GPS's first of nine fall transports begins next week. Sharron Thomas, Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption, and me, Marylou Hecht, GPS, are traveling to Spain to bring back the first eight lucky hounds of the season.

The travelers who range in size, shape and age are: Ringo and James > Ibizan Hound Rescue; Catalina, Rene and Timmy Pumpkin Seed > Galgos del Sol; Jade > Little Pod; and Lolo and Luna > Galgo Connection Spain.

Thanks to GPS supporters, we were able to fund James, a four year old podenco, who has lived in a kennel most of his life. Fast Friends in NH will foster him for GPS. Once he has had time to acclimate, he will be looking for his forever home. Contact telma@galgopodencosupport.org with inquiries.

We land in Madrid Tuesday morning to be met by Samantha Sacido Siekmann, our guardian angel, and embark on the 4.5 hour road trip to Murcia laden with crates, coats, collars, medicine, dog toys and treats. The majority of our time will be spent at Galgos del Sol doing whatever is needed — cleaning, feeding, cuddling, medicating and building in the serious southern Spain heat. We will also visit Ibizan Hound Rescue to spend time with their amazing pods. Mandy Simpson promised a trip to a special ice cream parlor so that is a definite!

As stressful and complicated as the months of planning and coordination are as well as the inevitable airport "hurry and wait” in Madrid and Boston — helping these dogs on their journey to forever homes is nothing less than thrilling. Telma Shaw will be on her 24 hour watch with phone in hand for updates but this time will be meeting us in Boston when we land. She will spend a couple of days in NH meeting galgos and podencos in the area and fly back to LA with Rene and Jade to deliver them into the arms of their new moms.

Thank you to all the rescuers, adopters and supporters for changing these dogs’ lives. (click on photos to enlarge and hover over photo for dog's names)