Freak incident claims beloved pet
To always be remembered as a special part of the family
The bond between a dog lover and his or her special canine friend is one that has been forged across hundreds of years. Over the centuries our cherished dogs have been our protectors, our companions and our family.
On Tuesday morning, 24 September, Carla Fraser was alerted to the unsettling news that her beloved Barnabas was not well and was unresponsive.
Barnabas, a 17-month-old male Rottweiler, was Carla’s pride and joy. Carla is the K9 handler for the Kruin Community Volunteer Association (KCVA). Carla first met Barnabas when he was a five-week-old puppy. Since then he has become Carla’s personal escort, a personal protection dog who would go with her wherever she went. The term ‘inseparable’ would not do justice to their close bond. Barnabas was trained at Comprehensive K9 Solutions and passed his bite training at just 10 months old. He drove, rested and patrolled with Carla daily.
Early Tuesday morning, Carla received a call from her domestic worker to tell her that Barnabas had not woken up that morning. Carla was away at the Kruger National Park – the first time Carla had not travelled with her special friend. Dr Dave Shipster of the Ruimsig Veterinary Clinic came to her house to collect Barnabas. Initial suspicions were that someone close to the house was responsible for possibly poisoning the dog but an autopsy ruled that out. Dr Shipster confirmed with Carla via text message that Barnabas had succumbed to ”acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by a bite or sting and the resulting allergic reaction.”
Carla was keen to stress that she wanted the community to know Barnabas had not been poisoned. She said, ”It was a freak accident. I hope people are not quick to jump to conclusions or lay blame unnecessarily.” Given the frequency that dog poisonings occur, its easy to see how that would be the first reaction. Carla added, “I encourage everyone to stop and think before making accusations.” Carla also wanted to thank KCVA for the strength and support she has received from them.
Barnabas will be remembered by Carla and those whose lives he touched as an amazing animal and a valuable member of KCVA, fiercely protective but loving and gentle to those who he truly bonded with. A great lover of Walkhaven, he would be in his element running, playing and swimming at the exclusive dog park. He also had a unique love of Carla’s chickens, which he had nibbled on on at least three separate occasions. In just 17 months, Barnabas has left an indelible mark on Carla and her family; a daily companion who walks at her side no more.
