Barney 03-194

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Barney is 7 year old golden mix who is returning to RAGOM.

Barney came to RAGOM  as a puppy. He and his littermates were saved from a high kill shelter in MO. Barney was very sick when he arrived. Today he is a healthy and happy boy - when he is not getting grief from the resident dog! There are two things that Barney's loves - his people and going for walks. If you are looking for a companion who will relax with you at home and keep you company on walks Barney is your guy. He never gets tired of walking and he has a prance to his step the entire time! He likes to keep his nose to the ground and doesn't miss a smell. He likes to be outside. He has a privacy fenced back yard and he will spend many hours lying outside and watching birds and catching smells!

Barney can be quite comical. He does some "talking" when we come home from work or when he realizes it is time for his walk. When he talks he moves his upper lip - reminds me of Mr. Ed - the talking horse. OK, I may be dating myself! He is also very expressive with his ears. Happy = ears up high on his head. Unhappy = droopy ears!! He likes to play bow with his people and then run around the back yard as fast as he can. He has a unique process for eating. He eats one kibble at a time, and he takes one kibble from the right side of his dish, then he cocks his head and takes one from the left side of the dish and continues to alternate until he is done.

Now, for some of Barney's other attributes. He will take walks around the neighborhood if he manages to escape from the back yard. Sometimes he doesn't listen too well when he gets out. He never goes far but does get fixed on scents and smells which distracts him from listening.  Barney has some anxieties.

This is a guy you don't want to pass up - he will be your furever friend!

 

At a Glance #03-194

Mixed Breed Born: June 2003
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Barney is 7 year old golden mix who is returning to RAGOM.

Barney came to RAGOM  as a puppy. He and his littermates were saved from a high kill shelter in MO. Barney was very sick when he arrived. Today he is a healthy and happy boy - when he is not getting grief from the resident dog! There are two things that Barney's loves - his people and going for walks. If you are looking for a companion who will relax with you at home and keep you company on walks Barney is your guy. He never gets tired of walking and he has a prance to his step the entire time! He likes to keep his nose to the ground and doesn't miss a smell. He likes to be outside. He has a privacy fenced back yard and he will spend many hours lying outside and watching birds and catching smells!

Barney can be quite comical. He does some "talking" when we come home from work or when he realizes it is time for his walk. When he talks he moves his upper lip - reminds me of Mr. Ed - the talking horse. OK, I may be dating myself! He is also very expressive with his ears. Happy = ears up high on his head. Unhappy = droopy ears!! He likes to play bow with his people and then run around the back yard as fast as he can. He has a unique process for eating. He eats one kibble at a time, and he takes one kibble from the right side of his dish, then he cocks his head and takes one from the left side of the dish and continues to alternate until he is done.

Now, for some of Barney's other attributes. He will take walks around the neighborhood if he manages to escape from the back yard. Sometimes he doesn't listen too well when he gets out. He never goes far but does get fixed on scents and smells which distracts him from listening.  Barney has some anxieties.

This is a guy you don't want to pass up - he will be your furever friend!

 

Updates

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Hi there Barney fans! It has been about 6 weeks since Barney decided to adopt me. I wanted to send an update, and some new pictures, to let you know how wonderful it is to have Barney around. He settled in right away, and quickly claimed the sofa as his own.

Barney is a dog of many expressions, but he's all smiles since he got his teeth cleaned. Check out that grin!

Barney loves walks, and playing in his back yard. And he LOVES the snow!

He knows how to work a camera with his big brown eyes, doesn't he???? Despite the many "bumps in the road" Barney has encountered, his capacity for love is amazing. He is a world class cuddler too, even if he does like to steal my spot on the sofa every time I get up.

Well, that's all for now. I will do my best to capture pictures of some of Barney's many talents in our next update. For instance, did you know Barney is a yoga master? More on that soon...

Monday, November 15, 2010

An Open Letter from Barney to his RAGOM friends and supporters.

Dear RAGOM Friends, Supporters, and RAGOM Brothers and Sisters,

This is such a happy and sad day. It is time for me to say goodbye to my foster family but I get to start my new life with my new mother, Miss M (Mom).

My life thus far has been interesting and fortunate. Originally when I came into RAGOM I was just a pup who was ill and RAGOM saved my life. Six years later when my behavior did not allow me to stay in my original loving adoptive home RAGOM opened its doors to me again.

It has been nine months since I first set paws in my foster home. I was scared nervous, and unsure, but I liked these people and my furry foster brother. They had so much love to give, and at the time I did not know if I could return it. I fought with my foster brother and scared my foster mom and dad at times, but they did not give up on me. When after several days my fear did not mollify they sought the help of Miss KS, Miss KB and Miss CD. They came over with more love and advice to help me be the pup I could be with time, patience and most of all love. I began to grow and change. I stopped fighting with foster brother and instead I began to play. This transition continued and I was able to see Miss KB again and meet the Lieutenant. They trusted me enough to bring my RAGOM brother Tobi and after an hour although I was nervous I began to play.

I am not the "perfect" dog. I have a complicated history. Often stories of dogs like me grace the pages of this website. The stories are all a little different, but also the same. So this, my last correspondence as a RAGOM foster, I want to ask you my fans, supporters, and adoption applicants. What is the "perfect" dog?

Do you remember the stories of Jimmy Stewarts' Beau, Ted Kerasotes' Merle, and Jhon Grogans' Marley? These three dogs were not "perfect". They would not sit, stay or heal. However read their stories, their individuality, their quirks, and the frustration of their dads. All these stories end the same, absolute true and utter love. In the end that is what I have and what I will have with my new Mom. That is what you can also have with my RAGOM brothers and sisters, Love. With time, patience and love, I may continue to overcome some more of my fears, but through it all I will love my new Mom and all those who have brought me this far. I will love as Merle did, as Beau and as Marley did.

I just want to leave you with these thoughts and this. My bio has said "Has difficulty with meeting new dogs". My new Mom saw past this and chose me despite my history. So if you are considering adopting, please don't be frightened by complicated histories, and ask your self. What is the 'perfect" dog? A "perfect" history? A "perfect" reaction to commands? OR is it LOVE?

My history is not "perfect", but I have "perfect" love, just ask my new Mom, my foster mom and dad, and my foster brothers. Thank you RAGOM for all that you have given me.

With "perfect" love,
Barney

P.S.
I have included two more photos with this letter.

The first is even though "I had difficulty with other dogs" I chose to cuddle with my younger foster brother.

The second is me with my Mom. Isn't she awesome?

Goodbye for now,
Barney

 

Friday, October 15, 2010

Hello Barney Fans!! What a busy boy Barney has been as always. He has been working hard at teaching his young foster brother the ins and outs of being a dog and he has such a great time playing with him. The routine is pretty typical between these two. Barney stands in the middle of the floor and does a little shuffle as seen in his video playing with Tobi. His foster brother Squirrel lowers and does an even bigger circle around Barney wagging his tail so hard he can hardly stand up, let alone walk. Then Barney being the talker he is lets out a bark and more of a coo than a howl, and Squirrel responds with a howl all his own. Finally they pounce at each other a couple times and then run in opposite directions. Finally repeat.

In addition to raising a pup Barney had a very special guest. His foster cousin came to visit, this time a human little girl named Landry. They had an awful lot of fun, with big hugs and kisses given by both. Barney patiently allowed her to inspect his entire body and even feed him. Thank you to Landry's mom and Dad for permission to use the pic.

Barney will be at the Plymouth PetSmart signing autographs, and hopefully meeting the right family on Saturday 10/16 from 11am until 2pm.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Hi everyone, Barney here. Foster mom and dad are great, they take me out for long walks, and sometimes I get to have an ice cream cone. I have oh so much fun with them and my foster brother Gopher. I am even warming up to my new foster brother Squirrel. I do love them all ever so much and all of my doggy friends, Rhino, Luna, Luce all of them. However even with all of the fun I get to have this man likes to relax, foster parents are always on the run and take me to new an exciting places, but sometimes all this pup wants is a little more time on the couch in the air conditioning cuddling.

My foster brother Gopher is a lot of fun, and is almost always understanding when I am not interested in playing but he is such a young pup, only 2 now you know, and well Squirrel don't even get me started, 8 weeks whew what a work out he is. I love them all dearly and love the time I have spent with them, but I am so sad to spend all this time waiting for my forever home. I am ready to have my forever mom and dad, and maybe even a forever brother and sister too. I can;t tell you how much I do love my foster family, but is there a forever family out there that can help me live in the laid back lap of puppy luxury?? I would love to do my happy dance for you too (see my video up there) just let your placement advisor know if you are ready to meet me! Perhaps I will see you this Saturday when I will be at the Slice of Shoreview!

  

Monday, May 24, 2010

Hello Barney Fans. What a great boy Barney has been. Foster Mom and Dad have been doing a lot of work helping him get over the fear and to help him communicate with other dogs, and he is doing great even starting to make a lot of friends. Our sweet little Barney boy is doing wonderful and having more fun with each day, as he learns what is good and what is not the right way to play with other pups.

Barney does great with all dogs smaller than him, but still has some nervousness with some dogs his size or larger. However a nice slow introduction and he does very well and makes friends with him. After a few weeks him and foster brother got along great, and now Barney actively keeps an eye on his younger foster brother to make sure he is okay.

Recently Barney got to throw a BBQ at his foster home for his foster Aunt Emily's graduation.


He helped with the grilling...


He ate some cake...


...and he made sure every guest was well taken care of!!!

With all of Barney's hosting duties accomplished so well, Foster Mom treated him to a bone, and he did his little dance for the camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDYvE1Mvmk

If you think you want to have this dance in your living room, please contact your placement advisor.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hey All. Barney here, it is really hard work being a wonderful and handsome RAGOM dog. One thing my fosters have failed to tell you is that I do not like to get my socks dirty. I mean come on look at those beautiful white feet. Foster mom and dad have had me going out in the backyard and on walks after the rain and I have to work very hard to keep them clean.

I have also been working very hard promoting RAGOM at events. Here is my foster brother and I in Duluth on Saturday.

After the event however foster mom and dad took me to explore Lake Superior and I had a wonderful time. I may not like to get my toes dirty, but I can't resist a lake, and a little wading. It was a little too cold to go for a swim yet, but maybe soon.

After all of this hard work and play I was a pretty tired puppy. Foster Mom, Dad and Brother were still up and going, but I needed a good pupper nap and since they weren't using it, I took the liberty of putting myself to bed.

Well I have to say good bye for now, but I will let you know how things are going again soon.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Hi Barney Fans!! Barney is doing great in his foster home, but still longing to meet that special family. His behavior with other dogs has improved amazingly and he is now being introduced to every new dog we can get him near. He has taken so many cues from his foster brother and learning more and more how to play and interact with other dogs. He can still be a little nervous at first, but nothing a little time, patience and understanding he moves quickly to be their friend. His best friend so far is Rhino a beagle poodle cross and they are wonderful together and could play for hours.

Barney paws foster mom and dad gently whenever he wants attention, but will also stalk the couch waiting for us to get up so he can steal a spot. Another fun and interesting quirk of this beautiful boy is that he is not fond of bicycles, while on walk when he sees one coming he will bark. Foster mom and dad are working with him on this as well, but it is hysterical and they have to remember not to laugh.

Barney is anxious to meet his forever home and will be greeting his fans on April 10th at Chuck and Don's in Lakeville from 11-12.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Hello Barney fans, Barney's foster home here. We had the privilege of welcoming Barney into our home a few weeks ago and have been a little slow about getting his update out. Barney is quite the interesting boy, and a lot of fun to have around. He is so sweet and will ask you very politely with a gentle paw for attention and pets. He is a little bit of a nervous boy, but I am sure this is something that would start to diminish with formal positive reinforcement training.

He can be a little snarky with new dogs at first and there has been an adjustment as he became acclimated to our resident dog. However once a rather rough beginning passed he gets along well with our resident and spends a lot of time playing with him.

Barney would do well in a home with the right dog. A dog that is pretty easy going, well socialized, would make a good brother or sister to Barney. He ignores cats, but does have a good prey drive for squirrels and rabbits. He will take off after any of these animals that dare invade his yard, so a fenced in yard might be best. He does fine on walks and does not pull every time he sees his favorite prey in another yard.

Barney is looking forward to meeting his forever family, so if you are interested please contact your placement advisor.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Barney here. Can I say something? Why has there been no mention of how handsome I am? Come on, that is really tough on a guys ego!  Yea, I know I don't look like a golden retriever but that is what makes me special. When I go walking with my resident goldens, I am the one that gets all the "oohhs and aahhs" and everyone comes to meet me first cuz I am so good looking. Take a look at my "whole body" pose and you will see just how great looking I am.

 

The next thing I need to address is just how smart I am. Now I know all dogs learn how to sit, but do they know how to "sit" on furniture like I do. Yep, I plant my butt right on the ottoman and sit with my feet on the floor - and I have a picture to prove it!

I thought I would share some pictures of my other favorite things to do. I like to look out the window and spend a lot of time watching the squirrels.

I also like cats. Here is a picture of me and my best buddy Widgie. Aren't we cute together?

Now that you have all the facts about me - don't you want to meet me and make me part of your family?