Barney leads the way

As this calendar year winds down, Barney is an inspiration in how we might look at the upcoming year to live our lives anew.

An 8-year-old lab mix, Barney was a shelter dog who had little chance of being adopted - he was blind and deaf. Amy Shever, founder and director of the all-volunteer 2nd Chance 4 Pets in Los Gatos, California, received the call for help. Once Barney arrived in her home, he was home, as he instantly became part of the family.

After some time for rehabilitation, touch was used to train Barney. Today, if his rear is tapped, he'll sit. If his front paws are stroked, he will lie down, although "it helps to have some food" while they are doing this. When they go for walks, if there is a step up, Amy will lift up lightly on Barney's leash and he steps up just fine.

Amy said Barney "isn't afraid of anything, [he] always has a smile on his face and uses his heart to see the world around him. His biggest pleasures include long walks, nightly wrestling matches with humans, playing hide-and-seek with dog buddies and extra kibble whenever he can get it.

"You see this dog, and you're just happy."

It's amazing to me how adaptable our pets are regardless of the challenges life gives them, whether they be physical, emotional or both. While many people might think a dog with this level of disability couldn't possibly live a full life, the article puts to rest any concern of that. May we all use Barney as our example of how to look past our limitations and embrace the wholeness of our lives.