Badger RIP

My beautiful boy has gone.

There are no words to describe how broken we are

Huh ??!
I am so sorry Caryll, whatever happened ?

RIP Badger and run free with Dempsey

Badger was always 'difficult', but recently he had become unpredictably aggressive. He would suddenly turn on us with no trigger. His eyes would go blank & he'd bite if he could reach.

Wednesday before last he went for me for no reason - really lost the plot this time. He bit me in the stomach and took off a chunk of my thumb which meant a trip to casualty. Afterwards, his behaviour was 'odd'. Very nervous, pacing & unable to settle and kept staring at walls. We took him to the vet the following Friday & he had a thorough medical & assessment.

His behaviour, although nervous, was good throughout, but his eyes did not react properly to a light shone in them. The vet was 99% sure he was suffering from SOAS (sudden onset aggression syndrome - previously called Bully Rage) for which there is no cure & the only treatment is thorough sedation for life. Every time he had an 'episode' a little bit of his brain would be destroyed & the aggression would become more frequent and last for longer.

We decided, for his sake as much as for ours, to give him rest & he died peacefully with his family around him last Tuesday evening.

Truly heart broken. Despite his problems he could be the most loving boy who was loved by everyone he met. He was intelligent and picked up new training quickly & eagerly, was mischievous and an utter clown.

I’d not herd of bully rage but I completely understand your decision not to let Badger endure a life under heavy sedation - that’s no quality of life for any dog let alone such a young soul.

I hope your (bite) wounds are ok and that your broken heart will heal over time.
Take care of you and your family Caryll.

This is my favourite photo of him - taken about 6 weeks ago...



A handsome boy.

OMG Caryll, so sorry to hear this Run free with Dempsey Badger

That is a beautiful pic of him