Barney is an Angel Now.

[Emeraldgreen]

Thank you Randi!! I received your card and donation all the way from Denmark today! I'm surprised it got here so fast. I really appreciate it.

I went to see Barney tonight and he does seem to be doing better. Angela said that today he was washing himself. Not much, just his paws and face but he hasn't ever done this since we brought him inside so it's a good sign.

We gave him yet another bath but this time we actually put him in the sink and into the water. All the baths before this have been bird baths. He was a bit freaked out but he didn't really try to get out. It was nice and warm and I think he partly liked it.

We dried him off and then put the elizabethan collar on him for the first time. He wasn't too sure about it but he is so tolerant and seems like he will put up with it. But he did sit there for the longest time just looking at his food and water bowls as if he was thinking about how he was going to make it work with this new lamp shade he was sporting. lol

I forgot my camera but I had my cell phone so I took a few pics and a few short movies with it. They are kind of grainy but they show him wearing the collar.

Angela told me today that she will be leaving on November 2nd. My goal is to try and find temporary housing for Barney until I can find him a permanent home. I'm praying that it will all work out. Things seem to fall into place each day so I'm hopeful that a furrever home will as well.

Thank you Catmandu for your kind offer of a catnip mouse! That would be wonderful. I will PM you my address as I'm sure something like that might be just what Barney needs to help bring him around and find his more youthful self!

Thanks for the information about the polyp surgery Mary. I agree, the surgery should be done as soon as he is well enough. I hope that will be soon. In the meantime this collar will hopefully keep him from scratching but I think you're right, it may be growing larger so something must be done.

Here are the pics and videos (I will post a few pics below for folks who are unable to view the movies):

[Randi]

I'm glad you got it, although it wasn't much. You know, Denmark is a civilised country, so of course it shouldn't take more than 4-5 days. At least I know it's possible to hide in an envelope.

It's a joy to hear Barney is eating and feeling a bit better, but I bet he's not amused with that collar. I so hope he can have that polyp removed soon, I will send a bit more to help with the bill, when I get payed.

Kisses to Barney, and big hugs to you and Mary for helping him.

[Medusa]

Oh that sweet, sweet boy! He just melts my heart! I wish I could be there to help out, Lara. My first "official" rescue was my RB Peeka, a tuxie, and she had to wear an Elizabethan collar, too, except that she was just a kitten and when she bent down to eat, the collar was so heavy that she'd flop over into the food, so I had to remove it each time she wanted to eat. I can't wait for the day when Barney is well enough for the surgery to remove the ear polyp. He'll be all fixed up and as good as can be! What a wonderful, heartwarming story this is, you two.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm glad you got it, although it wasn't much. You know, Denmark is a civilised country, so of course it shouldn't take more than 4-5 days.

LOL! I'm still surprised because mail from my brother in Arizona takes at least a full week! Thank you again, I'm going to the vet clinic on Monday and putting Mary's (Medusa) and your funds onto Barney's account. I think Angela is bringing him for a recheck on Wednesday.

I didn't see Barney today but I just called Angela and she said he's doing even better today. She said she saw him actually run when he smelled Jack's food being put down on the floor. I said "he really ran???" and she said "well, he walked darned fast!" LOL Good to hear that he has a bit more energy. Angela cut him off at the pass though and made sure he didn't get into the wrong food.

The elizabethan collar was a disaster though. She said that this morning she saw him trying to use the litter box and the collar was causing him to be off balance and the poor guy fell backwards onto his back and just laid there in the box. (kind of like your Peeka into her food Mary) She helped him back up but he wanted none of it and went to lay in his bed. When she checked on him later the bedding was all wet with pee. So, the collar is history and things are good again. He is actually being pretty good about not scratching as much so we're going to see how it goes.

Barney is continuing to wash his face and paws so that is great. I will go over tomorrow afternoon/evening and visit with him.

I made up 3 cans to collect donations and plan to make about 5 more to put in all the local stores and maybe the bank. So far 3 are in 2 stores and 1 coffee shop. One can already has about 10.00 in it and they've only been out for a few hours! I'm going to put a big ad in the classified section of our local webzine to tell people about Barney and where they can find the donation cans for the next week. Then next Saturday, I'll go around and collect them all.
Everyone who looks at his picture just melts but no one wants to foster him.
I will keep asking everyone though until we can get him a temporary home while we line up the surgery. We'll get them to neuter him too while he's under.

Here are the 3 cans I made up today with the signs:

[Purr-tender]

You did a fantastic job with the posters for the donation cans!! How can people resist donating to such a pitiful little guy?! I know I couldn't.

Sounds like Barney is doing better, I know he still has a long way to go yet. He and Mary's Pidgelet are on the top of my prayer list.

Mary

[Emeraldgreen]

Went to visit Barney last night and he is doing pretty well. He showed affection for the first time and was rubbing his head against Angela's arm while she was holding him. I filmed it but missed the part where he laid his head on her arm in the sweetest way. I also held him and got a few pics. He is so sweet and I love his little grouchy face.



I'm bringing over some pet oatmeal/aloe shampoo tonight so we can give him a really good scrub. His fur is still kind of greasy and the shampoo we've been using doesn't seem to be doing anything about that. He also is still a bit constipated and only going every other day so I'm bringing some Fiberific and some Hairball Malt to help get things moving.

Angela is going to bring him in on Wednesday for a recheck and ask the vet about the cost of a surgery. I will be dropping off Mary (Medusa) and Randi's donations at the clinic this afternoon.

Below that is a Barney movie.

[Randi]

Aww Lara, it was a joy to see Barney in a better shape - although he has a long way yet. You can tell from the video that he is enjoying the care and love you two give him.

It's wonderful you've made the poster and collection cans, and I'm so glad people are putting some $$ in it for Barney.

I know it's not good if he scratch his ear, and the collar is a pain, so I was wondering.... any change you could clip his nails so they're not so pointed? That might help a little.

Lots of kisses and gently scritches for Barney - Fister sends purrs (and I think he likes your voices, he just came up while I played the video).

[Medusa]

I am absolutely in love w/that boy! He's really eating up all the love and affection that you and Angela are giving him, Lara. He's like a little fur sponge. (((HUGS))) to all of you and lots of gentle pets for Barney.