Our Beloved Barley Baker 1994-2009

A wonderful dog and our companion for almost 15 years, Barley was gently taken to a happier place this past Friday. Words nor a blog can really do justice to our dear old friend "B".
He loved nothing more than running in the fields, chasing oversized sticks...
He loved his treats...
And was always just behind us with those huge sticks. We were always so impressed that he could figure out the center point for them, and balance them just right...
He was up for anything outside...I'll never forget the time we went for a walk in the snow and after walking a little way, the snow had jammed up in between his toes, creating these huge snow balls on his feet, and I had to carry him home in my arms!
He wasn't the most fearless of dogs - a well polished hardwood floor was his number one nemesis - but if we were there to help him or encourage him, he'd always follow along.
He always seemed to "know" what was going on...his eyes reflected something a little bit deeper beneath all that fuzz and fur.
He was always loving to children - such a sweetheart to anyone. I always felt like he thought he was a person, one of us. Barley was all we could ever ask for in a dog - sweet, happy, smart, fun, devoted, and full of energy. I wrote a brief letter to Barley that Hannah read to him while he lay outside in the sunshine in his final moments. It captures our love for him, we think...and we'll certainly never forget him. Rest in peace, Barley Boy.
Love,
Andy and Erin

Barley Boy, I hope that you know how much we love you. We have spent 15 amazing years together – driving from the Carolinas to Vermont back when you were just a pup. Christmases in Athens, summers in DC. Taking long walks and swims in Winston Salem, chasing sticks, catching frisbees. Running in fields, climbing up mountains, splashing through rivers. You had the energy of 5 dogs, and I loved ‘em all.
Soon, you won’t have to worry about stairs or hardwood floors anymore! Just wide open fields to run across. Big lakes to jump into, streams to splash in, and sticks to chase. It’s one big Chatfield Hollow, Lake Herrick, Rock Creek Park, Reynolda Garden and Pat’s farm all rolled together. You’ll run, and jump, and fetch, and plop down in the warm afternoon grass just as you are doing now, basking in the cool, peaceful breezes. I’ll be there with you, and we’ll sit together and watch the sun go down, eating all the popcorn you want, and listening to the crickets chirping your name. Thank you Barley. You’ve always been there, and I’ll never forget you.
We’re sorry we can’t be there with you now. But if you close your eyes, good boy…good, good boy, maybe you can hear my voice…
You’re a good dog – the best dog. And we love you. Very much.