About Us
Watch out for the Scooby virus!
Volunteering at Scooby can be contagious!
Up until now I have managed not to catch either the avian flu or the swine flu. I did, however, come down with the "Scooby virus" while on a volunteering trip to Spain. How did I get infected? The answer to that is simple.
I myself have two adopted dogs who found their way to Switzerland via New Graceland, a Swiss animal protection organisation which closely collaborates with Scooby. That is why Scooby was not entirely unknown to me. I used to make a point of keeping up to date on the rescue work of Fermin and his team by checking their website. I would also regularly look at their dogs up for adoption. Slowly but surely the notion of volunteering at Scooby in Medina del Campo took root in my mind. One day I got in touch with Eva and Friederike to talk over the various details involved in being a volunteer. At first, I was somewhat taken aback by the Scooby "rules of behaviour and work ethic", which seemed to me more appropriate for a boot camp or a penal colony than for an animal shelter. Of course, I later realised that these rules and regulations arose from working together on a daily basis with volunteers coming to Scooby from all four corners of the world. Naturally, each of these people is an individual, with his or her own character, personal opinions and experiences. There are times, though, when a volunteer's unbounded enthusiasm can come across as a kind of overzealousness that only serves to exasperate Fermin and his staff members. It took me some time as well to appreciate the fact that the way things are done at Scooby makes good sense. Which does not mean that some things should not maybe be changed. Usually the stumbling block to change lies with a lack of funding and not with a lack of good will. One must not forget that there are compelling reasons for all the rules and regulations – for instance, when a delightful situation can turn into a potentially dangerous situation. A case in point: when you enter a paddock, most of the dogs will crowd around you, begging for attention. If you indiscriminately start to pet one dog and then another you run the risk of going against pack hierarchy, something which can instantly lead to aggressive behaviour and even fierce biting among the dogs! So, you are well advised to accept and adhere to the rules.
On 26th September 2009 I set off for Medina del Campo. Thanks to Friederike's helpful list of instructions, which each volunteer is furnished with, the flight and subsequent train ride were easily mastered. One remark in this connection: rail tickets for the Madrid-Medina stretch can be purchased in advance on the Internet. For this and while travelling in Spain, some knowledge of the language will stand you in very good stead. I found my hotel with no problem at all. Soon everything was unpacked and I was ready to explore the town. Visiting Medina's historic places of interest is certainly worthwhile, although I must admit that I did not take any sightseeing tours. The following morning, I headed to Scooby for my first day of volunteering. The hike from town to Scooby takes about 30 minutes and, I must say, takes some getting used to as well. You have to walk the entire way along the edge of a busy rural road (no footpath!). Some people may think that half an hour's walk to work is long. On the other hand, this time can be put to good use by preparing yourself for the job ahead or, at the end of the day, by reflecting on what you have seen and learned.
At last, there I was, standing in front of the Scooby gate! A chorus of barking greeted me and excitement grew as I waited to be let in. After a hearty welcome and a tour of the shelter, I was teamed up with two other volunteers from the Netherlands. Right afterwards we started in. Our daily job consisted mainly of cleaning the paddocks and the kennels. At the beginning, it is difficult to get your bearings in terms of where the numerous paddocks are located in this large complex and how exactly to access them. Just do not lose heart, because sooner or later the paddock layout becomes crystal clear. As far as the work itself is concerned, you had better know right from the start that you will be surrounded with 'things' that are an insult to any person's nose, to put it mildly. I imagine you never really become used to the smell in the paddocks. But, just keeping in mind that this task is indispensable for the health and welfare of the dogs makes it bearable. Which brings me to another imperative: no matter what job has been assigned to you, no matter how unpleasant this task might be, its sole purpose is to improve the well-being of the dogs, and not your own (no ego trips here!). After the daily clean-up, I was allowed to spend some time in socialising different dogs. There are more than enough dogs who have been traumatised by past experiences, and who have understandably lost their trust in people. We have to try to give back to these poor creatures at least a part of what they have lost. This takes a lot of patience and care, a lot of love and affection. The oftentimes extreme fear of man these dogs exhibit will hinder their rehoming until they have learned that not every human touch will mean a beating, until they allow themselves to be petted and are able to put their faith in man. The socialisation process is very time-consuming – in fact, there would have to be more than 24 hours in a day to adequately meet all the traumatised dogs' needs and give them the attention they deserve. For example, one of the most fearful of these dogs spends all his waking hours cowering in the furthermost corner of the paddock. By walking slowly, I could approach him only to a distance that he felt safe with. I sat there on the ground in order to give him time to adjust to my presence. While still seated, I started to gradually inch my way towards him, being prepared to stop the minute he looked as if he might run off. In this manner, I got close to him, narrowing the distance of about 4 metres between us in the space of an hour. It is not surprising that my bald head got sunburned in the process. Finally, I was able to touch him. My touch, however, frightened him to such an extent that his breathing became shallow and rapid and panic shone in his eyes. It was clear by this reaction that I should leave him alone to calm down. On several occasions, I repeated my attempts to get close to him – not always with success. You can probably imagine how frustrating it is spending a good hour trying to approach a dog, only to have him suddenly jump up and run away. You feel as if all your good intentions have amounted to nothing. On certain days, only a short visit to a paddock is possible, with some quick patting left and right, while holding out your hand so that the dogs can come and sniff you. In one particular paddock I could not get the thought out of my mind that these dogs were all young, some of them even pups, and that they were all hoping for some rambunctious playtime. There was a hyper-active shepherd in another paddock, who, as a working dog, would have desperately needed plenty of activity and proper training. At some distance there was a dog with sad eyes, waiting patiently for someone's attention, while next to me was a 'barker', jumping up and down in excitement. He, too, would have needed some special care. Further back were a group of mixed-breed dogs, who would so much have appreciated a little caressing and a game of ball. The bottom line is that there is never enough time, there are never enough helpers, to give each dog his due. Scooby is in constant need of volunteers to lighten the load for staff members. My appeal today is directed particularly towards men: sign up at Scooby, do your part there and make a difference! Each of us is skilled in his own way, and I am sure that each of you would be able to put your skills to good use at Scooby. Even though pooper-scooping is not every man's idea of a dream job, it is nonetheless important. Once you have got through the daily clean-up, other, more personally appealing tasks are waiting to be tackled. And, another thing I urge you men to do: be brave and show your 'soft' side. What is needed not least of all are men who are not afraid to express their feelings, who with true gentleness and patience can deal with those fearful, traumatised dogs. Because the 'tough guys' among you would not have a chance.
After a week or so, it was time to say goodbye. I had met interesting people and made new friends. In addition to Fermin, Sandra and the permanent staff, there were my volunteer colleagues from the Netherlands and the USA, all of whom were fun and easy to work with. A special and permanent place in my heart belongs to all the many dogs, my four-legged friends, be they timid or wild, galgo or mutt, large or small. Without exception, each and every one of them is worth the time, the trouble and the effort. There are people who may think that some dogs are too ugly, and for that reason have no chance of adoption, or do not even deserve it. I would completely disagree! Appearances do not enter into it at all. Each dog has his own unique personality, and what is more, each dog has a right to his fair share of human kindness and affection. And, of course, a right to a home.
I left Scooby the same way I arrived – on foot, but much richer in experience and in fellow feeling. The hike back to town – and here I hark back to what I said at the beginning – gave me a welcome opportunity to inwardly bid farewell to the past week. At the same moment, though, I knew for a fact that this would not be forever. Because, I have really come down with the Scooby virus and will be going back before long!
Ralf
