“We do have our hands full at times. But there is always someone out there who has a bright light to share.”

Gail Skinner’s website is a panoply of powerful messages to animal lovers. Achievement, Success, and Confidence are just a few keywords. “We’ve had many dogs achieving titles.” She is proud of their work. “Dogs who have qualified for Superstar Awards, receiving their trophies in January.” If Gail had a tail she would be wagging vigorously. “These are mainly rescue dogs, who have beaten all odds and have changed, grown in personality by building their confidence and relationship with their owners through Dog Parkour and Trick Training school.”


In December 2024 she will be collaborating with her UK colleagues with a ‘Facebook-live’ which is free to anyone. “Any dog-related questions are welcome!” Next March her book ‘For Dogs Sake! How to build and awesome dog’ will be launched at Crufts. Starting out as a RSPCA officer in South Africa, Gail has come a long way with her own achievements and broadening her personal repertoire by adding ‘Dog Trick Trainer’ to her repertoire.

Photographer & Author Carlos Filipe has already put pen to paper and launched his much-acclaimed books about dogs. Words and photographs inspired by his mentor ‘Boris’. Carlos rescued him at 4 months tied to a tree in Portimão. “I started this adventure with posting photos on the web.” Without any planning putting words to the photographs. “The sentences became paragraphs flowing into pages and without noticing they became books.” The stories are told with Carlos’ favourite trademark a black backdrop. “The black matches their eyes. Gives texture to the fur and gives them, what all animals should have, class and dignity.” His heart and soul is the bedrock of his work. Along with Boris, who can be met on the website with an almost professional, but unrehearsed advertisement for a study in perfect harmony, bonding Human and Canine.

Not all of the abandoned, amputees that Carlos came across were success stories. But most have received a welcome home and a better future, through his published work and array of stories to be relayed to school children. His formative years in Aljustrel taught him lessons, that he would take with him into his mature life. “I visit schools to teach kids how to understand and love animals so that they can respect each other as well.”

Both superstars are continually or doggedly pursuing their dreams and making them come true. Nothing is impossible.

Visit: www.cfilipe.pt info@cfilipe.pt

Gail www.awsome-dogs.com keyawesomedogs@gmail.com

Jenny info.apaaportugal@gmail.com