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Denver – A Moroccan migrant received a special surprise Tuesday after being reunited with the lost dog that accompanied him on his perilous trip to Spain.
The 21-year Yassin was described to be in tears as he saw his dog for the first time via video call since entering Spain. Yassin originally took the 3-month old dog named Oscar from his home in El Jadida to undertake the irregular journey to Cadiz, Spain. Upon arriving in Spain, Yassin was transferred to a migrant facility in Chiclana and separated from his canine companion.
Oscar made headlines last Friday after National Police Inspector Fernando Galindo Garcia found the canine with Yassin.
After Oscar was removed from Yassin’s care, the dog was en route to being euthanized until Galindo stepped in. The future of Oscar remained in the balance until a chance encounter with a childhood friend of Yassin reunited the boy with his pet.
Halima Sifane Shaibi, who also grew up with Yassin in El Jadida, was living in Spain at the time when she came across the story in Spanish media. Shaibi visited Yassin at the migrant center, giving him clothes and showing him Oscar’s news story. Shaibi described Yassin as sad over being separated from Oscar, but “very grateful to the policeman for saving his life.”
On Tuesday, Yassin and Halima were able to get in contact with Galindo for the first time via video call. On the call, Galindo showed Oscar, alive and well, bringing Yassin to tears. Although the authorities had renamed Oscar “Res” (short for Rescue), Galindo assured the dog would have the correct name displayed on his microchip.
On the call, Yassin stated he “would like Fernando to stay with the dog, and to hear from him from time to time, to have contact.” Galindo, who has fallen in love with Oscar, promised to take care of the dog “as long as it takes.”
Although Galindo stated he has become close to the dog, and will give it back to Yassin with great pain, he maintained he was determined to reunite the dog with “its rightful owner.”
