Mr Poochman's Pooch House

I received the unwelcome news of Barley’s passing last week. He had been unwell for a while and had been fighting a brave fight in the face of worsening illness. He’s now at peace.

Barley and I met the best part of 10 years ago. I had been speaking to his people for a little while whilst they decided whether we would work on a Pooch Walker/Pooch Walkee basis. They decided to give it a go and voila…I was introduced to Barley and we just…. clicked!

Sometimes you meet someone that you just get… you click with them, you enjoy being with them and most importantly they reciprocate! When that someone is a dog it makes the relationship even more special. Barley and I enjoyed such a relationship. When I say that we clicked I don’t mean on a “there’s a good boy basis…”…it was much deeper and more fulfilling than that.

Barley was a very discerning fellow and liked who he liked. He took time to establish a relationship and to warm up to you. He didn’t need many people in his inner circle and, when and if he allowed you in he just loved the crap out of you. And that’s just how being with Barley felt… like being valued, being cared about, being special, ….and, in particular, being loved. And Barley was very easy to love back!

Barley was a slight, studious chap who looked like he wouldn’t say “boo” to a goose… and he could be just like that. Or, when the mood took him, he could be Super Barley…all piss and vinegar, curly chest puffed up and ready to rumble; fully prepared to look after and protect his people and to ensure that everything was just the way it should be in the world according to Barley… the “Barley Balance” so to speak !

A Pooch Walk staple, Barley regularly came to stay at the Pooch House. When he was here he was always happy and relaxed, parking his swagger for another time. Of course he just had to follow me around to observe me and ensure that everything was “Barley Approved”.

The good part of having a dog like Barley in your life is the unreserved joy and unconditional love that they give, knowing that they are happy to be with you, and that regardless of what is going on you are the centre of their world !

The bad part is having to let them go… even when you know that this is the best thing that you can do for them. The pooch-shaped hole in your life cuts deep and hurts bad.

With time, another good part is remembering why they were so special, just how tightly they were intertwined in our lives and just why we loved them so much.

Barley’s people miss him terribly. He was in their lives a long time and he loved them. He would be sad that they are sad. He would be grateful that they always did their best for him. He would be happy that time will allow memories of a bouncy, happy boy to come to the fore. Indeed, he would appreciate that, in time, life will settle down for everyone who misses him… eventually achieving a “Barley Balance “. Just the way he liked it!

Run free Barley Boy!