Barney's Story

Barney came to stay with Roxy and myself in June 1993. Barney was born in a barn, so hence the name. When Barney came to stay, Roxy was the only cat in the home. She was almost 4 years and quite content to be so. So when Barney came to stay, she was most upset. The first time we got to witness her wrath was when both were asleep on the window ledge and Barney happen to wake up first and go look for a nipple to nurse on. Barney learned fast to not look for the nipple.

Barney was born in Lunenburg County in Nova Scotia. I really wasn't looking for second cat but when I was visiting friends, it was mentioned there was a kitten needing a home. Off to the barn we went and as soon as we entered the barn, Barney's mum scattered really quickly but Barney decided to stick around to see who was visiting. This was the last time Barney would see his Mum, as 30 minutes later he was Bridgewater bound, in a box with some sawdust from the barn to mix with the kitty litter so he would know where to go pee.


When Barney came to stay, I called my vet and was advised Barney would need to come in for a visit to have some shots given. Barney learned fast that a trip in the truck was usually a trip to the vet. Also bringing Barney home meant an unexpected trip for Roxy to the vet to have boosters updated. The nasty part of bringing Barney home was having to get a poop sample from the litter box. We then found out Barney had worms so both Barney and Roxy were given de-worming medicine. It came in liquid form, when made it really easy to go down.

The first night of Barney's stay, Roxy and I retired for the evening and gave Barney run of the apartment on Pleasant Street. About 20 minutes after the lighs were out, a pityful cry came from the living room. Upon opening the door, Barney entered and preceded to come to bed. He immediately found a place hidden between two pillows and purred himself to sleep. Up until Barney died, he slepted with me every night. The only separations were when I was on holiday or he had to be in hospital.


The first year with Barney went uneventful, one humerous memory is the day I brought home the Christmas Tree. I had the tree up un-decorated drying out. I don't remember where Roxy got to but all of a sudden the Christmas Tree took an a tremendous shaking like it was possessed. After about a 3 to 5 minute shake, from out between the branches at the top poked Barney's head. I had fears of the Christmas Tree falling down or being destroyed, but the fears were unfounded.

The first year went along fine, Roxy and Barney were the best of friends and when it looked like nothing could go wrong, Barney developed a nasty condition with his bladder and crystals in his pee. Barney for the rest of his life from this point on would be on medication and special diet. Barney was put on the CD diet which helped with the crystals in the pee, but gained weight and really ballooned out.


Barney had a couple of games he liked to play. One was sitting on my bicycle seat and trying to grab his tail. He could do this for hours on end until he tired of it. He learned early the bicycle was a good place to sit and grab at the tail. Every once in awhile, he would actually catch his tail.

A second game Barney liked to play was fetch. I had this gold chain that I would toss and Barney would run and chase it and bring it back. Barney would drop it at my feet for me to toss again. We would play this until he tired out, or my arm would get a cramp from tossing the chain.


Roxy, Barney and I lived in Bridgewater until April 1996 when we moved to Calgary. Roxy always enjoyed a trip in the truck, she didn't need to be put in a carrier. Barney on the other hand, hated to go for a drive. To make the trip to Calgary, he was put on a sedative to make him drowsy and not be too concerned of where he was. He would come out of his stupor around suppertime.

One particular memory is Barney in a stoned state, looking around with his paws on the headrest of the truck and wondering where he was. We were in the height of Montreal traffic looking for the off ramp to keep us on the south side of the St Lawrence River.

The rest of the trip to Calgary went ok, and by the time we got to Thunder Bay, Barney finally realized he wasn't on the way to the vet. He didn't need any more sedatives. He actually would take some time and look at the world pass by. But most times he like Roxy would sleep his way across the country.


All was well in Calgary, he from time to time would get crystals in his pee, but medication worked. But as time went on, his weight problem got to him. Even though his diet was watched and was put on a different diet that was not high in calories, he got worse.

I was on holidays in Ontario when I got the phone call Barney was in emergency hospital. The next day he was taken to his own doctor, who immediately put him on pain relief and treatment. Barney managed to stick around for me to get home. When I arrived at the clinic, as soon as Barney heard my voice, he perked up and was knew he would be going home.

Barney survived over the weekend and seemed to be recovering but such was not the case. On Sunday I came home for supper, I still remember what I made to eat. Barney wasn't eating or drinking. I went and got some eye droppers to get some water into him. When I got home from work at the end of the day, Barney was not in good shape.

Through the night he slept with me on my left side. Everytime I would pet him, when I got down near the tail along the spine, Barney would wince in pain. Roxy was even concerned. In the morning after feeding them, Barney managed to eat a little bit, but he was not good. I called the clinic and they said to bring him down immediately.

Normally Barney would have to be persuaded to get into his carrier. This time he walked right into his carrier without a boo. Roxy in a surprising move, went over to Barney and said goodbye. She rubbed his nose with her's and walked off. I didn't know it at the time, but Roxy was saying Goodbye to Barney.

Barney spent the day at the clinic, and when the matinees were over, I was off to the clinic. I was shown x-rays of Barney, and his bladder was swollen up. I made the decision to put Barney out of his pain. Barney's Doctor didn't know exactly what was going on. The autopsy shown us all something none of us would ever think happen. All through Barney's life, his liver never grew. His liver was very small and never grew as his body did. The liver was a kitten's liver that was doing the job an adult cat's liver. This is why Barney was over weight.

On 15 June, 2000 around 1730 hrs we said goodbye to Barney. Barney now sits in a little cedar box along with Roxy in her own cedar box on a shelf over my computer monitor. On 26 April, 2006 Barney was re-united with Roxy. Both now watch over me and both are at the Rainbow Bridge together.

Goodbye Barney, I still think of you and still miss you after all these years.

God Bless

"The Old Fart"

Remember - We Are All God's Creatures, Lets be Nice to Each Other.