Rags to Riches for Jake

Rags to Riches for Jake

Jake, who was originally named Elvis arrived in the UK in 2020 with a group of Galgos. They were then taken under the welcoming and healing wings of Greyhounds in Need before being found their forever homes.

Two year old Jake was found near the Arca de Noe shelter in Albacete, rescued by a volunteer and then was taken up to Pep's in Barcelona.

Lucky for Jake, trustee of Greyhounds in Need, Geraldine and her late husband picked up this young pup from the kennels in Stoke Poges the very next day following his and the other Galgos' arrival to the UK and took him to live with them. After settling in well he began to rule their house in Wraysbury, Staines.

Jake is such a lovable and characterful boy. He is taken to Greyhounds in Need offices on the days Geraldine works, where he then proceeds to runs rings around the team with his antics.

He likes lots of tickles and massages and works his way around whoever is in the office and talks a lot while the humans are trying to concentrate. It's 'All about me- he thinks' and he's probably right!

Jake is very friendly with other dogs and sometimes even shares his office bed with them.

At 11am, Jake gets his harness and lead off the chair hinting for his walk and knows that at 1pm punctually that it's time for his food. Often after eating his own lunch if not caught, he will try to take food from the humans plates in a blink of an eye before they've even finished their food!

Such a clever dog, Jake sometimes sneaks out to the kitchen to check out the bin for extras and is an expert at removing the lid.

Never doubt a Galgo is not bright. Jake helps Geraldine pick the winning tickets for our yearly Summer raffle!

Jake along with other Galgos Greyhounds In Need bring to the UK are the lucky ones

Galgos (breed name galgo español) have been bred and trained to hunt in the rural areas of Spain, for coursing the hare with betting but the season is only 4 months after which time they are abandoned or brutally killed. Many have not been handled kindly, some have suffered in overcrowded shelters in Spain, making them wary of other dogs, and some need gentle socialisation and a lot of reassurance that they are never going to be hungry or hurt again. They were rescued in the first place by volunteers who themselves suffer the hostility of their own countrymen for showing such concern and care.

As Jake was only 2 he was probably discarded in Spain as was not showing hunting skills. He isn't bothered by small animals and ignores cats showing no prey drive.

Galgos make great pets

Galgos have never been in a home before and will need time to settle in and get used to their new surroundings. Noises from the TV, hoover, washing machine may scare your galgo to start with but with reassurance and patience from you these fears will soon be overcome.

Some settle in very quickly some are still traumatised by their past and take longer to settle in.

New adopters must take care during the early days after adoption to protect both the galgo and other small creatures around him/her, like cats, birds, and small dogs. A galgo wants most of all to love and be loved and, given the chance, will prove to be a wonderful companion, almost disbelieving of the attention he/she receives from you.

www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk