I am sorry to report that I have just witnesses the worst case of animal neglect I have ever seen in my life.

About a week or so ago my daughter and I saw a young pointer cross roaming around Pulpite, it was clear to see she was abandoned and very, very thin. Our instant reaction was to go out to her and offer her comfort and food however, we are not in a position to re home another dog so we managed to throw some scraps out of the kitchen window for her and hoped this would see her on her way.  I know that might sound a bit cowardly but we have been in this situation before and have had no option other than to re home these poor dogs because of our situation.

Today we saw the same poor dog and clearly her situation had deteriorated, she could barely walk and was being chased away by our spanish neighbours.  OH could stand it no longer and took a dish of food and water and went to find her.  Sadly he could not.

We went out later this evening and finally found her.........my god she was so thin and so tired and sooooooo scared.  I have never seen a dog so emaciated certainly not in real life.  The poor little mite was covered in ticks and so cold despite the fact the evening is reasonably warm.

We had no option, there is a moral dilemma here.  We either take on this poor forgotten dog, ( which we cannot do ) or we leave her and watch her die.  No contest really we had to do something.  We have brought her home, we have removed all her ticks and there must have been at least 100 of them maybe more, we have given her some small meals, water, and good love and stroke and put her to bed.  Tomorrow she will get a bath and we will check on her wounds and dress as necessary.

Throughout all we did to her she never flinched nor protested, she is very young I would imagine she is between 6 - 9 months and to my eye she has not had her first season yet.  I know dogs pretty well and to my mind this little lady will make a splendid pet.  Please if anyone can find some kindness in their heart please give her a home.  If within the next few weeks I cannot home her I will have her put to sleep as that is the kindest thing I can do, other than being able to offer her a home, which I cannot do.  I will post some photos probs tomorrow.

We have two dogs of our own and unable to take any more but will ask around and see if anyone else can.  Hope you find a home for her as it would be a great pity if she had to be put down after all you've done for her.

I totally understand Ann I know exactly where you are coming from.  I also have two dogs and as I'm due to move again I cannot undertake another pet.  I have to move due to my mothers illness, and although I moved two months ago and then came back, I know how difficult it is to find rental properties who will take one animal let alone 4 ( two cats, two dogs).  I would love to keep her if I knew I was staying here but really not possible at this time.

I have wept for two hours as I cannot believe the lack of care given to this little dog.  I love all of my animal family and if I ever found myself in the position where I knew I could no longer care for them, I would try my hardest to find them a new family, if I failed then I would have them put to sleep as I could not bear the thought of them homeless, frightened and abandoned.  I know some will not agree with my thinking, but I have seen far too many pets discarded, without a second thought and not understanding that this is a life albeit an animal life,  and they do have feelings, they do feel pain, loss, bewilderment etc.  I think I must have the most sensitive dalmatian in living record, because he empathises with everyone....lol  If one of us is ill or depressed, angry, whatever this boy of mine senses it, and he tries his hardest to pull you out of it or give you a big love....silly spotty boy...lol

Hopefully there will be a happy ending, says the eternal optimist !

Perhaps posting some pics will spur someone on.  Let us know how she's doing, must be someone out there willing to give this dog a home, they'll get so much more in return, rescue animals are so rewarding and so affectionate.  Watching them gain in health and confidence is reward enough but they give so much loyalty and love in return.  It's so difficult to say no to some of the dogs in the area that just need a home and someone to care.  
And if you ever need a rental property that will accept animals let me know as I know of at least two.

I too am an animal lover - however I fully agree with the Spanish mentality in relation to animal care !!

We British in my opinion are far to used to our pet loving tendencies for example:

NSPCC - [g]National[/g] Society for Prevention to Cruelty to Children - is only a nationally recognised charity for the most vulnerable in Britain - the kids!! (This year 114 million raised)

However

RSPCA - ROYAL Society for Prevention of Cruelty to ANIMALS - Has a royal charter (This year almost 378 million raised)

Go figure !!

So an animal charity has Royal Backing yet a children's charity has not ??????

Perhaps Spain's approach is better (Family first) - please don't berate me its only an observation/option !!

Hey Boothy as an ex social worker I know where you are coming from but we are in Spain so for me although I am aware of the figures and the statistics, they are not tugging my chains right now.

The point in question right now for me, is how can people treat animals this way?

Don't get me wrong I am not having a pop at you, not at all, as I really understand your thinking and agree there is something very badly wrong there.

I am just working in the here and now for a while and just want to find this little girl a home.

I just wish I had a wand to make this world a nicer place, but I accept I sat on my rose coloured specs many moons ago  ;)

Ann Nice offer and I am very grateful, however I am not looking to rent here in Andalucia.  I have a cave house here that I am not wanting to leave but my circumstances dictate I have to, not financial, emotional.  Worst kind Huh!

Just in case anyone is feeling soppy here are some pics of the dog and her ticks.

I totally agree that family and children do come first and always will do, however animals still need human kindness too.  How someone out there has a heart.

Oh Van..you know we'd have her if we could, but we have 4 abandoned dogs already! I grew up with pointers, my Dad used them as gun dogs and they do have lovely natures. Aren't ticks the most vile creatures ever created? What purpose do they serve on this earth?? They still manage to attach themselves to our dogs, even with Frontline and flea/tick collars - yuk! Anyway, good luck with your search for a new owner for her. x

Little update on this little girl.  She has just had a socialising moment with my big spotty lad and the little spotty runt...lol

She did splendidly well and only managed to slap the big boy once    He was gutted given he is twice the size of her, and now very embarrassed.  She is now back in her temp quarters but will be back out to play in the morning.  What a difference a night makes     She is a lot happier today she is not scratching her skin off as she was before, she is doing the usual doggie ablutions within a safe range and she is eating little and often.

However we did find out tonight whilst socialising with her on our terrace she shares a few bad habits with our spotty boy, in that she has a penchant for brandy and coke (Fat chance to no chance....Bob Hope to no hope of getting any of mine)  Every time I walked anywhere near here with a brandy and coke she was trying to knock me over to mug me for it  

She tucked herself up in one of our many doggie beds on the terrace and took a nap whilst we had our tea then she headed off for her tea and bed.  So far she is responding very well to our efforts.

I had a thought today mainly because of the way she kept looking around her.  It may well be she has not been thrown out but lost!!!  She constantly seems to be looking for something or someone and has made a firm attachment to OH, despite the fact it was me, myself and I that tended to her wounds etc...How does that work then.....lol

She a bitch and she loves the men!!! Well done with the care.  
Today we have collected a little cat that my other half found on the campo while out with the dogs.  It was terrified as it couldn't walk.  Took it to the vet, he said it's very dehydrated, gave it a shot of antibiotics and some fluid.  We have to give it fluids every half hour, guess I'm going to have a lovely night of worry.  Not sure if it will make it or not but will keep our fingers and toes crossed.

Hi Atila, how that dog doing had any luck finding an owner yet?  

The little cat we found is still with us and improving slowly.  Seems quite bright,very weak but getting stronger.  Still having to force feed liquid food.  Problem is I'm not used to cats and don't have much knowledge of them, so any tips welcomed.  Think this one is a little boy!?

Hi
We also were involved in a rescue some time ago, but the story kind of puts things into perspective a little bit regarding how the Spanish treat their animals.
My other half went to Huescar to buy a pony, and in the stall next to her was a very emaciated elderly mare. When asked what the story was with the horse, the owner told us that because she was no longer able to work and earn money, she would die. At this time she was up to the middle of her legs in her own excrement, and there were millions of flies around her. (I'm sure you get the picture)
My hubby asked the guy why he didn't get the vet out to put her down. His reply was that he couldn't afford it. Looking around at the owners living conditions, that wasn't hard to believe. But then my hubby suggested that he put her down humanely by shooting her. His reply was that he couldn't even afford a bullet.
Needless to say, she came back with us, after paying 600 euros for her! But we couldn't leave her in those appalling conditions.
When we got her back to ours, she fell off the side of the ramp of the horse box, and we really thought she was going to die there and then as we couldnt get her on her feet she was so weak.
Eventually with a lot of help from neighbours, we got her into a stable. She is still with us now after almost 3 years. Still a bit ribby, but cleansed of fleas, lice, numerous tics and all sorts of other things that she came to us with.
So don't give up hope for your poor rescued dog, someone will come forward I am sure, even if not straight away. Good luck.

Little dog is doing very well, although she does seem to have a five speed backside, however it was ten speed when she first arrived so there is improvement.

She has now mastered the art of slinking in and out of the cat door, and found her voice yesterday morning.  She started barking like a lunatic and for the life of me I could not see what she was barking at.  It turned out that one of my cats had uncovered a mouse nest and had deposited a tiny baby mouse on the terrace, and this was what she was barking at....lol

She found on her foray into the house via the cat door, that inside the house was a bountiful supply of dog food and water.  I thought she would have gorged herself, given her situation, but she only had a couple of mouthfuls and left it.  I guess she has worked out, that at least at this house, there is never a shortage of dog food.

She has calmed down to the point she will eagerly greet you and come and lick your hand.  We had to go out and shop yesterday and when we got back, she ran to the gate with the other two dogs and gave us such a welcome.  It was nice to see.

I am not giving up hope of finding her a new home, I am sure that someone will see what a bright, loving and intelligent little dog she can be.

She has taken to carrying things around in her mouth, she does not cause any damage but she clearly likes the process.  She took our little chihuahua/cross toy yesterday which is actually a little beanie toy chihuahua called 'chi chi, our littlest dog was not best amused and had a fit of pique and took it off her.....lol

Any updates on your poor dog?
It seems a while since your last post... is she still OK?
I am mentioning her to every likely source...

Thanks ever so much Rosie that is really very kind and caring of you and much appreciated.

She is doing ok she is being wormed which is good for her but not for the yard mucker outa which would be ME   She is purging like a good un

She has wrecked my cat door (Sorry Kate) because she thought she knew how it worked and then found she did not when it turned into a jigsaw puzzle     She had a go at my dally and bless him he stood for it.  Anyone that knows me, knows my dally boy is quite a big tough guy, so this was a "what???!!" situation for us, as he has never stood for this before and she is not the first waif and stray.

She so badly needs and deserves a nice family and I truly wish we could be that family but circumstances being as they are I cannot commit to another dog.

I do not wish to harp on about this but if you could please speak to family and friends to see if they could find a place in their lives to include this little girl.  I hate to say this again but if I get no responses from anywhere soon I have really no alternative, much as it will break my heart to have to put a healthy dog down.  The other options are not options and not even to be considered

Hi Atila,
it is great that you have the heart to help where help has been very much required.   I wish you well with re-homing her, and am very sorry that I can not help, as now have 14 dogs of our own.   Two years ago we came over to Spain with one dog, and due to similar stories of abandonment, we now have 14 lovely, though a little noisy dogs.
Regards,
Ian......

14!

The Sierras have so very kindly included the little dog in their July issue so that might just do the trick, here is hoping.  She is now playing with things which is a very good sign. She is still very timid but also very affectionate.

14 Dogs   Wow that is some record  

I think that 14 dogs makes you a dog rescue home all by yolurself!