Barkley House
I am so excited about my news that I could just pee! You know, I am sure, that I take my job as The Boy Bloginator, PitBull Reporter Extra Ordinary, very seriously, and I am always happy when I find news that might bring two (or more) of my friends together. Especially if they are all working for a good cause. My Mom says it is called Serendipity when everything is in perfect order and things come together when you least expect them too.
So here is my story about Barkley House and how we discovered them and their good works.
Not too long ago, my Mom had another Birthday. Oh ugh. At Mom's age those are always ugly things. But our really good friend, Kris Greiner, gave Mom (and me) a subscription to Doggie Aficionado which is a very wonderful magazine, and if you aren't already a subscriber to it, you need to be. It is now our NEW favorite doggie magazine.
So we walked to our Snail Mail Box and there was our very first issue, Spring 2010. I love it when a new magazine arrives cause Mom and I can sit on the couch, get all snuggy, and start from the back going front, which is - in our opinion - the only way to read a magazine.
And sure enough..... the very first article we came across was all about Barkley House and Ms. Dr. Carolyn Henry who is a veterinary oncologist and professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine.
It seems that Ms. Carolyn was caring for a dog by the name of Barkley, and she found that there was a great need for a place where dog (and kitty) parents could stay when their friends were having cancer treatments. Sort of a Ronald MacDonald House, but for four-legs.
Here is Barkley:
And here is Barkley's story
About Barkley
Barkley, a Great Pyrenees, was driven daily by Sally Truscheit from Kansas City to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital for radiation therapy. When an injury prevented Sally from making the repeated trips, Dr. Carolyn Henry came up with the idea of a guest house which could provide many benefits and reduce some of the obstacles for pet owners whose animals are undergoing long-term treatments. Hence, the concept of Barkley House was born.
Dear Barkley,
I miss you—still—every day!!! But the most marvelous news!!! They are building a house in Columbia and naming it after you!! What an honor!! It will be the most marvelous place for dogs and cats. I remember, there were so many days after your treatments, and you were so sick, but we had to come home to Kansas City. How wonderful it will be now, that when other dogs and cats don’t feel like “driving” home, they will have a place where they can rest ‘til they feel better, and the people who love them the most can stay with them!! Pretty exciting! Thank you, Barky, for making a difference in my life and also for your inspiration to others.
You’re always in my thoughts,
Sally
And of course, the very first thing that popped into our minds, was to somehow introduce Ms. Carolyn and our friends Luke, Hudson and Murphy.... of 2 Dogs 2000 Miles Barley was a Great Pyr, just like Malcom, and you know that Malcolm was the inspiration for the remarkable journey of Luke, Huds & Murph. Benefits Isn't this just a wonderful, wonderful thing? And Ms. Dr. Carolyn and her friends are working very hard to raise the approximately $2 million dollars that will be necessary for the building, which might look something like this: Burns Barks Support for Barkley House The University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine is pioneering the way people think of animal care through the development of Barkley House. When complete, Barkley House will provide a home-like setting for animal patients and their families while the pet undergoes long-term treatment such as daily radiation or chemotherapy. The concept behind the home is that animals, like humans, will experience speedier recoveries and less anxiety by having family members nearby during the treatment process. The proposed Victorian-style guest house will be near the Columbia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, and will provide lodging for those traveling long distance to receive the specialized treatment. When approached by Barkley House to help raise funds, Ron felt compelled with his whole heart to aid with his time and artwork. He sympathized with the families of these sick animals, who may not have the resources for accommodations, or just want to stay in a place that nurtures and understands the healing process, which can last for several weeks. To help raise funds, Ron painted a portrait of the Barkley House “spokesdog,” Blaze, with a kitten companion. The composition of Blaze, and his buddy, on the couch is reminiscent of the Barkley House logo. The original of the piece was auctioned off at a fundraising event, for well over its suggested retail selling price, and a limited number of 95 editions on canvas have been produced, with a percentage from the sale of each one going to help break ground on the Barkley House. To donate to the cause, and receive a great piece of art, please click here.
Here is Mr. Malcolm:
I am very, very certain that at this very moment, Malcolm, Barkley and our Princess Daisy, are all at Daisy's Cottage at The Bridge, noshing on some wonderful gourmet delight and watching the home shopping channel, while they talk about organizing the next barndance. Can't you just see the three of them up there, hanging out together?
The purpose of Barkley House - it's Mission - is just this:
To build a temporary lodging facility where pets undergoing medical treatment at the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital can stay with their owners. This guest house at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine will provide compassion, care and camaraderie.
Temporary lodging for people and their pets, in a home-like environment, close to the teaching hospital. Veterinary students will have additional opportunities to enhance their client communication skills. Pets staying with their families may experience quicker recoveries. Anxiety will be lessened for both pets and their humans. Barkley House will serve as a prototype for similar facilities at other veterinary referral centers.
And do you want to know some more Serendipity Something?
Guess what kind of dog Dr. Carolyn has? Here is his picture, and his name is Blaze:
Blaze is, as you can see - one of my PitBull Cousins, doing wonderful work with Dr. Carolyn and a very, very talented artist who is called Ron Burns.
Here is how Mr. Ron and Ms. Carolyn came to be friends:
Ron Burns, is as you might know, a very, very amazing artist and if you would like to learn all about him and his wonderfulness, you can wake up that Mouse Person, and suggest, kindly, that he fly you over to The Amazing Web Site of Ron Burns I am, of course, quite happy that Mr. Burns is helping in the fundraising for Barkley House, because Mr. Burns is also a champion of my cousins, all of us PitBulls who are, on a regular basis - MisUnderStood.
For the first time ever, Ron has agreed to permit his art (The original Cecil is shown below) to be reproduced on a T-Shirt and other items. His goal is to reach as many people as possible, and send a loud, clear message that our pets are prizes, not fighters. It's time we gave something back to the four legged family members who add so much to our lives.
Here's what The Humane Society of the United States had to say about Ron Burns, Cecil, and their campaign against dogfighting:
Our Prize Not Fighter tee was created by world renowned animal artist Ron Burns to promote his love for animals and personal passion against dogfighting. Based on his original painting of Cecil, a rescued pit bull mix, this fine cotton tee is a great way to speak out and help put an end to cruel and inhumane dogfighting!
Mom says she is ordering a T-Shirt, right now! and we will be making a nice donation to Barkley House.
So now you know all about my newest friends, and I'm sure you can understand why I would love to have Dr. Carolyn and her Barkley House cause, and Mr. Luke and da' boys, Hudson and Murphy, and maybe Mr. Ron Burns, all put their heads together to see how we can all help one another.
Mr. Luke will help to find the CAUSE for Cancer in Companion Animals and support Comparative Oncology and Dr. Carolyn will have her Barkley House - a real place, not just a dream. Mr. Ron will continue to help to raise money for all of us Prizes - who are NOT fighters and together these three people will make life just a bit better for all of us.
So join us, please, and make lots of donations! And come to Boston in June and be a part of Mr. Luke's next big step in the right direction.
Love and Licks,
Bob
Boy Bloginator, PitBull Reporter, Extra Ordinary
........... a lover, not a fighter
Bob's portrait by Art by Angie
Categories: We Have a Dream, Our Friends
Tags: Doggie Aficionado 2 Dogs 2000 Miles blogging pitbull Barkley House American Pit Bull Terrier Ron Burns
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