MEET BARKLEY
S
Pool day
Snow monster!
hortly after my Dad passed in 2013, I had a large void in my life. I had dogs as a child and remembered what comfort and happiness they brought me.
I went in to CHS to look at a pup that I saw on the website but he had already found a good home. As I walked along the kennels, I came upon kennel 13. Inside was an older pup, just lying there and looking adorable! He had huge feet that he hadn’t grown into yet and I was thinking he was black Lab crossed with a bear! I asked about the dog and found he was available for adoption. The staff had named him Barkley, which I thought was cute. After a brief visit, I decided to put a deposit down, and think about it overnight. The next day, I couldn’t wait to go get Barkley! He was so shy and it was obvious he wasn’t used to riding in a vehicle. He trusted me enough to get in, but I made sure I stopped every 15 minutes or so to let him out. Each time he was more eager to get back into my truck on his own. It took us two hours to get home! As we got to know each other, I knew I had made the right decision. I just wished that my parents could have met Barkley, as they would have fallen in love with him, too. It was driving me mad not knowing what Barkley was crossed with, so I had his DNA done. Turns out I was close on the bear guess! 16
Spring/Summer 2021 Connecting Lives
Barkley is a black Lab and Newfoundland mix! That explains so much of his sweet nature and his goofy antics. Barkley LOVES water. Water bowl, toilet, kiddie pool, hot tub or mud puddle! He also loves to chew sticks and wood - sticks, branches, and even the odd piece of firewood he would take off the pile when camping. Camping is also a favourite activity for us both. As soon as I put the hitch on my truck, he starts to cry with excitement and won’t leave my side. Seven years, three trucks, one trailer, four homes, and a few grey hairs (for us both) later, we are still so happy together. In the time I’ve had Barkley, we have remarkably only been apart for six days. We go everywhere together! Barkley has been an amazing dog. Everyone falls in love with his sweet nature and how gentle he is. He nudges me when it’s time for bed, or if I’ve spent too much time on the computer, or as I call it…the Labtop, as he playfully lays across the keyboard, wags and puts his paw on me. I am so grateful to Calgary Humane Society for the work they do. Their staff is amazing. I was always taught to get dogs from the SPCA by my mother who said that animals deserve a second chance, and she was right. My life is so much better with Barkley.” - Andrew Durling
