tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post4249880910336697943..comments2024-03-18T22:57:04.768-04:00Comments on HEY NATALIE JEAN: TO BARNEY'S NEW FAMILYNataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698804808966036834noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-61489755471344671112011-07-06T16:38:07.352-04:002011-07-06T16:38:07.352-04:00You didn't "adopt" the dog from the ...You didn't "adopt" the dog from the pet store. You bought him, thus contributing to puppy mill abuses and creating more demand for the "product." And, in keeping with that mindset, you are still treating the pup like a product that's worn out its welcome. May your precious baby not treat you the same way when you're old and gray.Snoopynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-47559500081027288942011-07-06T09:30:55.113-04:002011-07-06T09:30:55.113-04:00That Alexandra girl must certainly have a heart of...That Alexandra girl must certainly have a heart of gold.<br /><br />Not.Russannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12739897785358535901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-71961447862836980092011-07-06T03:24:43.782-04:002011-07-06T03:24:43.782-04:00wow, this almost had me crying too. I'm going...wow, this almost had me crying too. I'm going to go snuggle my puppy as soon as I get home.Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10148297814666688033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-34196637828917184102011-07-06T00:52:52.604-04:002011-07-06T00:52:52.604-04:00Sigh. I'm going to miss you, Barney. :-(
No...Sigh. I'm going to miss you, Barney. :-(<br /><br />Now that he is gone, I'll tell you: he was my favorite. But don't tell The Pan, please.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01436000954617741702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-79793933631084555942011-07-05T17:17:05.169-04:002011-07-05T17:17:05.169-04:00If you guys weren't the best parents you'd...If you guys weren't the best parents you'd have never even considered this option. The best choice is never the easy choice. I'm so sorry for you all but so happy for Barney in his awesome new family. His new dads name is Bruce...any man named Bruce you know will be good fun!!!Jessie Eisner-Kleylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00710667927812819276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-10171195048276625512011-07-05T16:41:03.434-04:002011-07-05T16:41:03.434-04:00Heartbreaking and beautiful. You are good doggy pa...Heartbreaking and beautiful. You are good doggy parents and I'm sure Barney absolutely agrees!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-37751029129056679862011-07-05T14:40:04.177-04:002011-07-05T14:40:04.177-04:00((hugs)) for you and Brandon. I bet Barnaby is get...((hugs)) for you and Brandon. I bet Barnaby is getting lots of love from his new family and is just fine. These things seem to be much harder on us humans...Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12130346985631115376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-74721202445128955262011-07-05T12:54:51.809-04:002011-07-05T12:54:51.809-04:00Sending HUGS to you - what a hard decision but a R...Sending HUGS to you - what a hard decision but a RIGHT decision. That Barney man will do great. Now I have to go and finish my cry.Eileennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-36132890055864113862011-07-05T12:17:43.117-04:002011-07-05T12:17:43.117-04:00Dear Natalie, I have been reading your blog since ...Dear Natalie, I have been reading your blog since that article in Salon, and I also went back to read about your years in Idaho. Usually I can't comment because my computer at work won't allow it. Today, I had to find a way. I am so sad for what you and Brandon have gone through in reaching this heart-wrenching decision. What got my tears flowing was the mental image of Barnaby sleeping with his head on Brandon's shoulder every night. Barnaby will be fine. It's you and particularly your husband I feel for. My husband and I have two spoiled cats, and as it always seems to go with pets, one of them is more 'mine' and the other 'his' even though of course we each love them both. So I think I understand a bit of what you are experiencing. May the many good wishes, of friends and people you don't even know, help you find comfort and healing. It is a brave, thoughtful and very difficult thing you have done for Barnaby and for your family. Thank you for the joy and yes, the tears you bring us with your writing. Peace and love to you.Barbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-28116422896082417632011-07-05T11:40:45.149-04:002011-07-05T11:40:45.149-04:00Ugh, I'm crying enormously fat tears at this o...Ugh, I'm crying enormously fat tears at this one. I am so sorry for you all... It's an awful thing to say goodbye to a dog, whatever the circumstances.Karenhttp://www.karenlizzie.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-45660428069633729102011-07-05T10:39:18.725-04:002011-07-05T10:39:18.725-04:00I am so sorry you had to say goodbye. Sometimes th...I am so sorry you had to say goodbye. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do. Whenever you get sad, just picture Barney romping in a field of squirrels. I'm sure he is enjoying his new space.Skyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08566471209521257005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-32659760711911254262011-07-05T09:38:41.989-04:002011-07-05T09:38:41.989-04:00Oh Alexandra, I do so look up to you. You obviousl...Oh Alexandra, I do so look up to you. You obviously have it all together, always make the right decision, and have such control over your life that no unexpected changes ever force you to adjust. Not to mention your uncanny ability to read other people's minds and hearts and know their true motivations--even when you have never met them! Thank heavens you are here to let us all know how horrible we are in comparison to your unstoppable awesomeness.<br /><br />And Natalie, how dare you make a heart-rending decision that will give Barnaby a happier life! For shame.Cathlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02859967995890996237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-74613322436139259432011-07-04T19:34:34.609-04:002011-07-04T19:34:34.609-04:00That must have been so hard. I think that Barney ...That must have been so hard. I think that Barney will love his new home and it will be much easier for you. And don't listen to the negativity. People always have the best advice when it's not them in the situation.Rhondahttp://floridagirlinoklahoma.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-49251254154035752092011-07-04T18:45:21.786-04:002011-07-04T18:45:21.786-04:00Ok, this made me cry.Ok, this made me cry.Brittannyhttp://brittannytaylor.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-81031998330337096422011-07-04T15:05:49.775-04:002011-07-04T15:05:49.775-04:00....crying. Is it bad that I feel like a very simi.......crying. Is it bad that I feel like a very similar letter could be written to my now-ex boyfriend? sad day.Gabriellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13014923939003271721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-42971831081688661472011-07-04T11:44:53.575-04:002011-07-04T11:44:53.575-04:00Oh! I just cried like a fool! I've never met y...Oh! I just cried like a fool! I've never met your beautiful Barnaby McDuff - but I miss him so!! <br /><br />For years my family did Boxer rescue and it absolutely tore me apart to hand over a dog we had fostered for weeks, even months to their new family. It's bittersweet - but oh so tough. <br /><br />We'll be keeping the Holbrooks in our prayers to make this transition a bit easier for you, but to hold him in your hearts forever.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08884407934711182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-44216688395231694332011-07-04T11:38:19.447-04:002011-07-04T11:38:19.447-04:00Nat. I love this post. You are an incredible pers...Nat. I love this post. You are an incredible person. I read this and I see how much you love Barney. It takes a lot of strength and love to do what you and B did. My family and I have been going back and forth trying to decide what to do with our pup, and seeing this post gives me a little bit of strength. <br /><br />I sure hope that you don't disable the anonymous comments, because that is all that will allow me to post. I hate that some people hide behind their anonymity and say hurtful things to people. You did what was right for your family and what was right for Barney. Period. There is nothing more to it! That is where your priority is. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing this difficult decision with us. I hope that I can someday have the same strength that you have.Chanelhttp://chanelstone.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-79668360577380786082011-07-04T04:13:39.724-04:002011-07-04T04:13:39.724-04:00I cannot feel sorry for you; I feel sorry for the ...I cannot feel sorry for you; I feel sorry for the animal.<br /><br />I must say, all your talk about how you didn't have a "crystal ball" back when you got a dog isn't quite convincing.<br />My man and I do know that our life may take turns in the future that will make it difficult to own a dog and provide for him in an appropriate way (keeping animals in a shoebox in Manhattan I consider selfish and bordering abuse) - so we are not getting one. Easy, right?<br />(also: you don't need a crystal ball to predict that an animal will indeed go neurotic in that tiny of a space, new baby and all)<br /><br />As far as I can tell your priority was always having children; this whole scenario does have the unpleasant taste of the dog just having served his purpose now that you have a baby.<br />I hope for Barney that his new family doesn't pass him off once he doesn't fit their lifestyle anymore.<br /><br />For my part, your blog was fun for a little while (maybe a month?), but you do come across as so annoyingly immature - on so many levels - that I am no longer interested in reading.Alexandranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-40449856034494220632011-07-04T03:57:45.969-04:002011-07-04T03:57:45.969-04:00when i moved to europe, the conditions of my grant...when i moved to europe, the conditions of my grant were that i bring no person (or animal) with me. i wanted to find someone to foster my dog for a few years but everyone told me that it was too cruel to have her adjust to a new home, only to be taken away again upon my arrival. my sister found a new *permanent* home for her and i was so sad i cried for days. i still can't even really talk about too much without feeling sick. that said, i know how you feel and it's horrible. <br /><br />so - if i were you, i would just go stare at huck and squeeze/kiss his cheeks. i can't imagine feeling any kind of pain in the world with such a perfect little human in your midst. ;)Jenni Austria Germanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04300480531614136453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-22836403143432780222011-07-03T23:02:05.461-04:002011-07-03T23:02:05.461-04:00I'm crying so hard. It will get easier. You ...I'm crying so hard. It will get easier. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your baby, you did the right thing. Sending love!Angela https://www.blogger.com/profile/17863396283565510148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-28554778688078887742011-07-03T18:54:47.625-04:002011-07-03T18:54:47.625-04:00Only when you love something that much is the pain...Only when you love something that much is the pain that great....better to have loved and lost right?<br />My best to you, there is no way you made this decision easily.Donna Tagliaferrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705679077073780322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-82460941258593837852011-07-03T18:15:36.051-04:002011-07-03T18:15:36.051-04:00I'm sorry you had to say goodbye! Hopefully th...I'm sorry you had to say goodbye! Hopefully there are more sniffs, squirrels and people for Barney to meet on the island! Saying good bye to a doggy is hard but you'll get through it! We all do!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-74157338463558384802011-07-03T17:51:33.959-04:002011-07-03T17:51:33.959-04:00I'm sorry you have to go through this :( I kno...I'm sorry you have to go through this :( I know how it feels, I had to leave my furbaby in England when we moved back to Canada. I still can't look at pictures of him....but it gets better! I know it doesn't seem like it will but I get emails about all the fun he has and I know we did the right thing :) *hugs*Deanna Holehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09825381756569229609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-36250420730420584922011-07-03T17:19:10.336-04:002011-07-03T17:19:10.336-04:00ahh, this makes me so sad for you guys. i just kn...ahh, this makes me so sad for you guys. i just know how much you love him. i don't know if i could ever love a dog that much, but i've seen dog-loss grief and it has been some of the saddest i've ever, ever seen. i'm really sorry you had to let him go.Jodie | Velourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2487616434221255778.post-11941917461629196552011-07-03T16:36:03.564-04:002011-07-03T16:36:03.564-04:00I know how difficult this must have been, but I al...I know how difficult this must have been, but I also know the decision was made to keep your son safe. What a testament to your love for both of them that you found the best solution possible.Soccerbellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07791476433206658901noreply@blogger.com