Please don't let the first be the last ...

We call them the 'long stayers' - sweet, adorable dogs who, for some reason, don't catch anyone's eye. Who remain year after year at El Refugio, Algeciras or in foster. They so deserve a chance. I have written about them before and I make no apology for writing about them again.

The seven I'm writing about today I'm going to call the Page One dogs*.  Every time you click on the 'all dogs for adoption' section, there they are. At the back of the queue. Waiting. Always waiting. They too deserve their golden basket. They are as innocent and loving and loyal as any of the others.

All of them have been with us for between four and six years. Some of them are in foster in Belgium or the Netherlands, but some are still in shelter in Spain. Please take a look at their videos and their stories. Will you open your heart to one of them?

This dear boy is Adyn. Number One on Page One. He's been with us the longest, since 2009. Currently in foster in the Netherlands. He's six years old, and a complete sweetheart, with his lanky body and sweet, adorable face. After six long years, he needs to have his very own forever home.

  

Sereno has come a long way, thanks to loving care in his foster home in the Netherlands. He came to us as a puppy, with his brother. Sereno is already five years old and has yet to find his forever home. He's full of love and fun and while still a little nervous, he'll blossom with a boss who will love and understand him.  This is Sereno a year later, in 2011.

Seti was found on the streets of Algeciras, lost, abandoned and miserable. He's been with us for nearly five years and currently he's living with a foster family in Belgium. He's a Podenco, that most noble breed that is so badly treated in Spain. Seti is typical of his breed - a wonderful dog. Loyal devoted, intelligent and loving. Here he is last year.

Oca, together with her son Pato, was subject to the most appalling neglect and abuse. We are pretty sure that they are mother and son but we can't be sure. She was very ill when she arrived and also terrified, God only knows what happened to her. She's better now and more than ready for a loving home. Ideally, but not necessarily, with her son. Here you can see them together.

 

This is lovely Pato, who together with Oca was horribly abused and neglected. We will never really know what happened. Pato recovered more quickly and regained his trust in people. Like Oca he's been with us for over five years - since he was a small puppy. Now he's longing for his forever home. It would be great if he could stay with his mother, but the main thing is to get him home. At one time Oca had to go to the clinic for an operation. This is a video of their reunion when she returned.

 

He was dumped on a dangerous street and of course the inevitable happened. He was hit by a car. Fortunately Ale came to us and he got the medical care he needed and soon recovered. He's a happy, cheerful dog. A cross Beagle. Despite his happy nature he still has to find his golden basket and is still in shelter, in Spain. He's six years old and has been with us since he was two, who knows why. Just look at him.



     

Our seventh 'Page One' sweetheart is Feria. She too has been with us for four years and is five years old. Another lovely Podenco. It looks as if her luck has changed as she is on the database as 'pre-reservation'. This is the first stage of the adoption process and means that checks are being made. Until 'pre-reservation' changes to 'reserved' we don't count our chickens nor our golden baskets.



*Sometimes the website reverses them, so that in fact they are on the last page. It doesn't make any difference really. They are still at the back of the queue and they don't deserve to be.