Lifesaving impact of laidback Suffolk rescue dog
Two years ago, Justin was so ill and depressed he attempted suicide and was rescued by police. Today, thanks in large part to the love and loyalty of Bagel, a beagle/spaniel cross adopted from Blue Cross Suffolk rehoming centre, he says his mental health is the best it has ever been.
“I’m so glad I’m still here. Otherwise, I’d never have met Bagel,” Justin, 54, from Ipswich, says. “I was so low, but life can always get better. Bagel has changed everything.”
Justin and his wife Anita, 64, adopted Bagel from Blue Cross Suffolk rehoming centre in the autumn of 2023.
“I wanted a dog to bring some joy back into our lives,” former nurse Anita says. “Coming so close to losing Justin was terrifying. I knew he’d been struggling but hadn’t realised things had reached such a crisis.
"So, I started looking on the Blue Cross website for dogs up for adoption – with a big garden and four parks nearby we could offer a from wonderful home. Then Bagel – or Alex as he was called by Blue Cross – popped up.”
Bagel was the oldest – and biggest – of a litter of seven puppies born in Blue Cross care after their mother’s owner could no longer look after her.
‘Alex is a real softie and always gentle with his siblings,’ his description read online.
Softness was exactly what Justin and Anita needed in their lives after the hard times they’d endured. So, they drove the ten minutes from their home to the centre to meet the pups.
“Charles, the manager at Blue Cross Suffolk, brought all the puppies out to the playground and Bagel came straight over to us,” Anita says. “He knew who his Mummy and Daddy were! And he was gorgeous even though the black markings on his face made him look like Dracula from the old black and white films.”
Bagel certainly did know who his Mummy and Daddy were. Within half an hour of Justin and Anita welcoming him into their home, he’d fallen sound asleep on Justin’s lap.
“Whatever Blue Cross do for pups in their care is amazing,” Anita says. “Beagles and spaniels have a reputation for being hard to train but Bagel’s recall is good, and he always stops at traffic lights and corners.
"He’s so confident and relaxed. Even thunder and fireworks don’t bother him. The only thing that’s ever spooked him was a kid dressed up as Pac-Man from the 1980s video games. And we have to hide chocolate from him. I understand why the police use spaniels as sniffer dogs – Bagel can smell chocolate a mile away.”
“But the best thing about Bagel is how happy he’s made Justin. This dog is impossible to wear out so they go for ten miles walks most days. They get chatted up on their walks. ‘Isn’t he lovely?’ people say and Justin jokes: ‘Are you talking about me or the dog?’ I’m not jealous – I’m just thrilled Justin has his life back.”
“Bagel is so sociable,” Justin agrees. “On our walks, he greets every dog we see – his bottom wags with excitement. Then I start chatting to the owners. That contact with people is so good for my mental health. I feel part of the world again. And the walks are great for my physical health – I used to struggle with my weight but now I’m the fittest I’ve ever been.”
Now Anita and Justin hope to share Bagel’s gift of love with others by registering him as a therapy dog.
“When Bagel puts his chin on my leg and looks up at me with those brown eyes, I know there’s a deep understanding between us,” Justin says.
“There’s a bit of Staffordshire bull terrier in him so while he has the smarts of the beagle and spaniel, he has the loyal nature of a Staffie. He truly is the best therapy.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling, contact the Samaritans for a free and confidential chat on 166 123.