Take proper care of your pet


Chico Visits the Vet

A man's best friend is his dog. However, adogs. The Pet Travel Scheme was introduced in
visit to the vet can be a harrowingFebruary 2000 for dogs and cats travelling
experience for both of them. Tony Robertsfrom certain European countries and was later
recounts his first visit to the Vet with hisextended to include certain long haul
new  friend  in  Spain  a  little  rescue dogcountries. There is a government information
website and a telephone helpline 0870 241
Today, is a day that Chico and I will1710. This pet passport is a great idea
remember for the rest of our lives, he isbecause apart from exceptional cases it does
having the snip, as the Spanish say he isaway with the need for quarantine, which is a
being "castrada", (it does not needdistressing  experience  for  everybody.
translating). It does sound painful, even
though the vet assures me, (whilst she takesOur experience of obtaining passports could
my 170 euros), that it is not. She would likenot have been easier. The local vet in our
the Spanish people to follow my example andhometown in Ormskirk knew exactly what was
have their dogs "castrada". This would helpneeded and the timescale involved. Therefore,
reduce the number of stray dogs and cats,it was just a case of turning up with the
although to be fair, the situation hasdogs and paying him. Bye, the way, the vets
improved considerably since we first cameare excellent in Spain, where it is a popular
here.profession and most have a smattering of
English, so a trip to the vet is not a
We sit in the reception area, smiling andlinguistic nightmare. Also, the fees and
nodding at the other dog owners, however,medications are considerable cheaper than in
both of us are shaking involuntarily. Dogsthe UK. Pet insurance is also available from
seem to know that a trip to the vet is nota number of insurance companies; premiums are
going to be a pleasant experience. Our namesconsiderably cheaper than the UK and provide
are called and I take him into the surgery. Icover  against  all  the usual contingencies.
have a terrible feeling of betrayal, I say
goodbye to Chico promising that I will returnThere are a number of ways to transport your
and then I make a dash for the nearest bar, adog, rail, ferry and plane; animals are
quick brandy should do the trick, andallowed to travel to most airports in Spain.
suddenly I remember I have given up the drinkAll need notifying prior to your departure.
for  Lent.We decided to combine our travel with a
little bit of sightseeing and left England
The  waiter  smiles  -  Buenas  diasvia the Chunnel, which was excellent, but the
plan was flawed, our route took us through
I  reply  "Coffee  con  leche,  por  favor"Paris, what an absolute nightmare, it wasn't
romantic I can tell you. However, the French
I thought I would write this article on thehotels were excellent and when I asked for a
subject that is without doubt closest to aroom for the four of us, they could not have
mans heart. No, it is not his wallet,been  more  accommodating.
although that is very close, it is his dog.
Now the Spanish have a somewhat tarnishedNot quite the same story once we got into
reputation when it comes to caring aboutSpain, here the hotels prohibited animals and
animals. In the past, they have inflictedwe finished staying in motels, mostly used by
cruelty to animals that we British justbusinessmen and long distance lorry drivers.
cannot  accept.Whilst, the furnishing were somewhat old, the
food and drink was fabulous, all you could
I still think bullfighting is horrific, ifpossible eat for 10 euros. If you are not in
you get the chance to go, and then do not,a hurry to get to your final destination,
you have been warned. Irrespective of whatthen this easy driving is recommended, the
people say about tradition and art,scenery is incredible, and don't worry about
bullfighting is gory, but it is big business,the roads , they are quiet and mainly dual
there is a lot of money involved, some of itcarriageway.
even coming from the EU in the form of
subsidies. Surprisingly, the majority ofSo there we are, the four of us (me, the wife
Spaniards are actually against or indifferentand the two dogs) sitting on a beach in the
to bullfighting and the disgraceful behaviourmid-day sun, thinking it might be a good idea
of so-called "hunters" appalls them.to find some shade, watching some young
Following the bombings Madrid, there has beenSpanish lads tease a little dog. The dog was
a change of government and now the rulingobviously starting to get a bit distressed,
PSOE is considering introducing theso the wife goes over to offer her assistance
much-needed national animal protectionand comes back with the little fellow, he is
legislation; we will have to wait and seeobviously not a pedigree, what we call a
how."bitsa", a bit of this and a bit of that, but
he is very friendly and even our two dogs
However, the good news is, it is gettingseem to like him. He shares our lunch, has
better, helped of course by the Brits, whosome liquid refreshment and decides he quite
open charity shops, rescue centres, and do alikes us. So, when it time to go home our new
truly wonderful job. Here in the southeastfound friend decides he fancies the challenge
corner of Spain, in the little coastal townof learning a new language and walks home
of Mojacar, there is a charity rescuewith us. He's been with us ever since, we
organisation called PWAS (Peoples Animalcall  him  "Chico"
Welfare Society), who since 1990 have done
outstanding work, rescuing and caring forAt this time we where living in a two
abandoned animals. Their work was recognisedbedroom, one bathroom apartment in the centre
in 2000 when they were awarded a prestigiousof Aguilas. Renting an apartment or villa in
Certificate  of Association by the R.S.P.C.A.a prime location for long-term stay is quite
difficult. The property owners are quite
When we first came to Spain, we brought ourhappy to have you for the winter, but come
two dogs with us, both Yorkshire terriers,summer and the prospect of high short-term
brother and sister. In a moment of madness myrentals, means that you will have to find
wife christened them Cagney (apparently aftersomewhere else to live. When we rented the
James Cagney, because the dog looked like aapartment, the property owner told us "no
little toughie, bless him) & Lacey (I stillanimals or pets", we told him "no
do not know where this name came from, butcockroaches". Surprisingly, in our block,
she is a cutie, the dog that is, not thealmost everybody seems to own a small dog.
wife).This flagrant breach of rules is typical of
Spanish behaviour; they often say one thing,
Before coming to Spain, we had to go throughthen either ignore it or, do the complete
the procedure of obtaining passports for theopposite.



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