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Randy's First Trip to Spain & the Islands, 2005 Well, well, well…where to start? The club has asked me to write about my visits to the Canary Islands and Spain, and I am trying to figure out the words to describe this wonderful place with its incredible people and awesome dogs. Anyways, here goes… I got the bright idea one day that it was finally time to make my journey. I have always been afraid of flying but decided it was time to get over it. I made a call to Ricardo Oramas Miranda (Los Cardones, president of the CEDC) to share the news that I would be visiting soon. He and his family were delighted. Not only are they great friends of mine, but they have become family to Lauren and myself. I then called another good friend, Luis Ortiz, and asked if he might like to go on the trip with me and show me some of the ropes. Luis has visited the Islands and Spain many times, and with his experience I could not think of a better person to take the trip with. So, he agreed and we booked our flights. The trip would be for 10 days, five days on the Islands and five days on the mainland. Upon arriving to the Islands, we were greeted by Ricardo and his wonderful wife Ana. Ricardo and his family took us in with open arms, and Ana always had something cooked for us to eat. Not just snack foods, but lunches and dinners fit for royalty. I was in Heaven! While on the Island of Tenerife, we saw many spectacular Presa / Dogo Canario. Most of these dogs were doing their job, the job of guarding the house or property. Upon arriving to the homes of breeders, there was no need for us to ring a doorbell – the dogs served as the doorbell! We visited many reputable kennels and some unknown breeders. On the island of Tenerife alone, I must have seen and evaluated 100 dogs. Many of the dogs had very strong temperaments. We visited Andres Cabrera Perez of Atlantida Can Kennel who had about 20 – 30 extremely nice dogs. After visiting with the dogs, Andres treated us to wine and liquor from his own brewery, along with an amazing lunch. I was very impressed with Andres’ dogs and came home with a few dogs from his kennel. We then visited Urbano from Troycan de Tacoronte. Urbano also had some amazing dogs, most of his stock stemming from the great CH Taro. His dogs were very typical and also had great temperaments. He had close to 20 dogs. Next, we visited Vincente where I found my favorite male (Granto) and just had to bring him home with me. Vincente had only about 4 dogs, but they were all of amazing quality. I also got to visit Manolo and a very awesome dog that is the new popular dog of the Islands, Indio. Again, Manolo had only 4 – 5 dogs, but they were all of amazing quality. Still on the island of Tenerife, we visited Ricardo of Los Cardones. Ricardo had amazing specimens of the breed, and kennels that were so clean I could eat off the floor! Here I would be able to meet my two new puppies, Tauce and Romen de Los Cardones. Ricardo and his family were nice enough to hold them for me for seven months. Upon meeting the puppies, I was greeted by their mother, Gilda, who was an awesome dog that welcomed me (with a watchful eye, I might add!) and introduced me to her sons and the daughter that Ricardo had kept for himself. I tried to leave with this puppy also, but it wasn’t going to happen…maybe one day! I met with many more of the greats on some of the unknowns, and saw many more amazing animals. On the fourth day, Luis and I decided to go to the island of Gran Canaria. Ricardo played host. We took the one hour ferry ride and arrived on Gran Canaria where we were greeted by Eduardo Lean Penate of Cielo de Canarias. It was time for more dog visiting. Eduardo must have taken us to see about ten farms that had many dogs, although some we could not see because the owners were not home. I probably saw around 50 Presas on this day. Most of them were of amazing quality and temperament. The two places I was most impressed with were Eduardo’s and his brother Gonzalo’s kennels. They had some of the best dogs around. Between these two, I obtained 4 new dogs. I was able to meet CH Liz, CH Taucho, and CH Kioba while at the home of Gonzalo Penate. I also met my favorite dog in the breed, Acaymo. I left an adult female with Gonzalo to be bred to Acaymo and later shipped here. While in Gonzalo’s company, he took us to eat at several places, one in particular where we feasted on lamb chops and various exquisite cuisines. After several days on Gran Canaria, it was time to head to the mainland. We arrived in Madrid and first headed to Barcelona, about a five hour drive through the country and mountains, to meet up with my good friends Kristel and Michel from El Guarda del Casa Kennel located in Belgium. We spent part of the day touring Barcelona and the surrounding areas. It was a great time spent with great friends. We met up with Gregorio from Barnacan Bull whose dogs were also very impressive. I was able to meet Vampiro, Violeta and Mora, just to name a few of the dogs. Back in Madrid, I visited with Fermine of Casa del Presa. Again, very impressive, amazing dogs. I met CH Vasco, CH Kiko, and many other dogs. Everyone we visited with welcomed us with open arms and a ton of food and wine. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, it was time to come back home with our newly acquired dogs…numbering about 15! We returned to America for about three weeks then went back to Spain and the Islands to retrieve the remaining dogs that we had purchased. This trip was similar to the other, but much more relaxing and fun. We met back up with all of our newly acquired friends and met more new ones. It is truly and amazing place. I can’t wait until Lauren and I go in November for the Monografica. In closing, I would like to say a few thanks to those who made this trip possible. Thanks to Luis Ortiz…without his guidance, knowledge, and council none of this would have been possible. Luis has become a great friend throughout the past few months. For Ricardo, Ana, Sara, and Alex, things really go beyond words here. These people mean the world to me and Lauren, they are family. Enough thanks cannot be said to these people. Thanks to all involved – these people (and their islands!) are the best!
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