Each year, SARA finds homes for cats and dogs across Lanzarote, but did you know that many also go to new homes across Europe? Volunteer Justin Kerswell writes about the podenco named Sky.
Podencos are still widely considered as working dogs here on the island. The abandonment of podencos who are considered too old, or who don’t show an aptitude for hunting, means the breed often makes up over half of the dogs at the shelter at any time.
One such dog was Sky. Podencos are known for their loving, trusting nature. And this gentle girl with the sad eyes was no different. Karen and Vicky Grove-Parkin, who live on Lanzarote for part of the year, tell how this dream adoption came about: “We first visited SARA to walk the dogs after hearing about it from a friend around six years ago. We always said that one day, when we had moved over full time, we would get a podenco.”
Karen continues “However, whilst looking at SARA’s posts on Facebook, up popped this beautiful but sad face that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I even tagged my wife into her post and wrote »Look at her’. SARA was having a market day, and I saw her face again. She was looking at me over the kennel. Her beautiful brown eyes looking at me.”
Karen and Vicky made enquiries about adopting Sky: “I arrived back in England and that’s when the call came. We instantly said yes. It took a few months to sort out the paperwork and wait for a flight. Sky, as she had been named, landed in Manchester and I travelled up to meet her.”
She quickly settled into her new home: “Her name is now Cielo as we wanted her name to be culturally fitting. She is the most loving, warm and friendly dog. We’re always stopped and asked what breed she is, and she is so gentle with all the young grandchildren; she wants to be in the midst of them all. We love her and wouldn’t be without her. I would definitely recommend a podenco as a family pet for an active family.”
There are lots of animals waiting for their happy endings at SARA. Adopting an animal to another country is not cheap, but help and advice is available in English. The shelter would also love to hear from people who would like to adopt a dog or a cat here on Lanzarote. There are also other ways to help through donating much needed funds or sponsoring an animal. Other great ways to help are donating your time to walk dogs or volunteer at the monthly market. For information about adopting and any other enquiries contact SARA directly on (+34) 928 17 34 17 or email info@sara-lanzarote.eu. Or visit the SARA website www.saraprotectora.org.
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