As you know we take on dogs that have special requirements – and we work with them with the hope of getting them ready for their own forever home. But for some dogs – they just need to stay with us as ‘sanctuary’ dogs.

Many of you know Barney – Barney came back to us after his owner suffered life altering surgery. He went into foster but his behaviour (Mostly his barking) became difficult to manage. He then moved to another foster – he was improving but London isn’t exactly a perfect environment for a dog that found it difficult to manage his noise. He had several interests and one possible adoption – but it always failed because his barking eventually became unmanageable. He was moved to a foster that is in a rural area, has a lot of land for him to mooch about in – and he is doing very well – in fact his barking has come right down to minimal levels. He has great food to eat, a lovely sofa to snooze on and a human to call his own. He has been in foster for 2 years. In this time we have tried to find the perfect fit – but to no avail. We have decided that we couldn’t risk moving him now and it would not be fair on him anyway.

So he has become our latest sanctuary dog – he will remain part of the Terrier SOS family and will live out his days in foster with his costs covered by rescue. He will continue to write his Blogs and keep his followers updated – we do love our terriers and the ‘special’ ones get to be our sanctuary dogs.

Barney has blogged again!  Please do go visit his blogs – he likes to update the world on his latest adventures and you can get a measure of the type of boy that he is – he is still looking for the RIGHT family.  He has done so well in foster – but we would hate old habits to come back – so any family would need to be able to visit (possibly a few times) to ensure they get to know him and understand his quirks.  He is adorable and we love him – but a typical terrier in many ways – also a very active boy despite his age!

https://wirefoxterrierbarney.blogspot.com/

Update (April)

Barney has been in foster now for longer than we would want – it he needs the right home because he really is the loveliest dog.  But his ideal home would be where he is the ONLY DOG (he doesn’t like sharing his humans) and as he is 11 – we feel trying to adjust to too much change at this age would not be fair on him.  He has done so well with his barking and his separation anxiety – and the right family would continue this.  He is the best companion and also super bright as he has started his own Blog

You can also follow his escapades on our Instagram or Facebook pages.

Barney has had another Birthday day and is spending the lovely sunny weather in the garden helping plant strawberries – or not as the case may be ….

Update (27 June)

Barney is a lovely dog – we did have him reserved pending checks – but sadly the family had a change of circumstances and it wouldn’t be suitable for this lovely boy.  We feel he is ready to go to the right family – but they really need to listen to him and let him live life his way.  He is safe in foster and will continue living life with love and cuddles.  

Update (25 April)

It was Barney’s 10th Birthday and even though we are in lockdown – this doesn’t mean you can’t have a Pawtee and cake (well Butternut Dog Food cake).  His foster threw a party for him and he had his foster pals helping celebrate (but not eating his cake as that was all for him!).  We know next year, his new family will ensure he gets a bigger cake and more presents

Update (30 January)

Barney is continuing to improve – he had a holiday with his foster and was able to be on his own without the extra dogs.  He is a lot happier having his own humans and not competing for his toys or sofa!  He managed a 3 hour car journey with only one stop – and did very well.  Our volunteers are delighted and want a home for him that follows what we are doing with him.  It has had a huge positive effect on his level of anxiety – so we would really like a dog free home for him – he doesn’t have a problem with dogs – but would want a home of his own.

He is a delightful companion and he loves his people.  

Update (11 December) –  Our foster has been working with Barney and some of the anxiety he is suffering from.  He is doing very well and we have achieved a lot- he is ready for his new home – but they will continue the work we have started.  

Barney was adopted over 3 yearsago, sadly his owner had a life altering condition and was no longer able to properly care for Barney.  Barney has gone into foster and despite having his whole world turned upside down – he is slowing finding his paws again.  Barney is 9 years young, he is still sparky and active like a proper terrier should be.  He loves being with his humans, going for walks, working out his Brain Games, he likes to play with one of the dogs in foster and is fine with the others – although he can live with other dogs – it has to be a calm dog (so probably not another terrier!) He does get competitive over cuddles with his humans and wants all the attention for himself.  We are working on boundaries with him and he is learning.  But if he was an only dog, he would be over the moon having it all to himself!Barney walks well and is a great companion.  What we are working on is Barney and his need to be vocal when he is excited.  The excitement means he becomes barky and as an example when he is about to go for a walk he will start biting the lead and bouncing about, barking.  So we are working on ways for him to manage his excitement also creating a calm world for him.  We have a behaviourist and a plan in place.  It will take time and patience, we think he is worth it and won’t consider a family unless they live in an area where his barking will not be an issue to the neighbours.  Terriers bark and he has learned to bark in many situations, so now he needs to understand that it is not needed.  But you will never have someone come to your door unannounced!

Barney is not a great traveller in the car – he does get distracted with a filled kong – but for long trips we are not sure how this would play out. So if you take lots of long trips – this may not be the boy for you.

Our foster has had quite a few dogs grace her doorway, and she loves this little guy and thinks he is a sweet boy that just needs a little bit of guidance.  He would suit a couple that is home most of the time and take a casual approach to life.  He is a good companion, and a fun dog to have in your life – but like with all things that are worth your time – he will need a bit of understanding – some diamonds come in the rough – so if you are that person please get in touch. He cannot live with small furries, and no young children.