Friday, May 3, 2013

"I've Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day", Happy 2 Year Gotcha/Birthday, Bless!

Happy 2nd Gotcha/Birthday Bless, May 2
This is Bless' Adoption Photo - How We Chose Her


"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May. I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way, My Girl... talking about My Girl!"


Bless is "My Girl", by the Temptations. Guess that says it all, Bless! :-)

This love story began 2 1/2 years ago, when we decided to adopt a Spanish Galgo. After much research, I found Scooby Medina del Campo. I contacted Eva, the Adoption Coordinator for the U.S. and Canada, and spoke with her. Filled out the adoption forms and submitted references that she would interview. Even before I was approved, I started to look at the profiles for the dogs that were available for adoption and made a list. The one whose sweet face, beautiful markings and Spanish eyes stole my heart was named "Bless". She had arrived in December 2010, and I decided that she was THE ONE. After being approved for adoption, I told Eva of my selection. Sad news! She was to go to France. As fate would have it, shortly thereafter, Eva said that she had put Bless on hold for us. Hooray!
 
While discussing details with Eva, she suggested that I might want to travel to Spain to volunteer at Scooby and then bring back Bless so that I could see where she came from. At first, it seemed kind of outrageous to me. Then the idea started to grow on me. I spoke with Diane, the Scooby N.A. Volunteer Coordinator, and the timing was right for me to travel and meet with her and Lydia, Scooby N.A. Board Member, in late April 2011 to pick up Bless, when they were also bringing back dogs for a few others in the U.S. Once again, everything worked out, and I was able to travel there to volunteer for five days and then bring back Bless. It was a wonderful experience, and since then, galgos and Scooby have become my passion.
 
I want you to know more about Bless, what it's like to have a galgo as a pet, who she is inside, what she's like, and why we love her so much, and to let you know how much we feel even more love and compassion for the wonderful, beautiful galgos.
 
About Bless:
  • She's extremely intelligent and sensitive, as well as sweet, friendly, gentle and a bit reserved at times. Often, she will come to visit us during each day for hugs, kisses, pets and love. Interesting that she should be so loving when no one showed her any love before coming to Scooby.
  • She LOVES to eat and LOVES treats!

Bless and Wilma bob for hot dogs at the Greyhound Reunion
Wima will dunk her head, but Lady Bless will not ;-)

  • She LOVES to sleep and nap and sleep and nap. She is a snuggle bug - sleeps cuddled up next to us in bed and likes to be under the blankets - sighs with pleasure when you hug her or snuggle her up in the covers.

Sleepy Head, Bless - She Loves to Sleep and Nap and Sleep and Nap ...

  • She has become a very good watch dog, barking at anyone, or anyone walking their dog, who dares to walk past our house. Has a very deep voice and barks with the best of them. I'm sure she learned it from the galgo and Scooby days.

Beware of our Watch Dogs: Wilma, Jake, Bless

  • She LOVES pillows, toys and chewy bones.She is not rough on toys, but does rearrange the small pillows on most of our beds and furniture every day.  Her favorite 'baby' is my "I Love Manatee" pillow. She grabs it off the back of the futon, takes it to her bed and then lays her head on it.


  • She fits right in with our pack - our greyhound, Wilma, American Eskimo, Jake, and cat, Frank.

Greyhounds & Galgos Get Along Well
Wilma & Bless in Their Babushkas on a Cooler Winter Day in CA

  • While some galgos cannot be re-homed with cats, our Bless and Frank often nap together.

Frank and Bless Napping (again)

  • She enjoys playing and running in our back yard, and also sunning on the patio
  • She gets along well with visitors to our home and echos the actions of our other dogs

Bless, Wilma and Jake on Our Bed - One of their Favorite Places

  • She is so beautiful and special: golden brindle, gorgeous markings, with a cool white arrow-like marking on the back of her neck, Spanish eyes that you cannot resist.  She wags her tail helicopter style, most of the time, which I believe means ultimate happiness and joy. If we had tails, ours would be wagging too!






Two years later, I am so grateful to Scooby, the organization, staff, volunteers, adoption families, and supporters. Thank you all for helping us save these wonderful animals. I think about it every night as I hug my precious gem, Bless. :-)
Hasta Luego! Thank you for reading my blog. More to follow. Bless sends her blessings.
 





 

Our gorgeous Galga, Bless!
Please support Scooby!
Know an organization that will donate dog food? Please let me know.