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Bargain Brits logoBargain Loving Brits in the Sun is back on our screens and last weeks episode featured the incredible work done by expat Linda Jean - Facebook page 'For the Love of Dogs and Cats'. Viewers were left on tenterhooks as the episode finished with puppy Donny seriously ill at the vets. Get your tissues at the ready....


Linda JeanSadly, she lost three over the last year, which considering the condition some arrive in is a miracle in itself – many have been dumped, abused, beaten and virtually left for dead and Linda literally nurses them back to health… except in a few circumstances where even she cannot work miracles. But it has certainly taken its toll on her so she is taking a bit of a breather and not taking any more new ones on – having said that, she still has 8 dogs, one of which, Dottie is seriously ill and needs almost round the clock care.

linda with dogsFour of the eight are Linda’s but the other four all have problems and Linda is doubtful that anyone will want to adopt them. Heidi is currently in foster care with a therapist. Linda took her from a dog rescue center having had a rope embedded in her neck, teeth kicked out and the middle pad on her paw ripped off.

Understandably she was terrified of any human coming near her and had to win Linda’s trust slowly, which all takes time and an awful lot of patience.
Whilst she is nursing 13-month-old Dottie she said that she physically and mentally cannot take on any more, as being alone there is no-one to help.

dottie with LindaDottie sits on Linda’s lap as I talk to her – she spent five months in a specialist hospital in Valencia with a malformed colon. An operation has left her needing to wear nappies and she gets through around 100 a week! She is also losing a lot of weight as cannot keep anything down and even Natalia the vet is at a loss. Last week Linda did for an instant consider whether it would be kinder to let her go, but as she sits on her lap just wanting to be loved it is evident that to me that it would destroy her, so she will continue for now and pray for a miracle.
The film crew spent 3 months following Linda around for this new series and she will appear in two episodes. Although it is hard work, having them follow her around, the exposure it gives the work she does is immeasurable.


kennelsLinda has had purpose built kennels constructed in her garden – every dog that arrives has to be put into isolation from the other dogs until they have been assessed and checked over by the vet. Many have leish (leishmaniasis) which is caused through mosquito bites and although not curable is controllable with medication. But Linda says that many do not want to take those on and the result is that they are sadly the ones which are left behind.

There is even a purpose built mother and baby unit, where the pregnant ones go, which is shockingly, frequently in use. The puppies are easy to home, as they are cute but often the mummy gets left behind.

Mark and Ann HarlandFlora was one example and in this current series of Bargain Brits, was taken in by Mark and Ann Harland, who by coincidence were also featured in the series. The couple had just moved over to Benisol Camping and sadly lost their own dog so contacted Linda – who they had seen on the previous series to offer to take some of her charges out for walks, falling in love with Flora and so a happy ever after ending for her.

Shockingly, to me at least, is that Linda has had to have a high fence put up around the boundary wall as people were actually throwing unwanted dogs over the wall into her garden. There was no knowing if there was anything wrong with them or how the other dogs would interact with them.


logoAny rescue dogs that are re homed are spaded, vaccinated and micro-chipped before leaving and all Linda asks is a €100 donation towards this – it actually costs a lot more, but would potentially put people off if they were asked for much more. All prospective new owners are home checked to ensure that they are genuine and suitable, with many going to a new life in the UK.

For those that are affected with Leish, Linda even sends a year worth of tablets with them!
But this all costs money and Linda is eternally grateful for all the donations people make to help her with this tireless rescue work. The program always brings in a fresh batch of donations as soon as it is aired on television, but as with everything, people soon forget. On Wednesday, April 18 a fundraiser is being organized at the Red Lion on Calle Gerona raise funds, which is being supported by a host of Benidorm entertainers. Donations of any raffle prizes are desperately needed and can be dropped off at Bar One or the Benidorm Seriously offices… so make a note in your diary and help make a difference.

Comments  

+6 #7 billy 2019-07-20 15:26
what a lady!!!!
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+7 #6 heather pownall 2018-06-05 16:34
Please could you let me know if you have a just giving page x
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+4 #5 Linda jean 2018-03-28 15:09
Thank you to everyone who has shown interest and support for me and my dogs
You can find me on Facebook: Linda Jean
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+9 #4 lesley 2018-02-22 16:21
we are coming to Benidorm in June and would love to call with a donation if you tell me where you are. Love the way you help the dogs
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+7 #3 Rose 2018-02-16 16:55
Can you email me you address following our phone conversation today please. Hope to see you Monday afternoon
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+7 #2 Corrina Learmonth 2018-02-16 15:36
Hello I think that the love you give to all of the puppies and dogs in your care is amazing and I admire you so much. How would I go about adopting a puppy and ow much does it cost. Thank you
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+13 #1 Sheila Fearon 2018-02-15 18:31
I have known Linda for about a year now and visit her and the dogs regularly.She is always working with or cleaning up after the dogs.I am really glad she has been on the programme as at least it has raised the profile of the many smaller rescue charities that get no funding from local government and tend to have a lot of people volunteering help such as dog walking,poo picking etc.If anyone would like to volunteer to help Linda with these jobs I am sure she would ¨rip your hand off¨ in gratitude.There are a few ways that people can make a donation, however small it may be, it will be more than welcome.The easiest way is via Paypal.Check out the Facebook page for all details, you can also follow the dogs on there and see how they progress in life.
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