Club PAWS-SOME

julio – Martine and Derrick

Congratulations to Martine and her late dog “Derrick”, our 9th winners.

Derrick’s story started with sadness and trauma but due to Martine and her partner’s compassion, his final 5 years were filled with unconditional love and safety.

Derrick was found in enero 2016, stumbling up and down pavements, around 8 years old. After being taken to one of the local charities, it was obvious that Derrick had a serious eye condition, thought initially to be cataracts. After further investigation it was discovered he had detached retinas, caused by blunt head trauma and highly likely due to abuse.

There was no cure and it really looked as if Derrick had no future.

Martine & her partner stepped in to foster him, realising a kennel really is no place for any dog, let alone one that is blind and terrified.

In Martine’s words:

“Our first meeting with Derrick was him cowering in a corner of his kennel, sitting in his water bowl, absolutely petrified and we knew then this would be a long journey. We had lots to do in preparation for his arrival – buying baby gates for stairs, moving furniture and hours of research about blind dogs, but we visited him twice a week for 3 weeks, taking home made liver cake, socks and slippers with our scent so he could get to know us. Eventually, Derrick became part of our family.

It was no plain sailing. It was clear he had never been in a home environment, hated a lead and most definitely didn’t want to be confined anywhere, even in a loving home. We can only imagine the trauma of his previous life, locked in an outbuilding for abuse and let out to be a guard dog the rest of the time.

The first week he howled like a wolf pleading to be let outside. So, that’s what we did – “Derrick proofed” it to shut access off to the pool, built a large brick kennel behind bushes to offer him a safe haven, popped a sofa in there and named it “Derrick’s Den”.

It was obvious from Derrick’s temperament he was petrified of everything, even the scent or a voice sent him scuttling through the bushes to find his safe place.

Blind dogs are amazing in remembering their surroundings and it wasn’t long before he knew the layout of the garden, where his food and water was, where the grass was for him to roll around on and where the best place was to bury his bones, then dig them up to enjoy when he thought we weren’t watching (but we always were). Don’t get me wrong, he was still avoiding going anywhere near us, but month by month, year by year, we gained his trust and eventually we were able to sit next to him for a chat, feed him treats and stroke him.

Derrick had the best 5 years of his life with us before, very sadly, suffering a stroke, with us at his side.

Derrick was an extremely special boy and his resilience after all he had previously been through showed his true character. It also shows through patience and determination from us humans that we can turn a tragic past in to a wonderful future. Also, we must not allow our belief that animals with some kind of disability will not bring you anything less than joy and the most incredible happiness.

From the most awful unimaginable life to one of contentment, happiness and love, I genuinely believe Derrick shone his superpowers down in having his name picked from the PAWS-SOME bucket. His way perhaps of saying thank you and letting us know he’s never far away.”

Congratulations to Martine, and well done Derrick.

Martine has chosen vouchers for local restaurants and will purchase a little something from the PAWS-PATAS Amazon wish list for those in our care.nt or a voice sent him scuttling through the
bushes to find his safe place
Blind dogs are amazing in remembering their surroundings and it wasn’t
long before he knew the layout of the garden, where his food and water
was, where the grass was for him to roll around on and where the best

Jim, Vicky & Crunchie

Congratulations to Jim, Vicky & Crunchie, who became the 8th winners of our PAWS-some Club. Jim and Vicky chose Crunchie, one of their cats, to represent them in the draw, so they have him to thank for their €250 of vouchers, which they intend to spend at Decathlon and on a holiday.

Crunchie was previously part of our PAWS-PATAS family after being abandoned at the shelter with his five siblings, all just a few weeks old, in agosto 2021.

This is Crunchie’s story, told by Vicky:

“We adopted Crunchie and his sister, Aero, from PAWS-PATAS in diciembre 2021 at around four months old. The boys and I went to a PAWS-PATAS fayre, fell in love with them immediately, and brought them home, much to Jim’s surprise!

Whilst Aero is the brains of the operation, requiring the house to be extra cat-proofed, Crunchie is, well, not blessed in the brains department!

So much so that he unfortunately fell three storeys from our roof two years ago and is lucky to still be here. The care from Astrid and Lily at the vets was incredible, as was the surgical team in Lorca who put him back together. Now you wouldn’t know anything had happened. He is the biggest lap cat, as you can see!”

How lovely to hear that one of PAWS-PATAS’ former residents is so settled, has a wonderful home, and has repaid his family, in a small way, for the vet bills they incurred because of his antics.

abril – Cathy & Mr. Bean

Congratulations to Cathy. Black cats have long had an unfair reputation, with many people around the world associating them with bad luck and superstition. Cathy never believed any animal could bring bad luck, but in Mr. Bean’s case, she can honestly say he brought her very good luck! Mr. Bean was found, along with another kitten (possibly his brother), abandoned in a bin and in a terrible condition. He was underweight, unwell, and had very little fur. Cathy took them both in as fosters, and Mr. Bean needed constant care, multiple baths a day due to stomach issues, and at night he would sleep tucked under the covers beside her just to stay warm. Because of the stigma around black cats, he was never adopted… so she made the easy decision to keep him. Today, Mr. Bean is thriving: healthy, full of personality and with a sleek, shiny coat. He loves going on walks with her family and their dog Chito (also adopted from PAWS-PATAS). He’s truly their little black panther and they feel incredibly lucky to have him in their lives. And yes… of course he got extra treats for helping her win the prize! Cathy has chosen to spend 150€ in a beauty salon and 100€ in her favourite restaurant.

marzo – Vicky & Apolo

Congratulations to Vicky & Apolo, our 5 th winners. Apolo’s story began in 2024 when as a timid young kitten, he & his sister, Aphrodita, were discovered in a dilapidated building on the verge of renovation. With little to no experience of human contact, both kittens were understandably nervous & wary. Fortunately, they were rescued just in time & placed into the care of an experienced foster carer, who worked patiently & compassionately to help them learn to trust. Over time & with gentle handling, both kittens began to accept human touch. Once ready, they were transferred to our cattery where their progress continued. Aphrodita was quickly adopted, leaving Apolo initially unsettled without his sister. However, with continued reassurance & care,
Apolo began to flourish. After ten months of dedication, Apolo transformed from a frightened, untouchable kitten into a sweet & affectionate young cat who loved attention & happily curled up for cuddles. Everyone at the cattery, along with Apolo’s original foster carer, were overjoyed when he finally found his forever home—fittingly located just down the road from the shelter where his journey began. Apolo’s story is a testament to the power of patience, compassion & the life-changing impact of rescue & rehabilitation. Vicky is a PAWS-PATAS volunteer and she’s chosen a pet shop so she can buy toys & goodies for the cats in our care. How lovely is that?

febrero – Kate Bullivant & Hobo

Congratulations to Kate Bullivant and her dog, Hobo, our 4th winners. Kate chose the name Hobo to represent her in the draw – one of her beloved dogs. Kate explained – “Hobo was a stray that turned up when I moved to Spain. Within a few weeks he began to trust me, then moved in permanently! He definitely ruled the roost and subsequently told his friends because he then brought another 3 to live with us. Sadly Hobo is no longer with us but he will always be my special boy”. In the photograph, Hobo is the lovely lad on the back of the sofa – looking over the others and showing he certainly did rule the roost. Well done Kate – Hobo certainly worked his magic by helping your name be picked in the draw, showing he’s still looking out for you. Enjoy your vouchers for Amazon, Decathlon, Primark and El Punto Restaurante.

enero – Nevanka & Sinatra

Congratulations to Nevanka and her cat, Nancy Sinatra, our 3 rd winners Nancy Sinatra, is a beautiful 15 year old cat. Her mum was a stray and gave birth to Nancy in Nevanka’s home. Nevanka has chosen her 250€ of vouchers from a bistro, restaurant, beauty salon and our PAWS-PATAS outlet, but we’re sure Nancy will be getting a few extra well deserved treats.