We know you will inspired by this amazing story of survival and courage. We thank Char del Rio for sharing with us and for all she has done for Ebro. Simply wonderful.

EBRO THE SURVIVOR

A STORY TO LIFT THE SOUL

Char del Rio

Dear Ebro, I watched you come to us, in complete destruction, your body shattered with wounds, your soul empty and internal damage with which we had no idea if you would overcome. I looked in your eyes, and I swear I saw you ask me "just what am I even doing here?" Pierced my soul right to my core, and I felt like I was shattered just looking at you. Trying for you not to see that, I then reached over to your best friend, your companion in trauma, and saw her tiny frame, her beaten down look, and wondered what on earth had happened? You couldnt answer, Jade, couldnt answer but I knew I would do all we could for you. if nothing else remove your pain and physical agony.

I caressed your head but I couldnt promise, for i didnt know if you would make it or not. But I said to you whispering, if you hold on, if you fight, Ill fight with you, for you all the way home. I left you in the hands of Paco, all of us blown away with what we had seen. Sheer destruction of two bodies, and empty souls. It would be so hard to even contemplate to wonder, what you were feeling, or thinking.

The following days passed by and I was scared to call Paco, to see if you were still there. If Jadey was still there. Those days led into weeks, of putting you back together like a puzzle. Only tackling bits of you - parts of you when you were ready for the next stage. If you made it through that.

We lost Jade as the weeks went by, and shattered what felt like the world. You both, rocked the universe, found friends you have met, will meet and may not meet, but they carry you in their hearts as i carry them in mine, friends I never knew I had but have now found ... and everday I promised to show you why, just why you hung on Jades passing was hard, it hit us all and wounded our souls. She lives through you Ebro, around you and in us all. One galga who went through hell, but ended up in heaven. My only comfort was she went peacefully, gracefully, in my arms like the peaceful creature she was. I think of her everyday, no matter where I go from here, where we go.. there will ALWAYS be a Jades house as part of 112 carlota Galgos and the del Rio family. One day, you will gain enough strength to walk down to the Orchard and see Jades house, all for yourself.

So the weeks became months and you did come home, what a day that was. Scooped in a Carrefour shopping bag we had invented a type carrier for you. Did I ever wonder at times, if it was right for you the struggle? Ya know, I dont think I did. I kept my head down and cared for you. Praying you through it, night and day. You wont remember, or will you.. but the endless nights, the screaming and crying of fear and pain. But I do! We all do! The nights faded into dawn and the coffee pot would go on superrrrrrr early, up with the lark I would say. Id sit with you on the end of the sofá, you knew I was there, head bowed falling asleep in the same position my hand lowered onto your head..

The catching of poop into nappies, the cleaning of piddle and baths when you were wet, just so you would feel clean and fresh. There was no need to smell poopie, only rose scents would do for you! The carrying of you like a baby, the cleaning of such wounds, you wont remember will you.. and even I will forget the intensity. You were so trusting, you let me cure your wounds, touching onto the bone where i could see right through your leg to the other side. The back stabbing wounds on you.. to which this day you are scarred, no fur seems to grow back there, these are the marks you were granted by your attacker, and they wont fade. They wont disappear, they remain prominent, but healed.

The weeks into months and here we are!!! Who would have reckoned it.. the pressure on for you to stay with us, it was always my intention to find you a forever, if you got that far. Until I really began to realise, the whole picture. Allowed myself to feel and not just do. For slowly I guess, I was falling for you. Your charm and personality coming through, well who wouldnt, you had most of the world in love with you. Your new friends showered you with gifts. Id never ever seen so many gestured, certainly never ever been on the receiving end of such beauty and such giving. To open these gifts for you, made me speechless at times. Beds, toys, neck supports, all sorts. Then I found by a donation your fave treats! BOY was that a revelation, it gave me a few hours sleep. Then a few more.. felt like a child sleeping through the night after the first years of babyhood. The donations that have helped you recover, blew me away. I didnt even think in the beginning about numbers, that night when I stood by your side, seeing you and jade all stapled up, and a blue bandage on you. I didnt think numbers, I saw chances. We progressed to you sitting up and us trying to stop you. An amazing moment and hard to try to get you to sit when all you wanted to do was get up! After soooo long lying down. Then you would turn and try to put weight on your back legs.. hips still recovering we still could not let you. The tremendous fear you felt outside, the trembling,.. the panic tore through me and ripped me apart at your pain. How I wondered what your attacker looked like! I wonder if he will ever feel that panic. ?

On Pacos ok, you could sit up, then walk. Well.. the day you walked, took my breath away. Mass achievement which made the world dance. You were never alone Ebro.. everyone has been with you.

Mother cells donated from the University of Malaga led to investigative work, you were a good candidate for such a trial. Im sorry to say! However, it did its job and thats what we wanted for you. Eventually the first pins came off one leg.

A new leg was born!!!!!! Bent, waddling, but new. No pins, no bandages, no more nappies, no binding. FREE LEG!

On reléase well, your specialist said to me, "he will never be a runner!" But hes on his feet. A miracle.

Over the last few days I saw a light go on, youve changed sweet Ebro. Mentally we still have some way to go, but we go together. its a challenge we take paw in hand. Me, you, and everyone.

Today,.. well to be honest, I thought Id seen it all. All you had to give. Until, we were all outside, me the pack.. Ambo, Clara, Suri, Belen, and Emily. Wandering down to the galgos. Only to note a went nose on my hand. A small yap and I knew. I know your cries Ebro.. each and every one. I looked down and there you were in the midstof the gang. Part of them. No longer an outsider with a disability, but sanwiched between. Calling me to see you. I looked down and spoke, giddely, the way I do when encouraging you. Saying " Ebro whatcha doin" Well, ... you took my breath away, you wiggled, you pranced, toy leapt, played with the others and then ran! Yes Ebro, I think you felt so happy you didnt even know. But you RAN! It was a momentary Split second and i couldnt video this moment, but I know ALL your friends have wanted to see this moment, hear about it, and so here I am, more proud I could not be.

Ebro, dear Ebro. This is it for you, thanks to so many kind people, kind friends, you have been cared for, loved, and made better. Such amazing people who love you dearly, and I can only tell you about it. Some you have met, some you will, and some you may never, but I will always talk to you about them, their gifts of life to you.

You have so many mamas and papas, and thats the reason why you have found your forever. Part of 112 Carlota galgos, you will always be. I hope that forever I can attend your needs, for as long as your life takes you, I will work for you, for your siblings in this country which havent made it, that will make it and that still await the kind hand of courage to come in and rescue them. It would be far too hard to find a mama and papa for you, because there are so many that adore you and love you, how could I do that? So heres the deal, here you will stay but continue to have mamas and papas across the world. They love you Ebro and you are one galgo to whom some can be a part of, to whome you can continue to be in their life. if they never get the chance to adopta a galgo Español, they have you dear Ebro being a part of them. Showing them just why we do what we do, why they do what they do, showing the world just how we cannot do much without their help, and showing them just what can be done with their help!! My initial thought when entering into the plight of galgos was.. "one multiplied by many, becomes a forcé to be reckoned with!"

Mr.Ebs, we all belong to you. You are a fighter and a winner. You are a miracle. A living, walking and now running Miracle.

So lets look to the next stage now Ebs.. MONDAY! The FINAL PINS COME OUT! The week later "I think" the final Mother cells go into the leg. This pending..

Monday.. at ten am, as Ebro wanders into surgery please lets light a candle for Jade. I am sure she gave him her last strength, she fought for him and he fought for her. She watches over us all. with wings like eagles she wraps us up, lets us down, and graces us with strength.

You have taught me one thing Ebro.. when strong isnt good enough... BE STRONGER!

For that I will be eternally greatful, a lesson I can pass on to others. So heres to that Ebs! Heres to teaching the Young, heres to change, and heres to you! A new dawn, a new day! With all my love and respect.. Charl.

"May you the galgo, rise back up in society and become the household pet, you so deserve to be!"

Ebro you are a shining your courage your strength to survive inspires all your friends who love you so much.

Galgo Rescue International Network

Galgo Rescue International Network