About Rafael

I have to start with our “looking for a dog” – story to tell his story.

In the spring of 2024 we had reached the point (or let me say; I was able to convince my partner) that we would want to adopt a dog.

We reached out to a shelter that had an adult, playful and friendly dog. We went to visit the dog and had a nice walk, throwing ball and asking questions.

The meeting went well until we did not hear from the contact person anymore. After reaching out and asking about the radio silence we were told that the dog had shown signs of stress after we had left. For this reason the organisation concluded he would not be suitable in a home with children.

Sadness, of course but if that is what the best would be for the dog then that is the decision we will have to accept.

The kids were sad, my husband was sad. However, I remember saying; I dont think we were supposed to have this dog. We were supposed to have another dog, but we have not met this dog yet. I remember telling my young kids this. It was such a strong feeling that it actually made me happy and excited to think;

Our dog is on it’s path to us, we just need to be patient.

A couple of weeks later we were in the kichen, I was scrolling social media and then suddenly I saw this short video of this huge blonde dog. He immediately caught my eye. I read his sad story and I felt a fuming rage growing. With think rope marks and a wide open throat wond. Thrown in the garbage container. Being hauled out by machinery. It said he was a Mastin Espanol (Spanish Mastiff).

Up until that point, my husband did not want to adopt a dog straight from another country because of the risk of behaviour and trama.

I jumped out of my chair, went over to him and I said ; Look

He said ; Go go go, write to them (the adoption agency).

15 minutes later I had submitted our details after writing as fast as a racoon on drugs , sent pictures of our house and our garden. We felt an instant match; this is our dog!

A couple of days later we had an intake interview and house-check by the adoption agency. We were so extremely nervous. Thankfully we were accepted and we were allowed to adopt him. We have 2 young children so the only thing was to wait for the checks at the shelter where he would be able to be around children without having stress or showing aggression.

We received the most beautiful recordings of him. There he was. This beautiful, majestic giant. Walking around the land peacefully with a child, letting the child pet him. Cats and dogs barking all around him but Rafael? So peaceful. I cried when I saw the recordings and I remember thinking; can it be true? It looks too good to be true?

We had to wait quite some time for his open throat wound to heal. Due to this he was not ‘fit to travel’.

Finally at the end of May 2024, Rafael embarked on his journey together with his saviour, the woman at the shelter.

How could we be so lucky to get to welcome him into our lives? Did we deserve him?

Nervous, excited, happy, worried. All at once. We drove to meet him. And there he was, in all his glory! our gentle giant Rafael.

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