Losing a pet is never easy – especially when you know that they are out in the world somewhere, you just can’t find them. So, after a year of a Michigan community watch and hoping that a missing dog would make it home, the story of how Barley the dog was rescued comes down to one dedicated couple who just couldn’t give up.
Barley’s story began in July 2023 when he went missing during a camping trip at Tahquamenon Falls. His owners were desperate to find him, making several 10-hour trips to search the area. They shared Barley’s story on Facebook, hoping someone would spot their scared pup. But despite their best efforts, Barley remained elusive, leading his owners to make the heartbreaking decision to give up ownership in the hopes that someone else might rescue him.
Deanna feeding Barley. Photo courtesy of the Suggits
Enter Deanna and Denny Suggitt, residents of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., who saw Barley’s story online. While others in the community reported sightings of the lost dog, Deanna knew she couldn’t just sit back and watch. She decided to take matters into her own hands, beginning a rescue mission that would require immense patience and dedication.
Deanna’s strategy was simple but effective. She began making regular 20-minute trips to Brimley, a town about 50 miles from where Barley was spotted, to leave food for the skittish dog. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, she was there, trying to earn Barley’s trust with a carefully crafted meal of boiled liver, hot dogs, and a bed of pedigree dry food.
“She was boiling him liver and hot dogs and put it on a bed of pedigree dry food every morning and every afternoon,” Denny said. “We had to leave at a certain time to take it out to him.” At first, Barley was hesitant, taking the food and running off. But over time, something incredible happened — Barley began to trust the Suggitts. Deanna and Denny noticed a change in his behavior; he started waiting for them if they were running late.
Where are you?,” the couple said the dog appeared to ask.
“If we were running late for some reason, like a winter storm or something, he would come out on the cameras and look down the road like ‘Where are you?’ ” Deanna recalled. Slowly but surely, Barley began to feel comfortable around the couple, even coming closer to them during their visits.
A year after Barley’s initial disappearance, the Suggitts’ patience finally paid off. With the help of a friend and a professional dog trapper named Sharon, they were able to safely trap Barley and bring him to the Chippewa County Animal Shelter for a checkup. The shelter couldn’t have been happier to share the news on their Facebook page: “We have some amazing news. After a year of feeding and building trust, Deanna Suggitt and Sharon were able to catch Barley, the dog who was lost at Tahquamenon.”
Deanna with Barley after he was finally caught. Photo courtesy of the Suggits
And just like that, Barley was finally brought home to the Suggitts. But they know that this journey isn’t over just yet. “Tomorrow, hopefully he’ll be here, and it’s going to be a long process,” Denny shared.
“We’re going to get him home and try to make him realize that he’s a dog and he can have fun and he can play and it’s okay.” With the Suggitts by his side, Barley is sure to find his way to a happy, loving life. After all, he’s already proven he’s got the best team cheering him on.
