Back in 2010, I had an email from another lady, Julia, with a holiday home here in Puglia. It was a desperate plea, she had found a starving pup, which she first tried ignoring, but soon realised that she was not going anywhere so she took her in and began feeding her. Of course, what happens, everyone falls in love with her. Julia, tried postings on Puglia forums to see if she could get this little girl rehomed. No luck. Her family all loved the pup and wanted to get her back to the UK with them, so we offered to take Marina for her, whilst waiting for her pet passport.
A few days later I had an email from Julia, Marina’s brother had arrived at their door! They did not know what to do. In the end, it was decided they would take him as well. So we took Marina and her brother Barsy until they were ready to go to the UK. They were only around four or five months old when we took them, and they have to be six months before they can start the passport. They were so sweet, I could understand Julia not wanting to leave them to fend for themselves. Marina was quite a bit bigger than her brother and a little timid, but Barsy was very friendly and oh so lovable.
We had them for a couple of months and grew to love them very much. They then made their journey back to London, to begin their new lives.
Then sometime later I received an email from Julia. I went cold as I read the first line. “I am afraid I have some terrible news. Last night our darling Marina died. We have no idea what happened and are utterly bereft, as is poor Barsy.”
Julia and her family were so upset, they adored these two dogs. They have no idea why she died, they did not want the trauma of a post mortem, and who can blame them, when the outcome would have been the same. Their vet thought she might have been poisoned, or maybe it was her heart.
Julia went on to say “So sorry to bear the bad news but you were her second Mummy and need to know. You were so kind to her and I’m grateful that she had 18 months of joyous life with us that I am sure she would otherwise not have had.” How very true. This happening was such a shame and such a waste of a young life 💔❤️
