Do I wish I had never discovered the Galgo?

No. It changed my life forever… and here is the story.

Less than a year ago, I stumbled across a documentary about a breed of dog I’d never heard of, the Galgo. Spain’s hunting dog. Elegant, gentle… and quietly suffering on a scale that’s hard to comprehend.

What I learned will haunt me forever.

In Spain, Galgos are used for hare coursing and hunting, but the reality is far darker than that description suggests. They spend their lives in squalid conditions, underfed to keep them “fast,” and pushed relentlessly through the season. They are tools, not pets, in the eyes of their galgueros (hunters), and sadly, in the eyes of the law.

When the hunting season ends, tens of thousands are no longer “useful.”

Some are dumped on roadsides or left in fields to die. Others face fates so cruel they are given names. “The waiting”, where dogs are tied up and left to slowly starve to death, and the “Piano dance”, a barbaric hanging ritual.

It is systematic. It is normalised. And it is still happening despite the work of some wonderful Spanish associations as well as my friends at Project Galgo.

They step into the chaos and heartbreak and do something incredible. They give these dogs a second chance. Rehabilitation, transport, fostering, rehoming… and ultimately, a life.

I went from “that’s awful” to fostering… to adopting… to completely rearranging my life around these dogs.

And here’s the part I didn’t expect:

They’re not broken.

They’re not aggressive.

They’re not “damaged goods.”

They are, quite honestly, some of the most gentle, loving, low-maintenance dogs you will ever meet.

Velcro dogs. They just want to be near you. Warm, safe, and finally… home.

So this isn’t just about raising money. It’s about awareness.

It’s about changing perception.

And it’s about giving more of these dogs a chance.

So I’m doing something slightly mad! On 8th August 2026, I’ll be taking on 48 workouts in 24 hours. Yes… one every 30 minutes.

Why? Because if these dogs can endure what they do… I can be uncomfortable for a day.

And I need you to join me.

The goal: £10,000 for Project Galgo.

How you can get involved

1. Donate

If you can’t make it in person but want to support — every pound genuinely makes a difference. Transport, food, medical care… it all adds up.

2. Take part

Come and join me for a workout.

£10 per session (and I highly encourage you to do more than one… 😏)

There’s something pretty special about being part of it — even if it’s just one slot.

And if you’re feeling brave…

Between 10pm and 5am, all donations will be **doubled**. The graveyard shift. Let’s see what we’re made of.

Book here 👇🏼

https://calendly.com/donna-theengine/48-workouts-challenge-book-your-slot

3. Sponsor a workout

For businesses.. this is a great way to support an incredible cause and get exposure. This event will be widely promoted across LinkedIn, Instagram, Tik Tok, You Tube and various podcasts.

Sponsor a session and we’ll give you shoutouts across social, on the day, and through the wider campaign.

Think of it as doing good… with a bit of PR attached.

I didn’t expect a random post about one dog to change my life.

But it did.

And now I’m asking, whether that’s a donation, a workout, or just sharing this page please help me change theirs 🙏🏻