Back to the Dog

Barney has no concept of " personal space". There is very little personal space in our home. The bathroom isn't a sacred place. The only time he isn't with you is when the door is shut... all the way. Then he just sits outside and waits until you are done.

With Steven it's about rough and tumble. The only time he's on Steve is if he's too lazy to move. barney tries to steer clear of Steve. Being near Steve means you will be wearing human clothes. Barney is a good sport.

There is a hierarchy in Barney's world. People who he sleeps with, warms up with and goes to just to mess with. Jeff is a pushover....he knows that Jeff will pass out bits of his food from his plate and accommodate his odd sleeping habits.With Jeff he is a sleeper. It's about serious nap time. He usually is between Jeff's feet, but at times Jeff is in a real bed, then it's a free for all, but it's nap time.

With Catherine it's about just being near her. We keep it very very cold in the house. Often the kids will sleep in hooded sweatshirts. We have horrible insulation. We would have to rip all the walls out and re insulate them. He usually starts out with Catherine. As Jeff snacks after we go to bed Barney heads to the living room.

Again, with me, it's about having his nose shoved up my nose. When it's time to wrestle, scratch tummy, he's on my bed.

Someday we will have to teach him some manners.