Part 1 - Fall/Winter 2014, Scooby Ignites Global Friendships - Pre-visit to Germany

Scooby Ignites Global Friendships, Part 1 - Fall/Winter 2014 

Wonderful Pre-visit to Germany to Meet Marie

My Dear Friend, Marie, and Abba, a Scooby Rescue

Dear Abba, I Love You!

A few years ago, I connected with one of my fellow Scooby supporters, Marie, who lives in Aachen, Germany.  We've gotten into the habit of chatting many nights via Facebook, and easily bonded like Sisters.:-)

Marie adopted a gorgeous, loving Scooby dog, Abba, and has an abiding love and support for Scooby Medina del Campo in Spain.  She's been there to visit, and I hope to meet up with her some time this year to volunteer.  Amazingly, Marie and I have become so close with our online friendship that we arranged for me to travel to Germany and spend three full days visiting her in Aachen in November, staying at her flat; all prior to flying to Madrid to volunteer at Scooby.

One of the huge benefits of being a Scooby volunteer is that you get to meet people from all parts of the World and then become forever friends, with a bond that is heartfelt and timeless.  Marie is one of the very finest, kindest, and best people that I've ever met. When I visited, words cannot express how much it meant to me to be welcomed into her home, to meet her friends, go to her favorite places, learn about her life, and to see what a wonderful life she and Abba have together.  It was an absolute pleasure to sleep on the guest sofa with dear Abba while I was there (my dog fix).  At night, Abba was in heaven with her sighs and such, as she dreams - all thanks to Marie and the happy life that Abba has. 

I was only there for three days, but it felt like so much longer for all that we did.  Day one, we explored Aachen, including the Cathedral, taking Abba everyplace we went.  

Aachen Cathedral is truly something to see!

We met so many of Marie's dear friends.Day two, we visited the Eifel National Park and met her friend, Tibbie, and her three gorgeous Spanish Water Dogs (all rescues).

Marie (r) Tibbie (l) and her three gorgeous Spanish Water Dogs. What a lovely day and place!

Tibbie has done so much great work with her dogs. She is truly a Dog Whisperer and lovely person.

After our walk, we visited a traditional German restaurant for a delicious lunch, located in the country. We had a view of a farm and gorgeous green countryside, right outside the window. That evening, I had the chance to meet two of her primo piano students (Marie is a Concert Pianist Extraordinaire).  She and her delightful students, who are sisters, gave me my own private concerto.  We had a ball goofing around with them arranging our hair styles and such. 

Marie with Her Two Lovely Students - Sisters

The next day, we went to Vaalserberg, the place where Germany, Holland and Belgium intersect. 

Vaalserberg: Three Countries Converge Here

After that, Marie and her god-daughter took me to Maastricht, a gorgeous city just over the border in Holland, where we did some sight-seeing, shopping and eating.  

Maastricht, What a Lovely City!

It went by so fast, and it was a fabulous time.  Can't wait to go back, and to have Marie here to show her my world in California. She's been here to visit years ago, but we have so much more to share today.

Marie, I cannot tell you how much this visit meant to me. I had such a wonderful time. You rolled out the red carpet for me.  I LOVED every minute of it: you, Abba, Mirko, your friends, your home, the food and hospitality, your city, our walks, the surrounding area, and all of our adventures. It was one of the times of my life! :-)

Thank you so much. Cannot wait to meet up again soon!

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.

Wish They All Could Be California Galgos! Scooby Galgos Adopted by California Greyhound Friends for Life

Thank you, Greyhound Friends for Life and Scooby Medina del Campo

So much positive news to report in this blog posting. Since Greyhound Friends for Life (GFFL) in the San Francisco Bay Area of California partnered with Scooby Medina del Campo in Spain earlier this year, in an effort to rescue and place lovely galgos for adoption in the USA, things are progressing very well.

Californians Have BIG Hearts for the Galgos
In October, two Scooby galgos were brought to the GFFL folks for fostering and adoption. They are Juanillo, a long haired galgo (male), and Bonnie, a young galga (female). Juanillo has already been adopted and is doing very well. Bonnie is being fostered by GFFL Leader, Barbara Judson, and also doing well. And another wonderful volunteer from the Bay Area also traveled to Scooby in early November and brought back a galgo, which she adopted. Thank you to the folks who visited Scooby, volunteered and worked out all of the details to get the galgos here, and to the fosters and adopters in the U.S.A.!

In late November, I traveled to Scooby again to volunteer with my friend, Mora Gozani. We brought back four galgos: Bond, Calisto, Cuco and Roco, There are interesting stories to tell about our travel adventures, which I will share in my upcoming blog postings. Roco has already been adopted by a family in Vancouver, but Bond, Calisto and Cuco are still available, as is Bonnie.  If you are interested in fostering or adopting any of these galgos, please contact Barbara. Here are their photos and stories:

Who is Bond and Why You Want Him to be Your Galgo

Bond is our surprise guest! Originally, Mora and I thought that we would only bring two galgos to California. The other two were to be picked up by other adoption groups at JFK in New York. But, as fate would have it, because of Winter weather, we ended up flying from Madrid to Miami, and then to San Francisco.  Since Bond was going to a foster, but not forever home, the GFFL team agreed to keep him and place him locally.  We don't know a lot about him except that he is very shy and frightened, but he is very gentle and sweet when you are close to him.  It will take some time and tender loving care to allow his true personality to blossom.  I know that, with time, Bond will be one of the best galgos one could ever adopt.  He was so resilient on the long journey to California, and Mora and I fell in love with him.  He's irresistible! :-) Barbara and the GFFL team can provide further information about Bond if you are interested in fostering and/or adopting him.

Who is Bonnie and Why You Want Her to be Your Galga

Sweet Bonnie lassie is a very gorgeous galga. (She looks a lot like my Bless.) :-)  There is a special blog posting on the Scooby website about how they found and rescued her from the streets, along with another galgo, called "Clyde", whom they were not able to catch. She’s timid with strangers, but loves her "person". She gets along well with other dogs, both males and females. Bonnie is still getting used to being in a home, and Barbara's fostering is helping her acclimate. If you are interest in adopting Bonnie, contact Barbara.

Who is Cuco and Why You Want Him to be Your Galgo

Cuco has an extra special story which you can read in the Scooby blog. A good Samaritan learned that Cuco's galguero was discussing how he would be rid of this gorgeous boy. Fortunately, they intervened before the worst happened. They then took him to Scooby.

Back story:  We were establishing a partnership between Scooby and GFFL early in 2014 and looking at galgos for adoption.  I visited in April/May and a few dogs were suggested for adoption. One of them was Cuco, a handsome long haired male brindle, with a sweet personality whom I came to know and fall in love with. On one of the days that my colleague and I cleaned paddock 3, we noticed that a lovely boy was being picked on by the others. We culled him out from the pack and he kept us company as we cleaned the kennels.  He came to wait for us every day, even waiting by the kennel door for treats and acknowledgement.  I took him for a walk every day, fell in love with him and put him on reserve for GFFL.  He waited a long time, but now he is here in California!

Since he's been in California, Cuco has been at King's Kastle, the GFFL rescue facility, with the other dogs who are awaiting foster and forever homes.  Cuco has a wonderful personality and will make an excellent pet. He loves people. He can be dominant with other dogs at times, and is not good with small dogs or cats, so this is a consideration for fitting him into your pack. Barbara and the GFFL team have great insights regarding his personality, and can advise further. 

Who is Calisto and Why You Want Him to be Your Galgo

Calisto is a very handsome and gentle black and white tuxedo galgo. He was one of the longest Scooby residents (since March, 2013).  He is somewhat shy with people, but once you spend time with him, he sweetly comes to ask for love and encouragement. Calisto is very happy and easy going with other dogs.  Although it was not possible to even touch him when he first arrived at Scooby, he has made phenomenal progress.  His personality will continue to reveal the great dog that he is when he is in his home with his people. He is not dominant, so that is a consideration for fitting into your pack. Calisto was in a foster home here for a while with another dog, and did very well. GFFL will have more insights regarding a perfect forever home situation for Calisto.  

My Next Blog Series...

I have so much to share with you about my recent trip to Germany and Spain.  Please stay tuned for more stories and photos!

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.