15/09/2025
When we lose our teachers....
I started this page to share my sister's dog Barkley's humane and ethical journey with behavior change.
Barkley struggled with likely biological fear, stress, anxiety and frustration.
I am devastated to write this.
Barkley passed away Friday due to a spleen bleed.
I lost Titan in April. Titan was a behavior euthanasia save. Titan was the only dog who could communicate with Barkley. He tolerated all of his shenanigans and often inappropriate styles of play behavior. Barkley thrived in Titan’s presence. Titan was his emotional support dog for real!
Barkley’s circle was small: only 4 humans and Titan. We beat the odds. We worked until he was in a better place to thrive mentally and emotionally.
Helping Barkley was not easy. Helping any dog who struggles is not easy. His mom was invested mentally and emotionally in his well-being. Yes, there is a financial cost. Barkley had a Veterinarian Behaviorist as well as his own primary Vet on board to help with behavior meds and general health.
He was never “fixed” or perfect. He still had some likely permanent trauma, but he was no longer a humane behavior euthanasia candidate after almost 2 years.
Barkley was still helped and focused on, especially by his Grandma who spent every day with him ensuring his needs were met as much as possible.
Dogs who struggle behaviorally are not for everyone. For me, they are everything. They have taught me a lot. My heart is full when I can watch them change into thriving beings. My heart is empty when I lose them. They are the greatest teachers.
Every picture and video I have tells a small piece of your story: a success, a set-back, but a learning moment for both of us.
Thank you to everyone who followed along.
Titan and Barkley, I hope the two of you are together, wherever, digging and running around and causing a ruckus while being the best version of yourselves as dogs.
