Pet Corner| Lilly, Gail and Jolly
Lilly was found in Portimão after a death-defying accident. A hit and run! APAA (Association for Protection of Animals Algarve) came to her rescue. She had been adopted by ‘Pai’ Joaquim, who had to move into a “no pets” nursing home.
Lilly is loving, loyal, obedient. If she cannot be with her ‘Pai’, could she be with you? Lilly is resting in between jobs with Caroline at Pet Park.
Growing up in Africa, Gail Skinner learnt about animals from a very early age. Now working with dogs full-time in the Algarve, she has six dogs. “Four of them are challenges,” as Gail puts it. “That’s the reason I have set up the ‘Awkward But Awesome’ programme to help owners and their dogs.”
Sixteen-month-old Bull Terrier Lucy was her first challenge. “I was 10. Lucy was in her third home.” Perhaps ‘Lucky’ Lucy found Gail determined to put things right. “She wouldn’t walk on a lead. As soon as Lucy was attached to anything, she would simply lie down. Working with Lucy, an abused, brutally beaten animal, was the starting point of my journey.”
Reminiscing, Gail understood, as a child, that the critical point of a dog and its owner is the “bond”. How to build that bond is clearly the link between relationship of the owner and dog. “With a weak relationship, the outcome for the dog can be detrimental,” Gail pauses. “The options, none of them, pleasant. Re-homing, abandonment, kennelled and confined. Euthanised.” There is an enormous impact in this statement. “Lucy was so badly treated by people, emotionally and physically, in her past. Yet, she would give her life to protect us… Why?” Good question.
APAA’s new approach poster caught your eye? Their next Pop-up is at The Jolly Bar in Alvor on March 25, from 11am to 3pm. Their themed event is ‘Household Gadgets, Gizmos and Widgets’. Anything that may be suitable for fixing, doing or improving.
APAA’s President Jenny Clarke is promoting her novel Pop-up idea. “We have bread-makers, a cooker hood. Oh yes, a wet and dry hoover.” Mm, sounds just right for a woman-man cave! Our stalwart artist Gill Goode with her cards, paintings and eye-catching, magnets. Fi-Line Fiona’s new Spring Collection along with bargain rails. Jenny adds: “There is a special ‘Pet Corner’ for our furry friends too!”. There’s bound to be something just waiting for a new home! Pop-in to The Jolly Bar, have a drink, bite to eat and enjoy the fun!
Contact APAA: [email protected] www.apaaportugal.com
Charity Shops: Alvor, Dunas Complex, Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-2pm; or Silves, Rua Elias Garcias 20, Monday-Saturday, 10am-2pm. Loads of stuff to buy. We need good quality items too!
For more information about Lilly, contact Caroline England at [email protected], Gail Skinner at [email protected], www.awesome-dogs.com
Everyone is on Facebook! Interested in hosting a poster? Or a Pop-Up? Volunteer?
