language newspaper that serves the South of Spain. It has been generous in its help, publishing articles and appeals and helping us in many ways. This year they have once again published an article promoting ACE and Dog Day. See the photo accompanying the article, below.

Here are some videos in praise of dogs, our love for them and their love for us and the lengths we will all go to to save each other.

Delightful Dancing Dogs ....

Tina and Chandi entered Britain's Got Talent in 2010. Adorable Chandi went all the way to the final though she didn't win. I haven't put on the video of the final performance as I don't think that dance is as good as this one. To see all Chandi's performances and her audition, go to You Tube and search Tina and Chandi!

Two years later Pudsey with his young owner, Ashleigh, became the first dog to win the popular talent contest - and £500,00.  The clip above is of their performance in the final. They had stiff competition from the human contestants but won everyone's hearts.