Twelve years ago, on the day after her 19th birthday, Bree W. made a decision that would change her life forever—she walked into her local shelter to adopt a dog. Her heart was set on a particular pup, but just before she could finish the adoption process, that dog found a home with someone else. Feeling disheartened, Bree wandered the kennels, unsure of what to do next. That’s when she saw him—2-year-old Barney.
In that moment, everything changed.
“I fell in love with him instantly,” Bree shared with Loveanimalsclub, recalling the day she met her soulmate in the form of a scruffy dog. From that day on, Bree and Barney became inseparable, their bond deepening with every shared moment, every walk, and every cuddle. For years, it was just the two of them, perfectly content in their little world, until one day, fate intervened again.
Bree spotted a black-and-white cat at PetSmart—a cat with an unforgettable little mustache. She didn’t adopt him that day, but his image stayed with her. She thought about him constantly, feeling an inexplicable pull toward the feline stranger. A few weeks later, during a tough day, Bree decided to visit the cat again.
Sure enough, he was still there. And Bree knew in her heart this time—she was taking him home.
“I was having a bad day and decided to go see if ‘the cat with the mustache’ was still there,” Bree said. “Sure enough, he was, and I thought, ‘That’s it, I’m taking this cat home.’”
Bree officially adopted the cat, whom she lovingly named ‘Stache, on Barney’s seventh adoption anniversary. Despite warnings from the shelter that ‘Stache might be fearful in his new surroundings, Bree believed that with her and Barney, this special cat could find his place.
Barney had always loved cats, though not many returned the affection. But something told Bree that ‘Stache was different.
Following the shelter’s advice, Bree introduced the two animals slowly. What she hadn’t expected was the rapid connection that blossomed between them. In just three days, they were curled up together on the couch as if they had been lifelong companions.
From that moment on, Barney and ‘Stache were inseparable. They played, wrestled, and cuddled—two souls intertwined despite their differences. Their bond became Bree’s daily source of joy and laughter.
“They loved to play-fight and wrestle,” Bree said. “Sometimes, ‘Stache would win, and sometimes Barney would. It was my favorite daily entertainment. They never once hurt each other. And when they weren’t playing, they were snuggled up together. It was always heartwarming to see.”
The two even started mimicking each other. ‘Stache would greet Bree at the door just like Barney and eventually learned to play fetch—though he preferred hair ties over tennis balls.
For five wonderful years, Barney and ‘Stache shared everything. But earlier this year, Bree noticed Barney wasn’t his usual self. Despite endless vet visits and treatments, Barney’s condition only worsened. Bree had to make the hardest decision of her life—to help Barney cross the rainbow bridge.
“At his ripe old age of 14, it was recommended that we help him cross the rainbow bridge before things got any worse,” Bree shared. The pain was unbearable, but Bree knew it was time.
In the days leading up to Barney’s final appointment, Bree and her family showered him with love. They organized a "Farewell Tour," giving Barney a chance to say goodbye to his neighbors, grandparents, and best friends.
The hardest part, though, was leaving ‘Stache behind, not knowing how he would cope with the loss of his best friend. When Bree returned home without Barney but with his collar in hand, she saw ‘Stache looking around, as if he knew something was different.
“Immediately after we came home from Barney’s final appointment, ‘Stache was looking for him,” Bree said. “He didn’t seem overly worried at first, just curious. But over the next couple of days, he would glance at Barney’s bed, wondering where his buddy had gone.”
Days passed, and Bree noticed ‘Stache staring at Barney’s bed more often, a quiet sadness in his eyes. One day, she found him sitting in the middle of the bed for the first time.
“I happened to look down and see ‘Stache sitting there, seemingly in a quiet moment of reflection,” Bree said. “It was so sad, and I wondered if that was the moment he understood that Barney was gone.”
When Barney’s ashes arrived a few days later, ‘Stache’s reaction broke Bree’s heart all over again. He gently sniffed the box, then rubbed his cheek against it—his final, tender goodbye to the brother he had loved so dearly.
“‘Stache smelled Barney’s box of ashes and rubbed his cheek against it,” Bree recalled. “I hope that brought some level of closure to him, since he wasn’t able to be there when Barney crossed the rainbow bridge.”
Bree knows that, like her, ‘Stache is grieving. They share quiet moments of reflection, moments of missing their beloved Barney. But with each passing day, ‘Stache is doing better, surrounded by Bree’s constant love and care.
“There will never be a dog that can replace Barney or the bond that he and ‘Stache shared,” Bree said. “Their bond will forever hold a place in my heart. But if we ever get another cat or dog, I’ll know exactly who hand-picked them for us from heaven.”
The love that bound Barney and ‘Stache will never fade, and Bree will carry it with her forever. Though they’ve said goodbye, Bree knows Barney is still watching over them, sending his love from beyond the rainbow bridge.
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