Dioni Del Rio Rescuing Greta
A SPECIAL STORY SENT TO US BY CHAR DEL RIO OF 112 CARLOTAS GALGOS
Introducing Greta!
It’s taken me time to write about Greta, its common when we receieve a galgo to write about them, but Greta .. Greta while all galgos have a story Greta drew me in and needed to be understood before I could write anything about her.
It’s a fact that in truth we will never know what became of Greta and her past, only an assesment on what we see can be made. She cannot talk, she cannot tell us.. but pain she has felt and that she can show us.
Galgos del Sol received Greta, and 112 Carlota galgos was to receive Grace, a galgo rescued in Murcia. However, seeing that Grace was a balanced galga she suited the care which galgos del sol can offer her, Greta – frozan literally needed a different care. So between us we thought it best to make a change and see how we individually can help Greta.
It’s been a week, and she draws you in. If you saw her you would instantly be attracted to her, her nose is as long and thin as anything Ive seen, her lower jaw slightly cut below the top one, and thin. A typical way in which an abandoned galgo is found. She is by far going to be an amazing galga. Ive told her to hold on, cos one day soon she will shine.
Her eyes sad, sadder than sad, ashamed of herself and all she has existed. For being a galga in Spain, its trash sheer trash. Here in the photo you see Dioni collecting Greta in arms for this was her way of getting from one place to another, being carried for her legs, they just wouldnt work. Her fear just made her freeze and the possibility of more pain for Greta was too much to bare.
You want to draw close to her, you want to hold her and embrace her and tell her its all o now, but she cant believe you, she doesnt know how. It’s common to see a galgo “blocked” in fear, holding off wee-ing for what will come of them if they do such a simple natural act.. but Greta, she has withdrawal on her from the world, and rawness of her past scars her eyes. Too much at just 18 months of age. A beauty of a galga, but robbed of that treasure. For the simple reason of her jusrt needing to find herself, its of no effect to her to be cuddled right now.. routine and seeing the group got for their walks can fdo more for her than hugs to a ridgid body. To a body shell of a galga who once was.
Over the week she has been quietly left, allowed to “just be” – she showed absolutely no interest in walking, and hid in the corner as if not there. Every now and then Henrietta and the other galgos would come close, put their nose to her as if to say, “Its ok here, you’ve made it” Then they would walk away and leave her. Her food although put there, she wouldnt eat, the others who know their routine would walk over to it, but its as if between them her pain showed and not one of the other dogs went to eat her plate. She has an innate feeling about her.
Iv’e watched Greta carefully and she has had several days of watching the other galgos go out for their walks, the routine can offer far more to her than anything else at this time. During the course of the week, when she cowered down in the corner we would gently pick her up and place her on a bed.. “This is your bed Greta” not a cold floor. Again and again this process would take place. Towards the end of the week, I felt a nose, to find Greta there. She had managed to move and that was something. Lisa has fallen for her head over heels, ya sometimes theres that special “pull” and we cant help it.
2 days ago I made the decision it was time.. it was time Greta faced the outside world. Its hard to see them so ashamed, but putting on a lead has meant hell on earth for Greta. it has meant punishment and pain. This is clear! She would freeze and pull back with all her strength, but sometimes I feel they cannot live in their fear and at the right timing they have to come out of it. Otherwise we cant help them. So the lead goes on, the pack get ready, their daily routine of walking out and gettig ready at the door. With all on the go forward, Greta pulls back, she just cant do it, she just cant. For Greta what would it mean exactly? Where are they all going with leads on…
So I had to pull her, she had to walk. At times again Id see Henrietta go back and touch her nose, as if to say “Greta our walks are fun, its ok” We would go step by step. Wait, she needs to catch her breath since her fear makes her lose it but we have to carry on. Now at the end of the week or just over a week, shes been seen with the others having a little jump onto her bed,.. eating her food in her bowl. And while she struggles with the concept of a walk, she doesnt run to the corner and pretend not to be there. It will take time for Greta to become normalised but she will get there and the promise I made to her to shine will transpire. She will not only be a galga who is stunning, but maybe one day, she will touch the nose of another in hope for them.
Im no expert, and Im no psychic, but the reactions Ive seen from Greta towards the lead and sheer fear.. makes me wonder how can a dog come to this. Being belted so many times by a lead, its possible but my thoughts sway to her actually being “dragged by her lead” by her neck.. perhaps trained on a motorbike, somehow to this effect she has been dragged. She has been forced beyond her will to do something which has inflicted pain and shame on her, and now its our job to show her a new life, a new way and that never ever again will a lead hurt her. ive seen some small tiny steps already with her and long to send you photos of a stunning galga who has overcome her previous life and jumps up at the lead for it means her walking time is due.
For the hunter, who thinks these animals are no more than tools, no more than trash may your commupance be strong, may you meet your equal, may you learn a better way and if God cannot help you, may you rot in hell!
Sr.Galguero, you have blood on your hands.
Hang in there Greta, both you and Grace are free and will know a new life which offers hope and love.
For sure, we will keep you informed of her progress.
If you would like to help with Gretas care and food allowance we would be extremely greatful. She is already tested sterilised and vaccinated.
Its residency time and food expences which we need help with.
” We are all routing for you Greta, because we believe in you!”
Charlotte & Ambo Ambasadog! http://112carlotagalgos.blogspot.com
Horse Stable in Malaga, Shelter for Galgos. Dioni caring for 112CarlotasGalgos
This is about Greta, the Special Galga,written by CharDel Rio and her angel Dioni caring for her. Greta’s plight and suffering made me cry and makes one wonder why this cruelty by the galgo ownwers is tolerated in Spain. It is unbelievable what these beautiful harmless dogs endure at the hands of these galgueros. Poor Greta has lost her will to live and thank you a million times, Dioni, for perhaps giving her some hope. And the tragedy is there are hundreds like her at the hands of these horrible people. Greta, I pray for you and the others. Raquel Smith, CA, USA
Hi Raquel, thank you for your kind words, I will make sure Char and Dioni read this. We all do the best we can with whatever resources we have. I have been working for the galgos for many years from CA and if you are interested in helping GRIN with any talent you have we always appreciate it and we can make a difference even if it is in one galgos life at a time. Do you sew? Do you have friends and family that might want to donate to the cause? Do you bake for bake sales? What I am getting at is we can be strong together for the galgos even from as far as CA is to Spain.
Thanks for writing.
Telma
GRIN Board Member
Oh, my-that is so sad and so loving. Thank you kind people who are lovingly help her see what life can be like for her. And long distance love and hugs to Greta, sweet brave girl. You are beautiful and strong and we are hoping that some comfort and joy finds its way to your heart. Much love to you.
Hi Raquel, Barbara and Telma,
Thankyou so much for your kind thoughts and wishes for Greta, I will give them to her in a hug. For now that weeks have passed she feels the benefit of a hug. Her rigid body is relaxed unless she sees a vehicle. However this is also improving and she is gaining weight and every now and then we feel a wet nose on our leg, its Greta! She has even started to have a little jig as she gets back on her bed. Routine really works and just letting them be, they find us in the end. Their own curiosity gets the better of them. My hope for Greta is that she finds a wonderful home. I hope that you are able to help Telma and GRIN, for the work they do is immense. Its incredible to think of the distance but GRIN really know. They dedicate hours upon hours and we never feel alone, we always know they are there and backing us. Emotionally, economically, and physically.. both by taking galgos to the states and also when Telma and Wally came over to visit, they were quick to roll up sleeves and get dirty in a shelter we visited. One plus one, multiplied makes for a force that can make all the differance, the impact we need for the galgos is in numbers, I hope you join us, can join GRIN for their work comes first hand to us, and so, making a huge differance. Thankyou for taking the time to write, in galgo affection, always. Charl & Ambo ambasadog.