A Tribute to Brody, 9/2014-11/2021

Brody and Bless

This is a tribute to our Greyhound, Brody, who we lost to liver cancer three months ago.  It has taken me a while to write this because it has been so difficult to lose four of our five dogs over the past three years; two in the past year. We continue to grieve.

We adopted Brody over seven years ago, from Greyhound Friends for Life (GFFL), NorCal, in September 2016, after we lost our Greyhound, Wilma, to Osteosarcoma, a few months prior.  Barbara, from GFFL selected Brody for us. He was a big, goofy, sweet boy, rescued by super GFFL volunteers, from the horrendous race track in Tucson, AZ.

Brody loved to fetch

Brody was a big boy — the largest Greyhound we’ve ever had, at 75 lbs.  We called him our, “Gentle Giant”. He truly was.  He had a very excellent temperament, and was so easy going.  He loved to play with tennis and doggy balls, and he loved to fetch. He would hide the balls in corners and behind objects in the yard so that the other dogs wouldn’t take them. He ran like the wind in our front and back yards.  He ate like a horse and loved his treats.  He was such a happy soul.  His favorite place was on our sectional sofa, lying upside down, sleeping with a big grin on his face. As he grew older, sometimes he couldn’t hold it and would go into one of our bathrooms and aim to pee in one of our toilets.  Hilarious!

Happy, happy Brody

Brody became our alpha, and he was a kind one, teaching the others to be patient.  He’d lie on the kitchen floor, as we prepared the food, and the other dogs followed suit.  He was all love, and loved to be pet and cuddled.

Smiling Brody

He started to get picky about his food in October, 2021, and we knew that something wasn’t right.  Later in the month, we took him in for an exam, then to a specialist, thinking something may be wrong with his heart.  The ultrasound revealed that he had lesions on his liver, which indicated the very worst type of liver cancer that a dog can get. We ordered the recommended herbs to help support him, as we knew that this was best for him.  Brody made it until mid-November.  We went out for a bit for dinner. When we came home, he was lying by the Christmas tree, almost comatose. He had been bleeding from his mouth. We knew that it was time to let him go, so we called the emergency vet. They took him in right away and very gently and kindly put him to rest.  We know that he would not have made it through the night.

We cried our eyes out that night and beyond.  We so miss our big boy every day. A few days after his cremation, we received the plaque with his paw print and a few bits of his beautiful black and some white fur.

Since he left us, we adopted a beautiful Borzoi rescue from South Korea, Joy. She has helped heal our hearts from, yet another, loss of one of our beloved dogs.

Brody, we miss you so much. You were taken way too soon. You deserved to have more time here with us. But we know that you are in God’s loving arms, waiting for us to hug you once again, and to throw your favorite ball so that you can fetch it.  We love you forever, sweet Brody.

Rest well, sweet Brody

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

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