Barney in 1998,Columbus, OH

Barney came into our lives in 1987, as a puppy born to a puppy mill and sold to a pet store in Upper Arlington, OH.  As a young woman,  Ms. Marks happened to notice him in the pet store on a number of visits as he began to mature in a cage that was painfully too small for him.  Feeling a tremendous empathy for a little life that was clearly getting a bad deal, she convinced a family friend to buy him for her, telling her Mom that he was a stray, and that he would only be staying in the house "for a little while".  Barney became an indispensable and central; part of her and our world for over 13 years.

While certainly always a schnauzer, and enjoying all the things that schnauzers love - chasing squirrels, dashing about the yard, and barking at strangers, Barney curiously embodied all of the qualities that we come to expect from our most beloved friends - loyalty, love, empathy, forgiveness.  Barney had an uncanny knack for being able to identify the LEAST dog- loving person in the room, and completely endearing himself to them in a matter of minutes.  His love, companionship, loyalty, empathy, and intuition made him an ideal companion, and a special presence in our home.

Barney was the ultimate companion.  He was there for Ms. Marks and I faithfully through good and bad times, knowing, somehow, just what it took to provide comfort in any situation.

Since having Barney in our lives, we have sought out other schnauzers that are each wonderful in their own way.  But Barn will always occupy a unique, special, and irreplaceable place in our hearts and lives. 

For us, he will always be trotting "just around the corner", waiting for our call to come an provide the love, caring, and attention that we all deserve.