Extra hugs today ...

Mama Cala and Blimpy both getting lovely hugs from Miguel  

Happy News - Icaros has been reserved at last

Icaros has been reserved !!!

 

Faithful Icaros, before he came to us.

The original story from Fabienne's Diary.

This is how our Icaros came to the Refugio. He'd been a family pet, living in a house with kids. A normal enough situation. He was the son's great playmate and was always a cheerful presence around the house. Then one day the removal vans drove up. He didn't understand, nor did he understand the tears of his masters. 

A few days later off moved the vans, with his owners and the children. He remained all alone. Home alone. Left behind. From that day on Icaros waited by his front door. He waited there for two long years. In the meantime two more families came to live in the house, one after the other. English people, like his own family. But the door remained shut for Icarus. Nevertheless he did not give up. He thought that they'd come for him. They'd come soon, wouldn't they?

The people in the neighborhood did not love Icaros: he was often kicked or almost hit by cars. He was nearly killed by one of the people in the street, who beat him badly. None of this stopped Icaros waiting faithfully for his owners. Then, a year ago, he disappeared for several days. Nobody had seen him. 'Good!' thought the people. He's gone.' However he hadn't gone. He was found in a nearby gutter, starving, shrunk into himself. He had a broken paw but didn't want to come close to people. From then on he would limp away from them. He'd growl at the few kind people who brought him food. They tried to catch him but couldn't.

Still every morning he'd sit by his old front door, nervously looking around; he became more and more afraid  of people, but courageously waited, never giving up the belief that his owners would soon return. Until last week. One of the neighbours who heartily disliked Icarus set his own dangerous dog to scare him. He attacked Icarus but Icaros managed to escape. This infuriated the neighbur who called the killing station. They came with their equipment but he managed to evade them too. 

When we heard that, we went to look for him. He was nowhere to be found. It was raining heavily and the wind howled through the small street. We searched and searched until after a while we saw a small white dog lying curled up in the corner of a deserted area. He lay there shivering in the pouring rain, he wouldn't even look at us and all the while the rain drenched him, adding to his misery, his pain and his despair. 

We were able to catch him - he was almost defenseless. He screamed at the first touch and wanted to bite us,. He didn't want to come with us but he gave up. He gave himself up and we took him straight to the veterinary clinic. We can't touch him, his confidence is gone, his heart is broken, his body hurts from the insect bites that have become inflamed. His paw hurts because it was broken over a year ago.

Trust and courage is gone. We try to win him back, we try to heal his wounds and his broken soul.
For two years he waited loyally at the door of his home, waiting for his owners who were now living another life. Icaros has never been unfaithful to them, has never forgotten them. The neighbors are content that the dirty dog is finally gone. The sadist who lives in the street is also satisfied.
The intolerance and inhumanity of people surprise me every day. Sympathy is an alien concept for too many people. 

Little man, we want to look after you in this cruel world and want to see you become happy again one day. We will work on this. You didn't deserve this, little Icaros, small, faithful Bodeguero.
And now .......... reserved !!!

So much better now - and a well deserved happy ending for this faithful, devoted dog.

Fabienne now writes this:

This is what makes the work we do so beautiful, this is what makes our goals so rewarding when they work out so wonderfully.

Just look, our Icaros is reserved! I'll never forget his rescue: he was lying in the pouring rain, rolled into a ball in the icy wind and rain. He did not want to come with us but he gave in. We put  him in the car and we drove like crazy to the emergency clinic. He had a high fever and was given immediate care. And then, today, someone wants to make him happy and give him a warm basket ...

We remain determined, we carry on even though not every day is a bed of roses here. It always gives you a warm feeling when you can save a dog, and find him or her a forever home, knowing the circumstances they came from, knowing that behind each of our poor wretches is a story, a memory, a stamp printed or engraved on our memory.

If you have seen them come to the site, seen them at the vets, watch them leave for their warm basket, you are seeing not only the dog, but also his or her story, their history. The people around us, the adopters, the new owners, see their dog arrive completely restored and are so happy that he or she is saved. They take them home and we are immensely grateful for that, but if people really knew what often precedes that day, it would make a lot of people think differently about us ...

It is so easy to criticize, to condemn us for one mistake, or to be upset if a dog sometimes does not come up to expectations, or maybe has some problems. It's so easy for people who do not know what a rescue involves to question what we do here. Instead of blaming them, we try to respond. Only there are unfortunately always people, regardless of the fact that they profess to be big animal lovers, who can inflict a lot of damage on us and on other organisations - from stupidity, jealousy, abuse of power, lust for destruction, just for fun ... 

There are sick spirits everywhere, but people, people you need to rise above it. Look into the mirror of your heart and know who you are and what you do. Think of all the other dogs who cross your path, who fill your life as you fight hard for them, fight to heal their spirits, save them so that you can make them happy. Hang on to that positive force, because then you can get through all the unpleasantness. Let them drag you through the mud. Let them use their sick mind and abuse you. Let them write and insinuate. Leave it all happen ... let it pass. Let it wash over you, for as long as you know who you are, as long as you know what you are doing and keep trying to get the best out of yourself, then it's good. 

Miracles you can never live up to, but you know there are so many dogs for whom, together, we have made a difference. Think of those dogs that are cuddled in their warm basket, racing across green meadows, sleeping in a home where love and respect prevail over everything they have endured. The day they leave Spain behind, is the beginning of the rest of their life, and that must be the most beautiful thing. That is our goal. We often regret that it does not always go as we want, but no man nor beast could look into a crystal ball and see what the future will bring, you can only try to do your best.

Together we stand and look at the thousands of people and animals around us who got a chance thanks to volunteers and real animal lovers: #Let us give thanks for this #

Please help our beautiful Modest ..

Modest is a very sweet dog, a gentle soul who I met when I was out in September. She loved cuddles and was quiet and gentle. Now Fabienne is sending out an appeal - Modest so badly needs a home ...

Modest: a perfect name for a gentle, unassuming dog.

Fabienne writes ...

This is an urgent message about our lovely Modest.

Hello All,

Our Modest is depressed ... we've seen it coming for a few days, indeed for even longer. 

He is a very people oriented dog and the time he's having to spend in this mandatory detention, being one among many dogs, is taking it's toll.

These days his heart is very heavy .. he is very down and hangs his head .. we see the glint
go out of his eyes and his hopes fading ... so I want to draw attention to this poor fellow. He so deserves not just attention, but a forever home really soon. 

We don't want him to give up.  

Fabienne

Such a good boy.

Waiting patiently.

Just look at that sweet handsome face.

Modest loves people and is eager to please.

Family Photos - taken with lots of patience!

Daddy Bear, Mummy Bear and Baby Bear

Bookends!

Piggyback!

There's always ONE! (fourth puppy from the left!)

Snuggles.

Annoying my Mum!

Proud parents.

Colour co-ordination.

Don't look at me, I didn't put them in the basket!

My little one.

Fuzzy wuzzy cuties.

Quite a mouthful!

Pillow.

Pink noses, pink ears.

"Look what I did!"

Suppertime!

Pure gold.

Carbon copy (tiny version).

A heap of happiness.

Many thanks to Fabienne for sending these delightful photos.

Super Betty!

Here she is, SUPER Betty, whose A.C.E. name was Flufke.

Betty has been living with us since last September but it feels as if she's already beenactive but quiet. Truly a lovely dog!

Really the only downside is that she is very focused on food. Not that this is a problem but - as I found with my dogs that I picked up on the street in Costa Rica - a dog from the street will never be able to understand that he will be given food regulalry, so he takes what he can get when he can get it. That's my opinion, anyway. Betty gets Royal Canin dry food and I often give it to in a pigskin, so she has to take it slowly.

I live near the Bloemendaal Forest and Betty loves to run and play with all dogs. They apparently smell good, because it always goes fine. I've trained a lot with her also; when she comes when I call she gets a tiny piece of a dog candy bar. Food Aim is especially useful because she listens super good and comes when I call.

All in all everything's going well. We have the nicest, sweetest dog ever adopted from A.C.E.!

Greetings,

Silvia

Two cuties enjoying the snow.

Tired out after a lovely day - a very happy dog.

Our 'English' dogs are having a great time ....

Last October, Chelsea (Moussa) and Turner (Pouspah) went on a great adventure - they were the first dogs adopted by English adopters in England. This came about exceptionally as they were selected to go on a puppy training course where they met their adopters who fell in love with them. We don't have an organisation in England, but I was able to do the home visits - which went really well.

Both new families are dog trainers, so our pups are getting a wonderful start and learning fast and are adored and loved. Both are happily sharing their forever homes with doggie siblings. Jamie Pound, Chelsea's new owner, has sent a little video of a training session with her. He tells us that Chelsea is 'such a sweetheart'. And that he spoke to Lucy, Turner's owner, during the week and he too is doing really well. He's attached some photos of Turner as well.

Both Jamie and Lucy are members of the Institute of Modern Dog Training (IMDT). The institute regularly sends members to the puppy training courses in Spain, which are held two or three times a year. He encourages rescue centres to get their puppies involved as it's a great course for both pups and trainers.

Here's Chelsea in action, and thoroughly enjoying herself.

And below are some pictures of Turner with her siblings.

Turner in her beautiful pink coat.

With her siblings - Maggie on the left, Boots in the middle and Turner on the right

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.