Today I think we will take a slight detour. We will travel back to a happier time so I can share with all of you, some of Barney’s antics that provided me with joy and laughter on a daily basis.
Barney came to my office every day. The morning routine started with us walking side by side through the long hall to the kitchen where we waited patiently for that first cup of coffee to brew. As an executive in an advertising company, presentations were plentiful. I marveled at the way clients did double takes when passing by our room. I could hear them say, “that dog looks just like a stuffed animal”, “look at those ears” or “he looks like an Ewok”. Those comments always made me smile because Barney was simply being Barney.
His fascination with our IT manager, Mike, was a complete mystery to me. When Mike needed to work on our side of the building, I actually would close the door so he could get his repairs done without a furry and persistent interruption. The minute I opened our door, Barney began his own scavenger hunt by going from room to room to find out where Mike had been. It was a silly ritual but Barney thoroughly enjoyed it.
When my boy was hungry he would make it enormously clear that I needed to stop whatever I was doing. His belly came first. He would proudly stand and put his two front paws on the arm of my couch to make sure I noticed. He had a ravenous appetite for his “Mr. Chicky” which I gladly served him three times a day. His duck treaties took on a life of their own. I could write an entire book on how Barney had Grandma wrapped around his tiny paw. He had an uncanny ability to strategize and wrangle that one extra bite sized morsel from her for seven solid years. 😀
As I let my mind slowly come back to present day, I touch the sterling silver heart necklace around my neck that holds Barney’s ashes. I look to Heaven and say out loud, “Thank you God for my Barney”.