Tribute to Barney

I said I would not have another dog. After three wonderful Scotties I was at a place in my life - - - retired and knew that I was too fussy about just who could watch my furry child and having one would restrict traveling. Most of all, I just didn’t know if I could go through the heart break again of losing one. Of course, saying I wasn’t going to have another Scottie didn’t make any difference to my daughters. They would send me things on the internet and continue to give me little Scottie gifts.

One day while spending the winter in Florida an e-mail came from one of my daughters. It was a forward from the Scottie Rescue website. There was Barney! He was a stray who needed special attention. His time on the street was not kind to him and his skin was all chewed-up and he needed daily medicated baths. It was his face. I made an instant connection. I knew he had to be mine. Without even consulting my husband, I filled out the on-line application.

Barney (rear), Cuddles (front)
on the Beach of Ft DeSoto

The rescue was in Tennessee and they informed me that they didn’t do adoptions out of state. But that didn’t stop me - - -I knew he was suppose to me mine, so I had them call my Vet and check me out with my neighbors and finally they agreed since I had 3 other Scotties. You see Scotties are very independent and headstrong and not the dog for everyone and the rescue was afraid that if it didn’t work out he would be homeless again without their support. After several transfer arrangements fell through we finalized a plan to pick Barney up on our trip back from Florida to Michigan. The rescue had to transport him across Tennessee. We met at the BP Gas Station off I-75 outside Knoxville. I could tell he was frightened from his rescue transport experience - - - no “happy to meet you” tail waggin experience, but I knew we were supposed to be together.

What I learned in the next several years was that Barney’s coming into my life was certainly no accident. My husband’s Alzheimer’s advanced and Barney sitting next to him on the sofa provided him with much comfort. When Ed didn’t feel comfortable with a conversation he could always talk about now good Barney was and his endearing characteristics.  However, as important as Barney was for my husband, I learned that Barney really was critically important for me.

I had started taking him on a morning and evening daily walks when he first arrived. I figured the exercise would be good for me and Barney really enjoyed the trips around the neighborhood. However, as my husband’s memory got worse, as his primary caregiver, sometimes the stresses and responsibilities seemed almost unbearable. It was those two walks a day with Barney that helped me keep my sanity. The walks provided a regular release I needed from the stress. Neighbors and outside help would come stay with my husband as I took Barney on the walks.

Barney was there through hospice and the funeral. And after the funeral. There is so much comfort I received from the little Scotty that had such a big mission. Our twice a day walks continue and the kindness of neighbors after the funeral is reinforced as I met them on the walks. Barney is there when I need a little company at night or a hug when I’m retiring at the end of the day. We are strongly bonded and when I’m not in sight he searches to keep his eye on me.