Tails of Barkley my Granddoggy

Tails of Barkley: My Grand Doggy

Dedicated to all the Grand doggies who make life a little brighter!

Chapter 1 – Barkley Finds a Home

This is the story of my grand doggy, Barkley, and the adventures we’ve shared while I look after him.

It all began when my daughter decided she wanted a dog. After lots of research, she found a breeder with a litter of Labradoodles in a posh house in Putney. When we arrived, there were gorgeous, fluffy puppies running around, playing and tumbling over one another.

The owners told us that all the puppies had been sold—except for one. He was the biggest of the litter, and apparently nobody wanted him; everyone wanted the smaller ones. So he was the only puppy left. He had nine brothers and sisters. His dad was a small Labrador and his mum a large Poodle—making him a crossbreed, a Labradoodle. To add to the confusion, the breeder said he was also part Australian. “G’day, mate!”

The big puppy with beautiful brown eyes sat quietly watching the others play—until we went into the garden. Then, as if he’d made up his mind, he padded over, wagging his tail so hard I thought it might fall off, and leapt straight into my lap! It was love at first sight.

At that moment, my daughter arrived and was smitten. “This is the one,” she said. So we took him home—or rather, she took him back to her home in London—and he quickly became part of our family.

Chapter 2 – The Lockdown Puppy

Never in my wildest dreams did I realise how much I would come to love Barkley. While all my dear friends were welcoming their grandchildren into their lives, I found myself looking after Barkley—my beloved grand doggy.

When Barkley first came to our home, he was full of energy. My daughter set up a little cage for him to sleep in and scattered the kitchen floor with puppy pads. I’d never heard of them before, but soon learned that was where Barkley went to the toilet. Oh, the joys of puppy training!

Little did we know that a deadly disease was about to change the world. When COVID arrived and spread across the globe, everything changed in an instant. Barkley became what people called a “lockdown puppy.” He couldn’t socialise properly, or meet many other dogs or people. It made him anxious and unsure how to behave in new situations.

We didn’t see him for a while either, which made us feel very sad.

Chapter 3 – Barkley Goes to the Seaside in a Bubble

At last—some relief! We were finally able to see Barkley again when the government allowed family “bubbles” and staycations.

Barkley brought us joy in those tough times. We took him on trips to the seaside. The first time he saw the beach was in Ramsgate, Kent. He went wild! He dug holes in the sand, chased the waves, and barked at the seagulls. Barkley loved digging more than anything—it was pure doggy heaven.

Whenever restrictions lifted, we went back to Broadstairs. Barkley was happiest running along the beach and playing with other dogs. He loved being around children too, wagging his tail as they squealed and laughed. It was a special place—for him and for us.

Chapter 4 – Barkley Goes Missing in the Woods

When Barkley comes to stay with us, we always take him to the woods. Though his main home is in London, he adores the countryside smells.

The first time we took him, he was about a year old—full of mischief. He’d had some puppy training, but his recall was… not great. Barkley’s favourite pals were Labradors, and whenever he saw one, he’d chase after it, disappearing into the trees. I would sprint after him, heart pounding, but he was far too quick for me!

During that strange, half-lockdown time, there were rumours of dog snatchers about, which made it even more frightening. Luckily, we always managed to find him.

Barkley had another quirk—he didn’t like strangers, especially men in black caps. He would bark at them furiously in the woods, which upset them (and me). A few even threatened to kick him, which was terrifying. Clearly, more training and socialising were essential.

Chapter 5 – Barkley Meets a Horse

One day, while walking in the woods, I spotted an elegant brown horse and rider trotting along the path.

Barkley had never seen a horse before. The moment he spotted it, he bolted like lightning, barking so loudly that the horse stopped in its tracks. I ran as fast as I could, shouting, “Sit, Barkley!”

To my amazement—he did. I grabbed his lead, the rider trotted away, and I exhaled in relief. “Good boy,” I said, giving him a treat. A small victory, but a sign that he was learning.

Chapter 6 – Barkley and Granny’s Big Scare

Another adventure unfolded one evening while walking Barkley with friends and their Labradors. As we neared a busy road, a huge lorry carrying cars hit a bump and made a tremendous crash. Barkley panicked, pulling me off balance as he tried to chase the noise.

The lead slipped from my hand, and before I could react, he was in the road with cars zooming past.

“Barkley, come back!” I shouted, my heart in my mouth.

Miraculously, he stopped, turned, and came running back. I dropped to my knees and hugged him tightly, overwhelmed with relief.

Not long after, Granny had her own scare. While walking Barkley, a massive builder’s lorry rumbled by. The noise startled him again—he spun Granny round and round until she got dizzy and fell backwards, landing on the road.

By another miracle, she jumped up, brushed herself off, grabbed Barkley’s lead, and carried on walking as if nothing had happened—while Grandad shouted at the lorry driver, who seemed oblivious.

No matter how many near-misses they had, Granny and Barkley always carried on together—each walk an adventure full of laughter, chaos, and love.

Chapter 7 – Barkley the Magician

At home, Barkley is like a magician. One minute he’s right next to me, and the next—poof!—he’s gone.

Most of the time, he follows me everywhere, gazing up at me with those lovely brown eyes. But now and again, he simply vanishes. Still, the moment he hears the word “treat,” he reappears in an instant.

Chapter 8 – Barkley the Fox Hater

At night, Barkley patrols the garden, keeping watch for foxes and other intruders. He takes his job very seriously.

He decided long ago that foxes were not his friends—especially since they often steal his favourite balls and chew them to bits! Barkley barks furiously, chasing them off whenever he can.

Sometimes, he even takes his teddy bear along for backup. Safety in numbers!

Chapter 9 – Barkley, Deliveries, and Friends

Barkley barks loudly at delivery people and loves opening Amazon parcels—he thinks they’re all for him! He knows that most of his toys arrive in those boxes. Clever boy.

He’s less enthusiastic about supermarket deliveries, so we tuck him away until they’re done.

When friends visit, it’s a different story. Barkley barks when they arrive, but once they step inside, he rushes to greet them—often bringing his favourite toy or, occasionally, someone’s shoe.

Chapter 10 – Barkley Gets Swimmer’s Tail

Barkley loves swimming, but one day, after a particularly long splash in the river, he came home unable to sit on his fluffy tail. Off to the vet we went!

The diagnosis: swimmer’s tail. A few pills later, he was back to his happy self.

Then, another mystery—spots appeared all over his tummy! We never found out why, but my daughter dabbed cider vinegar on them, and they disappeared as quickly as they came.

Chapter 11 – Barkley Loves the Piano

Granny loves playing the piano, and Barkley lies nearby, head on his paws, listening intently—even when she’s out of tune.

Then, he joins in, grabbing his squeaky toy and playing along—perhaps to drown out the piano, or maybe to make a duet of his own.

Chapter 12 – Barkley Meets Minnie

We had a surprise when our other daughter returned from Singapore—with her tiny dog, Minnie! She looked like a black and white toy poodle, or perhaps a baby lamb—small but full of energy.

When Minnie met Barkley, she went wild—leaping, jumping, and chasing him around the garden. Barkley tried to keep up, but she was much faster.

Though Barkley isn’t with us all the time, Minnie’s visit made the house even livelier. A boy and a girl—perfect!

Eventually, Minnie packed her little suitcase and jetted off to Dubai, missing the sunshine.

Chapter 13 – Along Came Lilly

Another bundle of joy joined the family when my son and his fiancée brought home a King Charles Cavalier puppy named Lilly. Sweet and timid, she was a gentle contrast to Minnie’s boldness.

Barkley and Lilly became fast friends. They often trot along the seaside together, tails wagging in sync, sniffing the sand and chasing waves.

At home, the mischievous pair plot ways to earn extra treats. Barkley, ever the teacher, shows Lilly how to perfect her puppy eyes, how to sneak an extra biscuit, and even how to “accidentally” knock one off the table for them both.

Wherever they go, fun—and a little mischief—follows.

Chapter 14 – Barkley the Party Animal

Barkley loves parties! On his birthday, he dresses up, invites his doggy friends to the park, and runs around eating cake.

At home parties, he dons his bow tie and scampers about, wagging his tail in hopes of leftovers.

Christmas is his favourite time of all—he loves turkey and sausages and unwrapping presents under the tree.

Barkley Goes Home

Whenever my daughter returns from her business travels, Barkley senses her arrival and waits by the door, tail wagging furiously.

The moment she walks in, Granny becomes invisible. He only has eyes for his mummy—and quite right, too.

Though I feel a little sad when he goes back to London (perhaps a little plumper after staying with me!), the house feels empty without him.

Still, somewhere in the garden, Mr. Fox reappears and throws a little celebration—until he learns that Barkley is coming back sooner than he thinks!

The End