Seniors – WHY Adopt?
“I love a senior just as much as any other Galgo. But they get overlooked. They suffer great torment like many and so much more. The torment never seems to end.
Often fed drugs so they can be bred from continuously like they are factories, left in squalid conditions, chained up, neglected. Once they are of no use, their bodies unable to take any more, they are disposed of like nothing more than a piece of rubbish.
I would like to share a Senior success story.
A good friend I know who has fostered quite a few for Project Galgo, over a year ago took in a senior Galga called Yerma. Yerma was saved by Galgos del Sur, Cordoba. She arrived at their shelter, frail, weak, with a hopeless look in her eyes. She looked so vulnerable, with no concept of her worth. She walked as if her next step would be her last. How had she survived all this time?
Galgos have a resilience like no other being, they are amongst the bravest of souls, who have the propensity to forgive the darkest evils of the world. But every Galgo has their limit and sadly, thousands do not survive – thousands upon thousands.
Yerma was at her limit. I am not sure she would have made another day. When a being loses hope, what is there left?
I first saw Yerma when Project Galgo was appealing for a foster. As soon as I saw the photo of her, I felt I needed to help this sweetheart. Sadly it pains me that my circumstances won’t allow me to foster or adopt, so I don’t say anything, as there’s no point when you can’t, however much you would love to, help.
But no one put their hand up to take her in. It left me down hearted, disappointed, feeling like I was letting her down and wondering why there is always this stigma of they are to0 old, won’t have them for very long, they are probably going to be riddled with health problems.
To me, none of it matters, because, for me, it is not about me. I would like them to know true happiness and peace in their time left. When I found out Yerma would be coming, thanks to my friend, my heart leapt for joy.
Yerma arrived 24/02/24 – she was shy to begin with but her confidence soon grew. I have known Yerma for a year now and she is delightful.
Saved from the Perrera (very often kill shelters in Spain), only ever knowing a miserable lifetime of neglect, she was also diagnosed with Leishmaniasis.
Project Galgo offered to help cover any ongoing treatment, but despite this she was still overlooked.
Yerma, the Senior no one wanted to foster or adopt, is living her best life she has ever known in good health and I have seen the gratefulness Yerma shows. She adores her Mum, radiating love and affection, her eyes express how grateful she is for the love, comfy bed, decent meals and a home where she is cherished. It is like she is looking into your very soul, it’s that intense!
When she looks at me, I also see in her eyes the thank you for being a friend, someone who only shows kindness, not bringing any horror. The look is so powerful.
This is why I would foster or adopt a Senior. It is so rewarding – they are easy going, no complaints made, faithful, noble, humbly grateful and would make a good first time Galgo in my opinion.
They say never judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge by how they appear – look beyond and if you take in one of these incredible Senior Souls, you will not regret it.
The time they have left, every moment, should be seen as a gift, an everlasting one.”
Written by John Brett
NOTE: As of October 2025, Project Galgo offer a lower adoption fee for Seniors over 10 years old and can try to assist with some of the medical costs with health conditions such as Leishmaniasis