b'TravisPatenaude,ThePetPhotographerClubsInternational Pet Photographer of the Year 2020,and his wife Amanda have made five trips to Spain tovolunteer at the shelters. They have transported 140GalgosbacktotheUnitedStatesforadoption.InDecember 2014, Travis published his first photo bookGalgoEspaolAfter TheHunt.Themoneyraisedfrom the book is donated to Baas Galgo, the shelter hevolunteered for in February 2015. We spent a week in the Numancia de la SagraPerrera (dog pound) with the Baas volunteers and theGalgos, said Travis. We witnessed the Galgos beingdropped off by their huntersskin and bones, sores allover their bodies and so frightened. I saw how the vol-unteers worked with the dogs and build bonds withthem. The change in the dogs after a couple of dayswas very noticeable. Especially in their eyes.Travis has become a strong advocate for animal res-cue and animal rights. "The hunters in Spain proclaimthey are the true lovers of the Galgo breed, he said.While 100,000 are abandoned or killed each year inSpain at the end of hunting season.Leena, for whom Travis pays tribute in the previ-ous article, was the inspiration for Love Hope BelieveGalgo Adoption. When our group was first startingout,said Travis,wewereluckyenoughtohaveamemberofHeartsSpeak takephotographsofouradoptable Galgos. The photographer gave me severaltips on how to take better photos of our adoptabledogs. Now, I have the opportunity to pay it forwardduring our trips to Spain. He is currently working ontwomorephotobooksthatwillbenefitsheltersinSpain that care for these beautiful animals.I always knew I would end up in a padded room oneday. I just never expected it to be made out of dog beds,said Travis. He and his wife currently have six Galgos:Radar, Gemma, Fernando, Yima, Vilal, and Keala.UTravis, Amanda and their dogs. On the following page, read more about the plight of theGalgos Espaol in Love Heals All Wounds.www.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 43'