Barney 11-408 [1]

Sponsored by:

Dennis and Joanne
"What a wonderful, sweet boy who deserves the best Christmas gift of all: a wonderful new life!
Let's get that tail wagging and the big Golden smile going!"

In Memory of Abby
"Barney, you are such a sweet, handsome boy - love your senior face - you are in such good hands. Merry Christmas!"

Judith Cummings

 Love, Grizz

December 11, 2011

Meet Barney, the senior that has stolen my heart. He was dumped up north, was taken in by a good samaritan and eventually made it to RAGOM. Thanks to Bobbi Jo for picking Barney up, driving him an hour and half to meet me. It sure was a lot of 'riding' for this boy, about 3 hours worth. The dog I met was matted on his underside and sides with mats were so long that when he walked his hind feet stepped on the mats. His tail was tucked between his legs and he hated the leash. We went right to the vet where they did blood work, updated his shots and then was shaved and cut and bathed. It was discovered ALL his teeth were very very nasty, he was not altered and he had about a 2" growth hanging from under his chin. Finally it was time to head for his new 'foster home'. Once in the garage with the doors closed I had to work to get him out of the van and outside for a potty break. Hating the leash makes it difficult to get a dog in and out of doors. We finally made it in the house and there was no doubt he had never been indoors and the tile floors were scary. Soon he settled in the hallway by the front door with rugs scattered here and there. I tried to feed him by hand and he did well but once he realized it was good food he would just 'grab' for it so it was time to let him eat out of the bowl. Eventually he wasn't quite so scared and I would sit by him and pet him and talk to him and he relaxed a bit. I put a gate up between the hall and kitchen to give him a feeling of being 'safe'. Wasn't too long and he pushed the gate out of the way and very carefully walked into the dining area and around the table. After that I just let him wander. At bedtime I put the fridge light on and gated him in the dining area. And so Barney's new life began. He is fine with our 3 cats and likes being with another dog. He is a bit timid with my husband, but warming up.

Barney had 18 teeth removed and had already lost 2 (they have a total of 42 teeth). A couple of the teeth were so infected they smelled, one was concave in his mouth, the rest worn down by chewing to get out?.......... poor nutrition for sure.....how he ate I don't know, but it explains his eating by sucking up and swallowing food whole:( He is on soft food for a few days and then I will make mush out of his regular kibble by soaking it in hot water and then blending it. He will be back on regular kibble in no time and able to eat without the horrible pain he was in. We have no idea how long Barney was on his own or what his life was before, but he wasn't taken care of. Good chance he was kept in a small area and not exercised or received any vet care. He has some muscle loss in his hind legs but hopefully with short walks a couple times a day we can start to build him up. I hope whomever 'owned' Barney gets coal and few nasty surprises in their stocking!! My heart just breaks at the thought of this dog being treated so poorly and I want only a GReat life for him from now on and forever. He is Lyme and heartworm negative and blood work was good over all, which is something considering what he has been through. When I went to get him tonight they said he had just laid in his enclosure all day quiet as a mouse (he hasn't barked at all). I went over to him and started talking to him. He raised his head up and looked at me. When I opened the door he stood up and WAGGED HIS TAIL!!! Before then he had not wagged it once, my hubby thought it was broke as it was always tucked between his legs:( I sat and talked with him and he finally got the courage to step out and once out he moved:) He was ready to go. At home and out of the van and potty break he headed right for the house door..........and walked right in. WOW just a couple days of Jax leading the way and me ushering him via steering his butt down the hall, he figured out that he could go out and Come Back In!!!!!

There are so many deserving dogs and RAGOM has saved so many. What most people don't realize is that it can cost upwards of a thousand dollars and more to help a dog get his health back. Being a senior, RAGOM's adoption fee is but a fraction of the cost of vetting. But how do you put a price on this dog's life? I know at this time of the year we have many places for our monies to go, many wonderful charities, family members to remember at Christmas, and sponsoring Barney may not be in the budget. BUT if you would like to help with Barney's vet bills, any amount would be welcome and so appreciated. You can donate on line or send a check and tell RAGOM it's for BARNEY 11-408 and I promise you it will be one of the best gifts you give this season:)

Barney would love and thrive in a home with no small children, with or without another fur butt, and someone who just wants to 'share' life with him. I know when you look at all our seniors on site they may seem to 'all be the same', but each one has a story and deserves to live their lives out in a loving home. Barney is no exception. So stayed tuned for the next chapter in Barney's new book of life.

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you and yours

Barney meets Jax

Groomed

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