Barkley (aka Barky Boo) enjoyed many a year Corgi-fying his lucky family’s life. He departed for the Bridge recently, at 14, but his big personality and little legs made a permanent impression in the lives of those who loved him best.
Stacey K. recalls how Barkley came to her home after his owner passed and his grandmother was unable to care for him. Initially, he was quite skittish and scared, having learned about mean humans from his late mom’s boyfriend. “It took a long while, but he came to love and trust us. Especially me” says Tracey. “Wherever I went, Barkley was there with me.”
“Working In the kitchen was difficult because he thought he was the cleanup man. We joked about how we’d be rich if we had a dollar for every time we told Barky Boo to move out of the way!”
“When we would say grace at the supper table, he would moan along with us like he was praying too. Probably waiting for us to drop something in his general direction!”
“Barkley was a big fan of popcorn and would beg for it. Our Corgi boy was talkative, moaning and murmuring when we would pet him.”
“Barkley was a proud Daddy twice over, with his Corgi sweetheart Abby. That’s her on the sofa next to him. “He was a loving father to his offspring, all of whom went to good homes. We still keep in touch some of the owners.”
“Our kids were in 4-H and two of them showed Barkley in the dog project. I won senior showmanship with him in open class — the only time I ever showed him. He was grand champion a couple of times with the kids.”
“Barkley didn’t have a tail, but he was good at what we called the butt rumba. When he was excited, he wagged his whole back end vigorously. He gave the best hugs!”
“We babied him in his old age as long as we could, but when he went deaf and very developed painful arthritis, his quality of life meant we had to say a hard goodbye. Barkley is buried in our backyard, and our daughter made a plaque with his picture on it.”
“There are days where I miss him terribly and can’t help but shed tears, but I believe our sweet Barky Boo was reunited with his former owner, and when my time comes he will meet me as well.”
Corgi On, Barkley.
