DANES OVER DEPRESSION!!!
Here is the fourth edition of our weekly installment of “Danes over Depression”. Brought to you by Great Danes of the Ozarks, greatdanesoftheozarks.com
This weekly publication was founded to honor my brother Tim’s memory and is designed to bring awareness to mental health maintenance. Each story submitted is from one of our clients and is dedicated to anyone who battles depression, anxiety, loneliness, addiction, etc. We sincerely hope these stories bring you joy and warm your heart as much as they do ours! Remember, if you’re feeling hopeless, help is just a phone call away, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255 to speak with a mental health professional. It is NEVER shameful to focus on your mental health!!
Barley’s Story:
In March 2019, I adopted a Great Dane puppy from Devin at Great Danes of the Ozarks. He was a handsome lilac fawn puppy with beautiful golden eyes. After the long journey to my home I wasn’t sure how he would behave, however before long this little guy was running and playing with his new sisters (Bella-Great Dane and Lexi-Maine Coon Cat) and his new human family.
As he ran around carefree, his gorgeous coat shined so brightly in the sun that it reminded me of a wheat field blowing wildly in the wind. I decided to name him Barley. I thought it was such a fitting name for him. Over 2 years later and 3 years old, he is still wild and crazy in his play, but also so well behaved. He shows us daily how deeply he loves us. When I wake up in the morning, he is there to greet me with a big kiss and huge tail wag. After the long work day, he is always the first one at the door to greet me with a grin, tail wag and a big kiss hello.
Barley has brought so much love and joy to our family. The littlest things in life such as car trips and going to the store are more exciting and interesting having him with us. He loves car rides and going to stores. We live by a wildlife preserve that we walk through and we see deer, rabbits, chipmunks, birds and even skunks. He never harms or scares them off, he just wants to get closer to say hello.
Barley is loving and gentle, but furiously protective of his home and family. He loves to scare people when they come to the door, he stares out the window, barks while wagging his tail as they jump off the porch in fear. Once I open the door and tell him it is ok, he pushes himself to the front for a pet and attention from the visitors. Barley is happiest when people come over because he shows his funny goofy self and knows how to be the center of attention. He is so smart and knows me so well that he knows all my cues. I am so grateful and happy to have Barley in our life. He is my shining star…….
Kim Lowry
