26 Mar 2026
A much-loved mascot for a restored heritage railway station, Baz the labrador has tragically been given less than a year to live, but his owner is determined to make every day count.
Local postman Michael Izzard, better known as ‘Nast Hyde Halt Mike’, spent four years between 2015 to 2019 lovingly restoring a derelict station on the former Hatfield and St Albans branch line known today as the Alban Way.
He now uses Nast Hyde Halt station as a foundation stone to raise thousands of pounds for various good causes and charities, and for the past seven years has been joined by his doggy pal Baz.
Mike explained: “Over the years, Baz has stood proudly beside our fundraising efforts, helping to raise more than £40,000 for charities and good causes close to our hearts. Wherever there was hope to be lifted, Baz was there, tail high, spirit higher.
“He is a lovable character folk love to meet during our ‘Tea at the Halt’ events on summer Sundays and has accompanied me to numerous talks and helped raise funds for various dementia and cancer, a hedgehog rescue centre and towards the restoration of Smallford Station along with a boost towards maintenance costs here at Nast Hyde.
“He’s also helped sell out more 500 calendars too, in which he featured on numerous occasions.
“Baz isn’t just our dog. He’s been our teammate our mascot and a truly magnificent friend and our four legged reminder that kindness can wag its way into the world.”
But earlier this month Mike received the tragic news that Baz had a rare form of cancer in one of his back legs, and had less than a year to live.
He said: “Baz is without question, the best friend I have ever had. This news has shattered my heart, and I’m struggling to put into words how much he means to me. He did not deserve to be touched by such a cruel disease.
“Surgery would require the complete removal of that leg, and even then it would not remove all of the cancer, only offering a few extra months at most.
“Because of this, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision not to put Baz through such a traumatic operation, and instead to let him continue enjoying life as much as he can with comfort, dignity and love until the time comes to say goodbye and let him slip away.
“He’s on lots of medication to try and slow the tumour down and deal with pain levels, and obviously I don’t want to put him through even more discomfort so have decided to focus upon giving him the best quality of life as possible while I still can with comfort, dignity and love.
“Baz will be continuing the work he’s helped champion for so long at a much slower pace from the sidelines.
“It is incredibly difficult to witness his decline as his back leg continues to deteriorate while the aggressive cancer takes hold, but his spirit remains high and what an extraordinary station mascot he has been. His kindness, and impact will never be forgotten.”
Mike is determined to use the tragedy to continue the work he has shared with Baz in doing their bit for local charities.
“Whilst the reality of losing Baz has broken our hearts, it has also sharpened our purpose, and in honour of his incredible legacy, we’re fundraising for St Albans Action for Homeless, a lifeline for so many.
“Every donation is a way of saying thank you to a very good boy who gave so much, simply by being himself.
“Our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has helped the memory of Baz live on forever, long after he drifts away. If you’d like to encourage your readers to make a small donation towards Baz’s fundraiser then at least his legacy will always be remembered as a magnificent station mascot who helped many others right up to the end.”
If you’d like to donate to Baz’s St Albans Action for Homeless fundraiser, the link is www.justgiving.com/page/baz4homeless
St Albans Action for Homeless community officer Sharron Linney added: “We are so grateful to Mike for generously raising funds for SAAFH, we just wish it was for happier reasons.
“As dog lovers ourselves it’s heartbreaking that Baz is terminally ill, but to turn that sadness into vital funds for us is admirable and we cannot thank him enough.”
