Barkley was a great friend and was deeply loved by so many of us. He had a special gift for winning over all those he met (even the cat haters). All of us who knew him were truly BLESSED to have him in our life.  

He has been a treasure to me since the first day we met back in 1996.  I am so very grateful to my mother for giving him to me as a Christmas gift that year.  She had searched high and low to find a sweet companion like him for me.  He was five at the time and his owner was moving and couldn't take him. Lucky for me, Mom and God knew just the right home for him.  He traveled with me back to Ohio on the plane and as most of you know the story....it was an EXPERIENCE we will NEVER forget!  Once we got to my place, however, he was "at home".  We've been the best of pals ever since.  



Then he made it through the move from my apt. in Cuyahoga Falls to my house in Euclid. He loved it there and sometimes I felt as if HE owned the place and I just was the one paying the bills.  He especially loved the two giant dogs next door.  He would sit in the sun room and just stare at them while they nearly choked themselves wishing they could get closer!  



While in Euclid he had a chance to meet Erykah Smith, one of my dearest friend Nida's daughter.  She loved him from the minute she met him (his love for her is still up for discussion but I truly believe deep down it was there). It was with her he learned the art of patience.  He learned that being wrapped in a blanket and called a "girl" was just part of the routine when Erykah came to visit. They had a special bond I'll never forget.



Then of course in late October 2003 we were bound for Charlotte, North Carolina.  The 9 hour car ride was fun for us both... well after the first hour I would say.  Once again before the boxes were even unpacked Barkley was "at home" in his new diggs.  It was shortly thereafter we discovered he had become diabetic.  This was when we both had the luxury of meeting our new friends at Piper Glen Animal Hospital.  The entire staff treated Barkley like he was their own.  We made frequent trips there for glucose tests, weekend boarding, and sometimes just to visit.  We were especially blessed by Miss Debbie there who took a special liking to Barkley.  Before long we had all become friends including her three children who adored Barkley.



In late September Barkley broke his leg (We are not quite sure how it happened but we used to tell people he was in a gang fight just to uphold his image.) That was rough but he was a trooper through it all.  Even after his surgery to amputate his leg, he never fussed and kept his sweet spirit through it all.



Please join me in remembering our dear friend Barkley.  He was such a blessing.