RIP Barney! Barney’s journey to this point simply hurts to tell. He has been a “research subject”, an abandoned family member, a homeless stray, a multi-year shelter resident, and now a terminally ill old man. In his short seven years he has managed to live every nightmare anyone could know. Beagle Freedom Project became aware of Barney one month ago from a supporter visiting the Indiana shelter where he lived and saw that tell-tale tattoo in his ear. Upon our further investigation we found out from the shelter staff that Barney had originally been in a local pharmaceutical laboratory and spent the majority of his life as a test-subject. He was freed by a laboratory worker so he could be given as a gift to a friend. While it is laudable to free any laboratory animal, and we appreciate that Barney is one the lucky few that get this chance (most are summarily killed even if healthy), BFP has rescued several other ex-research beagles from pounds after being abandoned. Because these dogs are survivors of severe physical and emotional violence they need special care. The trauma they are recovering from means they require prepared families with abundant patience, love, and consideration of their needs. “Free to good home” ad respondents and the friends of laboratory staff usually are overwhelmed. This is why BFP encourages laboratories to work with reputable organizations like ours. After the friend of the lab worker dumped Barney at a shelter, he found a home with a new family…. for a while. When the couple decided to divorce, Barney was returned. Another “adopter” who took him could not be bothered to return him when it didn’t work out, he just let him go as a stray. A good Samaritan eventually did pick him up off the streets and from there Barney spent a year and a half languishing as a shelter dog. Barney was scared, unhealthy, and unwanted. Barney is the kind of dog BFP exists to help.... and we have. We got Barney out and promised him the rest of his life would only be filled with love, tenderness, treats and joy. Barney is now living with a fantastic family committed to giving this poor guy some peace and stability. He has been with his new beagle brothers and affectionate, patient people for 2 days and he is loving every moment. And as much as we wish this could be the happy ending to his story, a persistent cough and trip to the vet have proven otherwise. Barney suffers from an enlarged heart, congestion in one of the lobes, possible pulmonary pneumonia, and a strangely dilated esophagus (the result of tubes being forced down his throat). He is finally getting the veterinary care, treatments, and the relief he so needs, but his prognosis is uncertain at best. No matter what the cost or the long-shot odds, from here on out Barney will live the rest of his life with the best veterinary care, he will be supported, comforted, and loved every minute of every day. He deserves nothing less. This is the commitment we make to every animal we rescue.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:27:40 +0000
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