12/02/2026
When I moved to Spain I thought my world would magically fall into place.
I thought the universe would conspire to fulfill my dreams of happiness, a successful career and financial security.
That's not gone to plan, but im still trying, still optimistic and still positive, but its often a daily battle.
I am an animal healer, communicator, canine massage therapist and knew a bit about nutrition.
So, One of the first things I got right was finding a rescue to volunteer at
On the website page. I saw one dog, a ginger, whirey, pondenco with a whiskered face and sparkle in his amber eyes and felt a connection.
I started there in November 2023. 3 months after moving here.
Of the 11 dogs at the rescue, I knew he needed my help most and he already had my heart.
A 2 year old pondenco puppy in a cage with so much pent up energy and love and so very intelligent that he learned how to flip the handle on his cage.
Brando was a handful. The volunteers called him "the demon dog" because when overstimulated his eyes rolled white and only pinning him to the ground untill he calmed down would work. (I hated them using negative language around him) Of course, Most people couldnt cope and just shut him back in again when all he needed was to burn off the energy.
He was so exited to have attention he would jump up and my jacket soon became ripped to shreds. I eventually stopped the jumping up by greeting him at his level.
The dogs weren't getting enough exercise or interaction and the energy, stress and anxiety would build up to explode when they got some attention when the doors opened.
I bonded fast with Brando through long walks, cuddles, sitting in his cage so he felt safe and protected. We were list boys together.
His first walk on a harness was a triumph. He didn't pull, kept checking in on me and at a cafe. Learned to sit in 5 minutes. The other volunteers couldn't believe he was the same dog when i sent a video of us.
I would take Brando out with the Gandia & La Safor Walking group that I took over running and he learned to socialise and I could learn his behaviour and reactions to different things to work on.
I knew Brando's diet wasnt working for him. Once on wheat free, his health and temperament improved.
It wasnt long before I could walk him off lead, knowing he had recall and after we would sit in the car with his head on my lap dozing, decompressing with deep sighs and feeling safe and loved.
I often spent 4 or 5 hours with him walking, sitting in his cage and letting him sleep safely and in peace.
Brando always went crazy when he saw me and stuck by my side. He was my best mate.
Brando was adopted by a great guy with an aweful taste in music in Barcelona 1 year after we met. He trained dogs well, maybe a little too well for me. As i still like to see their characters in there.
It broke my heart and I cried for two weeks.
My little friend who had helped me through the adjustment to moving here, the passing of my Cleo Catra, He was one of the few true friends and right decisions I had made when I moved here and was gone.
We said our goodbyes on a roundabout in Tavernes and I always get a pang in my heart when I pass it.
I said I would stop volunteering after Brando left. But I couldn't, too many furry souls need my help, knowledge and understanding. 27 months on and history is repeating itself with Noa, Mia and many more.
Ive not seen Brando since, they said they would visit but have not.
I wrote a poem to help me grieve him when he went.
I recently found an app that makes songs from lyrics and I put my poem to song.
Of course it had to be country style.
I hope it will play
Listen and make your own on Suno.
