Can you help find the dog that guided this man through depression?

Can you help find the dog that guided this man through depression and drug addiction?
(Picture: James Firsh)

Cody the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross has been missing for two weeks.

James Firsht, from Bounds Green in North London, has lost his beloved dog and fears that he may have been stolen.

Cody is a very special dog because he has helped James for years in his battle against depression and drug addiction.

James doesn’t know how he can make progress without Cody by his side.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Losing Cody literally feels like a never-ending nightmare. It’s been two weeks and I just want my best friend back.’

Cody ran off during a walk in Hadley Wood, Barnet, with a trusted dog walker that James has used for three years.

He spotted a squirrel and darted away to chase it. The dog walker looked for Cody for hours, but he was nowhere to be found.

James said: ‘She took him off for a walk and he ran off after a squirrel and didn’t come back.

‘She spent hours looking for him. She was scared to tell me. It is totally unlike him. He doesn’t normally run away.’

James and Cody having a cuddle. (Picture: James Firsht)

Understandably, James is utterly distraught by the loss of his best friend.

He has scraped together his life savings and is offering a reward of £1,000 for whoever finds Cody.

James has even requested leave from his job as a gas engineer so he can keep on searching for his pooch, and spends every spare moment putting up flyers around Barnet.

When he adopted Cody, James was going through a dark time in his life.

‘I wasn’t looking after myself, I had no job, and I was really low, but then he gave me something to live for.’

By learning to take care of a pup, James was able to care more for himself. He found a job and began the slow and painful process of recovering from depression and drug addiction.

James rescued Cody, but Cody also rescued James.

There have been unconfirmed sightings of Cody in East Barnet, Cockfosters and Victoria Park, but nothing has been verified.

(Picture: James Firsht)

Cody has a distinctive white patch on his chest.

He’s microchipped and all his details are registered, so if anyone finds him who hasn’t seen James’ flyers, taking Cody to the vet will confirm who he belongs to.

James is heartbroken by the loss of his supportive pet, and needs to have him back home.

If you see a dog that matches Cody’s description, contact James via his email address [email protected] or mobile number 07521259480.

Let’s get Cody home to the owner who loves him.