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Not confirmed since October 30, 2026

Gordito

Male · Senior · 9 years

Gordito, a magnificent Shepherd, spent his entire life chained to a post outside an abandoned house, right beside the highway. The only freedom he knew were the days he managed to pull free of his chain and wander about for a while. He would roam across the meadow, enjoying his freedom for a moment, only to be chained up again by his owner with an even heavier chain. Then one day, Gordito nearly hanged himself when he tried once more to break free. A passing motorcyclist barely saved him, and even had to resuscitate him. He took Gordito home and tried to track down the owner. When they told him what had happened, his only concern was the heavy chain, because he definitely wanted it back; it had cost him 10 euros. Not once did he ask about his dog, not once. Gordito has been staying with a foster family ever since. At first he was completely distressed, because he had never set foot in a garden or a house before, and he thought every hand would strike him. He would lie down on his back before you even approached him. Now, nearly two months later, he is a different dog! He plays with the other dogs, comes to cuddle, and is gratitude itself. He accepts other cats and dogs; only his food he still refuses to share with anyone, that is his policy, so he has to eat alone. Gordito is about 6 years old and would be a wonderful companion for people looking for a big, somewhat older dog to share a friendly, cozy time with. He will be eternally grateful to you and stay that way!

NL·Show original

Gordito, een prachtige Herder, hing al zijn hele leven aan een ketting voor een verlaten huis, vlakbij de snelweg. De enige vrijheid die hij kende, waren de dagen dat hij zich wist los te trekken van zijn ketting om dan even rond te kuieren. Hij liep dan over het weiland, genoot even van zijn vrijheid, maar werd dan steeds met een nóg zwaardere ketting vastgemaakt door zijn eigenaar. Tot Gordito zich op een dag bijna ophing toen hij weer probeerde vrij te komen. Een voorbijrijdende motorrijder kon hem maar op het nippertje redden, en moest hem zelfs reanimeren. Hij nam Gordito mee naar huis, en probeerde de eigenaar te achterhalen. Toen ze die vertelden wat er was gebeurd, was zijn enige bekommernis de zware ketting, want die wilde hij zeker terug, die had hem 10 euro gekost. Niet één keer vroeg hij achter zijn hond, niet één keer. Gordito verblijft sindsdien bij een opvanggezin, waar hij eerst helemaal van streek was, want hij had nog nooit een vrije voet gezet in een tuin of een huis, en dacht dat elke hand hem zou slaan. Hij ging al op zijn rug liggen voor je hem nog maar benaderde. Nu, bijna twee maanden later, is hij een andere hond! Hij speelt met de andere honden, komt knuffelen en is de dankbaarheid zelve. Hij aanvaardt andere katten en honden, alleen zijn eten deelt hij nu nog met niemand, daar is hij politiek op en moet dus alleen eten. Gordito is zo'n 6 jaar oud en zou een geweldige metgezel zijn voor mensen die op zoek zijn naar een grote, iets oudere hond, om samen nog een vriendschappelijke gezellige tijd mee te hebben. Hij zal je eeuwig dankbaar zijn en blijven!

Size
—
Age
Senior · 9 years
Location
🇪🇸Spain
Shelter
ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana)
Living with Gordito
  • ✓Good with dogs
  • ✓Good with cats
Cared for by ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana) · Spain

Listed 2 weeks ago

Bringing Gordito home

What you'll need for Gordito in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon→
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon→
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

    View on Amazon→
    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon→
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

    View on Amazon→
    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon→
    €20–35

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Gordito

What life with Gordito looks like

Gordito is a senior dog waiting at ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana) in Spain.

Senior dogs settle in faster than younger ones. They want a soft bed, predictable meals, and short, sniff-heavy walks rather than runs. Many senior rescues bond deeply within weeks because they understand exactly how good a stable home is. Expect occasional vet visits for joint or dental care.

🇪🇸Adopting from Spain

Spanish protectoras generally include sterilization, all vaccinations, microchip ID, and EU pet passport in the adoption fee. Many maintain partnerships with rescue transport providers across the EU.

Spain, Spain — browse more dogs in Spain.

Frequently asked

Adopting Gordito, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Gordito?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana) handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Gordito on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Gordito if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana) will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Transport is usually a separate cost, so ask for the exact figure before you commit.
Is Gordito already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Gordito isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with ACE / SHIN (Animal Care Espana) early rather than rehoming privately; they know Gordito and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (NL). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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