In the streets of Spain, where hunting season often ends in tragedy for galgos — a breed of Spanish greyhound — one emaciated dog named Matilda found a glimmer of hope.
Starved to the point where her bones protruded through her skin, Matilda couldn’t hold back her tears when she realized someone had come to help.
These sleek, gentle dogs are commonly used for hunting in Spain but are discarded in alarming numbers at the season’s end. Often seen as disposable, many end up in kill shelters or abandoned to die alone. Galgos del Sol Animal Rescue, a nonprofit devoted to saving these animals, is determined to change that.
Matilda’s rescue began when a group of young people spotted her and reached out to Tina Solera, the founder of Galgos del Sol. Tina, who was nearby at the time, rushed to help.
Though she hoped for a smooth rescue, Matilda was terrified and defensive. Tina didn’t have a muzzle, and the frightened dog began biting out of panic. Thankfully, with the help of the same young people who called for help, Matilda was carefully placed into a crate.
“The screaming and crying was so stressful,” Tina shared on Facebook. “But what a brave bunch of young ones who helped me. Hopefully they’ll become ambassadors for the galgos.”
After the emotional rescue, Tina brought Matilda to a hospital. Unsure whether the cries were from pain or fear, Tina was heartbroken by the ordeal. “In the last hour, I’ve aged about 30 years,” she said. “It makes you feel useless.”
Matilda was in dire condition: covered in ticks, running a fever, and dangerously underweight. She was given fluids, pain medication, and underwent full-body scans to check for broken bones. Fortunately, no major injuries were found.
A few days later, Matilda began showing signs of recovery. Though she still suffered from emotional trauma and occasional outbursts of fear, her health improved with hydration, treatment for tick-borne illness, and regular meals.
“She’s just a pup who has already been to hell and back,” Tina said. The moment Matilda wagged her tail for the first time was a powerful milestone in her healing.
Tina believes that with time, Matilda will find confidence and peace. “She’s still insecure, but day by day she’s getting a bit better,” she noted.
Galgos del Sol was born out of Tina’s encounter with a stray galgo whose soulful eyes and gentle demeanor forever changed her life. Today, the organization is a registered charity in Spain, the UK, and the US. It rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes galgos, podencos, and mixed breeds — currently caring for around 150 dogs.
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