Barney Harvey

THE SADDEST OF DAYS

Paula says “Saturday 9.6.2018 was a very sad day for us. Our beloved Barney went to Heaven this afternoon. It was such a difficult decision and, yet, no decision at all. We did what we had to do to keep him free from pain.

We are absolutely devastated and I feel my heart is broken but grief is simply the result of having a heart full of love. Someone said to me we should celebrate his life and we do but our pain at his passing is immense. Words cannot express the grief we feel.

Barney came into our life at 8 weeks old coming from a breeder in Bridport, Dorset. He was a lively pup, as they all are. I can remember him, on one occasion, squeezing through the child gate rails thinking he was very clever!

He was a fit and healthy dog and he always behaved very well wherever he was taken apart from one day when he was around 11yrs old. He picked up a child’s T-shirt that he found laying on the grass and he tore it up! An apologetic phonecall to the parents was made offering to pay for a new one but, clearly amused, they kindly declined.

When Shamrock came into our lives, the relationship that developed between them over nearly 3 years was a joy to observe. He taught Shamrock how to be a dog.

Barney was such a special boy, so loyal and always so patient, gentle and kind. He had never told a dog off in his life but there was just one tiny exception when naughty puppy Shamrock had fun pulling his tail while he was sleeping in his bed!

Together, they shared wonderful, exciting holidays and they were both a very important part of the regular IRR get-togethers. All his friends there will miss him terribly.

Barney had been doing really well having k-laser given by the nurse twice a month and, every 2-3 weeks, having osteopathy with Tony Nevin which I believe kept him mobile to the end. During our last visit to him, Tony picked up that Barney was really tired.

Worryingly, Barney had been off his food for a couple of months so the vet was observing his weight closely. I was hand feeding him for the last few weeks trying to encourage him to eat. We tried three different kinds of dog food as well as his original food and, finally, we resorted to home cooking but, during the last week of his life, he even went off that.

We knew there was something seriously wrong when we weighed him yet again at the vets and he had lost even more weight. On the afternoon of Saturday 9th June, the time had come when we had to make the difficult decision that we were dreading.

That morning, Barney had been out walking and sitting quietly with Julian and Shamrock, just watching the wildlife for about three hours.

At the vets, Barney had his urine tested and blood samples taken. They found he was seriously anaemic and he had diluted urine. They suspected a mass and internal bleeding so even a blood transfusion wouldn’t have worked for long. We were there for two hours, waiting for results and having them explained so we could make an informed decision.

We knew there was only one thing left to do, one final act of love, but we knew it would be what was the most kind and compassionate for Barney.

We were all there with him. …. Julian, Shamrock & me.  The staff kindly placed a duvet and blanket in their garden for us all.

I held and kissed him and he was eating Markies. Then, with everyone all cuddling him and, with the birds singing, he slipped peacefully away”.

REST IN PEACE POEM

If it should be that I grow weak and pain should keep me from my sleep, then you must do what must be done,
for this last battle can’t be won.
 
You will be sad, I understand, don’t let your grief then stay your hand, for this day more than all the rest,
your love for me must stand the test.

We’ve had so many happy years, what is to come can hold no fears, you’d not want me to suffer so,
the time has come please let me go.

Take me where my need they’ll tend and please stay with me till the end. And hold me firm and speak to
me until my eyes no longer see.

 I know in time that you will see, the kindness that you did for me. Although my tail it’s last has waved,
from pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
 
Please do not grieve, it must be you who has this painful thing to do. We’ve been so close, we four,
these years, don’t let your heart hold back its tears.