A few months ago, I got a notion in my self to introduce you all to our fantastic and well under appreciated dog. His name is Barney and he is a black/charcoal miniature schnauzer. Barney would celebrate his 2nd birthday this November 30th, but he is no longer able to do so. Our precious four-legged friend went home to be with other doggies in heaven today as his curiosity got the best of him on an outing. We deemed his condition upon arrival to Alabama as severe sensory overload. He was just overly excited with all the new smells and new terrain here at the Anderson place and we had surrendered to chaining him up for potty breaks. However the past 3 days, he had proven to us that he could go and return without a leash and we had decided to attempt to allow him that freedom.
Barney was a great dog that we had for just over 2 years. We got him when Emma was small and had two reasons in mind. One, we hoped that his presence would calm our other dog, Scout and prevent her from harming our baby. Scout, however precious she was to us, could not handle the competition. Instead of restraining her, Barney just proved to be another threat. We let Scout go to another good home that had no children and then began raising Barney to be Emma's pet. He truly was. She was brutal with him and he graciously tolerated it. She pulled his beard and his hair and she pinned him down and shoved him out of her chair. But he loved her and she loved him. One of our favorite memories of Barney will be just before our move from Texas. Emma had crashed on the floor in the game room and Barney curled up in the crook of her legs and napped with her. I always told Jeremy that I one day saw him sleeping in the bed with her. Not today.
How is Emma? I don't think she really grasps it yet. Barney has been gone for days at a time before and she has not been confused. We shall see how it progresses. I pray this does not send her into a regression from the progress we have made in terms of her sleep patterns lately. I did not do well hiding my emotions. How do you do it Moms? I remember losing MANY animals to that road and my mother would always hold it together. I, in my pregnant state, did not do well and my daughter was distraught trying to console me. She even gave me a Dora bandaid. She will miss him greatly, as will all of us. My father raved about how good he was with Emma and was thankful for him. He feels the loss is his fault, but I assure you my ever active dog made the decision on his own.
So if you see me or talk to me over the next few days, know that I might be just fine or I might shed a tear or two. I know that it is for the best on many levels, but just the same - we lost one of our family members today. Please remember our now smaller family in your prayers.
We love you Barney!
Barnabas Aromashodu Powell
11/30/2005 - 8/23/2007
4 comments:
I'm so sorry, Jodi. I know how it feels to lose a dog that is not just a pet but a member of your family. I will be praying for all of you as you deal with this loss.
Oh Jodi, Jeremy, and Emma,
I am so very sorry to hear about Barney. I too got to experience his excitement for new smells and surrondings when we took care of him while Jeremy was in the hospital. The first day we had him I opened the door to get the mail and out he went. He was quick for a little dog. I finally cornered him in our neighbors backyard. Needless to say that was the last time he was near the front door when I was getting ready to open it. I told Jeremy this and thought I should share it. When we first brought Barney to stay with us we introduced him to our dog slowly. Well the dogs greeted each other in the usual dog way...the smelling of bottoms...and Madeline asked what they were doing. I told her that is one way dogs say "hi" to eachother and did not think much of it from then on. The next day I notice Madeline with knees bent, hands on knees, and her bottom poking into Barney's nose. I asked her what she was doing and she replied..."I'm saying hi to Barney." We love and miss you guys
oh by the way knockonwood is kelly and trish Wood (did not realize our name would come across in that manner)
We are so sorry to hear about Barney. We loved that dog! We will be praying for ya'll and Emma as she learns how to process all this.
We love you guys!!
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