Birthday: January 1st 2007 Likes: Attention from people, chasing leaves and staring at moving things :) Pet-Peeves: Nothing....fairly devoid of opinionation - super kind nature! Favorite Toy: He doesn't know how to play with toys yet! Favorite Food: He was recently emaciated, so he will eat anything! Favorite Walk: Anywhere leaves are blowing! More interested in seeing than scenting Best Tricks: Uses his front legs very naturally....a thousand and one potential tricks in that! Arrival Story: Barton carries with him a most touching story of a network of people and organizations rallying on behalf of this very special boy! The fates would turn to leave him as an emaciated, mange-infected stray, landing in a kill shelter in rural Louisiana after having been someone's pet. Due to being microchipped, he was allowed to linger for a month in hopes that his untraceable owner would come through the door, but sadly time wore itself out and Barton was placed on the euth list. No one wanted this for him.....this is just southern reality. Many lovely dogs die :( So kindly and unique was Barton, however, that Southpaws Express dearly wanted to involve itself. His emergency fund was developed within hours thanks to some very marvelous Dogsters, the local Humane Society agreed to board him and treat him, the kill shelter was willing to be invoiced for his treatment. When his mange turned out to be the more serious sarcoptic, the Humane Society erected an outside run for him so that he would have somewhere safe to be while his medical needs were tended to. Truly a rescue miracle, everyone loves Barton. Once out of his contagious stage, he headed out of the south for fostering in Rhode Island, and now awaits his very lucky New England adopter! Bio: Barton is a very pretty and unique fellow! With his upbeat outlook on life, he has dealt with his life's adventures effortlessly. As far as his breed mix, he is mostly reminiscent of a JRT and Whippet...he has much of the expression, the thick, shorter tail and the small (and adorable!) terrier ears that do not agree (one up, one down), and yet is built for speed (deep girth, nice tuckup, lighter bone through the leg), can really tear through a field and show a well actioned prance. VERY light on his feet. Agility, anyone? :) He also has English Setter....he has the spot pattern and his coat, still coming in, is medium and soft....and Bull Terrier (solid as a house, despite being lithe he is very strong and has a touch of Bull Terrier antic to his personality). Barton seems to have adapted to his deafness by being very visually oriented, so he is very easy to relate to. He readily puts his focus on people and has an excellent attention span, proving slow to distract. He wears two hats. On lead, he is on the engine....very keen, attentive, curious (loves to chase after leaves being windblown) and on his toes. He is a vigorous and very adept player with other dogs....superb bite inhibition, never gets keyed up but is always rockin'. Interacting with people, he softens and can be almost methodically gentle (excusing his occasionally frisky moment, of course), and polite. He is a kisser, a snuggler, and is a FREAK for belly rubs, going still with hypnotic pleasure! He LOVES to play and uses his paws a great deal. He does not know how yet to play with TOYS yet and would love to learn!!! This dog is whip smart...active but not hyper, he has a keen intelligence. Crates well, and as a deaf dog is rather quiet. THE RIGHT HOME FOR BARTON? Southpaws Express will be very diligent in placing this special boy. He needs a home who will respect the added challenges of a deaf dog. Willingness to attend training classes is mandatory, and Barton must never, EVER be let off lead in an unenclosed area as he will not hear your recall. He has been lost once and it is a miracle he did not get hit....let's never roll those dice again! We see three potential homes for Barton....he would be an ultimate family pet, he would be a superb second dog if your current is a big and a vigorous player, and he would be a love match for someone into training. He has tremendous raw potential as an agility dog, and also has the focus and perception to be a potential service dog. Barton needs training, but has good general manners and is quick to learn household etiquette. He sometimes still uses his paws to get attention and is a puller on the leash at this time. That's about it, though - Barton has no angst WHATSOEVER and is clearly an adaptable and resiliently good natured dog. Whippet-sized, he would do well for an apartment dweller. Barton is microchipped, neutered, UTD on shots and heartworm negative. Forums Motto: The Dog of Angels I've Been On Dogster Since: