Antonio Gala is one of the most important living writers in this country. He is also one of the most successful. Novelist, playwright, poet, columnist... There is no genre that Gala cannot master. And this has inevitably led to his figure transcending that of a writer and becoming a well-known personality to all.
Today we are interested in him, not in the literary sense, but in one of his most human and admirable facets: that of an aristopet. Because Gala is an unconditional animal lover. So much so that he is a member of the Royal Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Eastern Andalusia.
Throughout his 85 years, Gala has had about seventeen treasures: "his little dogs," as he likes to call them. Gala has been the father of a large family of dogs and states that "dogs have been my true children and have had the patience to live with me."
Gala has never stopped publicly expressing his love for animals and assures that dogs have given him much joy, but also much sorrow. Because they have all died before him and that is, in his own words, "terrible." Although despite the suffering involved in the loss of a dog, Gala states: "I cannot conceive of my life with greater sorrow than not having a little dog." And his words, without a doubt, are especially valuable, being such a respected and beloved figure in Spain.
Troylo was Gala's companion par excellence, his most beloved dog. The dachshund gave its title to the famous Conversations with Troylo, a work that arose from the great friendship between them and the author's need to express the deep concern he felt for the Spanish people, for the problems of our country and all humanity. After his death, Gala referred to Troylo as "companion," "secretary," and "key ring of my last caresses," and received an overwhelming 27,000 condolence letters. He managed, in some way, to make his dog everyone's dog. And he started a current of animal love that, today, is already unstoppable.
In addition to Troylo, Gala has shared his life with Mambrú, Rampín, Ariel, and Zaíra. And although some are no longer alive, they all remain close to him, in the cemetery for his dogs that he built in the garden of his estate "La Baltasara."
One of the most emotional texts Gala has dedicated to animals is A Common Story, an internal monologue that reflects with admirable sensitivity, and like no other text, a dog's feelings for its human friends: that faithful, generous love; as well as the most absolute helplessness when the dog does not receive all it deserves. We encourage you to listen to it:
Because of all this, the figure of Antonio Gala, his unconditional love, and his courage to express this love when no one else dared, mark a before and after in Spanish society. Gala is key and inspiring. We advance in animal awareness, respect, and protection with people like him. So, from ARISTOPET, we want to give him our sincere and profound thanks.