Celebrating My 19th Visit to Scooby - Part Two

Scooby Galgos

So Good to be Back at Scooby

Madrid's Chamartin Train Station

The fourth day, it was time to rise and shine to catch the early train from Madrid to Scooby, in Medina del Campo.  Caught the fast train from Madrid (one hour), then took a cab directly to Scooby.  I cannot tell you how much joy I felt when the taxi drove up to the entrance. The sights, sounds and smells brought me right back to my roots. I took some time to tour the sanctuary, meet old and new friends, and visit the animals.  

Me and my Galgo Mix Buddy

I Wondered How Much Things Had Changed After Two Years

Headed to the Hotel Reina Isabel in Medina to unpack, get some dinner, a few groceries and some rest.  I love that little hotel and the staff.  I was so delighted to see that most all of the same people work there, as they have for years, and that they made it through the virus safely, thus far.  It was as clean and comfortable as ever, and I slept like a rock.

I was curious to see how Medina del Campo would be since the virus struck.  It was very much the same. Most all of restaurants and shops were open, and I was happy to see that a new Gadis grocery store opened and was very close to the hotel. Most days, I bought food there and made lunch and dinner instead of going out. 

Downtown Medina del Campo

The Scooby Animals

Such Wonderful Animals to Love

It was so great to be back at Scooby, as I wondered how things would be after the devastation of the virus.  Lots of improvements, including fences, security cameras, new perimeter paddocks and even a puppy paddock. The staff made it through these difficult times and continues to do their good work of rescuing so many animals.

Enjoyed seven days at Scooby, getting to know the animals, cleaning, feeding, socializing and cuddling with them. I noted that there were several empty paddocks, which is quite unusual. But considering the impact of the virus, so many things have changed.  There were a few dozen Galgos, most of whom were reserved for transport and adoption.  There were also a few dozen Podencos, Bull Terriers, Mastins, and a number of mixed breeds, large, medium and small. There were a couple of dozen adorable puppies. There were many cats and kittens of all sorts.  On the farm, there were horses, a bull, donkeys, goats and sheep.  There were many chickens and my personal favorite, a white turkey, who was very friendly and sweet.


I Loved This Turkey! So sweet

The weather was really warm when I arrived in Madrid, and then in Medina del Campo, it became very chilly and windy in the mornings with gradual warming throughout the day.  The evenings were quite cool and the sunrises and sunsets were stunning. 

Back to Madrid

After my seventh day at Scooby, I caught the fast train back to Madrid. There was some confusion about which station to go to, as I wasn’t able to purchase my tickets online.  But I learned that you can purchase tickets at both stations.  The new fast station has a ticket kiosk and the old station has a clerk at the ticket desk.  The old train is for commuters and makes more stops. The new train takes one hour and only stops once in Segovia.  Ticket price is about 24 Euros each way.  Everyone wears masks on the trains and in the stations.  In fact, about 80% of the people wore masks on the streets, and you could not enter any public building without a mask. The train station employees were kind and helpful. 

The Fast Train Station in Medina del Campo

I stayed two more nights at the same hotel, Atlantico, in Madrid.  It's close to great restaurants and shopping, so I had the chance to visit some old familiar places and discovered some new.

My Cozy Room at Hotel Atlantico, Madrid

It was amazing to see very long lines of people waiting to purchase their Christmas lottery tickets. There we many people out and about, and the Christmas decorations were up.  

Found a Cool New Food Court with Views

The Long Line for Christmas Lottery Tickets

Had to have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before flying.  Was able to get my test, in my room at the hotel, for 45 Euros.  Had all of the necessary paperwork to exit Spain and enter the U.S.

The Journey Back Home

I so wished that I could have brought some dogs back for adoption, but the American Airlines embargo on cargo animals continued. Hoping it's over so I can bring some in the Spring. As it ended up, in the morning that I was to leave, I received a text from American that my flight to Dallas was delayed due to thunderstorms.  I had a chance to sleep in a bit.  Got ready and caught a cab to the airport near Noon.  Had a smooth flight with empty seats next to mine, allowing me to spread out.  Had a three hour layover in Dallas. Caught some dinner at the airport before boarding.  The plane going to San Diego was completely packed and had engine problems, delaying us for 45 minutes more.  We were the last flight to arrive in San Diego after 12 a.m.  I was going to catch a Lyft or Uber home, but no response that late at night, so I called my husband, who picked me up at the airport and brought me home. All of my dogs were so glad to see me, and I them.  Rolled into bed and dreamt about my trip.  It really was like a dream to be back in Spain and at Scooby, and I'm so thankful that I had the chance to go again.

Next trip to Spain and Scooby will be late April through early May.  My husband will be traveling with me this time, and we plan an excursion to Mallorca for a few days.  Hope to bring a dog or two back.  But not sure if we'll be able to.

Hasta Luego! Thank you for reading my blog. Bless sends her blessings. Levi sends happiness.
Our lovely first Scooby Galga, Bless
Our handsome Scooby Podenco, Levi

Sweet 16th Visit to Scooby in Spain, 8 Years of Love

Scooby Galgos

This was my 16th visit to Scooby to volunteer and to transport galgos to the USA for adoption, in late November, 2018. 

Madrid Skyline

Decided to travel to Spain a couple of days early to spend some time in one of my favorite cities, Madrid, before my travel companions arrived. Stayed in a small apartment near Plaza Mayor, close to all of the action. Had time to catch up from jet lag and visit my favorite haunts. One of my friends arrived on day three and I stayed in a lovely boutique hotel for one night and day, as we waited for our third friend who flew in that evening. We all met at the airport, picked up our rental car and drove to Medina del Campo to the Hotel Reina Isabel to rest up for our first full day at Scooby.

Galgos Ready for Forever Homes

We spent five days at Scooby as volunteers, cleaning paddocks, socializing and loving dogs, helping with loading up a transport of dogs for Germany and unloading a bread truck with food for the dogs.  It was a wonderful experience, as always.

We drove to Salamanca and visited for a few hours (cool city). 

Salamanca

Then returned to Madrid and had a great BnB flat City Central, from which we walked to see many sights and experienced great restaurants.  

We also had a heartwarming day trip to 112carlotagalgos.com to visit their lovely family, dogs and sanctuary in Malaga, southern Spain.

112 Carlota Galgos Yearning for Attention

All too soon, it was time to return home. One friend adopted two Scooby galgos, a boy and girl, and returned to California with both. Another took two to California for adoption via Greyhounds Friends for Life. That day that I was to fly, we learned that since the weather was too cold in JFK (NYC), they would not fly the dogs. Since I am retired, I decided to stay in Madrid until the weather got warmer in NYC. So the two galgos bound for NY had to wait back at Scooby, I waited and had an extended stay in Madrid for four days. Of course, it was so lovely being able to spend extra time in Madrid, and I even took a day trip to Toledo as well, which is one of the coolest places I've ever seen!

Beautiful Toledo

Once I was able to travel through JFK, it all went smooth. Scooby brought the two galgos to the Madrid airport, we waited and had some changes (as usual), we went through security with the dogs, I got to the terminal and had time for lunch, we boarded, and off to JFK. This time was a charm because I met a wonderful JFK TSA agent who had met the folks who were waiting for our galgos, and he helped me get the two dogs through Customs in seconds. The couple who picked up the two galgos were amazed, as was I, that everything was so easy. I had time to relax before my flight to SFO. Once in San Francisco, my Sister, Mary, and Brother-in-law, Dan, picked me up and I enjoyed a night with them in the SF Bay Area. Even had a tour of our old house we sold in July 2018.

Since my trip, both of the galgos that my friend adopted are doing great, the two brought back by my other friend are doing well and will soon be ready for adoption, and the two that I brought to NYC are in loving homes and doing fantastic.

Handsome and Shy Gabino

Handsome Pilo

I am returning to Spain and Scooby in April to work with a wonderful group of 7 volunteers who are part of the Daphne Legacy Tour, a non-profit whose charter is to transport rescued galgos from Spain to the USA. We will bring a record 30+ galgos to the USA between the 8 of us, and all will go to Greyhound groups and will be placed in loving homes. I am so proud and happy to be part of this group, and I thank Christina and Dray for all of their efforts. They are true Rock Stars, as this is not easy!

Please stay tuned for more updates and information.

Hasta Luego! Thank you for reading my blog. Bless sends her blessings! Sara sends smiles!  Bones sends kisses and hugs!

Our gorgeous Galga, Bless!

Our gorgeous Galga, Sara!

Bonesey sends hugs and kisses!

Traveling to Spain? Consider becoming a Flight Angel and transporting dogs to the U.S.A. 

Please support Scooby,Greyhound Friends for Life, and Daphne Legacy Tour. 

Part 3, Winter 2014 Volunteer Visit - Madrid, Malaga, and Bringing Four Scooby Galgos Home to California

Calisto and Cuco, Spanish Galgos Ready to Become California Dudes!

This is Part 3 of the series about my most recent trip to Spain in November/December 2014 to volunteer at Scooby in Spain.  There is so much to say, especially because my friend, Mora and I are returning again in just a few short weeks in late May. I am elated and cannot wait! :-)

Great Days in Madrid

In Part 2 of this series, I told you about our Scooby visit in November/December 2014, which was fabulous!  After we left Scooby, we returned to Madrid, turned in our rental car, and took a cab to a plush hotel at the Santa Ana Plaza. Mora and I both had luxurious loft rooms (thanks to her) and enjoyed every day to the fullest. We walked everywhere, saw the sights, the Christmas decorations, and had delicious food and great shopping along the way. I must say that Spain has the best and most well-made shoes ever, rivaling Italy. We each bought three pair, and I am still enjoying mine every day. ;-)

Madrid has some of the most Beautiful Architecture of any of the European Cities that I've Visited

Christmas Decorations on the Squares. Very festive!

A Delightful Day Volunteering in Malaga - Was it a Dream?

Meet Char del Rio, Super Star Galgo and Podenco Rescuer (left), Hugging Mora (right)

Mora and I took an easy and relaxing train ride from Madrid to Malaga, a few hours away, to volunteer at Charlotte del Rio's rescue facility, 112 Carlota Galgos. It was a magical day, meeting an unselfish and caring woman and her family who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating the neediest of galgos from the perreras (kill shelters).

Char knows the darkest side of galgo rescue and has seen it all. She is an angel who turns the dark into the light with the work that she does.They have a small facility that can only take around 15-20 dogs at a time, but each and every one is treated as an individual, getting the love and support that they need to be placed in forever homes. 

We helped that day by cleaning the dog pens, filling water dishes, doing laundry (coats and blankets), and socializing the dogs.  We had the opportunity to visit with Char, her wonderful family, her dogs and cat, her rescued galgos and horse. She was just getting ready to move to the new finca right down the hill, with more space for her family and animals. As of this writing, Char is almost completely moved in, which was a major endeavor! Congratulations!

The weather and surroundings were much more tropical and very different from Medina del Campo and Madrid.  Malaga is popular with British and other Euro country ex-pats to settle for their retirement years. It's very pleasant, great climate and near the Ocean.

Char, thank you so much for all that you do! If you'd like to help Char and her family with their galgo rescue efforts.  Please visit her website for further information:  http://112carlotagalgos.com/how-to-help-2/. We plan to spend one of our days visiting and helping during our upcoming May/June trip. Can't wait to see everyone again and the new finca!

Char's Gorgeous Galgo Rescues

"Sometimes... It Don't Come Easy...", Bringing Four Galgos Home to the U.S.A.

I have brought several Scooby dogs back to the U.S.A. from Spain over the four years that I've been volunteering and had very few complications.  But this time, we ran into issues that forced us to reroute our trip. :-(

We arrived at the Madrid Airport five hours in advance to prepare for the long journey home to California via JFK in New York. Simonetta, super-star Scooby staff, brought four dogs to the airport for transit. We loaded their crates onto carts and brought them to the American Airlines ticket counter. Simonetta parked the Scooby van and came in to help us get the dogs through security and onto the flight.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge how wonderful Simonetta is. She single-handedly brings most of the dogs to the Madrid Airport so that volunteers can fly them to their forever homes in various countries. She also works on the transports that bring the dogs to locations all over Europe.  She always has a positive attitude, helps everyone, and is an astounding person for all that she does. Thank you so much, Simonetta! What would we do without you? You are beautiful inside and out. :-)

The Lovely Simonetta - Beautiful Inside and Out

As it turned out, the four galgos for transit were: Cuco - my beloved, Calisto - Mr. Shy who desperately needed to get out of the shelter, Roco - spoken for and bound for Vancouver, B.C.., and our mystery guest, Bond, bound for a foster home in NYC.  We tried to check in the dogs, but American Airlines gave us a great big hassle, telling us that the temperatures at JFK in New York were below their acceptable threshold, and we could not bring them. As you can imagine, our hearts sank...  Simonetta tried to convince them that the galgos could make the trip.  We even had letters indicating that they live in sub-zero Fahrenheit weather, and can endure low temperatures. But to no avail. She is Italian, fluent in Spanish and is usually able to break through the "red tape" at the airport, but this time, there was no convincing them. It was very frustrating, and we knew we had to think of some alternatives. Now what to do?

American suggested that there was an Iberian flight going to Miami, FL, that could work. It was to leave in about 1.5 hours.  We had to pay more for changing our tickets and the second leg of the flight to SFO for the dogs, but temps were permissible. We decided on that option and to take all four dogs, not actually knowing where Roco and Bond were destined to go at that time. Our decision: everyone is coming to California or bust! 

We did the long trip across "the pond" to Miami, and it was a good flight. At the Miami airport, the folks for hire in the baggage claim area saved the day. They took all four dogs and our bags, and then escorted us on the fast track through Customs. They helped load the dogs onto the next flight to SFO. It was worth every penny of the generous tip we gave them for their help!

Once the dogs were safely loaded onto the Miami to SFO flight, we were able to get to our gate for a brief break and even grab a snack before boarding. When you know that everything is set for the second leg of the trip and the dogs are on board and safe, it feels SO good. :-)

We arrived in San Francisco in the evening, around 8 p.m. My husband, Darrell, picked up the tired crew with our SUV. He disassembled the crates, and we all loaded in for the drive to Mora's condo.  They were all great during the drive, resting in the back, and Roco cuddled in my lap.  Once there, we tried to make them comfortable, but Mora was up all night with the dogs while I took a few hours of sleep. She has such a beautiful place and was so gracious about having the dogs there, but to be honest, they pooped and peed all over the place because they had been pent up so long without potty breaks and they were so nervous.  It was a wild night, but we got through it! ;-)

California Galgos in Happy Homes

The next day, Darrell and I drove up to King's Kastle in Windsor, CA, to the greyhound/galgo adoption sanctuary.  You will not believe it, but my worst nightmare came true! Cuco and Calisto bolted out of our SUV when we opened the hatchback, right onto the old highway!  :-( I ran after them, stopped traffic, and with the help of King's Kastle staff, was able to get both on leash and to safety. Cannot tell you how horrible it felt to think that we brought them all that way to think that they could have been hit ... Thank God!

Now on to what happened with these precious galgos, thanks to Greyhound Friends for Life:

Cuco in his Forever Home in SFO

Cuco was adopted  by a couple and is living the dream life in San Francisco. Hope to visit him soon!

Calisto (right) is a very Happy Boy in his Foster Home near Sacramento, California

Calisto is in a perfect and loving foster home near Sacramento, and has a wonderful life. His foster parents will keep him until he gets to his forever home.

Roco - Everyone Fell in Love with Him. I love this photo from his new Mum & Dad in Vancouver.

Roco is a puppy whom we all fell in love with. Thanks to GFFL Leader, Barbara Judson, for driving him to meet up with his new Canadian parents, he is living the big life in Vancouver.

Bond (left) on a walk at King's Kastle. He's bound for a foster home in Berkeley, California.

Bond, our mystery surprise guest who was supposed to go to a foster home in New York, became a Californian instead. He is SO handsome and special. But he still very afraid of people.(God only knows what he has endured.)  He's still at King's Kastle, but he will be in a foster home soon. He's going to be one special pet when he gets past his fear. 

Upcoming Trip To Scooby in May/June

That is the story for now. I will have so much more to share with you in the coming months, after my upcoming visit to Germany and Spain in May/June.  Cannot tell you how happy I am to be returning to Germany to visit Marie, and then to Spain to meet Mora, volunteer at Scooby, and bring back more precious dogs for adoption in the U.S.A. It truly is my passion! 

This trip will be extraordinarily special. I will see Marie, her Scooby adoption dog, Abba, and her new Spanish rescue, Lucy. I will meet up with Mora in Madrid. We will drive to Medina del Campo to meet up with Scoobettes and friends from the UK and Holland, Melissa, Jacque, Lucinda and Debbie, all friends whom I've met over the past four years that I've been volunteering. God willing, we will bring 2-3 dogs back to New York and two to be adopted in California. Still working out the details.

Please stay tuned for updates.

Hasta Luego! Thank you for reading my blog. Bless sends her blessings! Sara sends smiles! Wilma sends kisses and hugs!



Our gorgeous Galga, Bless!

Our gorgeous Galga, Sara!

Our gorgeous Greyhound, Wilma!

Please support Scooby and Greyhound Friends for Life!
Know an organization that will donate dog food? Please let me know.