Where it all Began
Twelve years ago, I made a trip to Spain to volunteer at the Scooby Shelter in Medina del Campo, and to get my first adopted Galga, Bless. We had her for 12 years, from May 2011, until we lost her to cancer on February 16, 2023. Little did I know at the time, but this trip and this Galgo would change my life forever. My Journey with Bless over the past 12 years is documented in this blog: http://adoptingagalgo.blogspot.com. This is her final chapter.
In 2010, we lost our first Greyhound, Daisy, to Osteosarcoma. We were looking to adopt another sighthound, and I had already decided that I’d like to rescue a Spanish Galgo. I had learned about Scooby from a friend, so I wrote to inquire about adopting. In early 2011, I selected a beautiful Galgo, named Bless, based on her adoption photos and description, filled out the adoption papers and was later approved.
One of the volunteers was going to Scooby in April, and offered to meet up and help me bring Bless home. I booked my flights and everything came together for my trip. I was in Spain for several days, and worked at the shelter for five days. Had such a wonderful experience and was hooked on going back again and again over the past 12 years.
I had never been around Galgos before that first trip. What I learned is that they are the most beautiful and gentle dogs I’ve ever met. The situation in Spain is dire for them, as they are bred and used for hunting, and then discarded in cruel and neglectful ways at the end of every hunting season. From having Bless and my other Galgos, I’ve learned that they make the best, most loving and affectionate pets that anyone could have.
Bless Was Truly a Blessing
Bless was the quintessential Galgo. She was a beautiful blue brindle, with a sleek greyhound- like body, almond-shaped Spanish eyes, and a very long tail. She was friendly, sweet, gentle, calm and always a lady. She got along well with all people, all of our other dogs, and even two of our cats.
She was an ambassador for her breed, as she was one of the first Galgos brought to the U.S.A. during that time. She attended a few Greyhound reunions and introduced many to the magnificent Galgo breed. Since then, many, many Galgos have been brought over from Spain and adopted into loving homes in this Country, which is absolutely fabulous, and what we hoped for.
Bless’ Life
She loved to eat. Any time I was cooking in the kitchen, she would show up to see if there was something for her. I called her my “sous chef”. She was the cutest beggar in the World. If you had food, she would come up and gently plop her head in your lap, looking sweetly at you with those sweet Spanish eyes, asking for a morsel or two. Who could resist?
She loved to be outside. She had a way of walking very slowly, as she went out, explored and then came back in. We called her “mosey” because she had no sense of urgency. She would go to the door and bark loudly, beat on the door with her paw, and do a little dance, when she wanted to go out. She especially liked to wake up Dad/Darrell in the middle of the night, when she wanted to go out.
She loved her home and family. In her younger days, she was a good watchdog, alerting us whenever someone approached our home. Her favorite places were our bedroom, in her bed, and in the living room, in another of her beds. She loved to be with us and her pack. Sometimes, she would move her bed to be nearer the action.
Losing Bless
On Christmas Eve, 2021, she became very sick, not eating and being sick to her stomach, We took her to an emergency Vet and waited over two hours in our car (during COVID) while the Vet checked her. She relayed that something serious was going on with her, and that we should have tests done to learn more. We opted to follow up with our regular Vet the following week. They did an ultrasound on her and found that she had two large cancerous tumors, one near her spleen, and also Cushing’s Disease. They recommended that we treat her with a prescription and some herbal supplements. They said that the cancer was aggressive, and did not recommend an operation. They could not estimate how long we would have her, but they said three months to one year was likely.
For over two years, we gave her these medications, which we are convinced extended her life and increased her quality of life: Ursodiol (prescription), I’m-Yunity (herbal), Yunnan Baiyao Jiaonang (Chinese Herbal).
The Cushing’s Disease actually made her hungry, so she seldom lost her appetite. She had a few bad days where we thought about taking her in to the Vet, but overall, she had a very good quality of life for those two years, which was a miracle to us.
Two weeks ago when we awoke, we found her laying by our bedroom door, where she had tried to ask to go outside. She had collapsed. Her back legs had no strength, and she couldn’t stand without help. We continued to help her stand, and she still walked, albeit very shakily. Then she stopped eating, with the exception of a few morsels here and there. She then collapsed few more times and cried out to us. We’ve been through this many times, and we knew that it was time to let her go.
We called the same mobile Vet who helped us with Sara’s passing few years ago, and set an appointment for the next day, so we’d have one more full day to spend with her and say our goodbyes. The Vet came in the early afternoon. He was so kind and gentle with her and us. She laid on one of her beds in the living room. He gave the first shot to relax her, and then gave us time to say goodbye. When he returned, he gave the second shot. She left peacefully and painlessly. We had more time to say our final goodbyes. He gently took her to his car. We had her body cremated and will have a paw print for our memories.
Bless’ bed in our bedroom remains empty. The other dogs avoid sleeping there, as they knew it was hers. Every time we walk into the bedroom, we look for her sweet face, as she was always there to greet us for so many years. She was such a big part of our lives. She gave us so much love and joy, and we feel so very blessed to have had our beautiful little Scooby Galga Bless as our pet for so many years.
We go on now, missing our Girl, knowing that she is in a better place, pain free and happy. We know that she’s waiting to mosey to greet us when we, too, arrive. We love you and will miss you forever, sweet Bless. Rest well, my Love.
