Maggie and Jim Copp have had to make this choice as they relocate from Legana to Cairns to be with family.

"We're getting too old to look after ourselves and look after the house, and I've got a daughter and son-in-law there who can help us," Mrs Copp said.

Mrs Copp is 76 and has recently had an operation to install a pace-maker and Mr Copp is 85 with emphysema and needs an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Their adopted dog Bailey is about 12 and there is plenty of fight left in the dog.

"He's a very personable little dog. His teeth need a good clean but apart from that he's in good health," Mrs Copp said.

Due to depart on November 4 Maggie and Jim have been unable to organise safe passage to Cairns for Bailey and believe all that is left is for them to ask for a foster carer to take Bailey in.

"They [the airline] won't take a booking for an animal unless you go through PetJet or something like that. I've tried booking several times, but now they're not answering their phone and they're referring you to their website and saying due to COVID we can't help you at the moment," Mrs Copp said.

Bailey faces being separated from his family or being put down if the couple cannot find a fosterer as they wait for a way to get him up to Cairns.

"We just want him fostered until we can make a proper booking to get him to Cairns. I would have to put him in a kennel and he would just be so miserable. I don't want him to be freaked out, he might die if he is," Mrs Copp said.

"I'm very worried about him and I'm not prepared to put him down."

"He is so far a casualty of the situation," Mr Copp said.

Mrs Copp said Bailey is a low maintenance dog who would work well with an older owner or anyone that could devote him attention.

"We just need a good samaritan who will babysit and care for him," she said.

If you are interested in fostering Bailey please email b.duggan@examiner.com.au.

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