This morning we had to say goodbye to some of our friends. The whole week was more busy than normal. Checking dogs and taking blood samples. Putting the more scared dogs already in the patio so that Friday morning they can take the short-cut to the Scooby-bus. Collecting the dogs already from the quarantine kennels so that will keep us from making miles on Friday morning. It is a different kind of business than normal and our intelligent dogs notice. Especially when in the morning the bus drives into the patio, the fences close to avoid escape and the large table being put out. All the passports and papers are put onto that table to finish all the administration that comes with a transport.

People who usually have their day-off on Friday show up. That is what you do when your best friends are about to make one of the biggest journeys of their lives. Until the last minute the amount of dogs that are leaving is unknown. It depends upon the size of the dogs and whether they want to share a bench. We respect that there are dogs who rather travel alone and cannot stand another dog in close proximity. They are almost human.

And then the time has come. Our praised chauffeurs, María Jose and María have put on their neat clothes. They have put the bags with clean undies, toothbrush and spare clothes in the back of the bus. The bags with sandwiches, cookies, sweets and drinks are in the front. They start the bus. Oh wait a minute, we forgot the passports didn’t we? No, we’ve got everything. Take care, don’t speed and drive safely. Better late then never: the last thing we would want is an accident. And off they go with their precious freight.

And we are not relieved, yet. That will happen when we have had notice that they have arrived safely. It is not until then that we feel relieved. Still we are not happy at heart, because, well, look at all these empty spots in the paddocks. It feels strange. Take Orlando for instance, the sweet and handsome, the tall and tough though good-at-heart podenco Orlando.

The greatest friend of Isabella, Kathi and Cocky who shared the paddock with you. You have all played for hours on end. How they will miss you, and how will I. For three years you have stayed at Scooby and now you are off to your new family who are awaiting your arrival eagerly.

We will have to get used to your absence, and though that is hard, it is for a good cause. This is why you were here in the first place. To find yourself a loving family that you can call your own. Who will take even better care of you than we did en who will give you all the warmth and attention  that you need. Goodbye sweetie. Maybe we will meet again. We hope that your new family will be so kind to send us a picture of you now and again and let us know how you are doing? All of us here would love that.

Philip and Jafet also leave behind an empty place. Both of you so scared. Heaven knows what you had to go trough but it is obvious that is was awful. Just when you both got used to the pace here at Scooby, you are being put in a bench again. This morning I saw you thinking: what is happening? I saw it in the look from those big, brown and sad eyes of yours. You were shaking so hard as if it was freezing cold though it was not! Darlings, do not be afraid. That is what we told you. From now on life gets even better. When you came here you came from hell and arrived in heaven. And the place you are going to now is even better. Believe us. Within a while, when you are more comfortable in your new surroundings, you will have to admit that it was not such a bad idea to get into that bus after all.

Another big, empty spot will be left after the departure of Moro. For seven years he lived at Scooby and now he is off to Germany. By now they sure know what a great dog he is. Is there any dog who deserved it more to get a home and a loving family? I do not think so. And he has waited so long!

And I can go on and on telling about the emptiness we felt when, for instance, Riquelme, Cindy, Alberto, Gonzo and Mortadella have left. The all leave their empty space and still it is the right thing to happen. We all know that in Sevilla a 100, maybe 150 galgo’s are kept under the most horrific circumstances. Where they are so hungry that they eat their litters in order to survive. Where they have the most hideous scars, not only from being driven trough barbed wire by their masters, the galgueros, but also from the feeding frenzy when a lump of meat is being tossed in their quarters. Heaven knows when they have eaten recently. When you look at the poor creatures it most have been days ago.

Our friends had to leave to go and live somewhere else to make space for dogs that have a very hard time at the moment, especially when it is as cold as it is. Why is this happening to them? Nobody knows. But once you have seen them you cannot forget them and leave them on their own. So that is why, dear Orlando, Philipe, Jafet, Moro and all the others who made room for those other dogs. Thank you for letting us take care of you. We hope that we have helped you to make a start at putting the pain and the fear behind you. Thank you for giving us your faith. We love you and will never ever forget you. We wish you all the best for your new life and please, let us know how you are doing!!

Also from Ahmed, Edu, Ghani and all the other fellow workers and volunteers of Scooby that looked after you,