Posted October 24, 1999
Revised November 26, 2001

Here is a picture of Barney taken recently on the one year anniversary of his adoption. I think his family considers this his birthday. You can tell from all the goodies presented to him. A fine and appropriate birthday it is. I could not be happier for him.

Before his wonderful adoption, Barney had some serious trouble in his life. He was dumped by his "family" at a Maryland shelter, probably because they knew he was sick. Of course, they did not tell us this at the time. Barney was suffering with kennel cough, a serious bacterial infection, and a bad case of heartworms. No doubt living all his five years outdoors at the end of a chain contributed mightily toward his deplorable condition -- and to his serious lack of manners and socialization. We were desperately worried for him.

Barney got to his special foster mother after all kinds of treatment in an emaciated and very emotionally needy state. It was painfully obvious that he has known very little love in his life, and he was starved for care and attention. Happily, he got it in his foster home, and I cannot thank his foster mother enough for all the time and TLC she gave to Barney. It took all her skills as a trainer and all her love to teach him and bring him around. Barney was, in her words, "a challenge." He was also a major expense to the rescue. I keep saying he is our truly golden dog. The bills were out of sight. I thank all the incredible people who contributed to his care during this very difficult time. Your generous donations have helped considerably and make it possible to continue rescuing.

I would also like to thank one of our most important volunteers. She knows who she is, and she surely must know that she is becoming indispensable to our efforts. She visited Barney religiously during his sickness and incarceration, brushing and stroking him, doing her best to make him feel loved and safe, reassuring him that he would be okay. She saw to it personally (driving hundreds of miles on her own) that Barney was securely delivered from the veterinary hospital in College Park, Maryland to his foster home in Marysville, Ohio. Her help came, and continues to come, at very necessary times. Thanks are not enough.

Finally, I wish to thank the special couple from Michigan who have opened their home and hearts to Barney and all his particular needs. To say they have gone above and beyond the call of duty is a major understatement. They are dream adopters. I wish all needy dogs had people like these in their lives. Even better, they have recently opened their hearts to another of our special charges, our sweet Mynka. Barney now has a girlfriend to share his heart and home.

We wish Barney all the best. He now has a real chance a the life he should have had all along. No living creature should be made to suffer as he did. His reversal of fortune is now complete, thanks to many amazing people.

This page was written by
Valerie Macys
nancyk@CockerAdoption.org