On the facade of Saint John the Baptist Church in Tomar, Portugal, there is a bas relief of the a small Podengo with a rabbit in its mouth (see above photo). The story behind the artwork is that when the Moors invaded and occupied much of Portugal for centuries, the people were often oppressed and unable to hunt or farm freely. The mighty little Podengo would hunt and bring rabbits back to the door of the simple homes, providing a source or nourishment to sustain the people. I have been told that the rabbit in the mouth of this Podengo symbolizes the host, the communion wafer. This story not only brings tears to one's eye, but shows the richness of the fabric of the Podengo's history and role in the history and culture of Portugal.
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Perrita Podenca
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