BARLEY THE DOG TRAVELS FROM U.S. TO THE OKANAGAN
Source: Global News (Extract)
Posted: May 31, 2024
A dog has safely returned home after an adventurous journey, spanning 10 days and over 100 kilometers from Washington state to Canada, on foot.
Barley, just 30 minutes after being adopted by his new owners in Tonasket, Wash., ran away from home, embarking on an extraordinary journey across the border to Penticton.
“It’s remarkable how far he traveled. He’s fortunate that nothing more serious happened to him,” commented Jacenda Byer, owner of Petra’s Pawdicures, who aided in the rescue effort.
Despite multiple sightings on social media, Rita Kessell, a dog rescuer from the U.S., was unable to intercept Barley during his journey to Canada.
“That dog, the night before he crossed into Canada, refused to enter the trap, despite my attempts with a different trap provided by the local sheriff’s department; it was a longer one. He just wouldn’t budge,” remarked Kessell.
After making his way into Canada, Barley was sighted in Penticton’s Sage Mesa area.
“I happened to be nearby when I saw a post, only 15 or 20 minutes old, mentioning he was right near me,” recalled Darren Sweet, who aided in the rescue effort.
Byer, hailing from Kelowna, was summoned to assist in trapping Barley, utilizing her dog Petra to entice him.
“We allowed Petra to move back and forth beside me with my friend, and he gradually started to relax. He noticed her joy,” explained Byer.
As Barley’s apprehensions subsided, Byer was finally able to capture him.
“After some effort, we managed to secure him on a lead. We tended to his exhaustion, picked off ticks, and I even rubbed his belly — he’s such a gentle soul,” Byer recounted.
Barley received treatment for exhaustion and mild leg pain before being reunited with his owners. According to Global News, they reported that he’s doing well back home in Tonasket.