Our Jimmy: "I've been waiting so long."

Our Jimmy - so happy to be by the seaside.

Our Jimmy: jet-black eyes, a small medium sized dog, black and unobtrusive, but what a sweetheart! It was one of our students, Hilde, who spotted him in the killing station and saved him. He's a playful, healthy little thing, so it's surprising that he's been with us for over a year. Maybe because he's black. Black dogs stand little chance in Spain - so unfair when they are as delightful as any other dog.

One afternoon recently he was taken to the seaside with some of our volunteer and then was able to  sit with them on the terrace while they had a drink. And how he enjoyed himself. Cuddling with the kids, a delicious snack from the table and then being allowed to sit on a lap and be petted endlessly.

You could see his whole body change this way: I can come? Are you sure? Can I have a piece of sausage? His black eyes sparkled with happiness and he was radiating gratitude the whole afternoon.

He may not be a Don Juan, and no breed or pedigree can be found in him, instead you get an endlessly sweet and grateful dog who will not leave your side, who is faithful and unconditionally loving.  Why has he been with us so long? Jimmy is so cute, he just has to find a home somewhere.   That's what we want so badly for him.

Read more on Jimmy's Page.

Update: sweet Jimmy is now reserved and we hope he will soon be heading off for his well-deserved, happy forever home.

Kisses and cuddles.

Peek-a-Boo

Cuddles!

Enjoying the sea air.

On the boardwalk.

Thank you!

Snapshots of the Refugio - 13th August.

The other side of the gate is always nicest!!!

A little brown dog, hoping for a forever home.

Me too - home please!

What's going on?

Kisses and cuddles.

Escape party.

Rafael, our vet, hard at work taking care of our darlings.

More sweet cats looking for loving, forever homes

Fire

This is sweet Fire. She's nearly three years old and longing for a warm basket and a loving family. Can you resist those beautiful, soulful eyes?


Crambell

Crambell is three and has been with us since he was very small. With his white bib and moustache, soulful eyes and slightly ragged ear, he's the dearest charaacter and deserves his own family.

Jasmine

This sweet Tortie is Jasmine. She too is nearly three and it's time she had a forever home of her very own. For more information on this sweetie and all the other cats, please see the links on her page.

Mickey

Mickey is five years old. He's currently in fostercare in Belgium, where he is fitting in well. A European Shorthair, he's a handsome fellow with the most beautiful tabby markings, three white socks, a white bib and one lomg white stocking.

Tilleul

Tilleul, the adventurer, with his stunning blue eyes is five months old. The lucky boy is already reserved but his sisters, Menthe and Cassis, are also ready to go to loving, forever homes.

Menthe & Cassis

 

Menthe on the left and Cassis on the right were about to be dumped in the killing station with their little brother, Tilleul, when they were barely a month old. Luckily we intervened and they are all safe with us. They are all beautiful and such sweet, different characters.

Petite & Noire

  

Meet sister and brother, Petite and Noire (Petite on the left, Noire on the right). They were dumped in the harbour at Cadiz. Luckily these two were rescued by a kind woman who brought them to us. Petite is very quiet and stays on her scratch pad. Her brother Noire is her best friend and looks after her. We are looking for a home where they can be together and learn to trust again with a patient boss.

Pepino

Meet Pepino who had the misfortune to be given to someone who didn't want him or his brothers and sister. Four small, innocent, unwanted gifts. Luckily they ended up with us and now Pepino is ready for his forever home. He's a healthy, happy chap who loves to play. 

Linda

Linda is Pepino's sister, the only girl of the four 'unwanted gifts'. She is sweet and playful, like her brother. She is an affectionate little thing who loves to cuddle up on your lap. Like her brother she is now ready to start a new life with a loving family.

For more information about all these sweethearts, click on the link to their page where you'll also find further instructions on how to adopt them.

Pommie - Rascal of the Day!!!

Hmm! How do I get out of here?

Mum!!!

Too big a drop this way!

Maybe this is better.

Oer! That's a big drop.

Not sure.

Having a little think!

Go for it!

Yay! I did it!

What a clever boy!

Please look at us ...

It's not just the long stayers we want to highlight. They are indeed special cases, having been with us far too long for no good reason, as they are all good dogs. As are all our dogs. Because we highlight some it doesn't mean all the hundreds of others are not equally deserving.

However, today I also want to throw the spotlight on some dogs who, for various reasons, we consider urgent cases. You can see them on the home page under the banner of ... you guessed it, 'urgent please look at me!'

Most of these dogs are still very young, easily assimilated into a family and eager to learn. Many have been with us since they were tiny puppies, some barely before their eyes were opened. Their brothers and sisters have been adopted, but they remain - who knows why.  There is also a sweet oldie among them and some gentle, sensitive Podencos.

Here they are, the darlings.

Leah

Leah is nearly two years old. With her seven brothers and sisters she was brought to the Refugio by a man who said he had 'found' them. She's a dear, affectionate dog with a lovely personality and is currently living with a foster family in Belgium. Who will give her the loving, forever home she needs and deserves.

 

Yako now and as a puppy.

Yako is one of a litter of 9 black and white puppies found in the Campo. They were barely born and it's thanks to the devotion of our great foster mother, Amalia, that they survived and thrived. They are now all nearly two and healthy young dogs. Some, like Yako, still need loving homes. 

 

Loloh now and as a puppy.

Loloh is Yako's brother. Taken in by Amalia and, with his brothers and sisters, bottle fed because their mum was so weak and hadn't the strength to feed all nine pups. Loloh, like his brother, is still in Spain and growing fast. At nearly two years old he needs his own family, we really don't want these pups to become long-stayers.

Kwasi

Kwasi is a wonderful, French Bulldog cross. A wonderful, fun loving dog he is now nearly three and is looking for a family who will love him forever. Problem free, 'friendliness on four legs', that's our Kwasi. He quickly finds his place in any group and will be the star of your family. 

Roxanna

Beautiful Roxana is nearly three years old. She was found on the streets, no place for a sensitive dog. We rescued her; at first she was unsettled and somewhat overwhelmed. She is still a bit hesitant but once she gets to know you she is the sweetest friend. Who will give this lovely Podenco girl a life as beautiful as she is?

Arnold

Arnold is eighteen months old. He hasn't been with us very long but he is a shy boy who needs the help of a patient owner to gently coax him out of his shell, show him that life and people can be good and that the horrible experience of the killing station is behind him. Who will give lovely Arnold the second chance he so badly needs and deserves.

Nino

Our dear Nino. He's in foster care in Belgium but he's already nine years old and we badly need to find him a loving home.  He's fine with older children but it's best he isn't placed with young kids or small dogs and cats. Nevertheless he has a lovely character - a sweet, calm dog who loves to play.

The adoption of Huub - No. 9797!

This is the story of the adoption of Huub, and how it came about. I feel I should stay quiet, but three months after his arrival I want to share my happiness.

 In May, I spent 5 days in the Refugio, where I got a text message from a friend:
'Take a look sometime at my virtual (sponsor) dog because no one has ever shown any interest in him ..." that was the opener.

I went, I looked, I took him to the beach. There was already a rapport and sure enough, three days later, we flew together to Belgium, Me & Huub number 9797.

The first night it was not so clear who was to sleep on the ground and who was to sleep on the sofa but after some explanation in Spanish, we came to an agreement.

And Huub, who two days later walked confidently around in our offices and in the restaurant, behaved as if he had never done anything else including sitting in the car (he has a distinct style). In short, we wouldn't be without him .

I always say, we have adopted a dog with socks and shoes. I can highly recommend it!


Yours sincerely,

Els Van Bouwel
Volunteer home visits and counseling flight SHIN

A distinctive style in the car!

Keeping a lookout.

Perfectly at home!

Having fun.

Yara and Gipsie - a sad tale but we hope with a happy ending.

      

Yara and Gipsie - their loving boss died.

Sunday, August 2nd, 2015

Yara, a red Cocker and Gipsie, a curly cross breed, belonged to a Spanish lady who lived for her dogs. She became ill so she did everything she could to find a new boss for them, right until the last moment. She didn't succeed and one day the neighbours found her dead in her house, with her three dogs. They urgently needed to find new homes but the family didn't want them, not the children nor the aunts and uncles. Her possessions were welcome, the dogs were not!

All three were taken to the killing station. Despite the fact that their papers were in perfect order, the vaccines up to date and the chip was the name of their deceased owner, it took ages before we could free the dogs. The bureaucracy is ridiculoous! Two of the three have been rescued, the third dog died of grief and hardship. Gipsie and Yara are very sad too, they are having great difficulty coming to terms with this aprupt, painful change in their lives.

Gipsie is so scared that you can't touch him. Yara was made pregnant in the killing station and was aborted of six massive puppie- this small dog could never have survived giving birth to such big puppies.

Both dogs are very, very skinny and so sad and depressed, just inconsolable. We do our best: Yara has a very sweet and submissive character, very humble and quiet. She still has a lot to digest. They both need time and eventally a good boss to help them get over this sadness.

Gipsie - so scared.

Time will help him trust again.

The love of a good boss will help her recover.

This sweet dog and her friend, Gipsie, deserve loving homes.