:: Poisonings in Greece ::

This Is a Tribute to the Short, Happy Life of Reilly, My Beloved Irish Setter
Reilly: July 12, 2002-February 7, 2003

He came home happy after his run in the park at Flisvos in Paleo Faliro. He had flushed birds along the quay (a growing obsession) and romped amongst the high weeds, only red ears flapping away. After toweling off and a brushing he ate his dinner and collapsed on the bed while I worked on the computer nearby.

He suddenly sat up and looked puzzled and then began to shake. I thought it was the first sign of epilepsy. The convulsions got worse and the howling, and he crashed off the bed to the floor. I rushed to find the emetic I carried always in case of poison and forced it down his throat. The vet told me to bring him in, but he was convulsing too much and I called back. I ran to meet the vet whose office was nearby, brought him home, and he gave Reilly three shots. We carried the limp dog down to my car and rushed to his dispensary where he worked over him with drips, enemas and carbon solutions before being putting in a cage on a drip for the night. The vet said we would know in the morning. I wanted to stay with him, but in the end I was persuaded there was nothing I could do. I could have kept him company.

In the morning I could not face the news and waited outside while a friend found out and brought back the news with a simple headshake.

Reilly was everything I ever wanted in a dog. Beautiful. Sweet. Loving. Fun. A joy to be with and to watch enjoy and learn about life. He was just beginning to reach his potential which was extraordinary. That he should be robbed of that is unforgivable and poisoners in Greece must be held accountable.

The poison, I believe, was in a piece of bread he picked up as we were leaving the park in the new turnaround station for the 450 and 550 KTEL buses. I took it away from him, but he must have ingested some. Even though I had been warned, I had come to believe I would not be that unlucky. I had tried a muzzle but was talked out of it as being cruel by some well-meaning persons who feed and care for the strays in the park. So please learn from my example and get an old-fashioned muzzle and use it. Don’t buy the new canvas ones as they allow drinking and eating. Even on a leash a dog can pick up poison.

Greetings and best wishes to all the animal lovers and advocates in Greece.

Jim Creighton
Athens, Greece
Feb. 17, 2003

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