Arrivals Schipol - 17th June

Some weeks ago, together with other volunteers and supporters, I donated to get 21 dogs released from a killing station. It was an emergency as they were due to be killed that Friday, only days away. 'My dog' was called Cohen. I followed his progress eagerly, from the sad, woebegon, scruffy little dog in his first pictures to his first haircut. Then the news that he was reserved, then adopted. And last week came the pictures from Schipol of Cohen with his adopters. So wonderful to see. I do hope the other 20 dogs are either reserved or already adopted. The main thing is, they're safe. Thanks to everyone.

Cohen gets a treat from his new owner

Sil - home at last

Niza gets a welcoming cuddle

Kes - another lucky little dog

Little Luma

Saturday, June 18th, 2016

Luma was picked up by her owners, so intense .... so lovely to see!!!

Oh no! Not again - huge disappointment when flights are cancelled

Sunday, June 19th, 2016

Waiting to load up

What a day ... hard to believe it's happening again and that all the children had to go back to the Refugio ... when they were almost home !!!

Last year it was a regular occurance. When we flew with Brussels Airways there was regularly a problem, always "something". And when it happens the worst thing is that the dogs are already on their way to the plane and we are often on our way back to the Refugio. And then the phone rings ..

"Fabienne, tenemos un problema" ... and here we go again!

We have to turn round and go back to the airport to pick up the dogs because they can't fly today after all. They have sent the wrong plane because it doesn't have oxygen or, as happened toay, thre's a strike in Brussels.

Today all the dogs had to return, to go back into their cages and every time it breaks our hearts. The volunteers who had bought expensive tickets so they could escort the dogs home are crying. For their own dogs, who can't travel today after all, and for all the dogs who have to go back.

It causes so much stress and grief and despair because we have to come back with the poor dogs. But the reality is that there is nothing we can do about it.  No matter how much it hurts to have to put the dogs back into their cages and to phone the adopters to tell them their dog isn't coming today.

It really isn't good enough. When you see the effect on our staff, our volunteers and the adopters. And of course the doggies. 

When you see ...

... the sad eyes of the people who have gone to so much trouble to fly a special dog to it's golden basket and then have to go home empty-handed .. .

...  the extra work, lik the tracking documents we have to create all over again from scratch and to pay for.

... they do not consider what we have to do in order to get a flight organised, in order to comply with all the regulations, with the correct papers and stamps.

It's not even mentioned. It's very disappointing but we have to pick ourselves up and start again, for the sake of the dogs. So we must try not to look backwards but to try again tomorrow and hope for the best. 

Diane with some of our volunteer friends and a doggie ...

A gentle bear and her puppies chucked out on the street ...

Thursday, June 16th, 2016

A sad and all  too familiar sight. Note the chain round Mama's neck.

A mama Mastin was left to fend for herself on the street, even though she was nursing tiny puppies. 

This is a daily occurance here; big dogs are neglected time and time again and put out on the streets, where their sad battle for survival begins.

After a time they are also guaranteed to get pregnant and there the misery starts: the pups are born, are fragile because they get inadequate nutrition because their mummy itself is very weak!

That is what happened to our Natalie, who luckily ended up with us! She is a sweet, gentle bear, one of thousands, good with children and adults and a great mother to her small ones.

She was very weak so it was amazing to see how well these puppies did. All three have survived and they are doing well.

Natalie is also recovering quickly and her eyes look proudly down at her three little bears. Her life has a new meaning, and the three little ones will never end up in a situation like their mummy. We will make sure of that.

The street is no place for them

Vigilant

A happy ending for Peter

I Peter's boss - he's now called Pepper.  

He was completely at home from the moment he arrived here.

He's so sweet - everyone is crazy about him!

He is the sunshine in our home.

With greetings from Heidi Cornette

In casual dress!!!

Before and After

Mommy Marijke, 88, pays us a visit

Mommy Marijke, who is 88 years old, came to visit our refugio !! Chapeau !! We take our hat off to you, coming all this way at your blessed age! You give us heart, we say to mommy Marijke, for coming to visit our dogs! She walked through the dogs and enjoyed every greeting from our four legged friends !! Older people are crazy about these forgotten dogs here in Spain, thanks for everything !! Look at the lovely photographs here.

Fundraising action at Plus Best

When people shop at Best Plus from now on they can donate their deposit receipts to ACE. Alida has arranged this for us, thank you very much for that Alida!  What a beautiful initiative! 😊 

Alida returning her bottles

Small gesture, big cause - it all mounts up.

When added together your receipts will make a huge difference.