Burned on our retina..

BURNED ON OUR RETINA…

When Mireille called us almost two years ago to ask if we would become regional managers, she immediately told us she wanted us to visit Casa Belgica and Las Nieves in Madrid so we could see for ourselves what we do for the galgos, from helping at adoption days and events, making home visits, making phone calls, and answering questions.

Since our holiday last May was planned with a motorhome to the Basque Country, it was only a few hundred kilometers to Madrid, so we decided to invite ourselves to save on flights and expensive tickets and bring our own Patti and Albus. Dirk followed us closely on our journey, and he also gave us some tips about beautiful sights along the way. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Mireille and Dirk and enthusiastically pounced on by a "gang" of four-legged friends. After settling in, we were immediately given a tour of the clinic and introduced to the few dogs who had stayed after being made baby proof by Marianne and Buffalo last Easter weekend to continue to gain strength in anticipation of a possible adoption. My heart melted for the first time...

Afterwards, it was time for our first treat: a champagne aperitif and delicious snacks while we talked about our trip and what we had already seen. Mireille had made special efforts to serve us a particularly delicious mushroom pasta for dinner later. A few hours and many stories later, we went to bed satisfied. The next day, I visited the clinic several times to gain the trust of the "clinic visitors." After lunch, we went to the shelter where Marie-Carmen and several hundred dogs, with their deafening barks, awaited us. Las Nieves is home to mainly galgos, but also a few other breeds and mixes. We went into the kennels with the female dogs, some of whom greeted us enthusiastically, while others, very timid, remained at a safe distance. Then it was the male dogs' turn, many of whom proved much less timid, and we were nearly trampled. One was even more eager for hugs than the other, some even came to give us very wet kisses!

We had mixed feelings: on the one hand, we knew these dogs had already been rescued from the clutches of those dreadful galgueros, but on the other han, they were still waiting (and some had been for a long time) for a forever home. Most of them were very thin, with frightened looks in their eyes, clear signs of abuse, and yet somehow with a look of hope and longing to be taken home. After some time and plenty of caresses, we left for Casa Belgica again. There, we briefly visited the clinic to process our emotions in silence. The experience will be forever etched in my memory. In the evening, after an aperitif, we were treated to another delicious Greek-style supper, lovingly prepared by Mireille. The night that followed was one with little sleep as the images of these sweet greyhounds kept haunting us. The next day, after lunch, it was time to leave and continue our journey, but not without another visit to the remaining dogs in the clinic, who had by now become somewhat accustomed to our presence and willingly let us pet them. My heart melted once again…

Even more than before, my admiration for all the work Mireille and Dirk do to take care of these poor animals and give them a better life is immense. Thank you so much, and for the royal welcome from the bottom of our galgo hearts.

Nensie and Sabine

Patti and Albus