Today we are having to face up to the fact that our beautiful dog, Harry, will probably never come home.
Harry came into our lives as a crazy little pup 6 years ago. The first night we brought him home, he was so tiny, but boy could he howl! He was suddenly on his own for the first time in his life, and he did not like it. We ended up taking him to bed with us to stop the howling!!!!
Next day, we rang Alison and John, who we had got him from and asked if there was another one left. Madness, but we just knew he wasn’t going to do well on his own. Alison and John delivered Winnie to us the next day.
We went through the chewed shoes (Harry), gloves (Winnie), and doorframes (both), and kept hoping they would ‘grow up’. Grow out of the ‘puppy’ stage. They never did. They were the best at playing hide and seek, and kept each other totally amused. Six years on, and they have never been apart.
Harry & Winnie
Last Tuesday they both disappeared. We had been keeping them confined as this had happened a couple of times. However, they both managed to escape without our noticing. We waited for a while and headed to where we thought they had gone. No sign of them.
Back at home, we waited and waited. They always came back for dinner.
I don’t know how many times we got up during the night to see if they were back, and to call them. By 6.30 am we were up and on the road again searching for them.
There is over 1,000 acres of bog not far from us, and this is where we started our search. We called and called, and walked and drove miles. Nothing.
Back at home at 9 am I sent a text to all our neighbours asking them to keep an eye out. Within seconds I had a call saying one neighbour thought they had Winnie. We jumped in car, and found her in their calving shed. She was covered in blood. It was impossible to tell if she’d been attacked by an animal or shot. We brought her home and cleaned her up. Then Alfie went and walked more land and searched other sheds and buildings to see if there was any sign of Harry.
A visit to the vet with Winnie confirmed she has about 30 pellets imbedded in her face, including in her eye.
Each day since we have spent hours searching for Harry to no avail.
We know they should not have strayed. They should not have been on the bog without us. (The area they went to, they knew as Alfie used to keep bees there.) There were no animals in any field near where they were.
They did not chase animals (other than each other). They were chasers of birds – crows, swifts, swallows, wagtails… all had to be chased off the lawn.
They are both gentle friendly dogs. Winnie is a carer… babies of any breed…. she would babysit baby pigs for hours. Harry was a big softie… he would greet you wildly in the morning, but would not go outside until he had his hug.
It sickens me to think that some cold, calculating, evil b****** shot them when a warning shot would have sufficed to send them scurrying home. We both pray that he was killed instantly. We don’t want to think of him in a ditch injured, and having a slow death. He did not deserve that.
Thank you to the literally hundreds of friends, family and kind strangers who have sent messages, have shared his photo… we really do appreciate your kindness.
Harry 2010 – 2016
RIP Harry – the kindest, gentlest, most loyal of dogs, you are missed.
A Year In Redwood 
I am so heartbroken for you and your family. 😥
You need a hug and I’ll give you one. xxx…x
Thank you Patricia.
Elora and I are saddened by your loss xxx
Thanks John and Elora.
I’m so sorry both of you… I feel your pain. We love our animals so much and want to keep them safe at all times. Don’t blame yourself, have a good cry. It won’t help. But with time it will eventually fade … Xxx lots of love from the both of us
Thank you Regula and Bruno.
Thinking of you both – and of course poor Winnie. I hope she isn’t finding it too hard on her own.
I am in bits reading this Margaret. You know I am not much of a dog person. I fear digs after being bitten by one as a little girl. But Harry and Winnie always managed to sneak a hug from me. They are such gentle dogs. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the person who did it gets what he deserves. May he rot in hell! 😦
Hear hear to that Lily
Very sad for you both, and for Winnie. Hope she is recovering. Love and hugs from us three xxx
Thanks Colette…. Winnie is getting better day by day, but if she was a human I’d say she’s suffering from ‘separation anxiety’…. don’t know who we are going to manage this.
Oh Margaret and Alfie, I’m just so sad to read this, and so gutted to think of Winnie wondering where Harry is. Sending hugs. Sx
Thank you Sile…. it is the kindness of others that is getting us through this.
Margaret, I’m devastated and in tears over your boy. Cruelty is incomprehensible. How is Winnie going?
Hi Cynthia, Winnie is improving daily. the pellets are starting to work themselves out of her skin. We are keeping a very close watch on her eye, but it seems to be improving too.
Margaret, I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around what has happened to your good dogs. I’m very glad Winnie is doing well. How are you doing?
We are doing okay. Spent another couple of hours out searching this morning. All probably pointless but it makes us feel a bit better.
…..doing?
I’m so very sorry, he was truly one of the sweetest dogs I ever met.
Thanks Jacqui…. he was, which makes it even worse.
So so sorry to hear of Harry’s demise Margaret & Alfie. He really was a lovely gentle dog. There are some very sick and cruel people out there. Talk soon. David.
Thanks David…. there surely are.
Im sorry for you loss and Winnies too, she must be devastated also. Im more so saddened by the fact that you dont have answers to what happened to Harry. I hope you get answers ❤️
Thank you Adrienne… all these kind thoughts really do help.
I am heartbroken for you. This was totally cruel & unnecessary. I am so sorry for your loss & hope Winnie makes a good recovery xx
Thank you Georgina…. yes, it was so completely unnecessary… which is what makes it so awful.
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