Barkley

We lost a good dog today. A really good dog. He lived a long and happy life but I can't help but write this post through tear filled eyes. Barkley came into our lives very shortly after my sister and I moved to Prescott with my Dad. My parents had separated and in a time of transition and change he brought happiness into our lives. He would have been 18 years old in August, so I know that it was his time to find peace but I will miss him so much. He was such a good dog. So easy and tolerant. Ashley and I would dress him up and put his ears in scrunchies, I would flop his little legs around and make him dance....we would laugh and laugh and he never complained.

I loved the way he begged. Pizza was his and Tillie's favorite. He would actually sit up on his butt like a little chipmunk and just balance there at a more appropriate begging height. Always made us laugh. 

For being a small dog he rarely barked, which is ironic since his name was Barkley. Depending on his current hair-do he would frequently resemble Star Wars characters. His hair would get so long that he looked like Chewbacca a bit.

When he had that long hair in the snow he'd get snow balls that would cling and hang on his hair underneath. He'd have to thaw for awhile.

Then he would get groomed a certain way and look like one of those cute Ewok characters.

He never liked the leash. It was always hilarious because he would walk along side of us down the street but the second you put a leash on him...he'd lay like dead weight and you'd have to drag him the rest of the way. He thought he was pretty tough too. One day my dad looked out the window to see a coyote running through the yard and was instantly worried, "Where's Barkley?" only to find him seconds later running behind that coyote chasing him from our yard. He would wiggle his way out of our fence and go exploring the neighborhood. There were so many times we thought for sure we had lost him to a coyote or car, but then he'd come running home like no big deal. He loved his blue ball.

He was always by your side. So calm and laid back. So sweet. He had this thing (probably resulting from doggie boredom) when Tillie was still alive and when Bailey first joined the family where he would lay next to them and lick their long floppy ears until they were wet, curly, and completely soggy. It was so gross and yet so funny. It was just his thing. The thing I will miss about him most is the way he would lay in the bend of our legs when we laid on the couch. It was his spot. He'd be laying somewhere else and when someone got on the couch and bent those legs, he was there. He was instantly comfortable and so were we.

It is hard to feel so many emotions in a time like this. I know it was his time to go, but I selfishly wish he was still here. I'm so thankful that the pet hospital was able to take him in today so that he wasn't suffering any longer, but I wish I could have seen him one last time. We were so blessed with an amazing dog that filled our life with happiness. I mourn his death but I also celebrate his life. He was so strong and as my Dad said, our little angel. I will miss you Barkley. So very much.