| A man's best friend is his dog. However, a visit to | | | | countries and was later extended to include certain |
| the vet can be a harrowing experience for both of | | | | long haul countries. There is a government |
| them. Tony Roberts recounts his first visit to the | | | | information website and a telephone helpline 0870 |
| Vet with his new friend in Spain a little rescue dog | | | | 241 1710. This pet passport is a great idea because |
| Today, is a day that Chico and I will remember for | | | | apart from exceptional cases it does away with the |
| the rest of our lives, he is having the snip, as the | | | | need for quarantine, which is a distressing experience |
| Spanish say he is being "castrada", (it does not need | | | | for everybody. |
| translating). It does sound painful, even though the | | | | Our experience of obtaining passports could not have |
| vet assures me, (whilst she takes my 170 euros), | | | | been easier. The local vet in our hometown in |
| that it is not. She would like the Spanish people to | | | | Ormskirk knew exactly what was needed and the |
| follow my example and have their dogs "castrada". | | | | timescale involved. Therefore, it was just a case of |
| This would help reduce the number of stray dogs | | | | turning up with the dogs and paying him. Bye, the |
| and cats, although to be fair, the situation has | | | | way, the vets are excellent in Spain, where it is a |
| improved considerably since we first came here. | | | | popular profession and most have a smattering of |
| We sit in the reception area, smiling and nodding at | | | | English, so a trip to the vet is not a linguistic |
| the other dog owners, however, both of us are | | | | nightmare. Also, the fees and medications are |
| shaking involuntarily. Dogs seem to know that a trip | | | | considerable cheaper than in the UK. Pet insurance is |
| to the vet is not going to be a pleasant experience. | | | | also available from a number of insurance companies; |
| Our names are called and I take him into the surgery. | | | | premiums are considerably cheaper than the UK and |
| I have a terrible feeling of betrayal, I say goodbye to | | | | provide cover against all the usual contingencies. |
| Chico promising that I will return and then I make a | | | | There are a number of ways to transport your dog, |
| dash for the nearest bar, a quick brandy should do | | | | rail, ferry and plane; animals are allowed to travel to |
| the trick, and suddenly I remember I have given up | | | | most airports in Spain. All need notifying prior to your |
| the drink for Lent. | | | | departure. We decided to combine our travel with a |
| The waiter smiles - Buenas dias | | | | little bit of sightseeing and left England via the |
| I reply "Coffee con leche, por favor" | | | | Chunnel, which was excellent, but the plan was |
| I thought I would write this article on the subject | | | | flawed, our route took us through Paris, what an |
| that is without doubt closest to a mans heart. No, it | | | | absolute nightmare, it wasn't romantic I can tell you. |
| is not his wallet, although that is very close, it is his | | | | However, the French hotels were excellent and when |
| dog. Now the Spanish have a somewhat tarnished | | | | I asked for a room for the four of us, they could |
| reputation when it comes to caring about animals. In | | | | not have been more accommodating. |
| the past, they have inflicted cruelty to animals that | | | | Not quite the same story once we got into Spain, |
| we British just cannot accept. | | | | here the hotels prohibited animals and we finished |
| I still think bullfighting is horrific, if you get the chance | | | | staying in motels, mostly used by businessmen and |
| to go, and then do not, you have been warned. | | | | long distance lorry drivers. Whilst, the furnishing were |
| Irrespective of what people say about tradition and | | | | somewhat old, the food and drink was fabulous, all |
| art, bullfighting is gory, but it is big business, there is a | | | | you could possible eat for 10 euros. If you are not in |
| lot of money involved, some of it even coming from | | | | a hurry to get to your final destination, then this |
| the EU in the form of subsidies. Surprisingly, the | | | | easy driving is recommended, the scenery is |
| majority of Spaniards are actually against or | | | | incredible, and don't worry about the roads , they are |
| indifferent to bullfighting and the disgraceful behaviour | | | | quiet and mainly dual carriageway. |
| of so-called "hunters" appalls them. Following the | | | | So there we are, the four of us (me, the wife and |
| bombings Madrid, there has been a change of | | | | the two dogs) sitting on a beach in the mid-day sun, |
| government and now the ruling PSOE is considering | | | | thinking it might be a good idea to find some shade, |
| introducing the much-needed national animal | | | | watching some young Spanish lads tease a little dog. |
| protection legislation; we will have to wait and see | | | | The dog was obviously starting to get a bit |
| how. | | | | distressed, so the wife goes over to offer her |
| However, the good news is, it is getting better, | | | | assistance and comes back with the little fellow, he is |
| helped of course by the Brits, who open charity | | | | obviously not a pedigree, what we call a "bitsa", a bit |
| shops, rescue centres, and do a truly wonderful job. | | | | of this and a bit of that, but he is very friendly and |
| Here in the southeast corner of Spain, in the little | | | | even our two dogs seem to like him. He shares our |
| coastal town of Mojacar, there is a charity rescue | | | | lunch, has some liquid refreshment and decides he |
| organisation called PWAS (Peoples Animal Welfare | | | | quite likes us. So, when it time to go home our new |
| Society), who since 1990 have done outstanding | | | | found friend decides he fancies the challenge of |
| work, rescuing and caring for abandoned animals. | | | | learning a new language and walks home with us. He's |
| Their work was recognised in 2000 when they were | | | | been with us ever since, we call him "Chico" |
| awarded a prestigious Certificate of Association by | | | | At this time we where living in a two bedroom, one |
| the R.S.P.C.A. | | | | bathroom apartment in the centre of Aguilas. Renting |
| When we first came to Spain, we brought our two | | | | an apartment or villa in a prime location for long-term |
| dogs with us, both Yorkshire terriers, brother and | | | | stay is quite difficult. The property owners are quite |
| sister. In a moment of madness my wife christened | | | | happy to have you for the winter, but come summer |
| them Cagney (apparently after James Cagney, | | | | and the prospect of high short-term rentals, means |
| because the dog looked like a little toughie, bless him) | | | | that you will have to find somewhere else to live. |
| & Lacey (I still do not know where this name came | | | | When we rented the apartment, the property owner |
| from, but she is a cutie, the dog that is, not the | | | | told us "no animals or pets", we told him "no |
| wife). | | | | cockroaches". Surprisingly, in our block, almost |
| Before coming to Spain, we had to go through the | | | | everybody seems to own a small dog. This flagrant |
| procedure of obtaining passports for the dogs. The | | | | breach of rules is typical of Spanish behaviour; they |
| Pet Travel Scheme was introduced in February 2000 | | | | often say one thing, then either ignore it or, do the |
| for dogs and cats travelling from certain European | | | | complete opposite. |