Barney is an Angel Now.

[Moesha]

I feel bad for you. Thank you for all you are doing for Barney. Please thank Scott for us also. As we've all said from the start, we know you are doing the best you can for Barney. I am sure he would not have made it this long if it hadn't been for you and Angela. It hurts me to think of him outside in this kind of weather like he would have been. He would not have survived and enjoyed any quality of life. Now he gets love and yums and warmth. Don't feel bad about not having his movies, now he gets to watch you bathe! Who needs videos when you have that! LOL

[Taz_Zoee]

LES and what everyone else said - THANK YOU AND SCOTT!!

[momtomany]

Lara

Thank Scott from all of us that he has allowed Barney to come inside. Whatever time Barney has left will spent warm and knowing that he is loved. God truly does have a special blessing for you for all that you are doing for Barney. Know that you, Scott and Barney are part of mine and many Pet Talkers daily prayers.

[Emeraldgreen]

Catty1 wrote:

LES.
I am happy to hear how warm and happy he is and eating well.
I am so sad that the tumour seems to be getting worse.
But he has lived a miracle already, so I can't feel bad.
But I just feel like a little kid - I want Barney to get ALL BETTER.
Can I ask for PT Prayers for Barney - they have worked miracles before.
HUGS to that dear dear boy, please love on him for me!

I feel the same way, wishing for the impossible but as you wrote, it's been a miracle anyway, that he found his way into so many hearts and into a home and continues to be such a fighter and is still with us. I am thankful for all of it. I'll hug him for you.


JennLibrarian wrote:

I can't see that he looks worse, so he must do a good job of hiding it! He looks so much more alert and so happy!!! Those head butts and semi rolls, he just has so much love he wants to share and express.

Oh, Lara, he's such a heartbreaker!! I cry every time I see him! I wish I could see him before I go back to work full time Jan. 20th, but that's a bit of a stretch. Hopefully we'll still be seeing pics of him in summer, and I could visit then!! Positive thoughts and vibes only for Barn-Barn!!

I always am amazed how good he looks on the videos too but when you see him in person and handle him, it's different. He is quite skinny and his spine is so boney and he has this big pot belly, not sure if this is his liver or what is going on there. He doesn't move around that much in the videos but when he does, he is so wobbly and weak. I will try and get that on film next time. I think I'm going to let him cruise around the living room for 15 minutes one of these evenings and I'll film it then.

I also wish I could post pics of him this summer enjoying the tall grass in the outdoor enclosure but that would take the biggest miracle ever. I really only think he has a few weeks. I hate to say it but I watch him everyday and have been noticing subtle changes and it does seem that he is fading. But I will let him tell me when it's time though and won't do anything rash, I promise. I just don't want him to suffer or be in pain. For now, he continues to enjoy eating and being warm, especially with his FABULOUS leopard print warming pad.

Columbine wrote:

Sweet little Barney. Sometimes it takes your whole life to find the love you need, but once you do, all the time without doesn't count any more.

WOW! So well said. Thank you for sharing that.

Purr_Tender wrote:

My heart is aching after reading your latest post. There cannot be anyone reading your post that doesn't have LES! I don't want to face the reality of his condition. I can see in the photo how bad his eye looks. I take enormous comfort that he is at least warm and cozy in the house with you now!! I know that you feel the exact same way. I want to think that he will, by some miracle, thrive being this close to you. You know, the steam from your bath may make him feel better, too.
Much love and gentle hugs to our boy!!
I could never thank you enough, Lara, for what you have done for Barney. I love what Columbine said! It was perfect. "Sometimes it takes your whole life to find the love you need, but once you do, all the time without doesn't count any more."
Very WARMLY,
Mary "One of Barney's MANY Angels"

I'm sorry everybody is having LES! and SLES! But as everybody has mentioned, we need to look at the bright side. He's still with us and he's warm and has a full tummy.
You're probably right, the steam will do him good.
Thanks Barney Angel!

Medusa wrote:

Columbine expressed it so perfectly and it's so true. I'm so sad that Barney isn't improving but I can tell that he's so much more comfortable indoors. What a journey this has been for you, Lara, for all of us. We know how badly you want him to get better; we want that, too, of course, but I can only imagine how you must have felt when you saw how cold and miserable he was. Well, now he can spend his last days in relative peace and comfort. He's one lucky boy to have found you. Very gentle pets to Barney and (((HUGS))) to you and a bear hug to Scott for allowing Barney to come in from the cold.

This really has been a journey and I'm so glad that you and everyone whose been involved with this thread has been there too. It might sound ridiculous but being able to post about him and share pics and videos has made it alot easier for me. I feel like all you guys are a great support system and you've helped me make decisions and have offered so much in the way of hope, donations, gifts etc.. Now, all that he needs are prayers and I will continue to give him hugs from his Angels.

3Catcondo wrote:

Lara and Scott-
Thank you so much for all the care you have provided Barney and making adjusts in your home for him. He looks comfortable, and that is all that matters now, no matter how long he has. He is finally getting the life he deserved to have all along thanks to you, and that's all we could've hoped for. Thank you from the bottom of my for doing this, I wish there were more people that cared as much as you do for the well being of stray/feral cats. And, I wish I lived closer to visit Barney and you on a regular basis.

Thanks for that. I was actually feeling really awful, especially this past week because his living conditions were not good and he was not happy or comfortable. I thought of all the nice things you have all posted and I felt that it was no longer true and I wasn't living up to my end of the bargain. I was in the beginning but with the recent cold temperatures, it was no longer a good environment for him. The pics would only show brief moments but for the majority of his time recently, it was, in my view, suffering. I almost didn't want to open this thread because I felt so guilty about how he was living and didn't feel like a Barney Angel at all. But now, I can sleep at night because he really is cozy, FINALLY. And I'm so thankful that when his time does come, I will be able to live with it because his last days/weeks/months? will be worth it.
And... with regard to stray/feral cats, Barney has really started something. I have started the ball rolling and our first meeting is in January to begin helping the ferals/strays in my area. I have a woman who is involved in a similar group from a nearby town coming to speak and field questions and another woman who is moving here who is a vet, will also be attending so I'm really excited. It's all due to Barney, because his condition was shocking and I realized how many of these cats must suffer a similar fate. I wish I could call the group Barney's Angels, that would be so neat but we'll see how it goes.

MoonandBean wrote:

I had LES reading the post but it turned into SLES (Sniffling, LES) watching the video. Bean and I watched it together. I am so grateful for everything you have done and that Barney will be able to live out the rest of his life warm and cozy. Give Scott a thank you from me

LOL! Did you make that up? LES but extra! That's perfect and it's already being used in posts after yours! I'm sorry to make you sniffle and leak. Well, I guess it's not my fault, it's Barney's! That little stinker.

Kb2Yjx wrote:

I am just SLES!!! Prayers continue for Barney...

Thanks for the prayers. They're working!!

Randi wrote:

Oh Lara, I have LES also from reading your post. But I'm so happy that Barney will spend the rest of his time inside, warm and cosy.
I'm sad to see his eye is getting worse and to hear he is bleeding again, but hopefully the warmth will help him feel better. He is an old boy, and he definately would not have survived outside. Thank you so much for making his life better, it's wonderful what you do. Now you can keep an eye on him and better judge how he's feeling. When it's time to go, I'm sure he'll let you know.
Please give him some kisses and scritchies from me.

Thanks Randi. I agree, now that he I will see him so often, I will be able to really keep track of how he is doing and if /when he is getting worse. I think he will let me know when it's time. Thankfully, it isn't now.

Pomtzu wrote:

I'm trying to see to post, in spite of having a case of SLES along with everyone else. It is sad that he's going down hill, but I'm just so happy for him that he is now part of the "in crowd"! I'm sure he's loving it - he certainly appeared to be in the video. Lara - you are an angel for sure, and as for Scott - well I really think you have quite a gem there!! Bless you both for making Barney's days warm and full of love.

I like that! The 'in crowd'! Thanks for your post. I think Scotty is a gem too. I feel very blessed that he has that softy side. That of course is why I fell for him in the first place. Whenever he gets up in arms about animals, I always remind him that I had 6 cats and 1 dog when he met me. I say 'what part of LOVING animals didn't you get?!?' LOL He usually just rolls his eyes. We're a bit over our usual limit right now and he's been very patient. We will get back to a reasonable number of pets as they age out.

Moesha wrote:

I feel bad for you. Thank you for all you are doing for Barney. Please thank Scott for us also. As we've all said from the start, we know you are doing the best you can for Barney. I am sure he would not have made it this long if it hadn't been for you and Angela. It hurts me to think of him outside in this kind of weather like he would have been. He would not have survived and enjoyed any quality of life. Now he gets love and yums and warmth. Don't feel bad about not having his movies, now he gets to watch you bathe! Who needs videos when you have that! LOL

Yums and warmth, that about sums it up. LOL That's what any of us really needs I guess. Yes, the whole watching while I bathe bit! I have to admit, it was a little WEIRD! He was standing in the middle of the floor, facing the bath and just stood there STARING at me the entire time. He was standing on the one part of the floor that doesn't have carpet and his little feet kept slowly sliding out until he was almost doing the splits and then he'd straighten up again for a few seconds until the sliding would start again. LOL He was definitely wondering 'what' I was doing and refused to budge until I was finished about 20 minutes later. I don't know, maybe he thought it was his turn next or something. LOL It was really funny.

Taz_Zoee wrote:

LES and what everyone else said - THANK YOU AND SCOTT!!

Thanks. No more leaking though!!! lol Just happy thoughts.

Momtomany wrote:

Lara
Thank Scott from all of us that he has allowed Barney to come inside. Whatever time Barney has left will spent warm and knowing that he is loved. God truly does have a special blessing for you for all that you are doing for Barney. Know that you, Scott and Barney are part of mine and many Pet Talkers daily prayers.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. I'm also praying each day and God does seem to be listening. I will show Scott these posts so he can know what a neat thing has done. I told him it is the best christmas present I have ever received because it has lifted alot of guilt off me and I feel so much more at peace. Barney was in such awful conditions, that if I had seen him at someone else's house, like that, I would have thought to contact the SPCA to report it. And here he was, under my care and that is why I was so upset. I knew it had reached a point that I either had to let him go or convince Scott to let him inside. I'm so thankful for how it has turned out.

Thanks everybody for your posts.

[jennielynn1970]

Gosh, so he's not even a peeping tom, he's outright STARING!! LOL!

Too funny, lol. Sorry Lara!!

[Emeraldgreen]

Gosh, so he's not even a peeping tom, he's outright STARING!! LOL!

Too funny, lol. Sorry Lara!!

ROFL! I'm at work, so I'd better stop laughing! haha

[MoonandBean]

Aw C'Mon...who among us hasn't had all of our pets watch us bathe at one time or another? Sunny got IN the tub with me once and I think I remember Bean laying on me once too while his tail swayed in the water

[phesina]

More SLES.. God bless you, Barney and Lara and Scott, for these warm, precious days you are sharing. Prayers of gratitude for the warmth and prayers of love and comfort to you.

[Scooter's Mom]

Aw C'Mon...who among us hasn't had all of our pets watch us bathe at one time or another? Sunny got IN the tub with me once and I think I remember Bean laying on me once too while his tail swayed in the water

Scooter Bug not only gets in with me EVERY time, he has to drink the water. My hubby says he likes it because it's "Crystal flavored". EWWWW. (Scooter Bug is my kitty, so who cares, lol)


I am so glad Barney is inside now. Lara, you are such a blessing to him. Tell Scott thank you for having such a big heart to let Barney have his last days (however many they are) in a nice warm house. Heaven is smiling on you both!

[MoonandBean]

Scooter Bug not only gets in with me EVERY time, he has to drink the water. My hubby says he likes it because it's "Crystal flavored". EWWWW. (Scooter Bug is my kitty, so who cares, lol)

Hehe

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lara, I'm so glad that Barney is now inside and is nice and warm and comfortable as he should be. I also got LES from reading his updates and seeing how happy he was in the video. Please thank Scott for me too. You're married to a wonderful caring man. I'll continue to keep Barney in my thoughts and prayers.

[rosethecopycat]

Bless his heart.

So grateful.

[rg_girlca]

Scott, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, you dear sweet man for allowing Barney to come in from the cold. You sound just like my hubby though. He kicks up a stink and will say NO, but in the end gives in, because his heart won't allow any animal to be cold or hungry.

Lara, please do not feel guilty for anything that you have done for our Barney. Personally, I thought what a lovely set up you had for him from the beginning and as the temperatures started to drop, you provided more heat and comfort for him. I don't think you could have done anymore for this sweet boy than what you have already done.
God knows how much longer this sweet boy has, but because of you and your dear hubby, he has warmth, good food, care and most of all love. It's too bad that he doesn't realize the love he has from all over the world.

[Medusa]

Lara, please do not feel guilty for anything that you have done for our Barney. Personally, I thought what a lovely set up you had for him from the beginning and as the temperatures started to drop, you provided more heat and comfort for him. I don't think you could have done anymore for this sweet boy than what you have already done.

Seriously! I agree 100%! You have nothing to feel guilty about. You did everything but turn over the deed to your house to Barney. LOL That boy knows how loved he is and he was comfortable until it got to be so bitter cold and when it did, you stepped in and handled it, Lara and Scott. No worries. No worries whatsoever. What a Merry Christmas this will be for all of you and for us on PT, too, knowing that Barn-Barn is safe and warm and snuggly.

[Randi]

I so agree with the above posts - Lara, you have gone beyond what many others would do, and Barney is as comfy as he can get.

Merry Christmas sweet Barney!