It was a bright, crisp morning in Monte Lope Álvarez — and today was no ordinary sniffari. The Galgos del Sol school visit had arrived at Colegio Fernando IV, and Issy and Poppy were ready. Poppy stood at the playground gate, calm and watchful as ever, ears pricked. Issy bounced on her paws beside her. "Something exciting is happening today," Issy whispered, sniffing the air. Poppy glanced at her junior detective with quiet authority. "Indeed. Compose yourself, Issy. A good detective observes first."

The Arrival of the Galgos del Sol School Visit Team

Just then, a van rolled up, full of rescued galgos and podencos. Issy's tail shot up. "New friends! Can I go first?" Poppy regarded the approaching team with measured calm. "We wait. Watch how they move. A detective reads the room before entering it." Issy sat down reluctantly. "You're right. As usual." Poppy's ears gave the smallest satisfied flick.

The children gasped in delight as the Galgos del Sol team stepped out, smiling warmly and carrying blankets, treats, and toys. The playground quickly became a flurry of excitement, sniffing, and gentle tail wagging. Poppy moved quietly among the rescued dogs, acknowledging each one with a dignified sniff. Issy followed, trying very hard to match her senior partner's composure.

Interactive Detective Training 🎓🐶

Tina from Galgos del Sol gathered the children together. Poppy positioned herself at the front, perfectly still, the picture of a professional greyhound detective. Issy sat beside her, watching Poppy carefully and copying her posture — almost perfectly.

The kids practised simple dog care tasks: offering treats, gentle petting, and following basic commands. Poppy demonstrated each one with effortless grace. Issy guided the children through a mini sniffari — exploring scents and discovering hidden clues around the playground — while Poppy observed from a short distance, nodding her long snout approvingly. It was shaping up to be the most memorable Galgos del Sol school visit the children had ever seen.

"She never wastes a movement," Issy noted, watching her. "Every step means something."

Learning About Rescue Dogs ❤️

Tina crouched down to speak to the children. "Some dogs were left behind because hunters no longer wanted them," she said gently, "but now they are safe with us. They need love, care, and attention. You can help by being kind and understanding."

The children listened, wide-eyed. Poppy settled quietly beside a small, nervous podenco who had pressed herself against the playground wall. She didn't make a fuss. She simply sat close, warm and steady, until the little dog's trembling stopped. Issy watched. "How did you know to do that?" she asked later. Poppy considered the question. "You'll know too. In time."

Music and Rehearsal 🎶

To round off the morning, the children practised their Christmas songs:

• Campana Sobre Campana
• La Marimorena
• The Club biscuit jingle from last time!

Issy wagged along enthusiastically, her tail entirely out of time with the music. Poppy sat straight, listening with the focused attention she brought to everything. Even the rescued dogs seemed to settle into the warmth of the singing, their tails drifting gently side to side. The Galgos del Sol school visit had turned into something none of them would ever forget.

Looking Ahead: After the Galgos del Sol School Visit 🌟

"Three weeks from now," said Poppy quietly, "the full concert will be in the village plaza. The children, the musicians, the rescued dogs, the villagers." She paused. "We will need to ensure the perimeter is secured and the Biscuit Treaty is upheld." Issy grinned. "I'll handle the biscuits." Poppy gave her a long, steady look. "You absolutely will not."

Spanish–English Glossary 📖

• galgo → Spanish greyhound
• podenco → Spanish hunting dog
• refugio → shelter
• adopción → adoption
• sniffari → dog language for a walk and a sniff. Every dog's right.

Author's Note

This Galgos del Sol school visit story is part of the Issy & Poppy Kids Edition series, bringing adventure, learning, and kindness to children. In this story, the children of Colegio Fernando IV discover the importance of empathy and understanding towards abandoned galgos and podencos. The full Christmas concert adventure follows in our next story.

This story is part of the Issy & Poppy: Kids Edition collection — bilingual adventures with Issy and Poppy in Andalucía. You can explore the whole collection in the Kids Edition Hub.
Esta historia forma parte de la colección Issy & Poppy: Kids Edition — aventuras bilingües con Issy y Poppy en Andalucía. Descubre toda la colección en el Kids Edition Hub.

Footnote: AI images, my stories — The Flexible Chef