Being There For Bailey

From a life of fear to a loving home

Bailey grew up in a tiny space with high walls. He came to DARG matted and terrified of the world. His hair had grown over his eyes, so he couldn’t see anything. When a leash was put around his neck, he defecated and cowered in fear and growled at those who approached him. DARG’s managing director, Faustina Gardner, saw a little dog whose spirit had been stolen from him at a very young age. She took him into a room and sat on the floor.

After several minutes, he climbed onto her lap – the bond was formed, and his new journey had begun. As Bailey attempted to adjust to life in a large shelter, he showed he couldn’t cope in a regular enclosure. He was put in a small room, which helped as it mimicked his original set-up in the informal settlement. Bailey got startled at any noise and became increasingly distressed. The vet prescribed anti-anxiety medication, but even this wasn’t touching sides.

Bailey needed a little miracle, as he simply wasn’t coping in the shelter. Many adopters enquired about him, but he needed a very specific home as he was reactive around other dogs and difficult to handle given his excessive stress levels.