JAIRA
Bossy, loving and good company
Sonia first fell in love with galgos when she tried to help an abandoned dog at a petrol station in Spain many years ago. “I was always dreaming to have one of these.” She reminisced that “something inside told me that I had to have one”. So she started to learn about the galgos and the plight of this often maltreated breed. The Spanish Galgo is traditionally bred for hunting, but they are often abused, as well as abandoned or killed once they have passed their ‘use by date’. Even the most prized ones do not necessary live their best lives, as they can be locked up in basements to prevent them from being stolen.
Sonia finally realised her dream of bringing a galgo into her family of 2 kids and 2 other adopted dogs during the pandemic. She met Jaira, who was 6, when some galgos were rescued and brought to the shelter at Cantinho da Milu. She had some lesions on her leg that suggested that she may have been ‘trained’ by being pulled behind a car.
Sonia has always been an advocate for adopting, and grew up in a house where they always had dogs that were adopted, found or given to her family. “If you still purchase dogs, that (the situation) would never end.” Sonia also prefers to adopt adult dogs as she feels like “they are more grateful and they have less opportunities to have an owner.” Sonia acknowledges that you need to have the right conditions to adopt a dog and consider if the breed will fit into you lifestyle and living situation.
Jaira is a cherished companion for Sonia. She enjoys being able to take her on adventures such as going to the beach to chase the ball or for walk the park. Sonia and Jaira sometimes go to the shelter together to assist with socialising the other galgos, helping them to learn to trust again and find their forever homes.
