Help for Barney and GSD Helpline

Hi, my name is Simone and I am fundraising for Barney and the GSD Helpline.

Barney is a handsome German Shepherd who lived for the last 11 years with my late brother. They were absolutely devoted to one another, and Barney was always by his Daddy's side.

Unfortunately, my brother was diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 2 years so he made plans for Barney to be placed with the GSD Helpline for when he became unable to care for him. But, as we all know these things never go according to plan.

My brother suffered a haemorrhage and fell down the stairs where he lay until he was found the next day at 1 pm. All that night the neighbours heard Barney howling and did nothing. So, Barney spent the night by the side of his dying Daddy.

The next day one of the neighbours offered to take Barney in until Brenda Jojic from GSD Helpine was able to collect him. What we didn't know is that for a week Barney was left in the house where my brother had died, and where the blood from his fall still lay, and was only visited to be fed. That week for Barney must have been unbearable. He lost over 10 kilos in that week, and when Brenda collected him, he was covered in abrasions and open wounds from rubbish in the garden.

I live abroad and have four dogs of my own and was therefore unable to rehome Barney with me, I would've loved to have him with me, but it was impossible.

It has been an uphill struggle for both Barney and Brenda. Barney had never been away from my brother and missed him, and Brenda did everything she could to help.

Shortly after he was collected Barney was diagnosed with AF (Anal Furunculosis), which is common in German Shepherds and fortunately is treatable with ongoing medication, but it does not come cheaply.

I then received a message from Brenda this morning to say that Barney is now losing control of his back legs. This could be down to DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) and he needs an MRI to discover if there is anything else that it could be. He is on more medication and is happy and comfortable for now.

However, the cost of his medication and treatment is getting higher. Brenda does what she can to raise money for her beloved charity, but it never seems to be quite enough. Especially as Barney is not the only GSD that she helps with rehoming and medication costs.

Barney has been through so much since my brother's death and is almost back to his original weight. He is happy and playful and adored by Brenda and everyone that meets him. He is the sweetest and most affectionate dog and deserves as much happiness as he can get after the trauma he went through.

Every pound donated will be accepted with my eternal appreciation, and of course Barney's and Brenda's. Please help.

Thank you