Animals we meet on camino

Davey Boyd · Apr 30, 2019

Most of us love animals of all kinds. We meet many along the camino's. They bring me a lot of pleasure, whether cows in a pasture, mischievous goats. colorful lizards, local dogs or cats. Donkeys! Got any good animal pictures? Please share here.

Here is a fine looking hound I met in Penafonte on the Primitivo. He was an old Gentleman. Very interested we were sleeping in the church porch, and liked salami and bread. Not keen on the banana though.

Davey

Leibniz · Apr 30, 2019

I made friends with this little guy in Monterroso last September.

Davey Boyd · Apr 30, 2019

Leibniz said:
View attachment 56315
I made friends with this little guy in Monterroso last September.

Oh cutie! Could not walk past him without a cuddle!

Davey Boyd · Apr 30, 2019

This cuddly teddy bear was the 'brother' of the old gent above (same owner). He was not a gent, he was a naughty teenager. Decided he was going to share our lunch. He would steal out of your rucksack if you turned your back on him. Beautiful though. I have seen him since, he is now much bigger, still friendly, and has more manners!

And that his his rock he brought us as a present!

Cambridge Pilgrim · Apr 30, 2019

I love how many of the farm dogs in Galicia have mastered the art of checking that the world is all still at one through just a single open eye whilst laying flat out. Rarely did we see one with as much energy as this fella!

Deleted member 67185 · Apr 30, 2019

Jill81 · Apr 30, 2019

Here are two from last month on the Frances. Whether hidden away or soaking up the sun, they are always watching us as we pass by. It might be my imagination but he looks like he’s smiling — what a life!

jungleboy · Apr 30, 2019

Fun thread! I have lots to contribute but I’ll start with this piggy from our recent Camino de Madrid:

Annette london · Apr 30, 2019

Davey Boyd said:
Most of us love animals of all kinds. We meet many along the camino's. They bring me a lot of pleasure, whether cows in a pasture, mischievous goats. colorful lizards, local dogs or cats. Donkeys! Got any good animal pictures? Please share here.

Here is a fine looking hound I met in Penafonte on the Primitivo. He was an old Gentleman. Very interested we were sleeping in the church porch, and liked salami and bread. Not keen on the banana though.

View attachment 56314

Davey

Hi Davey,
Thanks for posting this
Can't believe this hound is still going.......we met him in 2012 on our Primitivo camino
I got the fright of my life when he sauntered out of a building onto the path ...he's bigger than me so I just stopped dead.
Turned out to be a real gentle giant...I guess that he must greet everyone on the path especially if there's food to be had!

Robo · Apr 30, 2019

I met a few 'Animals' on the CF.
But I put it down to mere 'over enthusiasm' and a low tolerance for alcohol.....

VNwalking · Apr 30, 2019

Robo said:
I met a few 'Animals' on the CF.
But I put it down to mere 'over enthusiasm' and a low tolerance for alcohol.....

Hahaha.
No, @Robo , not those kinds of animals.
These kinds of animals...

Robo · Apr 30, 2019

VNwalking said:
Hahaha.
No, @Robo , not those kinds of animals.
These kinds of animals...

Oh OK! I'll dig out some pics.

I'll start with the Cat Lady........... (Pat)
She carries a pack of cat food

The Camino Cat Lady

Robo
Nov 18, 2018
3

NualaOC · Apr 30, 2019

Thanks @Davey Boyd for distracting me from my work this morning! I probably have hundreds of animal photos..... I've habit of saying hello to the animals I meet.

A favourite from the Camino del Baztan (where there are definitely more animals than humans!)

And dinosaurs in the mist on the Inglés!

Gailsie · Apr 30, 2019

I wish I had taken a photo of the lineup of pilgrims behind a horse blocking the path through one of those communal pastures, I think it was just out of Zubiri. She had her foal and they were eating grass and no one wanted to walk behind her as there wasn't much room before the bushes. Eventually some brave soul got her to move out of the way and the pilgrims moved on. It was a nice break.

t2andreo · Apr 30, 2019

Wonderful thread. I am looking for my 'poddock' pony photos from the Camino Frances, on the climb out of St. Jean Pied de Port, from 2013. There were herds of them at the top, near the cross.

I loved it, until I saw the yellow 'livestock' tags on their ears. 'Chevre' is popular on French menus... 'nuff said...

Robo · Apr 30, 2019

Stop Looking at Me !

Beeks · Apr 30, 2019

This guy knows the deal. Drew a crowd on the final leg from O Pedrouzo.

Peregrina Emily · Apr 30, 2019

I love this thread!

My phone screensaver, from the Primitivo:

elleley · Apr 30, 2019

Peregrina Emily · Apr 30, 2019

From the Hospitales on the Primitivo:

Peregrina Emily · Apr 30, 2019

On the outskirts of Salas, when we paused to put on some sunscreen.

Former member 69452 · Apr 30, 2019

jungleboy said:
Fun thread! I have lots to contribute but I’ll start with this piggy from our recent Camino de Madrid:

View attachment 56326

"Hug me, please!"

Former member 69452 · Apr 30, 2019

Met these friendly bovine peregrinos on my way to Tricastela!

Felipe · Apr 30, 2019

In the Pyrinees you can meet (fortunately, from distance) many vultures. They fly over you, high in the sky, lazily and effortless...
After a while, they lose interest and go away.

Photo: Wikipedia

ChristinaD · Apr 30, 2019

Former member 69452 · Apr 30, 2019

Felipe said:
In the Pyrinees you can meet (fortunately, from distance) many vultures. They fly over you, high in the sky, lazily and effortless...
After a while, they lose interest and go away.

View attachment 56358

Photo: Wikipedia

What a beautiful photo!!

RumAndChupacabras · Apr 30, 2019

Wonderful thread @Davey Boyd !

This wirey little guy was just too cute. Camino Portugues 2016

I think he looks a lot like "Lady's" Tramp.

redbackpack · Apr 30, 2019

Out of thousands of animals I meet and take photos of, this is the only one that left a lasting memory... and almost bit two of my fingers off.

Anik2001 · Apr 30, 2019

A little bit after El Ganso

At the bar on Alto de Poio. A big and friendly Spanish Mastin. As big as a young bear, but loved the cuddles!
And that’s only a couple pics on the lot I took!!!

JLWV · Apr 30, 2019

1. On Levante, near Arevalo a horse observes us…
2. On Levante, few km before Avila, the young horse let his mother to have look at those pilgrims…
3. Levante again, between Minaya and La Roda, the sheep give us free way..

patgreen · Apr 30, 2019

A few from the Via de la Plata last year.

Derrybiketours · Apr 30, 2019

Watching Cricket on the Way!
Its a dogs life on way to End of the World!
Why the long face on the Portuguese!

Pelegrin · Apr 30, 2019

Beeks said:
This guy knows the deal. Drew a crowd on the final leg from O Pedrouzo.
View attachment 56351

The guy is a can de palleiro a Galician breed.

Anamiri · Apr 30, 2019

On the way to Triacastelo
An older guy at Alto do Poio
Rabanal
The cows at Airexe that sucked my washing

Cambridge Pilgrim · Apr 30, 2019

A ubiquitous stork somewhere just past Ponferrada.

Loving this thread!

View attachment DSC05578 (1).jpg

t2andreo · May 1, 2019

Felipe said:
In the Pyrinees you can meet (fortunately, from distance) many vultures. They fly over you, high in the sky, lazily and effortless...
After a while, they lose interest and go away.

View attachment 56358

Photo: Wikipedia

I believe that is a photo of a Griffon Vulture. They are indigenous to the Pyrenees.

In late April - early May 2013, two French women were day-hiking in the Pyrenees (not on the Camino). One of them slipped and fell off the mountain trail a few hundred meters while wearing a day pack.

Her companion dialed 112. By the time the emergency services arrived at the fallen woman. The Griffon Vultures has stripped all exposed flesh. It was determined that the woman broke her neck in the fall and was dead before the vultures got to her. At the time, late April, early May 2013, this story was widely reported in the media.

The interesting thing about this unfortunate situation is that the vultures normal food was the carcasses of farm animals that died on the high pastures. Farmers simply left dead animals to be consumed by the vultures.

However, once established, the EU created rules forbidding this practice. They required recovery and burial of all farm animal carcasses.

When this occurred, the vultures lost their normal food source. They adapted by going after newborn lambs, calves, and small domestic pets. So, when presented with a fresh human corpse, the vultures did what came naturally.

A gory story, an perhaps a digression from the thread, but interesting all the same.

Just sayin...

Csutak · May 1, 2019

These two horses were the most memorable for us. They were standing on the rock blocking the narrow path towards Poladura de la Tercia (on San Salvador). Not knowing what to do, we sat on the nearby rocks and started talking to them: "You are so wonderful, smart and clever, you must understand that we need to continue our way. Please let us go." And they understood! They walked past majesticly and joined the stud in the forest.

Mark Barnes · May 1, 2019

Had some cows over for lunch.

Sparrow in Texas · May 1, 2019

This beautiful girl introduced herself to us as we were passing through Lintzoain. When it was time to move on after lots of petting she told us, in Dog of course, "Follow me, I shall guide you through my village!" At the far end of the village was a very large and loud dog which she expertly distracted allowing us to safely pass by. Then, with a swish of her tail she turned and leaped over a stone wall and was gone. This was special to me because I foster and train rescue Border Collies.

Csutak · May 1, 2019

I have never expected this: all kinds of creatures in the puddles on the beach in Finisterra during low tide.

Theresa Brandon · May 1, 2019

jungleboy · May 1, 2019

Today’s entry: my wife @Wendy Werneth meeting this gentle soul in the rain on our second day of the Primitivo last year:

Theresa Brandon · May 1, 2019

Caligal · May 1, 2019

I lunched with these two sweeties in Amenal

Isobeljc · May 1, 2019

The wonderful Hospitalero at Arres on the Aragones feeding the local rooster.
Very noisy he was, obviously didn’t realise that it wasn’t dawn.

Csutak · May 2, 2019

Cats playing with a lizard. Unfortunateliy, the lizard did not survive.

Davey Boyd · May 2, 2019

t2andreo said:
I believe that is a photo of a Griffon Vulture. They are indigenous to the Pyrenees.

In late April - early May 2013, two French women were day-hiking in the Pyrenees (not on the Camino). One of them slipped and fell off the mountain trail a few hundred meters while wearing a day pack.

Her companion dialed 112. By the time the emergency services arrived at the fallen woman. The Griffon Vultures has stripped all exposed flesh. It was determined that the woman broke her neck in the fall and was dead before the vultures got to her. At the time, late April, early May 2013, this story was widely reported in the media.

The interesting thing about this unfortunate situation is that the vultures normal food was the carcasses of farm animals that died on the high pastures. Farmers simply left dead animals to be consumed by the vultures.

However, once established, the EU created rules forbidding this practice. They required recovery and burial of all farm animal carcasses.

When this occurred, the vultures lost their normal food source. They adapted by going after newborn lambs, calves, and small domestic pets. So, when presented with a fresh human corpse, the vultures did what came naturally.

A gory story, an perhaps a digression from the thread, but interesting all the same.

Just sayin...

Yes, I followed this story for a while as it broke. Initially the rescue services could not be certain that the poor woman had died before the vultures arrived. There was a big campaign by the farmers to be allowed to leave animal carcasses on the mountain once more. Never found out if they have changed the rules again though, probably not.

Davey

Davey Boyd · May 2, 2019

Anik2001 said:
View attachment 56370
A little bit after El Ganso

View attachment 56371
At the bar on Alto de Poio. A big and friendly Spanish Mastin. As big as a young bear, but loved the cuddles!
And that’s only a couple pics on the lot I took!!!

Love that bar at Alto de Poi. This dog has some bigger and older family members there! Lovely bunch of massive dogs, very friendly bar too. Thinking of staying there next time as they have an albergue too.

Davey

cmg · May 4, 2019

Couple of Kms outside of Hornillos I heard some noise and thought it was another peregrino catching on. All of a sudden I turned around and there was this big dog being playful and jumping around me. I managed to take a selfie with him!

Nigel Clark · May 4, 2019

In the grounds of the alberque in Villarmentero de Campos

Saunterr · May 4, 2019

Davey Boyd · May 5, 2019

While walking through Viana with a girl called Katie, we met a Spanish lady walking her ferret, called Katie!

GingerHaddad · May 5, 2019

I saw horses, sheep, cows etc on the Frances last year but this cute little old man walking his cow made my morning!

Lynda t · May 5, 2019

Unfortunately road kill. I think it’s a pine Martin.

Mary Colleen · May 5, 2019

Camino Portugues

Mary Colleen · May 5, 2019

Mary Colleen said:
Camino PortuguesView attachment 56728

Mike Savage · May 6, 2019

Between San Juan de Ortega and Burgos I came across this cross. (Cruz de Atapuerca) Notice the fox?

RumAndChupacabras · May 6, 2019

@Mike Savage AWESOME!!!

Anamiri · May 6, 2019

Mike Savage said:
Between San Juan de Ortega and Burgos I came across this cross. (Cruz de Atapuerca) Notice the fox?

View attachment 56753

View attachment 56754

Thats brilliant. I never dreamed there would be foxes around. How cool

Pelegrin · May 6, 2019

Anamiri said:
Thats brilliant. I never dreamed there would be foxes around. How cool

In Atapuerca also remains below of rhinos, hippos, elephants.....

Ferdinand the Bull · May 6, 2019

Nice thread. Here are some of the creatures I've metView attachment 56790

rlang290 · May 6, 2019

Met this guy in Foncebadon. He hung around with us for almost 30 minutes!

Ray J · May 6, 2019

A beautiful Spanish snail, an incredible French Rhinoceros Beetle, and the best good boy, Vaillant

Csutak · May 6, 2019

We shouldn't forget about these birds in the church in Santo Domingo.

Csutak · May 6, 2019

A hare I met after leaving Castrojeriz. There were a few more...
And I saw the ducks after Logrono in the park.

tutinegra_pt · May 6, 2019

This German Shepherd completely loose, between Finisterra and Muxia, walked with me for 2 km, and then disappeared as quickly as it appeared

Pelegrin · May 7, 2019

Pelegrin said:
In Atapuerca also remains below of rhinos, hippos, elephants.....

I should explain this post.
Last Saturday I visited the Atapuerca archaeological site. There, in the Sima del Elefante cave we were informed about the discovery of bones of these animals. In Gran Dolina cave they told us that lived the Homo Antecessor who ate their meat.
In the afternoon I saw in Agés some pilgrims from my car who looked very happy probably not for that issue but because the sky was blue and the fields green.

David Tallan · May 11, 2019

There are so many. I will just share two. The first picture of the bull was taken by my son in 2016 on the Camino Frances. The second picture of the dog I took on the Camino Portugues last October.

New item by David Tallan (he/him)

photos.app.goo.gl

Pelegrin · May 11, 2019

David Tallan said:
There are so many. I will just share two. The first picture of the bull was taken by my son in 2016 on the Camino Frances. The second picture of the dog I took on the Camino Portugues last October.

New item by David Tallan (he/him)

photos.app.goo.gl

I think he is a bull of Rubia Galega breed. Was the pic taken between O Cebreiro and Sarria?.

David Tallan · May 12, 2019

Pelegrin said:
I think he is a bull of Rubia Galega breed. Was the pic taken between O Cebreiro and Sarria?.

It was indeed. Between Triacastela and Sarria.

Mary Colleen · May 12, 2019

Camino Portugues

ClaireMcMahon · Tuesday at 6:29 PM

Hi all, I’m starting my Camino Frances on May 12. I’ve booked my first night in SJPDP, but I’m starting to worry I need to book more. My plan was to take it day by day and just turn up, but lots...

KariannNor · Apr 25, 2024

A promotion started here right now. A step-counting sweater from Wolkswagen records how far you walk, and if you walk 613 km (which is the range of the latest model) before 16th June, you can win...

William Garza · Friday at 6:29 AM

Past,present and future Thanks for sharing your adventures! This forum will be a touchstone someday in the future ..where you had gone and how far, from where and when A Canterbery tales sort of...

Antnix1 · Friday at 9:54 PM

Seems to be a lot of people posting about stuff they lost on the Camino recently. I managed to leave a nice new-ish polo shirt somewhere drying and didn't notice for over a week. I hope someone...

KariannNor · Friday at 9:37 PM

Did you meet Bjørn Krohn? Died aged 48 in an albergue, I don't know where, tuesday 21th. I didn't know this until now.

debbie r · Tuesday at 6:09 PM

Can anyone tell me if food is available there… anyone stayed recently? Cheers

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