Barney's Story

We've met many people who are now following Barney's trip so I thought I'd tell his story for those of you who don't know it.
We got him from the Flat Coat Rescue Centre 6 years ago. Jos had phoned the centre to see what they had and Brian who runs the centre said yes, he had a dog looking for a new home. We're not sure why Barney was passed on to the centre but believe he came from somebody who shows flat coats and had been well looked after. Some questions about suitability and he was happy we could be potential owners. We were travelling down to Essex so arranged to call in on the way.
On arrival Barney made instant friends with Jos by putting his paws on her shoulders and to be quite honest I think that was it! We were warned how lively he was, already having been tried (and returned) by two potential owners.
On arriving at home our cats thought he was just a replacement for our old flat coat who had died 6 months before but how wrong they were! He immediately chased one cat around the room and we had a job getting it out of his mouth! Training required! Two new kittens, a muzzle and a water pistol were the answer - he got water pistol treatment as soon as looked at the kittens! Gun dog training with a local expert brought him under control.
Now he could go backpacking with us so a new, larger tent was needed. His first trip was almost his last when he showed his love of rolling on his back in snow unfortunately on the cornice on top of a mountain! However he survived and has clocked up over 200 Munros (Scottish mountains 3000ft and over) with over 70 of them on backpacking trips - he's used to the tent and the routine of wild camping. Barney accompanied us on the section of the Cape Wrath Trail from Torridon to Cape Wrath and has also backpacked over all the Scottish 4000ft mountains in one trip - he likes mountains!
At home he is out daily walking the North Pennine moors with Jos.
He doesn't like the heat or road walking.
He loves eating tissues people have dropped and vegetables out of the garden, especially lettuce and carrots!