Community helping to save puppies
Ryan Barley, left, little brother Brycen, and uncle Michael Barley, right, pose with some of the 13 puppies the Barley family is hand-feeding after the death of the puppies’ mother during delibery. The family is selling the puppies for $400 to help recoup veterinary bills and pay for medical bills.(Courtesy photo)
SANDPOINT — It’s been a tough year for Chris and Bridgett Barley.
Nine months ago, their youngest son, Brycen, was born three weeks early and had to spend six days in Kootenai Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit. To pay for the bills not covered by their insurance, the couple decided to breed their registered chocolate Labrador and sell the puppies.
The family was devastated when Ginger, 3, who had had a problem-free pregnancy, died from liver failure during a C-section to deliver her 14 puppies. Sadly, one of the puppies passed away the following day.
“She was the greatest family dog,” said Chris Barley. “She slept on the beds, she slept on the couch and chased the boys around. Maggie was just a really great dog. Her death was just so unexpected.”
The tragedy couldn’t have come at a worse time. Maggie’s death was right before their oldest son, Ryan’s 10th birthday and occurred shortly after the death of Bridgett Barley’s stepfather.
Now, instead of additional income to pay for medical bills, the family faces a $1,700 veterinary bill for the cost of the C-section and ongoing costs for puppy formula. Even though the owner of the stud dog helped find a wet nurses for the puppies — seven males and six females — they need a constant care and are going through several cans of formula a day, Barley said.
The cost of one can of puppy milk replacer runs between $14-$18, depending on the store.
“It’s ridiculous how expensive it is,” Barley said. “It’s almost twice the cost of regular baby formula.”
The first night, Chris Barley figures he was up 33 hours straight between working at the Blue Cheese Factory and taking care of the puppies, which had to be fed every two hours by syringe since they were too young to suckle.
After the puppies were born, the family called friends and acquaintances to try and find a wet nurse as well as every veterinarian they could find. One of the facilities, Fry Creek Animal Clinic, offered to take care of the puppies at no cost so the couple wouldn’t miss work.
“What Fry Creek has done for us is unbelievable,” Barley said. “They’ve just been amazing.”
Barley also praised Panhandle Animal Shelter, which donated several cans of formula; and the owner of the wet nurse, who gave the Barleys her dog until the puppies can be weaned.
“She didn’t know us but wanted to help,” he said.
The family is looking for help to cover the cost of the puppy formula as well as help pay for the veterinarian bill in connection with the C-section.
While it’s been a tough time, things looking up for the family, Barley said.
His wife, a full-time education major, is on track to receive her associate’s degree at North Idaho College in February and is also taking classes online at Lewis & Clark College. His boss is supportive and he’s able to work overtime to get pay down the family’s medical bills.
Brycen, now nine months, is an energetic happy toddler. When the puppies are old enough to be adopted, Ryan will get to pick one to carry on Maggie’s legacy. The rest will be sold to help pay veterinarian bills and medical bills.
“We’ve been treading water for so long but we can see the rescue boat coming through the water,” Chris Barley said. “It’s just moving a little slowly.”
If you would like to help, you can call the Fry Creek Animal Clinic at 263-7707 or the family at barley4@hotmail.com.