Podenco Moreno - a hard life at the hands of a galguero

The story of Moreno, from Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends.

For many months we have been talking with the local hunters to show them there is an alternative for the Podencos they no longer want or need. Last week they handed Moreno into our care. He needs a complicated surgery to try and save his front leg. This is from a fracture that happened over a year ago and was left to heal with no treatment. If gives him a lot of pain at the moment, he is just about terrified of everything. We are working with him to try and build a level of trust in us.

There is such sadness in Moreno´s eyes, I don't know what happened with in his time with the hunter that handed him over, but Moreno is in a constant state of stress and fear. Everything scares him, he does not understand the concept of sleeping in a basket, his body language, the hunched posture, the licking of the lips, looking away, the shaking of his body, he seeks refuge in dark corners. But there is a glimmer of hope, he likes to be stroked and the wag of his tail. It will take some time to build trust and for him to believe. My heart tells me there is a gentle soul, there he will be a lovely dog in time.

His blood tests are back and he is negative for med diseases. A specialist has seen his x-rays and will see him next week to see what we can do to help that badly damaged front leg.

(Update) Moreno x-rays confirmed it is old fracture and left to heal on its own has left it badly out of alignment. Bruno our vet words “it's a mess” so we sent them to the specialist to review and see if we can operate. It hasn´t affected the joints which is good news but in time it will and he must be in some discomfort for he limps and holds the leg off the ground a lot. The skin condition is nothing serious, some baths in a special shampoo and antibiotics should clear that up. We have vaccinated passport and microchipped him.

If you can help towards the vet fees for Moreno, paypal [email protected]

Personally, no doubt you will agree with me, how the hell could a man leave a dog that long with an obviously badly broken/deformed leg!!! He's not human!