BarleyPuzzle
Posted : 1/16/2014 6:01:58 PM
I know this is a bit late as it is friday but here is me and barley's story anyway:
My school years were a difficult time for me and my family. I was bullied and eventually forced to move schools. During the stressful process of an appeal to move school, my parents bought me barley. Ha acted like and angel in disguise, and symbolized the start of a new beginning and a happier more relaxed me. Whenever I came home from school, he was always there, waiting for me with a smile on his face. He knew if I was sad or upset, and would stay with me while I cuddled him to make me feel better. I will always remember the day I went with my family to meet Barley. He came from a farm about 20 miles away from our home in Ipswich. When we first saw him, he was a tiny and very nervous puppy. Looking at Barley’s fully-grown and very large dad, we could tell that Barley would not stay a tiny puppy for long!
Barley took a few weeks to settle at home. He was terrified of everything and it took us
over a month just to take him out of the house. Using a lot of time and patience, we slowly built up his confidence and he gradually began to venture outside. Taking him for walks in our nearby park also built my own confidence because I knew I had to go out and be strong to make him feel more comfortable. This progress wasn't helped by the fact that after about three months of having him, Barley was attacked by another dog. We were at the park when another dog ran over without a lead and bit him, causing a large wound in his leg, which needed stapling. This was a scary experience and worried the whole family because it had taken so long to build Barley’s confidence. It was particularly terrifying for me and brought home the realization that Barley really means everything to me and I can’t imagine life without him. By the time of Barley’s accident, we had already begun training to enter him into dog shows. Our friends frequently commented on how handsome they thought Barley was and this inspired us to enter him. At our very first show, Barley managed to come fifth in the Best Crossbreed Puppy category. I couldn't stop smiling as I showed the rosette off to all my friends, and Dad and I vowed to enter him into more shows. We now have a large collection of rosettes, varying from first to fifth place and even one for ‘Best in Show’. I was particularly proud when he won the Scruffts Child’s Best Friend award in 2012 at Discover Dogs because it also gave us the opportunity to go to Crufts. I know that even if Barley does not win or get placed, I still take the best dog home. The training was hard work at first. Barley would use puppy classes as a chance to take a nap and was never very obedient. The hard work seems well worth it now, though, because all the training together has built a lasting relationship between us. It has helped us both feel more confident and I now see Barley as my best friend.
Barley has added to his many achievements recently by completing the bronze and silver awards of the Kennel Club Good Citizen test. The awards consisted of tasks such as showing control when walking through a door or gate, controlled walking on a lead around other people and dogs, staying still for two minutes, food manners, grooming and a close examination on him. He is now working towards his gold award, which includes controlled walking off a lead and remaining still when he is out of my sight. For me, Barley is the best dog in the world. I love how he jumps on my bed every morning and constantly follows me round the house. He has built my confidence and been there for me through difficult times at school, and taking him to shows has become a new hobby. I have so many wonderful memories of him already, and I know that I will love him forever.