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Barley and his Grand Adventures

I haven’t posted much here since we moved back to California from Italy 4 years ago. Since then we’ve traveled North America in our camper van with our dog Barley, except for one trip to Scotland last year.

But for those of you that recognize me and our travels with our lab, Barley, with a broken heart, Barley’s last adventure was Wednesday. He had an exceptionally long (14 1/2 years) life, and visited 40 states, 13 countries, traveled 75,000 + miles in a car or van, countless train, ferry, and other public transportation rides, one ocean liner, and in a crate 787 in cargo ( thanks to Covid), numerous hotels, campgrounds, and stays with friends and family. More than anything, he loved water and swam or waded in two oceans, multiple seas, streams, lakes, ponds, rivers, fountains, kiddie pools, and even a Venice Canal. Our 2 1/2 years of traveling with Barley in Italy and other countries are memories we will cherish forever, not to mention our travels over the last for years in the US and Canada.

As our grief eases, we will start planning our next trips to Europe, although it will be strange not factoring sweet Barley into our plans.

Posted by
5144 posts

Ah, Karen, I am sorry! You have lost a beloved member of your family. I enjoyed reading about Barley’s adventures and I know you will miss him tremendously.

Posted by
6240 posts

So sorry, losing a fur family member is devastating. Sweet memories!

Posted by
10968 posts

You’ve written a beautiful tribute. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your adventures with Barley, a special companion.

Posted by
10659 posts

Karen and Tom, I am so sorry for Barley's passing. He was such a handsome and sweet dog when we came to meet you in Verbania that day. I am so glad that I got to meet him during his traveling adventures!!! You and Tom gave him an absolutely wonderful life - the universe was smiling on him the day you decided to adopt him.

Thanks for coming to share the news here with your and his many followers.

Posted by
34785 posts

I remember the adventures of Barley very fondly and and am sad to hear of his last trip.

Condolences to the whole family, and I am happy you have such wonderful memories.

Posted by
8243 posts

Karen, I’m sad to hear about you and Tom losing Barley, but it’s so good to hear about the many great years you shared with him. The foray into the Venetian canal sounds like an especially unique experience. I hope you have only good memories. You clearly took good care of him, and I have to think that he took good care of you, too.

Posted by
15380 posts

Karen, so sorry as well. What a wonderful life you gave him!

Posted by
926 posts

I'm so sorry to read this! What a very well-loved doggie ... and a lucky one, too.

Posted by
162 posts

I’m so sorry. I enjoyed reading about your adventures with Barley. What a lucky pup he was to share your life!

Posted by
10861 posts

I’m so sorry you have lost such an important part of your family. I hope the memories of your wonderful life together and all of your great adventures can bring a smile to your face when you think about him.

Posted by
4456 posts

I also read and followed Barley’s adventures. Sorry for your loss but I’m sure you have seeet memories and numerous photos.

Posted by
3024 posts

So so sorry. Barley had a great long life. But it is still so hard to lose them.

Posted by
4161 posts

So sorry to hear of your loss. It's hard to lose any pet, but especially one as vivacious and adventurous as Barley.

Posted by
1689 posts

Barley no longer has a blog, but a Facebook group titled the same. The blog was too much work

Posted by
1689 posts

The canal in Venice was crystal clear since it was right after The Covid Lockdown

Posted by
558 posts

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear of Barley's passing. I looked forward to hearing about his adventures while you all were living in Italy. He travelled to more places and had more adventures than a lot of people that I know. I know how devastating it is to lose a beloved pet and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

A fellow died and went to the Pearly Gates. Once there, he asked St Peter, "Are there dogs in heaven?" St. Peter responded, "Why yes there are. Why do you ask?" The man replied, "Because if there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they went."

And God said, "I will send them without wings, so no one suspects they are actually angels." They are family members by choice rather than biology, and more loyal than any human can ever be. We will all meet again one day.

I truly feel your sorrow and pain, having been there more than I care to remember. But it was all worth it, nonetheless.

Posted by
17025 posts

Karen, so sorry to hear that your very good boy has crossed the rainbow bridge. Like others here on RS, I enjoyed reading about his many adventures and hope those memories bring you smiles along with the tears.

Posted by
4180 posts

So sorry to hear about Barley’s passing. What wonderful care you gave him and adventures you all shared.

Posted by
3256 posts

Karen, so sorry to hear about Barley’s passing. He enriched the lives of all who read about his adventures and, more so, the lives of those who were lucky enough to meet him. Thank you for sharing your best friend with us.

Posted by
917 posts

So sorry for your loss. We all could hope to be as carefree and adventurous in our travels as Barley (and you guys)!

Posted by
586 posts

Oh Karen, I'm so sorry to hear that Barley has passed. I followed his (and your) adventures all over Italy. Covid + an extra year thrown into the bargain. RIP Sweet Barely. And may Barley have all the biscotti he could ever want.

Posted by
1689 posts

Thank you everyone for your kind comments! It just won’t be the same without those Barley Photo ops! Thinking I need to do a coffee table book with Barley’s greatest hits.

One of my favorite videos is him slurping water out of an Italian drinking fountain.