Please help my boy Bentley

I have had to put to one side my personal embarrassment to tell the heart-breaking story of my dog, Bentley.

I am sure you will all remember the summer of 2022 when we had a heatwave and temperatures soared to over 40c.

I was woken one night at 03.30 and was shocked to see out my window my shed on fire. The flames were almost as high as my window. I then saw my conservatory was on fire. In a panic I rushed downstairs unaware Bentley was behind me. What I did next I will regret for the rest of my life. I opened a front window and to my horror Bentley jumped out. I was convinced my boy was going to die or be badly burnt. Thankfully Bentley wasn’t physically hurt but psychologically it has changed him. No longer is he the happy go lucky dog. He now fears everything he encounters as a danger.

My vet advised me to have Bentley euthanised as he has been diagnosed with ‘fear aggression’ which can result in him biting me. I am not entertaining euthanasia; it is not his fault this has happened to him. I know I can have my boy back again and will try everything for him. I have paid for an independent psychologist from the Royal Veterinary College who suggested medication (trazodone and clonidine), he will be on this for the rest of his life. This costs £300 per month. The biting has thankfully stopped. So far, his bill has come to £3500. I was £1000 short so against doctors orders I worked 13 x 12 hour shifts to find the money. I have a disability and am only meant to work part time, but my boy needs me.

For the last 3 years, I have been having counselling for PTSD, as I am myself learning how to come to terms with this, if I can get my dog better this may be one way I can help myself to get better too. The pain I feel in my heart is immense.

I now need Bentley to see a dog behaviourist, who can provide him with the intensive therapy he so badly needs, and he can learn to cope with seeing things he encounters on walks without having meltdowns. The cost of Bentley seeing an experienced therapist is who is highly experienced to deal with his condition is £75 per lesson. Bentley doesn’t deserve how he feels and acts. I will never give up on him. If you can see it in your hearts to help me, I will be forever grateful. Thank you.

A dog is for life