Goodbye beautiful Mollie ...

... for twelve years she lived outside, she never had a real home. Every now and then someone threw some bread at her. She had puppies perhaps, but who knows what happened to them. She became ill, poor Mollie had cancer. How desperately sad the fate of a dog like Mollie. A soft, gentle kind soul who never did anyone any harm.

But then, on 21st December last year, at last, Maries was able to rescue her and bring her to the Refugio. Where she lived for five months. Five months full of love - in a warm basket, with the best food and treats, with the correct medication and painkillers. And above all, so much love. She was cuddled and petted by everyone - visitors and volunteers, workers and students.

Sadly, love and care couldn't cure sweet Mollie's cancer. She has been released from her suffering now. We so hoped against all reason that there might be some miracle, but life isn't like that. Maries, who brought her to El Refugio and gave her so much love, says with much sadness 'there are sometimes those special souls who take a big piece of your heart. Mollie was that to me.'

I am writing this too with much sadness, but I want everyone who loved and cared for darling Mollie to remember, in the midst of their sadness, all the happiness and love they gave to her. At El Refugio, everyone knows they can't save all the dogs in the world but, as Fabienne always says 'you can save the life of one dog.' Mollie is a perfect example. Others might have said she didn't have a hope. Maries and Fabienne and everyone said - she may not have long but let her know love before she goes.

Everyone, Mollie left you knowing what love is. She was happy. Thank you.

And the Winner of Britain's Got Talent is .....

PUDSEY THE DOG!!!!

Talented Pudsey, a Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested cross, has become the very first dancing dog to win Britain's Got Talent. This year the final saw 10 excellent acts compete - any one of them could have won. But in the end the favourites - Pudsey and his talented owner 16-year old Ashleigh - carried all before them. They wowed the judges and a dream came true for the show's creator Simon Cowell - a dedicated dog lover who supports a variety of rescue dog organisations. He's always wanted a dog act to win - though it's the British public that votes. I'm putting on the videos of all three performances - first the audition, then the semi final and then the winning final act. Together they won £500,000 and now Hollywood beckons! In case anyone is worried - Ashleigh adores Pudsey and he enjoys his routines. He was given to Ashleigh as a puppy for her 11th birthday and they have been devoted to each other ever since.

The audition

The Semi-Final

The Final

Remember Stefan - our miracle dog?

 

 

It really was a miracle. 


Already scared and traumatised by life, little Stefan had flown to Holland to a new and loving home with Annemie. But on his very first day a big dog frightened him and, terrified, our little Stefan ran away. It was in the depths of winter, his own curly coat had had to be shaved off because it was all matted, so he had no protection from the freezing weather. It was minus 14. He was in a strange country. 

                                

Annemie with her friends and with many volunteers from A.C.E. did everything possible to find him. There were search parties, there were posters, there were appeals for news. The days passed. Then a week. Then two weeks. Hope was fading. Three weeks were gone. Surely it was too late. We prayed. But we were all afraid. And then it happened. I came home one day, over three weeks after the little fellow disappeared to find an email in my inbox. It was from Ineke.  And in the subject line it simply said 'Stefan is found'. I cried. Everyone cried - with relief, with happiness, with joy. 


Now here's some great news, from his loving owner Annemie, who never gave up on her Stefan. He's  is doing very well, she tells us. He's recovered his health. And although he's still very frightened of people, he's a real sweetheart when he knows you.  He's beginning to play with his ball and other toys. He'll stay at home quite happily and when she comes home they go to the park. He's a completely different dog. He only barks when he is asleep. Next week she's taking him to the dog groomer for the first time, and she's curious to see how it will go.  Stefan still has a long way to go, but Annemie is sure it will be OK.


Patience is a virtue, she says, and Annamie certainly has patience in spades. And a lot of energy, but as she says if you want something badly enough, you'll win through.  And Stefan will be fine now, thanks to her love and devotion.  Just look at the pictures below. The first one is of Stefan on his first day - just see the difference.




Greetings and hugs from  Stefan and from Annemie.


                                         
                                            Stefan in February - a frightened little dog


                                         

                                         Three months and a lot of love later- just look!

                                         

                                             In the park with his devoted Annemie

   Learning to play

Harvey and his friend ...

Fantastic Harvey is the star of the Thinkbox commercials - you may have seen him on the Dutch blog, with his packed suitcase, playing his video to a young couple to persuade them to give him a forever home. And they did - but now he has another problem ..... *

* There seems to be a bit of a problem with the contrast. The video is very pale, but it seems to have been made like that. 

The Black Beauty Project –because our beautiful black dogs are worth it

We are currently caring for more than 549 dogs -  some are at the Refugio at La Cala, others in Algeciras and with our wonderful foster families

Each one is important to us, each one will someday get a boss, each one has a right to a better life. However, our black dogs are often those who have to wait the longest. Somehow they are not being noticed, not being seen, are being forgotten.........

That's why we are starting the BLACK BEAUTY PROJECT. We want to work on their future by giving them more attention, by putting them in the spotlight, by giving them more chances.

They are beautiful dogs, with wonderful characters, with so much friendship and love in their black heads. They have so much to offer. So they happen to be black - they are also pretty and very sweet, they are so very much worth it.

Cocaco

Goos

Simon

Sloffer

                                                                   Theodor

Xena

May 1st - a new day, a new month

Cleaning and cleaning ...

Last bits .. and then they can run about again

 Our dear RUKA, so sweet and full of love ...

What have we got to eat ... ?

 Hmmmm ...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FABIENNE & DIRK

Today is a very special day for Fabienne and Dirk. Today marks their 25th Wedding Anniversary.

Twenty five years of sharing love and joy and sorrow, and especially sharing their love for 'their children', the Spanish dogs. Thousands of dogs rescued and now living happily, thanks to them. 

Many, many congratulations on your 25-year marriage from me and on behalf of all the dogs, the volunteers, students, workers at El Refugio, foster parents and and adopters. Everyone who's met you, been helped by you and been inspired by you.

Thank you for your incredibly hard work, your passion, your devotion, your determination, courage and tenacity. May you have a wonderful day and be together for a long, long time sharing happiness and great good health. 

                                                                                 Clodagh