A few years back while spending some time in Andalucia, Southern Spain, we were introduced to Melampo Dog Refuge, San Roque. An organisation whose sole purpose is to safeguard and care for abandoned animals. This is the story of two very lucky Spanish Dogs...
For some time, Lydia, my wife, had been speaking of a couple of Podencos hanging around bins, next to an abandoned hotel near Duquesa Port. Unfortunately in Spain this in itself is not an uncommon sight, however over the course of several weeks, these two were starting to raise some concerned posts on local social media groups. We found out they had been hanging around for months.
One hot sunny day, Lydia went searching and returned in dismay. The pups were clearly getting weak. Some more concerned residents had posted how they had seen them venturing across a busy dual carriageway, and how attempts to capture the pair had failed. Things were not looking good.
As I stepped out for our normal afternoon walk with our own dog's, Sonny and Purdie, two friendly Border Collies, I saw two Podencos just like the ones Lydia had described. They were not far from our house and had obviously crossed that busy dual carriageway to get there. They looked exhausted, very timid and hiding from the sun at every opportunity. I moved closer, to my surprise they looked up at Sonny and Purdie, wagging their tails and behaving submissively. However each time I moved towards them they moved away. They clearly knew they needed help but understandably had trust issues. Just then a friend, Steffan, appeared and quietly helped to form a containment in order to prevent them from straying back towards the main road.
To cut a long story short, Lydia arrived and together with our dogs and our good friend Steffan, we managed to usher the pups into a small court yard at the front of an empty house. We all settled for a time to allow them to relax and build a bit of trust. It didn’t take long before the pair realised they were going nowhere. They were almost dead on their feet, it was clear they couldn’t have lasted many more days. They started to fall asleep as they sat and so relax in our presence.
I ran home and picked up a couple packing boxes, into which we carefully coaxed our new friends. A few phone calls and Melampo opened their doors to two more grateful and very lucky guests.
The rest, as they say, is history. We named the newbies, Cris (tall, long hair) and Mo (short, short hair) after the road on which their ordeal ended ‘Calle Cristobal Morales’. The first few days at the shelter were spent simply recovering and getting used to the smells and sounds of their new surroundings. The residents were lovely and formed a welcome committee who came to the wire of their pen to say hi. Cris and Mo showed interest and started eating and drinking almost right away. A trip to vets for a check over, reported all was well, so chips, documentation and, oh yes, that all important little operation… Sorry Boy’s.
So Cris and Mo became fully fledged members of the Melampo Pack and were put up for adoption. We were so pleased to discover they are listed together. They are so very close it would be hard to see them separated.
We saw them regularly, they ran and greet us with smiles and wagging tails before running off to play with their new friends.
Our time in Spain came to an end so we had to say goodbye and much love wee ones, there’s a forever home waiting and hoped it would not be long before you are there…
We have kept in close touch with Melampo and even managed to help home a couple of dogs with friends here in the UK. Then one day we heard the news we had been waiting for. Cris and Mo had been adopted, not together, but at least they would be leaving Melampo at the same time. Thanks to Animal Happyend, Cris and Mo now have new and wonderful lives in Switzerland in caring and loving forever homes. These two hold a special place in our hearts and we wish them a long and happy life full of the love they deserve.
There are many dogs at Melampo, all with similar stories. Some come and go very quickly, some have been there for a long time. The fact is they all need a loving home, a home where they can feel safe and feel they belong. I can guarantee, they will return that love back with every happy living breath.
Please, take a look at the following links and feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more about adopting a Melampo dog. Just hit the message button on the Facebook Page or grab an email from the web site.
If for whatever reason you are not in a position to adopt but would like to help in other ways, there is information about how you can donate on the web site, or feel free to contact one of the many staff or volunteer’s for more information. Helping is not all about money, if you're local or maybe just on holiday in the area, there's allways something to be done.
From us and especially from all the guests at Melampo, thank you so very much for your interest...
We support, volunteer or simply follow several, highly reputable Dog Rescue Charities inSpain and here in the UK. Please feel free to follow the links below for more information and to find out how you can get involved, make a donation or adopt a Dog in need of a loving home. Cats also in need...
Remember "Adopt Don't Shop"
Thank you
https://www.melampo.org/
MELAMPO - We are an organization whose sole purpose is to safeguard and care for those abandoned animals, with no one to care for them and how much they need love and protection.
MELAMPO - We are an organization whose sole purpose is to safeguard and care for those abandoned animals, with no one to care for them and how much they need love and protection.
https://www.animal-happyend.ch/
ANIMAL HAPPYEND - We take on the fate of neglected, abused and tortured dogs in Southern and Eastern Europe. The animals receive medical care and are placed with suitable people in Switzerland or in their country of origin.
ANIMAL HAPPYEND - We take on the fate of neglected, abused and tortured dogs in Southern and Eastern Europe. The animals receive medical care and are placed with suitable people in Switzerland or in their country of origin.
http://www.nobodywantsme.org/
NOBODY WANTS ME - We help the animals who no-one has ever wanted to adopt. These dogs and have been 'fortunate' to end up in a no-kill shelter but have been overlooked simply because they are shy, undemanding, not 'cute' enough, too big, too old.
NOBODY WANTS ME - We help the animals who no-one has ever wanted to adopt. These dogs and have been 'fortunate' to end up in a no-kill shelter but have been overlooked simply because they are shy, undemanding, not 'cute' enough, too big, too old.
https://theanimalcollective.net/
THE ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - Our obectives are to educate and raise awareness about animals and the environment as well as reduce and with time eradicate the “Abandonment and animal abuse in the Campo de Gibraltar”
THE ANIMAL COLLECTIVE - Our obectives are to educate and raise awareness about animals and the environment as well as reduce and with time eradicate the “Abandonment and animal abuse in the Campo de Gibraltar”
https://www.facebook.com/HappyEverAfterRescueTeam
HAPPY EVER AFTER RESCUE TEAM (HEART) - Our sanctuary is dedicated to providing a home for dogs that otherwise might face a very bleak future, but in the right environment can still lead a good quality of life.
HAPPY EVER AFTER RESCUE TEAM (HEART) - Our sanctuary is dedicated to providing a home for dogs that otherwise might face a very bleak future, but in the right environment can still lead a good quality of life.
https://www.nawt.org.uk/our-services/our-centres/nawt-berkshire/
NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST (NAWT) Berkshire - Trindledown Farm, is set in 10 acres of farmland on the edge of the beautiful Lambourn Downs and is a rescue and rehoming centre, specialising in the care of elderly animals.
NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST (NAWT) Berkshire - Trindledown Farm, is set in 10 acres of farmland on the edge of the beautiful Lambourn Downs and is a rescue and rehoming centre, specialising in the care of elderly animals.
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
Since 1891, we’ve been working for a better future for dogs and the people who love them. When a dog is in distress, we care for them. When a dog needs a home, we find them a loving family. When an owner needs a helping hand (or paw) – or they just can’t cope, we’re ready to step in.
Since 1891, we’ve been working for a better future for dogs and the people who love them. When a dog is in distress, we care for them. When a dog needs a home, we find them a loving family. When an owner needs a helping hand (or paw) – or they just can’t cope, we’re ready to step in.