Celebrating My 19th Visit to Scooby - Part One

Madrid

Can I actually go?

It had been two years since my last vacation anyplace, except one weekend in San Diego. I so wanted to go to Spain and Scooby again.  Made reservations in the Spring, always watching how things were progressing with fighting off the virus. I checked in with some friends who had recently traveled to Spain and other parts of Europe, and they assured me that it would be safe to go.

So, with some trepidation, armed with double Pfizer vaccines and annual flu shot, the days inched forward. I had to make a final decision to go or not. The still small voice inside told me to go while I had the chance.  I decided that I would go and started doing research on what I needed to do to prepare for the trip.

Spain issues a QR Code for Entry

Preparations for the Trip

First task was to check airline requirements. I wanted to bring a couple of dogs back for adoption, but American Airlines still had a cargo pet travel ban in place, and it seemed intimidating to deal with getting myself to Spain and back, let alone bringing dogs too.  Next I had to find out what was necessary to enter Spain.  I learned that you have to go to the Spain immigration site, register, enter your passport, flight, where you are staying and whether or not you’ve been vaccinated. If not, they require a negative COVID test within three days of your trip. They then send you a confirmation link. Then two to three days before you leave, you have to complete your registration. If successful, they send you a QR code that you show after you pass through immigration.  I also used the VeriFLY app that American recommended, which made it easier to check in at the San Diego airport.

Yay! Flying into Spain

Traveling to Spain

The first leg flight to Dallas was completely full, and a three hour flight. They served soft drinks and biscuits. Masks are mandatory during all flights. There was no entertainment, save using their WiFi to view movies and listen to music.  None of us could connect though to use it. Had a short layover, then boarded the very large plane to Madrid. The flight wasn’t full, so our middle seat mate was able to move to an aisle, giving me and my aisle mate extra room in the middle to stretch out.  The plane had onboard entertainment, with individual screens for each passenger. During the long nine hour flight, saw a couple of good movies, “The Father” and an intriguing documentary, “The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52”.  They provided a full dinner and breakfast service. The attendants were steadfast in enforcing the mask mandate. No one made any trouble on either flight.

Landing in Madrid

Good to be Back in Madrid

Arrived in Madrid a bit early, around 9 a.m.  Easily moved through immigration, health check, where they scanned the QR code, and then to collect my baggage. Caught a cab to the very excellent Hotel Atlantico on Gran Via. Thankful that they let me check in early. Got settled in and took a much needed nap. Got up and did a good walk about to some of my favorite haunts:  the Azotea del Círculo rooftop bar, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado San Miguel, among others.  The Hotel Atlantico also has two beautiful rooftop terraces that overlook the city. They even have turn down service, which is rare. What a lovely first day!

Lovely Madrid

Wonderful Excursions

Up early the next day for an 11 hour excursion to Salamanca and Ávila.  We traveled by bus, with a tour guide.  Both cities are so beautiful and have  rich histories, landmarks and architecture. 

Salamanca

Avila

Up early the next day for another 11 hour excursion to Toledo and Segovia. Again, traveled by bus with two tour guides, one for English and one for Spanish.  Both of these cities are breathtakingly gorgeous and rich in history and architecture.  It was yet another very excellent day. 

Toledo

Segovia 

Part 2: Back to Scooby (Stay tuned for more!)

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

Losing My Heart Dog, Bones the Scooby Galgo

Yesterday, I lost my heart dog, Bones, to kidney failure.  I met him and fell in love four years ago when I visited Scooby Medina in Spain, June, 2017.  Here's the story of how we met. 

He was very sick, with Leishmaniasis and heart worms, and they did not think that he would live.  But I wanted to adopt him and try to help him with good medical care, so I asked for permission to bring him to the U.S.A.  Was able to do so in early October of 2017.  Here's the story. 

This is my tribute to my beloved Bonesy, for whom I am shedding tears of sorrow every day.

From the moment that my Scooby friend, Melissa, introduced me to Bones, I fell in love with him and could not stop thinking about him. He was the most handsome Spanish Galgo, with his long nose, floppy ears, long tail, and sleek physique.  Although quite thin, he had been on meds for over a month and was rehabilitating from Leishmaniasis, a horrible disease, which is a parasite passed on by sand flies in the Mediterranean.  I later learned that he was from Murcia, in the South of Spain, and was taken to a rescue group who then gave him to Scooby in Medina del Campo, for transport and treatment at the sanctuary.  They did not think that he would live, because his kidneys were failing so severely.  After I met him and wanted to adopt him, I returned home to California, and inquired about adopting him, along with researching how to care for him, once I brought him home.  Everything worked out, and I returned to Spain in September, 2017, to get him.  

My regular vet and an Internal Medicine vet in San Jose helped to diagnose the right meds and food to help him recover and maintain.  We had almost four wonderful years together.  

A few months ago, I noticed that he was losing weight. He began to get picky about eating and often did not want to eat his two regular meals each day.  A couple of months ago, he had a physical and blood tests, indicating that his kidneys were failing,  Our vet recommended that he see an Internal Medicine vet, once again.  With COVID-19, vet visits have been quite a challenge, as the demand is great, and it's difficult to get an appointment.  We were on a wait list and able to get in a couple of weeks later.  The vet determined that he was in Stage 4 of kidney failure and prescribed meds, supplements and subcutaneous fluids.  It worked pretty well for at least five weeks, but we had to get more and more clever about what to feed him, as he did not want to eat much.

A week ago, it became clear that he was declining severely, not eating, losing more weight, drinking lots of water, peeing a lot, horrible breath, and sometimes diarrhea and throwing up. You know in your heart of hearts when they are leaving, and I just knew that our time was short.

Yesterday, he rallied earlier in the day, walking circles through the house and yard, visiting with us, somewhat disoriented, but seeming to want to see and experience everything, and to say, "Goodbye".  I called a mobile vet who was to come at 2 p.m. today to put him to rest.  Then, about 7:30 p.m. Bones declined severely, trying to lay down and falling down. His back legs completely gave out. After he took a bad fall in the backyard, I called our regular vet for an emergency visit.  We took him in at 9:30 p.m. It was awful for my husband to have to pick him up and put him in the back of the car, as he was in so much pain.  We sat on the tailgate with him until they brought the gurney around to take him in.  We were in a private room for a while to say goodbye, and then the vet came in. She was kind and it was peaceful and quick, as she gave him one shot to sedate him, and then another that stopped his heart.  We were looking into each others eyes as he left, and we told him how much we loved him and would miss him.  In a few seconds, he was completely free.  We hugged and kissed him and took his collars for our dog memorial shrine, and then left with our broken hearts.  We did the right thing, and we know it. It's never easy, but when it's time, it is time.  

Celebrating Who Bonesy Was

No one ever would have guessed how much character Bonesy had, and it came out, day by day, as he lived his happy new life with us.

He was silly and loved to goof around and tease with me by smiling, laughing, barking and pretend nibbling at me.  He used to tuck between my legs when I was standing, like a little horse.  He liked to play with toys and balls,  He never barked or sang at Scooby, but he did with us and his pack here.  His bark was a very deep and loud hound bark, like a lion's roar.  He loved running like the wind in our back and front yards, and loved to frolic. He loved treats and food and hanging out in the kitchen to see what I was cooking,  My favorite was that he would always come up behind me in the kitchen to nudge me from behind to let me know that he was there.  He was pure love, coming to me many times each day and burying his head in my lap for love, cuddles and pets.  He liked to sleep with us many nights, and just wanted to be around us all of the time.  

Bonesy was love and he was possibly one of the most beloved Galgos who has ever lived.  He has an Instagram account,,which we will keep to preserve his legacy.  He has many fans and admirers from around the World.  He was a humble, gentle soul, a true gentleman, and we shall miss him forever and ever, until we meet again on the other side.

Hasta Luego, my beloved Bonesy.  Rest well, my love, until I see you again, as you nudge me to let me know that we are together again.