Having read your article, it brought back memories of when my husband and sons went to look for a puppy at Live Arico, as a surprise for me. We had been talking about getting a dog for sometime, but never took the plunge. They fell in love with an older dog (we think he was about 18mths old) who had been handed over for one reason or another. After having him with us now for over 2yrs he´s our only “son” at home – my two sons have flown the nest! We would be lost without our little star and he gives so much back to us in terms of love and affection! He´s an absolute joy to have and is totally adored in our family and we are happy to have found him and be part of our family. I always make a donation whenever I can, attend some of the fund raising (I won a fish & chip meal for two at one of them!) and only have praise and admiration for everyone who helps at Live Arico and K9. Of course I want one of the lovely puppies, but I know it´s not possible, so whoever is thinking about having one or indeed having any of the many dogs that are being cared for …. go ahead and take the plunge, you won´t regret it!

I came to live in Tenerife with my partner and our dog Rusty when I retired 5 years ago. For 3 months I was on ‘holiday’ and I then became bored and needed something to do. I became a volunteer at the K9 kennels 4 days a week dog walking, cleaning, grooming, cuddling, and all the other tasks associated with life at the kennels. I went from a 36 inch waist to a 32 within 18 months, and I put this down to the dog walking, though the daily walk from the Las Chafiras bus stop to the kennels also played it’s part!
Sadly, last March, Rusty died, just 2 months short of his 17th birthday. He now has a little grave in San Miguel village which we visit each month. We said we would never get another dog, as Rusty did curtail our visits back to the UK. However, 3 months later, one of the strays at the kennels, a little black canarian caniche, kept following me round and we became quite attached. My partner agreed and we re-homed Fifi from June. She has been an absolute joy; so aware, obedient and affectionate, and thoroughly enjoys her 3 daily walks round the Siam Park area. We toyed with the idea of getting her another dog for company but didn’t do anything about it…at first! 4 weeks ago, a 6 week old ball of fluff was found abandoned at the kennels when we arrived one morning. To cut a long story short, Trixie is now the companion of Fifi and they play together continuously. Trixie is still too young to go outdoors on walks with Fifi, but she toilets on newspaper on the balcony with only the very odd ‘accident’. We cannot imagine life now without our two newly adopted daughters. Anyone reading this and having reservations about re-homing a refuge dog, please re-consider. You just might be lucky as we were!
Mikey K9