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Barneys StoryBarneys story does have a happy ending. He is a rescue dog and for many of these abandoned or lost dogs the shelter is their last chance. When we decided it was time to get another dog we thought a youngster in need of a good, loving home would be better than a puppy. With both of us working we decided a puppy would be too demanding. Little did we know that Barney would prove to be just so - and more! We chose a shelter quite local in the East Midlands and went to have a look round. Their policy was to have photos on display and then they bring the dog you are interested in out to you. Barney was quite new and they only had a description of him.
It's quite funny looking back as we had a very clear idea of what we wanted. Smallish, scruffy looking, around a year old and MUST get on with cats. Well we got two out of the four requirements!
They brought him out and he wasn't what I expected at all! But he was very cute and ever so pleased to see us! I wanted to take him for a walk to see what he was like on the lead but my husband jumped in and decided he would be fine!
Little was known of his history except that he was a Bearded Collie Cross and had been allowed to roam the streets. The original owner let Barney out all the time and the dog warden regularly took him back. They got fed up with him so gave him away to someone else who did exactly the same! We now think this was because they couldn't be bothered to train him. He is a lively dog and would have needed the discipline and early socialisation. Barney also has a lot of energy and needs regular walks and play. The last time he was picked up by the police and returned to his owner with a warning. They just turned round and said they didn't want Barney back! So that's how he ended up at the rescue centre. By now he was an out of control "puppy" in the quite large body of a 1 year old dog. He had little or no training and no socialisation. Left to wander the streets and scavenge for food. Barney has now been with us for three years and it's been hard. We had some help from a dog trainer after about 6 months of trying by ourselves. It was some help and gave us some valuable tips but we felt this particular one, wanted dogs totally submissive. Not everyone would agree but we felt that all Barneys character would be knocked out of him.
Barney has now stopped raiding the bin at every opportunity and he used to have a thing about shedding paper. That has stopped too. He gets a little embarrased about food, I think this is due to his having to find his own for all that time. He is very relaxed with us now but I'm afraid he barks at everything that passes. Not a dog that constantly barks though, thankfully! We are convinced that he was physically abused. Just something in his reactions that makes us sometimes think he still doesn't always trust people. Barneys story is just one of many from dog rescue centres and animal shelters all over the world. Please also remember that not all rescue dogs are difficult. It's just that they have usually been through the mill a bit and often bad behaviours have to be un-learned. Barney gives me unconditional love and he is ALWAYS pleased to see me - even when I have only been gone five minutes! In fact once people are through the door, he is very enthusiastic to meet everybody. He is a bouncy dog but too much for some and often goes in his crate when we have visitors! I wouldn't change a thing about him. He is my Boo and if I had to, I would do it all over again.
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