Dogs Really Are A Man's Best Friend

They say a dog is a man’s best friend and in our case that is definitely true.

We got Barney as a puppy aged around 6 months old – we can’t be sure of his age as he was a rescue dog – left tied to a bus stop a week before Christmas.

That tiny fluffball has made us smile every day since he arrived, Paul was convinced he would ‘cure me’ of my broodiness – well he got a few years reprieve I suppose.

Barney has a personality of his own – his own special traits which make him special:

He HATES cats and will bark at one whenever he sees it – this can be cute BUT VERY annoying when our neighbours cat heads into our garden to taunt him through the window and the kids are in bed

He can NOT leave a ball alone – all balls are his apparently. The kids can’t play with a ball in the garden without him leaping on it, and heaven forbid the football team should try to practice in the football field!
He chases flies – he is 11 and still never caught one BUT that will not stop him trying

He HAS to come to the bathroom with me – honestly if I get 5 minutes peace from the kids I then have a dog under my feet
He sleeps under my bed and has the smelliest farts – sometimes enough to clear a room, and he also has to leave

I would not swap him for the world. He is now 11 years old and is slowing down and looking his age sadly – I’m hoping he has a good few more years left in him though.

Sunrise Senior Living know that pets are good for our health and happiness which is why every community includes a resident cat and dog. The residents can freely interact with the pets which has obvious cognitive and physical benefits – If these animals are anything like Barney then there will be a few smiles cracked at the very least.

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