In our work we come across poisoned dogs again and again. Sometimes we can save their lives with the help of our vets, but sometimes it’s too late to help and the dog dies a cruel and senseless death. I always thought how dreadful it must be to lose your dog through such a merciless and cruel act. Last Sunday we had to experience by ourselves the pain and bitterness of the sudden loss of your beloved dog through poisoning.

During the day I had been at the adoption fair at Airport Plaza and Klaus had left home with Benji around 05.00 p.m. to pick me up. At this time all was still fine. Bailey, our 3 year old rescued Golden Retriever, was running and playing happily with our other dogs. 2 ½ hours later we came home. I went upstairs and heard Klaus shortly afterwards calling me. From the sound of his voice I realized that something terrible must have happened and I rushed down. He said that he had found Bailey lying dead in our workshop. I hurried and ran over to the room, shocked and somehow hoping that this was all a huge misunderstanding that just couldn’t be true. Bailey was lying there as if he would sleep, but when I touched his body I realized that it had stiffened already and the cruel reality sank in that there was to more hope to rescue our beloved dog.

As Bailey had been healthy, active, and cheerful as always it was very unlikely that he would have died by a disease. We were wondering if a snake might have bitten him. The next day we had an autopsy done and the vet told us afterwards that Bailey hadn’t died through a snake bite but through poising due to the lesions in his stomach that the poison had caused. He suspected a herbicide. There are not herbicides reachable in our garden or house, so someone must have thrown poisoned food into our garden.

We have no idea who has been behind this merciless act. Could it be someone who has been annoyed by barking from our home or the shelter? We will report the killing of Bailey to the police, but it will be very hard to find out who is behind it. And we also worry about the safety of our other and the shelter dogs.

Bailey has come to our shelter 2 years ago. His previous owner wanted to put him to sleep after an accident. as he didn’t wanted to invest more money and anyway didn’t have time for him. Bailey had various fractures and an inserted pin that was too long had caused a severe infection. In the beginning we were not sure if Bailey would make it. We had him re- operated, he got an external fixation, the infection got under control and step by step he made a full recovery. We had fostered Bailey through this process, and the inevitable happened, we fall in love with his friendly, cheerful and very affectionate nature and decided to adopt him.

Bailey had brought a lot of love and sunshine into our home. He loved human company and followed us everywhere, always keen on a cuddle. He loved to play ball with Benji and endured with great patience Benjis clumsy touches. I had thought that both would be best friends one day but this wasn’t meant to be.

He was the only of our dogs who gave us “bear hugs” when we came home.

Bailey, we miss you!

Karin, Klaus & Benji